Do you dream about sailing the Amalfi Coast but think it’s an experience reserved for the rich and famous? Well, we’ve got good news! You can sail the same waters and visit the same enchanting sights as the uber-rich without breaking the bank.
Granted, you won’t be on your own private mega-yacht. However, you also won’t be sharing space with thousands of other cruisers as you would on one of those massive floating cities.
You won’t have your own private chef and butler. But you will be catered to by a friendly and efficient crew that will make you feel like a star.
How can you do this, you ask? The answer is Star Clippers.
We recently sailed along the Amalfi Coast on a gorgeous Tall Ship named Star Flyer and the experience exceeded our expectations. But is a Star Clippers voyage for you? Read on to find out.
Size Matters: Star Clippers Offers a More Intimate Experience
Personally, we’re not big fans of the massive cruise ships that hold thousands of people. So, in Europe, we’ve always stuck to the more intimate river cruises.
However, we do love being out on the ocean and as wonderful as the European river cruises are, there are obviously limits to where they can go. So, when we came across Star Clippers, we knew we had found our fit.
Star Clipper’s fleet consists of three Tall Ships: Star Flyer, Star Clipper, and Royal Clipper. These three sailing ships were inspired by the 19th-century Clippers that the company founder, Mikael Krafft, was enamored with as a child growing up near the shipyards in Stockholm.
The twin sister ships, Star Clipper and Star Flyer hold up to 166 guests, while the Royal Clipper holds up to 227 guests. In contrast, the average cruise ship holds 3,000 people with some holding up to 7,000!
Therefore, if, like us, you prefer not to travel with huge groups, this is an easy win for Star Clippers.
Of course, the cruise ships are much larger than the Tall Ships, but that doesn’t mean you lack space onboard Star Clippers.
We found Star Flyer to have plenty of room for all passengers to enjoy the restaurant, bars, decks and pools at any time of day or night.
Price Point: Star Clippers Won’t Break the Bank
Another big plus for Star Clippers is their price point. Remember we said it won’t break the bank? Star Clippers offers great value and is often less expensive than similar sailing cruise lines. And the price gets even better if you watch out for their special deals, which sometimes offer discounts of as much as 65%!
One of the reasons Star Clippers can provide such value is that they offer guests the option to customize their voyage rather than only offering an “all-inclusive” package.
This means that if you’re not a big drinker or don’t want to participate in excursions, you won’t be paying for them.
Having said that, if you do like to indulge in alcoholic bevies or wish to join daily excursions, the prices are very reasonable. We found the on-board cocktails, beer and wine priced well below what we expected. The excursions were also less than we have paid on past cruises.
Star Clipper’s Food: Meals Are Delicious and Plentiful
All meals are included in the price of a Star Clippers voyage. Food is tasty and plentiful, with lots of options for even the most restricted diet. The lovely nautical-themed dining room is where you will dine.
Breakfast is a buffet overflowing with fresh fruit, cereal, baked goods, veggies, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes…pretty much anything you might be craving to start your day. A chef is also waiting to cook up your eggs in whatever style you like.
Lunch is also buffet-style and often has a theme inspired by cuisines from around the world. On our trip, we enjoyed Italian, German, and Asian themes on the days we stayed on board for lunch.
At dinner, you are presented with a daily menu offering a range of starters, mains, and desserts, which will be served at your table by the fabulous dining staff. Again, there were options for every taste and diet, including at least a couple of vegetarian items plus a daily pasta dish.
In addition to the three meals there was also afternoon snack time at the Tropical Bar and a late-night snack in the Piano Bar. Every day was a different snack option, such as sandwiches, fresh fruit, cake, and our favorites: tacos and spring rolls.
Entertainment: Prepare for Fun-Filled Evenings
You won’t get the type of big shows and entertainment you find on the large cruise ships, but we had a great time every evening either at the Piano Bar or the Tropical Bar. Our cruise director was amazing at hosting evening events and making sure everyone had fun.
Evening activities on our sailing included all-age dance parties, karaoke, trivia, and a very entertaining “fashion show” and “talent show.” Both the crew and guests joined forces for many of these events, creating a fun and immersive experience.
