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Star Clippers is for people who want to actually sail. These are not motor ships with decorative canvas. They are genuine tall ships, towering square-rigged and clipper vessels that cross oceans under sail, with crew climbing the rigging and passengers welcome to lend a hand.
This is authentic tall-ship cruising, as close to the great age of sail as a modern traveler can get, with real comfort. The ships are among the largest sailing vessels in the world, the atmosphere is relaxed and nautical, and the experience is built around the romance and reality of sailing.
Founded in 1991 and privately owned, Star Clippers sits in a category almost of its own, a sailing experience more than a conventional cruise. Our verdict up front: if you genuinely want to sail, under real canvas, in relaxed comfort, nothing else compares. If you want big-ship amenities, luxury, or a packed activity schedule, this is emphatically not the line.
Quick Facts
| Fleet size | 3 tall ships |
| Newest ship | Royal Clipper (the largest square-rigged ship in service) |
| Capacity range | 166 to 227 guests |
| Home ports | Itinerary-led; strong Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia presence |
| Destinations | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, Central America, transatlantic crossings under sail |
| Starting price | From $1,499 per person |
| Loyalty program | Star Clippers loyalty benefits |
| Age policy | Family-capable, adults-focused in feel |
| Dress code | Casual and nautical, no formal nights |
| Our rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
Want to see what a Star Clippers voyage costs in your dates? Check live Star Clippers prices and sailings first. The figures below are accurate for 2026, and the transatlantic crossings under sail price differently from the regional voyages.
Who Star Clippers Is For
Star Clippers is for the traveler who wants the real experience of sailing, not a simulation of it. These are genuine tall ships under canvas. The appeal is the romance and reality of being aboard a working sailing vessel: the heel of the deck, the sound of the wind, the crew aloft in the rigging.
The crowd is relaxed, often well-traveled, and there for the sailing itself and the small, characterful ports the ships can reach. It suits independent-minded travelers who want adventure and authenticity over amenities and pampering, and who are happy with comfortable rather than luxurious.
Best for:
- Sailing enthusiasts and the sailing-curious
- relaxed independent travelers
- lovers of small characterful ports
- anyone drawn to the romance of tall ships
Not ideal for:
- Luxury seekers
- travelers wanting big-ship amenities or entertainment
- anyone prone to seasickness who dislikes the motion of a sailing vessel
If you want a small-ship experience with more comfort and less sailing, compare Star Clippers and Windstar side by side.
The Fleet
Star Clippers operates three genuine tall ships, among the largest true sailing vessels in the world.
Royal Clipper (227 guests) is the flagship and the largest full-rigged sailing ship in service, a five-masted square-rigger of genuine grandeur, modeled on a legendary early-20th-century vessel. Being aboard her under full sail is a remarkable experience.
Star Clipper and Star Flyer (around 166 guests each) are four-masted barquentine clippers, slightly smaller and even more intimate, evoking the classic clipper ships of the 19th century. All three carry real, working sail plans.
These are not motor ships with token sails. They genuinely sail, often with engines off, and the crew work the rigging traditionally. Passengers can climb to the crow’s nest in suitable conditions and help haul the lines, which captures the authentic spirit of the brand.
Dining
Star Clippers dining is good and unpretentious, suited to the relaxed, nautical character of the ships rather than aiming for culinary spectacle. Meals are included and well-prepared.
The ships offer a main dining room with open seating and casual outdoor options, with menus that mix international and regional dishes reflecting the sailing areas. The atmosphere is convivial and relaxed, often with shared tables that suit the sociable, adventurous crowd.
This is not a line for multiple specialty restaurants or fine-dining theater, the food is honest, satisfying, and appropriate to a sailing ship. Deck barbecues and the occasional beach event add to the relaxed, characterful dining experience.
Entertainment & Activities
The sailing is the entertainment on Star Clippers, and that is exactly as intended. Watching the crew set the sails, feeling the ship come alive under canvas, and the daily rhythm of a working sailing vessel are the heart of the experience.
There is no casino, no production show, no waterpark. Instead there are water sports from the fold-out marina platform when at anchor, sail-handling demonstrations, and the chance to climb the mast in suitable conditions. Evenings are relaxed, with live music on deck under the stars.
Onboard days center on the sailing, the small pools, the deck, and the destination. The atmosphere is sociable and unpretentious, drawing travelers who want adventure and authenticity. Anyone expecting cruise-ship entertainment will be disappointed, and anyone wanting to sail will be in their element.
Cabins & Accommodations
Star Clippers cabins are comfortable and nautical rather than luxurious, fitting the authentic tall-ship character.
