star clipper cruises cost

Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Essential Star Clippers Review: Sailing Ship Cruise

Our Star Clippers review proves that there truly is a cruise for everyone. A small ship with Star Clippers can accommodate up to 170 guests, and its sails allow you to feel nature’s gentle push on the open water. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience on one of the cruise line’s three classic sailing ships, Star Clipper. There were surprises we weren’t expecting (like how spacious our room was), and those we were hopeful for that were proven accurate (like how friendly the crew and other passengers were). 

This post will walk you through Star Clipper, sharing everything you may be wondering about this sailing experience so you can book your next trip with them, from the cabins to entertainment, expected cost, some itineraries, and more things to expect. 

Disclosure: We thank Star Clippers for generously hosting us. We also may make a small commission from affiliate links in this post (at no cost to you), but all opinions are ours, and we bring you genuine content with real facts, photos, thoughts, and recommendations. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Star Clippers Review Overview

Our overall experience on the Star Clipper ship was phenomenal, and we had a great time. It's one of the only true sailing ships where the sails are manually raised and lowered, there's a casual vibe with an international crowd, we had plenty of time onboard, and the shore excursions were enjoyable.

Star Clipper is one of three ships in the Star Clippers fleet. (The other two ships are Star Flyer, which is a sister ship of Star Clipper in its architectural design, and the elegant Royal Clipper.) 

This tall ship is beautiful. It’s modeled after a classic Clipper ship (not one in particular, simply a Clipper ship in general, during the classic days of sailing). Though it can take a minute or two to get used to the vibe of this classic vessel, if you’re accustomed to sailing on modern cruise ships, you soon realize the beauty of her details.  

The sailing cruise ship experience gently reminded us of our American Eagle Schooner experience with Maine Windjammer Association. But most of the similarities stop at their sails and beautiful craftsmanship since their size, crew, and where they sail differ greatly.

Our cabin was spacious, the crew members were incredibly friendly, and the food was good. The onboard activities were just enough to give us options that kept us entertained but did not overwhelm us so that we had so much to choose from we couldn’t pick. 

We enjoyed an afternoon nap once or twice during our 7-night cruise, which, we admit, is a favorite cruise activity we indulge in when we get the chance. 

Star Clippers Cruise Cost

Depending on the itinerary and time of year , expect the cruise to start at $1,560 per person. 

Prices vary based on a few factors, including the time of year, length of the cruise, and what category cabin you book.

The Owner's Cabin, for example (there is one on each ship, and it's the highest category level), can be up to $10,000 for the cruise. There is a budget for every cruiser on Star Clippers, whether you have $2,000 to spend per person, $3,000, or $5,000, for example.

Ready to Book Your Cruise or INquire?

Use our preferred travel advisors, bolds travel, because….

• They take away the hassle of travel planning : time spent on the phone with the cruise line could be time you spend doing other things.
• You don't pay them a dime : their service is free (this is because they get paid by the cruise line or destination).
• Their experience: They have decades of experience and attention to detail.

Does Star Clipper Include Alcohol and Excursions? 

They do not include these things. Alcohol, however, is very affordable onboard. (Read on for detailed beverage information.) 

If you want to book excursions, be sure to factor in around $75 to $150 per person per excursion, depending on your cruise itinerary. 

You do not have to buy the excursions if you want to stay on the ship or explore the port on your own. 

Star Clipper Itineraries 

Our itinerary was one of two offered in Costa Rica. It sailed along the Pacific Coast of this spectacular Central American country. 

However, they have plenty of itineraries. For example, they have options in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean (where they can sail 70% of the time – a high percentage – because of the helpful Tradewinds in that area), and the Panama Canal. 

You can also sign up for an ocean crossings cruise 

Star Clippers Review of the Ship's Interior Design

The ship’s motifs are nautical. If we had to mention the ship’s color palette, we’d say it’s navy blue, crimson, and yellowish gold. The colors reveal themselves in things like the carpet, the dining room upholstery, and the carpet and bedspreads in the cabins. 

Star Clippers Cabins

We were in cabin 130, which is a Category 4 Outside Stateroom. We were pleasantly surprised with how spacious it was. Details follow about our room…. 

