Families on Star Clippers

Sailing beneath thousands of feet of billowing sails in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or South East Asia provides numerous opportunities for families to bond and to share unique and exciting experiences away from computer games, TV and social media. Star Clippers’ unique tall ship sailing voyages are crewed by friendly, hands on crew, to hoist the sails and navigate the ship, organise complimentary water sports, low key evening games and entertainment and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the ships’ free-seating restaurants. 

Fay McCormack, General Manager Star Clippers UK, said “Our ships are really ideal for families with school-aged children, from around 8 years upwards, looking for active days and new experiences in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere. They are small enough not to lose sight of each other, but rather like a vast private yacht, there’s plenty of space and enough going on with the sailing activities and port calls to keep everyone occupied.” 

Almost every sailing offers guests from 8 to 80 years-old the chance to climb to the first Crow’s Nest, some 50-ft above the teak deck. Secured by a safety harness and overseen by experienced Sports Crew, guests can ascend high above the surrounding ocean to get the best possible bird’s eye view of the ship. Alternatively kids can take to the water straight from Royal Clipper’s drop down Marina Deck, or via the gangplank on the two smaller ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper. Each ship’s trained sports crew organise complimentary sail boarding, kayaking and water skiing (when ports allow) either directly from the ships or during long days on the beach. 

With an open bridge as well as approachable officers and sailing crew, families can learn about the history and techniques involved in navigating and sailing a vessel up to 412-ft in length (Royal Clipper), with 5 masts, 42 sails and 56,000 square feet of billowing cream canvas. Regular Captain’s story time and informal chats on the bridge bring to life the art of sailing a vast tall ship. There’s also an opportunity to bond with the family beneath inky black starry skies, searching for Orion, the Great Bear and the Milky Way, easily seen above the decks of the ships at night. 

On all Star Clippers sailings, up to two children under 18 years old pay 50% of the adult cruise fare, when accompanied by two full fare paying adults.