Star Clippers at Christmas

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular Christmas itineraries on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Thailand. All the ships will be festively decorated and a traditional Christmas will be celebrated on board. The towering masts serve as impromptu Christmas trees, with their red and green port and starboard lights and the triangular form of the masts and rigging outlined in white lights at night. Life on board is relaxed with a convivial atmosphere among guests. High standards of service are provided by an attentive crew and all three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, a Tropical Bar on deck and a comfortable piano bar.

The magnificent five-masted flagship, the 227-passenger Royal Clipper will be sailing a seven-night round trip voyage through the Grenadine Islands from Barbados, calling at Grenada, St Vincent, Bequia, Martinique and St Lucia, departing 22^nd December. Christmas Day is spent anchored off Tobago Cays, an uninhabited tropical paradise with palm-lined white sand beaches and gin-clear water.

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on 22^nd December from Phuket to Singapore, calling at Ko Similan, Phang Nga Bay, Ko Hong, Ko Adang, Penang, Malacca and Singapore. Christmas Day is spent at Ko Adang, an idyllic island in southernmost Thailand which attracts few visitors being way off the tourist track. The pristine beaches and deserted coves provide a tranquil and peaceful Christmas.

Over Christmas 2018 Star Clippers’ sister ship, Star Flyer, will be sailing through the Caribbean’s Treasure islands, departing from St Maarten on 22^nd December. The ship calls at Anguilla, several of the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and St Barts. Christmas Day is spent at Soper’s Hole, BVI, a brightly coloured port with a handful of shops, restaurants and bars, where the harbour teems with yacht life and a laid back atmosphere.

A great deal of emphasis has been placed on these vessels’ creature comforts. From bowsprit to transom, the roomy decks and elegant public spaces are designed to approximate a vision of ocean travel largely unseen since the turn of the 20^th century.

The antithesis of achingly cool ships brim-full of casinos and boho-chic restaurants, the Star Clipper trio delight the eye and refresh the spirit. The three-masted Star Clipper and Star Flyer are fully-rigged barquentines with 360 feet of soaring sails; while the five-masted square-rigged Royal Clipper has 42 sails with a combined area of 56,000 sq ft. For more details of these cruises that are 180 degrees from the ordinary, call 0800 484 0370. 

Gary Buchanan