Cabin Access

You use a good ‘ole physical key to access your room. When you embark on your cruise, the Purser checks you in. 

He or she gives you keys when you embark in exchange for your passport. The Purser also records a credit card to have on file for your expenses and takes a digital photo of you for the ship’s digital ID system.

This is an easy way for a crew member to match your digital ID card with a face when you enter/exit the ship during port days, like any cruise ship does. 

The bed was very comfortable — not too hard, not too soft. We were provided two pillows each (a total of four pillows), which was exactly what we normally sleep with. If you’re particular about pillows and you’re curious what kind they were, they seemed to have a cotton filling of some sort.

Two comforters were laid on the bed for us so we could each have our own. 

Cabin Porthole

Most cabins have one porthole unless you are in one of the 11 inside cabins. The window let natural daylight in when the sun was up. 

At night, the cabin steward closed curtains over it as part of turn-down service, so when the sun rose the next morning, we could still sleep in darkness until we opened the curtains.

Cabin Storage

There was plenty of storage for our clothes, shoes, and the like, with closet shelves and hanging room for clothes. We appreciated that the closet door had full-length mirrors on the outside. There was also a pull-out drawer under the seat that was next to our bed and under-bed storage for luggage. 

A large mirror in our room was above a vanity shelf of sorts. Under that shelf were two outlets and a sitting stool. 

Our cabin, in particular, had another shelf under the television simply because of the architectural location of our cabin on the ship. 

Safety Deposit Box

Each cabin has a safety deposit box in the closet, controlled by a digital code you choose the first time you use it. We put jewelry and cash in ours. There was no need to store our passports because the Purser’s office has them for your entire cruise. 

We were glad we packed carabiners (as we always do) to clip our toiletry bags up on the bathroom hooks so they could be near us without taking up the small sink space around our corner sink. 

Some cabins have more sink space, and some have less.

Two shelves above the toilet fit our toiletry bags, but they weren’t where we wanted to have them handy. Thus, we used our carabiners to have them as close to the sink as possible. We easily clipped them to the hand towel hooks. 

The shower in our cabin was simply an adjustable shower head on a stationary rod above a floor drain, with a curtain to enclose the corner. 

The whole bathroom floor ever-so-slightly sloped towards the shower drain. 

Cabin Air Conditioning 

Each cabin has its own air conditioning unit that you can adjust by dial. It’s literally a dial to let more or less air into the room from the vent that is on the ceiling.

When we first went to our cabin, it was very stuffy, even though we opened the dial all the way to maximize the airflow. However, once Star Clipper got moving, the air started to circulate more, much like an airplane’s ventilation system being better once the plane’s engines start.

Television and DVD Player

Star Clipper cabins are equipped with both. The television only had two channels that we were able to tune into. One continuously played an old video of Star Clippers Royal Clipper ship.

We recommend renting a DVD from the Sloop Shop if you want to watch something in your cabin or checking out our Star Clipper Packing List, which recommends downloading shows and/or movies to your iPad before you leave home. 

Electrical Outlets

Hidden underneath the vanity shelf was one outlet with two plugs. They fit both European and US two-prong plugs. 

We recommend bringing an outlet extender to create more plugs if you know you’ll have lots of electronics to charge. It’s one of the useful things we included in our handy Star Clippers packing list.

Onboard Laundry Service

Should you wish to have the Star Clipper crew do your laundry while on board, there is a laundry bag and price list in your closet. It takes 24 hours for the laundry to come back to you.

Prices vary from around €0,50 to launder underwear to €5 for a nice shirt or €3 for a t-shirt. 

Noise and Cabins Above the Engine Room

It’s important to note that Cabin 130, and those nearby, are above the Star Clipper engine room. (It’s the same on Star Flyer, her sister ship.) Overall, this wasn’t an issue during the cruise. 

There was one evening, however, that we began sailing at midnight. That night, the ship engine could be heard very loudly from our room, and the heat from the engine room could definitely be felt! 

If you sail during the day, this likely won’t be an issue unless you’re trying to nap. Also, if the ship can run on sail power instead of engine power, the captain and engineers opt for that. In that case, the engine wouldn’t be running anyway. 

The cabins on Deck 2 (the 200 numbers) and the decks above are not on top of the engine room. Additionally important to note is that not all the 100 number cabins on Deck 1 are above the engine room; only some of them.