Standard cabins are cozy and well-appointed for a sailing ship, with the practical, ship-shape layout you would expect aboard a genuine clipper. Pricing is accessible, among the more affordable in the small-ship and sailing space.
Royal Clipper offers more variety, including suites and even a handful of cabins with private balconies, the most spacious accommodation in the fleet. The smaller clippers are more uniformly intimate.
Across the fleet the accommodation is comfortable and characterful rather than plush. That suits a ship where the experience is the sailing, and time aboard is spent largely on deck and ashore rather than in the cabin.
Destinations & Itineraries
Star Clippers sails where the wind and small harbors lead, favoring characterful ports the big ships cannot reach. It runs strong Caribbean and Mediterranean seasons, plus Asia and Central America, with the ships’ shallow draft and small size accessing secluded bays and small islands.
A signature is the transatlantic crossing under sail, repositioning voyages that cross the ocean largely under canvas, a rare and genuine blue-water sailing experience for passengers. The regional itineraries favor island-hopping and scenic coastal sailing.
The tall ships reach anchorages and small ports that suit their character, often dropping anchor off a quiet beach rather than docking at a commercial terminal. You can build your Star Clippers itinerary by region, and for the Caribbean and Mediterranean gateways, see where to stay before or after your cruise to bookend the voyage.
Pricing & Value
A Star Clippers voyage starts around $1,499 per person, which is genuinely accessible and remarkable value for an authentic tall-ship sailing experience.
The fare covers your cabin and dining, with drinks and some extras additional, a straightforward structure suited to the relaxed style. The transatlantic crossings under sail can offer particular value given their length and the unique experience.
The value is the experience itself. There is simply no other way to sail aboard genuine tall ships of this scale in comfort, and the price is far below what the rarity might suggest. For a couple, a 7-night voyage lands in the low-to-mid four figures all-in plus drinks. Watch the current Star Clippers deals for crossing fares and early-booking offers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuine tall ships that actually sail under canvas
- Royal Clipper is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in service
- Authentic, romantic sailing experience unmatched elsewhere
- Reaches secluded bays and small ports the big ships cannot
- Passengers can climb the rigging and help sail
- Transatlantic crossings under sail
- Remarkable value for the experience
Cons
- Not luxury, comfort is good but cabins are cozy
- No big-ship amenities, entertainment, or casino
- Sailing-ship motion can affect those prone to seasickness
- Limited dining variety
- The sailing-focused experience is not for everyone
The Verdict
Star Clippers offers something genuinely unique. It is the chance to sail aboard real tall ships, under real canvas, in real comfort, as close to the age of sail as a modern traveler can get. The flagship Royal Clipper is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in service, and the experience of being aboard her under full sail is unforgettable. For anyone who wants to actually sail, nothing else compares, and the value is remarkable.
Book Star Clippers if you genuinely want to sail aboard authentic tall ships, value adventure and romance over amenities, and are happy with comfortable rather than luxurious. Skip it if you want big-ship facilities, luxury, entertainment, or are prone to seasickness. In those cases a small-ship or mainstream line fits far better.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5. The most authentic sailing experience at sea, and outstanding value for what it is.
Ready to look at real voyages? See this week’s Star Clippers deals or compare Star Clippers against another line before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Star Clippers ships real sailing ships?
Yes, genuinely. Star Clippers operates three real tall ships that sail under canvas, often with engines off. The crew work the rigging traditionally, and passengers can climb the mast in suitable conditions and help haul the lines. These are authentic sailing vessels, not motor ships with decorative sails.
How big are Star Clippers ships?
Small, by design. Royal Clipper carries 227 guests and is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in service, while Star Clipper and Star Flyer carry around 166 each. The small size and shallow draft let them reach secluded bays and small ports the big ships cannot access.
Will I get seasick on Star Clippers?
It is possible, since a sailing ship heels and moves with the wind more than a large stabilized cruise ship. Many guests love the motion as part of the experience, but anyone seriously prone to seasickness should consider that the sailing-ship movement is more noticeable than on a megaship.
Is Star Clippers luxury?
No, and it does not aim to be. The ships are comfortable and characterful rather than luxurious, with cozy cabins and unpretentious dining. The luxury here is the sailing experience itself, authentic tall-ship voyaging, rather than opulent accommodation or service. That focus keeps the value remarkable.
Can passengers help sail the ship?
Yes, within reason and in suitable conditions. Part of the appeal is that passengers can help haul the lines, watch and join sail-handling, and even climb to the crow’s nest when conditions allow. It captures the authentic spirit of tall-ship sailing in a way no other cruise offers.
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