For those seeking a quieter evening there was the piano bar and the library that had plenty of games on hand.
Another evening event not to miss is the raising of the sails, which happens almost every time the ship leaves port. We really enjoyed gathering on deck with a glass of bubbly and watching as the massive sails were hoisted as the Conquest of Paradise soundtrack from the movie 1492 played. It is quite a moving experience.
The ship is usually in one of the amazing ports during the day, but if you choose to stay on board, there are 2 pools with plenty of sun loungers, the library full of books and games, and the Tropical Bar, which is always the center of fun.
Other activities included a morning exercise class, mast climbing, cocktail-making lessons, and water sports.
Excursions: Great Options at a Great Price
At least one excursion (often 2 or 3) was offered at every port for a very reasonable cost. We had planned just to do one or two, but the options were so good we ended up joining three excursions and were so glad we did.
Another plus of being on a smaller ship is that it can maneuver close to the points of interest rather than having to dock miles away and needing to be bused in. So, if you decide not to do an excursion, you can catch a tender to shore at each destination and explore on your own.
We didn’t choose any excursions for the first three days, so we enjoyed settling in and relaxing on the ship when we weren’t on shore checking out the sights.
The first excursion we chose was to Positano. This included a beautiful 45-minute boat ride along the coast from Amalfi (where our ship was docked.) The ride on its own was worth the cost. Once in Positano, we were met by a guide who gave us an overview of what to see and then set us free to explore.
The town is gorgeous with stunning views, plenty of charming cafes and incredible (though expensive) shopping. We were thrilled to learn that we did not have to be back on board until evening, allowing us to also explore the city of Amalfi on our return from Positano.
For our second excursion, we went to the stunning island of Capri. This is a self-guided trip, so it’s a good idea to research what you want to see and do. The cruise director will also provide information on the excursions the day before.
Our ship docked in Sorrento, and we were given tickets for the ferry to Capri. The town is 452 feet above the shore, but thankfully, there is a funicular, which is also included in the price of the excursion.
We spent our time wandering the lovely streets, window shopping and cooling off with gelato or lemon granita. There are also walking paths leading out of town that overlook the unbelievably gorgeous water below dotted with those mega-yachts I mentioned earlier.
Once again, our ship didn’t set sail until evening, so we had time to explore Sorrento and have dinner at one of the atmospheric restaurants.
For our third and final excursion, we chose the Ponza Island Tour by Boat, which was incredible. For 3.5 hours, we hugged the coastline with its crystal-clear water, scenic coves, striking white cliffs, and interesting rock formations.
The tour also included two stops for swimming and snorkeling and a simple pasta lunch with wine. I highly recommend this trip for nature lovers and swimmers.
Tip: I would advise looking at the excursion options ahead of time to decide what you want to do. Sign-up is only available once you board, and there is a limited number for each trip, so it’s a good idea to get on the list early. On our sailing, the descriptions and sign-up sheets were in the library, so we went straight there after boarding to get our first picks.
Is a Star Clippers Voyage For You?
If your preference is for a giant cruise ship with non-stop food, thousands of people, and hundreds of onboard activities, then Star Clippers is probably not for you.
Star Clippers is also not ideal for those with mobility issues as there are no elevators and getting on and off tenders could be difficult. In this case, we would recommend a river cruise.
However, if you crave the romance and adventure of sailing on a Tall Ship with a small group of other fun-loving guests and cruising into places the big boys can’t handle, then go with Star Clippers.
Add in other highlights like a casual friendly atmosphere, an attentive and amiable crew, fun evening activities, great food and drinks, nostalgic Golden-Age nautical décor and optional excursions all at a fair price, Star Clippers is a clear winner.
Born in England, Sarah developed her wanderlust at a young age as she traveled around Europe with her parents. As a young adult she spent every penny she could on experiences as opposed to possessions. Eventually she found a way to earn a living doing what she loved: traveling, writing and capturing images of the wondrous world we live in. When not on the go Sarah enjoys time in her “sometimes home” of Vancouver.