Owner’s Suite on Star Clipper

We had the pleasure of seeing inside the Owner’s Suite cabin on Star Clipper. It’s a beautiful cabin with a deep bathroom tub and wrap-around built-in couches. 

An important note is that Dan wouldn’t have been able to stay there for an extended period of time.

He’s very tall (6’2”), and his head touched the ceiling of the Owner’s Suite. But, judging from his height, if you’re 5’10” or shorter, then it’s truly a lovely cabin that any guest would be lucky to stay in. 

Star Clippers Review of the Food

The food on Star Clipper was very good. There were a few food standouts, with some appetizers and entrees being better than others, as can be expected. All the buffet signage is written in English and German. 

There is only one main dining area on Star Clipper, which has open seating. There’s table seating with chairs and booth seating. The buffet area is in the center of the space. 

Two breakfasts were available daily: An early riser’s option and the full breakfast buffet.

We loved the omelet station that was part of the full buffet. We had one daily, along with fresh fruit, bread, cheese, and potatoes. Protein was also readily available, including things like smoked fish, bacon, or sausage. 

The buffet was usually from 7:30 am to 9:30 am, give or take 30 minutes, depending on the day’s schedule. 

The Early Riser’s Breakfast was in the Piano Bar area. It offers small pastries, including croissants and danishes, and some fruit. Coffee and tea were always nearby and available all the time. (Drinks like cappuccinos and lattes cost extra.) 

A buffet lunch was available for two hours a day. Times vary slightly depending on the port schedule, but generally, lunch was between noon and 2:30 pm.

The buffet had something for everyone, with plenty of delicious options from fish to meat, vegetables to pasta, and a salad bar. 

Dinner was always served at your table as plated appetizers, soups, and entrees, ending with dessert.

One of the interesting things about Star Clippers is that they set out display food in the Piano Bar area approximately an hour before dinner so that you can see the appetizer and entree options for the evening. This very much helped us decide what we wanted to eat for dinner.

Some entree hits were Chateaubriand Steak, Pork Cordon Bleu, and Salmon with Sundried Tomatoes. 

Appetizer-wise, we really liked their Mushroom Soup (we must say, Star Clippers had surprisingly flavorful soups), zucchini-wrapped feta cheese, and Smoked Salmon with Capers. 

Their ice cream sundae bowls were always yummy. They have a cheese option each night as well that we enjoyed. (We love a cheese dessert, especially after barge cruising and river cruising in Europe so much, with plenty of delicious cheese to spare!) 

Snacks were available every day at 5:00 pm, accompanied by acoustic guitar music. This included fresh fruit, tiny finger sandwiches, and a small hot item, like egg rolls or chicken skewers. One day they treated us to a snack taco bar – it was a hit!

A snack was available again at midnight if you were still awake and wanted a nosh.

Star Clippers Review of Drinks

Drinks are done a bit differently on the ship than you may be used to if you’re a big ship or river cruiser because they don’t offer drink packages. Instead, they are priced reasonably per drink. 

Some you pay for, and others are complementary, like filtered water from a water station by the Tropical Bar. It is great for filling reusable bottles. Coffee and tea are complimentary and self-serve outside of dining hours. 

There are two bars on board: Piano Bar and Tropical Bar. The Tropical Deck welcomes guests starting from 8:00 am. 

Coffee and Tea 

There is a station for coffee and tea that is always available.

Teas including Earl Grey, Lipton’s, English Breakfast, Mint, Peach, and more are set out. They did not have any decaf tea on our sailing, so if you enjoy a cup, be sure to bring some of your own tea bags. 

Drinks like lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos can be purchased on the ship from the bartenders and are not complementary. 

All the varieties of alcohol you would expect are available on board, including vodka, gin, tequila, Aperol, and rum. Drinks are an average of €5 to €6 each, depending on what you get. I ordered a vodka dirty martini with several dinners; each was only €6. 

There is always a “Drink of the Day” for €5. It’s usually some sort of fruity cocktail, like a Rum Punch, Pina Colada, or Melon Ball. 

If you buy alcohol in the ports or bring it on board during embarkation, you cannot consume it on the ship. (They do not search your bags when you first board, nor do they search your bags when you board after time in the ports.)

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Star Clipper offers a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas (coke, ginger ale, sprite, and orange soda, for example), sparkling water, and non-alcoholic beer, priced per drink. 

Star Clipper Public Areas

Aside from the dining room and two bars mentioned above, there is also the following on board: 

• Sloop Shop (Star Clipper Store) 
• Two Pools 

Bowsprit Net

Smoking area.

The library is lovely (and very air-conditioned). Its dark-red upholstery, carpet, and dark wood give it a nice warmth, finished with a framed painting of a sailing ship. 

Library books are free for guests to enjoy. There are books in several languages, including Dutch, English, French, and German. 

The library also has games, like Scrabble, for guests to play. Lastly, it’s where the excursion sign-up sheets and booklets are during the cruise. 

Sloop Shop 

Star Clipper had some of the best items to purchase we’ve seen on any cruise ship, large or small. It’s stuffed to the brim with linen shirts, t-shirts, cufflinks, watches, silk scarves, bags, etc.

It’s all very tastefully designed, with small “Star Clippers” logos and insignia incorporated into the design. There was a sale on some of the older “season’s” apparel on the last full day of the cruise, which was the day before disembarkation. 

They also sold toiletry items, like sunscreen, over-the-counter medication, and tampons. 

Two pools filled with salt water are open during most hours. It’s unavailable overnight, and, weather permitting; it is not available when the sea is rough .

At the front of the ship is the bowsprit net, which is often open for guests to lay out at the front of the ship. It’s not a place to bring your phone or items that could fall through the net into the ocean! 

There is a small area for smokers on one side of the outdoor Tropical Bar, where ashtrays are provided. 

On Board Afternoon and Evening Entertainment 

One of our favorite surprises on Star Clipper was live music and entertainment. 

Music During Late Afternoon Snacks

The daily schedule included music in the Tropical Bar area from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and afternoon snacks. We’d be remiss not to mention Kirby for our Star Clippers review, who was the fantastic musician onboard.

Despite his youth, he delights with a decades-long songbook, including Frank Sinatra chart-toppers. 

Late Night Entertainment

Dinner started at 7:30 pm every night and lasted a good two hours. After dessert, you could either mingle with guests, go to bed, or stay up for the 10:00 pm nightly entertainment. 

We had a variety of entertainment throughout our 7-night cruise, including a dance party, trivia night, and a light show on the sails. The show has solid colored lights projected on the cloth. While it’s not Disney-quality entertainment , it’s still a fun experience, especially if the weather is nice.

One of the last evenings was a talent show. Guests and crew alike could sign up to show off their talents.

The hit of the show wasn't just the singers and musicians among us who revealed their talents during the two-hour show but particularly the activities crew, who were all teenagers enjoying a summer job as crew on the ship. They were inventive and fun-loving with their act creating costumes and singing traditional Scandinavian songs from their home country of Denmark for the show. It was very entertaining!

On multiple evenings, guided stargazing was held on the top deck at 11:00 pm with the Third Officer. They shut the deck lights off so you can see the night sky more clearly. 

Daytime Activities

Aside from simply enjoying your cabin and the ship’s pools and library during the day, additional programming is onboard. 

This includes things like a morning workout or a knot-tying class led by someone from the Sports Team. We enjoyed a Q&A session with the captain and appreciated the opportunity to climb to the Crow’s Nest platform about ⅓ of the way up one of the masts. 

The Crow’s Nest climb was so popular they held it twice during our cruise. Unfortunately, we were the last two people on the signup sheet and didn’t get to climb before sunset on the second day. We look forward to doing it on our next Star Clippers cruise! 

On Board Wellness

There is a massage therapist on the ship. Massages are extremely affordable at €60 for a 60-minute massage. The massage room is a lovely tented area on the top deck that is very tranquil inside. It's decorated with electric candles, shells, and a comfortable massage table.

Is there a gym on Star Clippers?

While there is no gym or workout room on the ship, a fitness class was offered every morning around 8:00 am, with instruction by one of the Sports Team members.

Star Clipper Tendering and Excursions

Excursions vary depending on what itinerary you are signed up for. Regardless of the ports you visit and your excursion options, several things are universal: 

• If you’re not directly docked on a cruise ship pier where you can step from the boat to the land, you’ll either have a dry landing or wet landing to get to the port from the boat.
• Excursions are priced per person per excursion.  

Tendering to Shore

A boat like Star Clipper often “docks” by dropping anchor in the open water and mooring at sea, as it’s called. This is opposed to docking directly on a cruise pier and means guests must be transferred to the shore. This is done via tender boat or “Zodiac” boat. 

One of two shore landings can happen in this case: 

• A wet landing is where you step off the boat, into shallow water, and then to shore. 
• Dry landing, where you step from the tender boat or Zodiac onto a dry dock of some sort. 

In the case of situation #2, you often need to walk up or down stairs to get on/off the boat to the dock in small port towns. 

You always need to walk down steps to get from Star Clippers boats to the tender boat, which takes you from the second deck down to the water level. 

Wet-Landings 

We had several wet landings during our cruise in Costa Rica on Star Clipper. They tell you you’ll have a wet landing ahead of time so that you can prepare with the proper footwear and clothes. 

We either took off our shoes to go into the water barefoot or went in with our water shoes on. 

We preferred wearing our water shoes because it can be risky to step into murky water barefoot if you cannot see what’s beneath the surface, like a rocky or shell-filled shore. Because of this, we recommend water shoes on our Star Clippers packing list . 

Note:  Don't cheap out on a pair of water shoes if you want to use them in the future after your first trip. Pairs that are $10-$20 rip easily. Plan to spend around $30 on a pair of water shoes , which will last a long time!

Our clothes got a little wet in some cases. One such instance was when we were on our way back to the ship in a tender boat when a wave from the wake of another boat splashed over us.

Another time was when we had to step into the water to get to shore. The water was thigh-high for shorter people (like Mikkel) but shallower for tall people (like Dan). 

Luckily, if you’re in a hot climate (and Star Clippers usually is), your clothes will dry quickly. 

Dry Landings

This type of landing is easier, of course. In this case, the tender ship can pull up right next to a dock, and you can step from the dry tender onto dry land or a dry structure. 

During our Costa Rica cruise, we had a dry landing four times. Twice for embarkation and disembarkation in Puntarenas, another time in Golfito, and once more in Quepos. 

We did a mix of things in ports during our week-long cruise. We signed up for excursions in some ports while we simply walked around on our own in others. 

The excursions very much differ from port to port and itinerary to itinerary. For this reason, we won’t get into the details of our excursions other than to say they were well orchestrated. 

Generally, the cost of the excursions was between $75 to $150 per person, depending on the experience. This included transportation, entrance to the experience if applicable (like a fee to get into a national park), a guide, and a meal if the excursion spanned lunch or dinner time. 

You sign up for excursions in a very simple old-fashioned way: while you’re on the ship by putting your name down on a sign-up sheet in the library. The excursion sign-up sheets are in a binder with 8.5×11” paper, with each excursion printed on its own sheet. They may cancel it if too few people sign up for it.

Star Clippers will inform you via email if any excursions need to be booked before your cruise. In our case in Costa Rica, the Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour had to be signed up for in advance. 

There was a short daily port talk to discuss the port we’d be visiting the next day and answer any guests' questions. 

Star Clippers AccessIbility

If you need the assistance of a walker, a cane, or a wheelchair to move around, we do not recommend Star Clippers.

There are simply too many stairs with no option to use an elevator and too many places you can potentially trip if you're mobility-impaired.

Additionally, it would be difficult to exit and re-enter the ship in ports where you need to go down stairs to get on a tender to reach the shore in 99% of the cases during the cruise.

Star Clippers Review, in Conclusion

A Star Clippers cruise is a wonderful experience for people who want a relaxing, small-ship cruise that truly sails and operates the old-fashioned way with a crew that hoists sails. 

Star Clipper goes to beautiful destinations. With the crew and fellow passengers you’ll meet, the enjoyable activities and food on the ship, and the wonderful itineraries, your vacation is sure to be memorable.

Read this next:

• Star Clipper Cruise: Interesting Facts about the Sailing Vessel
• Star Clippers Packing List (And Dress Code) with a Printable
• Coastal Maine Windjammer Cruises: Overnight Schooner Sailing Vacations

Similar Posts

Top Winter Cruises: Where to Vacation in December and November

Disney Wish Design Details Guests Will Gush Over on DCL

Welcome to Our Boating and Small Format Cruise Focused Website

Unprecedented Historic 35-Day Civil War River Cruise

Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts are Causing a Racquet on the Water

Guide to Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart of America

Great post with a ton of detailed info for our upcoming Star Clippers cruise! Thanks for all of the great tidbits for packing and what to expect!

Thank you so much for your comment, Lauren. It means so much to us!

Having been on the Royal Clipper in January, your review was spot on when explaining what it’s like to experience a Clipper ship. Great job! Nancy C.

Thank you, Nancy!

Hi, Just about to book Star Flyer (hopefully) and your Great review and tips were really helpful. We’re ex sailors who lived on a boat for 15 years, so are fully aware what to expect, but nice to know about these particular boats (food, what to wear, entertainment etc). Hopefully I can report back once we’ve been on board.

We can’t wait to hear about your Star Flyer trip, Michele! Thank you so much for your comment and looking forward to your trip report. 🙂 – Mikkel + Dan

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Star Clippers’ Cruise Along Panama and Costa Rica: What to Expect

By Heidi Sarna

January 8, 2024

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com , a guide to small-ship cruising .

For more than 30 years, Star Clippers has offered small-ship cruising in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and other regions aboard a trio of sailing tall ships inspired by the speedy clippers of the 19th century.

I recently spent a week aboard the four-masted, 166-passenger Star Clipper vessel as it cruised westward along the Pacific coast of Central America from Balboa, near Panama City, to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica .

The ports along this route are showcases for nature walks and beaches. 

The setting for my favorite beach day: Panama ’s Isla Iguana , where we snorkeled, swam in the teal-blue sea, and walked along a trail to the other side of the island. We caught sight of iguanas, scads of tiny white beach crabs, and, off to the side of the path, a crater left by one of the bombs the U.S. government tested in the area during the mid-20th century. 

On beach days, the crew brings a few kayaks and paddleboards ashore for passengers to use at no extra charge.

In Costa Rica, we signed up for guided walking tours of two nature preserves near the coast:  Piedras Blancas National Park and the larger, better-known Manuel Antonio National Park . 

We saw two- and three-toed sloths doing their slow-motion moves up in the trees as well as howler and white-faced Capuchin monkeys and tropical birds including the yellow-throated toucan. Guides carried high-powered telescopes on tripods to assist us in spotting the wildlife. 

Sailing Vibes

For many passengers, being aboard a traditional clipper ship is as important as the ports—and it’s the sailing experience that keeps a lot of customers coming back. One cruiser told me she was on her 15th Star Clippers cruise; I myself was on my sixth.

The ship’s 16 sails were raised (via electric winches) whenever conditions were right to run with the wind. Generally, that happens anywhere from 25% to 50% of the time. Otherwise, the vessel relies on engine power in order to stay on schedule. 

Whenever sails were raised on my voyage, the schmaltzy theme song from Ridley Scott’s adventure movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise was broadcast to set the mood. A core group of passengers always remained on deck to watch the world go by through the web of rigging. 

Once or twice per cruise, interested passengers are invited to don harnesses and climb the masts to reach the crow’s-nest nearly 60 feet up. 

Alternatively, you can ask to descend into the bowsprit netting at the front of the ship for the novelty of lying above the sea and getting some good photos from a unique perspective. If you’re lucky, you’ll glimpse dolphins and sea turtles swimming near the hull.

Another tempting visual opportunity: Once per cruise, tenders take out anyone interested to photograph the ship under full sails.

Onboard Meals, Service, and Amenities

Our Category 2 cabin was 129 square feet with wood and brass trim. The majority of the ship’s cabins are similar (though a bit smaller) and each also has portholes, a compact bathroom, a desk and stool, and a surprisingly adequate closet.

Open seating is the rule at mealtimes, with breakfast and lunch offered buffet style. At dinner, you’ll get a menu with several options for each course. Highlights: sea bass with asparagus, filet of pork with applesauce, crab cake with aioli, lobster tail, and delicious desserts such as apple crumble. 

Before dinner each day, we enjoyed prosecco (at just €3.50 a glass) at the Tropical Bar on the deck. A decent bottle of wine at dinner will set you back about €25. (On Star Clippers cruises, meals are included but alcohol, excursions, and spa services cost extra. Note that prices on board are in euros, but, as on most other ships, you can pay with a credit card at the end of the voyage, so it's not necessary to have cash on hand.)

There were only about 80 passengers on the cruise I took. If the ship was closer to its maximum capacity of 166, the restaurant would definitely feel tight. 

Up on deck you’ll find two small pools and a massage hut where you can get an excellent €60 massage (I booked twice). 

As this was dubbed a “yoga cruise,” a daily guided yoga class took place on deck each morning. Some of the line's yoga cruises (though not this one) offer a second daily class later in the day. 

In the way of entertainment, the ship has a library with a small selection of books and, after dinner most nights, the Tropical Bar hosts simple events such as a crew-and-passenger talent show and a pirate-themed dress-up party.

Onboard irritants were few, save for the Wi-Fi (I never encountered a clear explanation for how to log on) and the frequently disorganized tender service used to get passengers from the anchored ship to shore. It seemed like the tender crew were all new and often that no one was in charge.

Still, Star Clippers’ traditional-style tall ships provide a special experience combining adventure and comfort that’s hard to match. I look forward to planning my seventh cruise on a clipper sometime soon. 

Central American cruises operated by Star Clippers start at $4,570 per person. For more information, go to StarClippers.com .

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

• Subscribe to our free newsletter
• Request a call back
• Royal Clipper

The largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world

Inspired by the legendary Tall Ship, Preussen, the new Royal Clipper has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted sailing ship built since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the last century. With her complement of 42 sails, Royal Clipper is a splendid sight to behold. You might think she was an apparition from the grand age of sail, but Royal Clipper is as new as tomorrow. She boasts state-of-the-art navigation systems and all the comforts of today.

For connoisseurs of sail cruising, the 439 foot Royal Clipper offers the ultimate sea-going experience, balancing the grandeur, adventure and tradition of sailing with the superb service, amenities and accommodations of the finest modern yachts. Royal Clipper carries just 227 guests in luxurious style.

A full 18,940 square feet of open deck and three swimming pools create a wonderfully spacious and expansive outdoor environment. Find your secret hideaway on one of the hidden balconies on either side of the bow.

Climb the mast (with safety harness provided) to one of the passenger look-out "crow's-nests", thoughtfully furnished with comfortable settee, where you'll have the grandest view of all! Royal Clipper's interior spaces are just as dazzling. They include a 3-deck atrium that funnels sunlight into the elegantly-appointed dining room, where you'll enjoy deliciously prepared cuisine and a no-tie dress code.

A convenient marina platform lowers from the stern for watersports and diving. The ultimate unique Royal Clipper experience, the one-of-a-kind Captain Nemo Lounge, is the site of our spa and health club, which features underwater glass portholes!

Royal Clipper Technical Data

• Tonnage: 5000
• Length: 439 ft
• Beam: 54 ft
• Draft: 18.5 ft
• Sail Area: 56,000 sq ft
• Mast Height: 197 ft
• Number Of Crew: 106
• Passenger Capacity: 227
• Masts: 5 masts, 42 sails

Royal Clipper Sail Plan

Royal clipper deck plans.

Clipper Deck

Commodore Deck

Royal Clipper Cabin Layouts

Deluxe suite with veranda.

Deluxe Outside Suite with Private Verandah, Double/Twin Beds, Sitting Area, Minibar, Marble Bathroom with Whirlpool, Room Service and air conditioning.

Category 2 - 5 Stateroom

Outside cabin, Double/Twin/Triple Beds, Marble Bathroom with Shower/WC

Category 6 Stateroom

Inside cabin, Double/Twin/Triple Beds, Marble Bathroom with Shower/WC

Royal Clipper Virtual Tour

Royal clipper itinerary, royal clipper photo gallery.

Star Clipper Ships

• Star Clipper

©2007-2024 Sentaford Limited Trading as The Vacation Company. Retail agents for ATOL holders and other principals. All rights reserved. Registered Address: The Vacation Company, 51 Chillingham Drive, Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, DH2 3TJ Registered in England number: 04917354.

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Price Accuracy: Prices quoted throughout this site are subject to change and the services offered subject to availability. Prices exclude, where applicable, a passenger admin fee. Fred. Olsen Travel trading as GoCruise is a member of ABTA with membership number J5035. As such we are bonded according to ABTA's rules and abide by ABTA's Code of Conduct. ABTA protection applies to services supplied by Fred. Olsen Travel trading as GoCruise, but does not apply to services featured on this web site that are provided by any company that is not a member of ABTA. Book with Confidence. We are a Member of ABTA (membership no. J5035) which means you have the benefit of ABTA's assistance and Code of Conduct. All the package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell are covered by a scheme protecting your money if the supplier fails. Other services such as hotels or flights on their own may not be protected and you should ask us what protection is available. membership For your financial protection and to reassure you of our operating standard we are full members of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents) and act as agents for ATOL holders. Please be aware that GoCruise are acting solely as your booking agent, subject to which all bookings are accepted. Any travel or destination is copyright of its respective owners. Fred. Olsen Travel trading as GoCruise are not responsible for 3rd party content. Destination and travel advice is subject to change and inaccuracies.

Search for a cruise

• Cruise Deals

Star Clippers Cruise Deals

Cruise search, special cruise offers.

Royal Caribbean

• 60% OFF 2nd Guest + Kids Sail FREE + Specialty Dining for 2 + FREE GRATUITIES or Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Norwegian Cruise Line

• 70% OFF 2nd Guest + FREE At Sea + BOGO Airfare + Up to $1,700 Cash Back

Holland America

• Up to 40% OFF + 3rd & 4th Guests FREE + Onboard Credit + 50% Reduced Deposit

Princess Cruises

• Up to 35% OFF + 3rd & 4th Guest FREE + Up to $1,785 Onboard Credit

Celebrity Cruises

• Up to 75% OFF 2nd Guest + FREE Amenities Included: FREE Beverage Package + Basic Wi-Fi + Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Featured Cruise Deals

Other cruise options.

• Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Land Tour Deals
• View Golf Vacations
• Shop by Destination
• Shop by Cruise Line
• Cruise From Port Near You
• Holiday Sailings
• Luxury Cruises

Star Clipper Cruises offer a variety of cruise itineraries and Cruise.com offers some exceptional Star Clipper Cruise deals. Book online or call one of our cruise experts to get the best cruise deal on your next Star Clipper Cruise.

Featured Star Clippers Cruise Deals

• Complimentary Ocean Transportation to remote ports
• Complimentary meals and snacks
• Open Seating Dining
• Complimentary beverages(ice tea, tea, America coffee, some juices)
• Complimentary Onboard entertainment
• Complimentary Onboard water toys (paddle board, snorkeling gear, kayaks, windsurf, sunfish, floats)

Best Star Clippers Cruise Deals by Destination

• Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
• Star Clippers All Inclusive Experience

All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. All rates are per person based on double occupancy.

Modal title

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER SAVINGS

• Forgot Password?

Often cruise lines offer special rates that cannot be displayed to the general public. By registering with Cruise.com you will be able to view these special rates and offers.

Register with Cruise.com to get access to:

• Exclusive Rates
• Special Amenities

Login to Your Account

There was an error! Please re-enter your credentials and try submitting the form again.

Reset Your Password

Please enter the email associated with your account so that we may send you a link to reset your password.

An email was sent to the address provided with instructions on how to reset your password.

Oops! There was an error with the email you provided.

Thank you for signing up!

Look out for your first email with our latest news and offers heading straight into your inbox!

At Hays Travel we promise to respect your privacy and we will not give out your details to any 3rd party. Take a look at our privacy policy for more information.

News & Latest Offers

Call our experts on

• Destinations
• Cruise Lines
• Cruise Types
• Hays Travel
• Hays Worldwide

Featured Destinations

More Destinations

Featured cruise lines.

More Cruise Lines

Featured cruise types.

More Cruise Types

Star Clippers

• CruiseMapper

Star Clipper cabins and suites

Star clipper staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Star Clipper cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Star Clippers en-suite amenities and services.

The Star Clipper cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Star Clipper cabins review

Star Clipper cabin and suite plans are property of Star Clippers . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.