Originally built for speed during the Golden Age of sailing in the 19th century, a clipper is hardly what you imagine when you think of slow travel. But watching the sails unfurl on a masted tall ship is the quickest way to fall in love with cruising.
Forget the dramatic accompanying music, Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis, or light show transforming the 16 sails into a kaleidoscope of colour, the experience of setting sail in such a romantic way is an unforgettable start to an epic adventure.
We were on a rail and sail trip from London to France on Star Clipper, one of the line’s three ships, replicas of the original swift – or ‘clip’ as it could ‘clip off the miles’ – vessels that had transported tea to China and taken people to the gold fields in Australia and California, that could cross the Atlantic in 11 days compared to 30-40 on a liner at the time.
Built in 1992 to carry 170 passengers and 72 crew, the four-masted ship has 21 sails and can travel between 5-17 knots. It also has oodles of charm and character, and stepping onto the teak deck is the closest thing to time travel any ardent cruiser, sailor or history buff is likely to experience.
Simplistic sophistication is the order of the day, from the masts piercing the sky at 226ft, to the neatly coiled ropes stacked beneath the rigging which passengers can climb if they’re brave enough.
So what’s it like to sail on a ship that’s the epitome of elegance, but offers all the mod cons (discretely hidden away) that your clients could want?
Sustainable sailing (and you don’t have to fly)
There’s no doubt that everyone who travels on one of Star Clippers’ vessels will fall for the romance of these legendary ships and be bewitched by the tradition of powering through the waves courtesy of the wind.
Star Clipper is the perfect ship for a first time cruiser or anyone who’s never sailed under wind power before. Standing on the top deck surrounded by silence save for the flap of the sails or the command of the captain telling a deckhand to ‘let out the reefs,’ (open more of the sails) or ‘make full sail (with all sails fully spread to go as fast as possible)’ is entrancing.
Rolling through the verdant French countryside by train saves so many more carbon emissions compared to flying – our Paris to Cannes leg used 4.11kg CO2 compared to 109.05kg CO2 by plane.
What it lacks in space, Star Clipper makes up for in style. There are two pools, a spa room, bowsprit nets for lounging on at sea, an outdoor-indoor Tropical bar with affordable cocktails at six euros, an Edwardian-style library with a Belle Epoque fireplace which can be lit, and a dining room with open seating.
Warn guests to pack clothes with elasticated waists as dinner is an multi-course affair with world-class cuisine from around the globe. Dishes are cooked to order and delicious. Breakfast and lunch buffets feature cooking stations for everything from eggs to pancakes, and dishes made with seasonal, local ingredients.
Classy Cannes. Image: Rebecca Barnes
For people who don’t like cruises
Clipper ships have a traditional look but offer the modern comforts and amenities that guests expect on a cruise. Everything about these elegant vessels is about their marriage to the sea: harnessing the wind to slice through the waves as quickly as possible.
Guests won’t find a casino, theatre, kids’ club or photographer on board – the sailing is front and centre, and everything else is beautiful, sustainable and authentic. The experience is more like cruising on a private yacht, with a high staff to passenger ratio (almost 2:1) so guests feel pampered on their bijou floating home.
My cabin was at the bow with a shower wet room, triple wardrobe, TV with DVD player (movies are free from the library) and obligatory port hole. Falling asleep being rocked by the sea means the bravest guests are refreshed and ready to clamber the 65ft rope ladder to the crow’s nest during the day.
Entertainment on board includes a crew and guest fashion show, quiz nights and talent show. There’s also a DJ who plays crowd pleasers for night owls who want to dance beneath the stars.
One of the cabins. Image: Rebecca Barnes
Enjoy a slow travel experience
For guests who don’t like to fly, a rail and sail getaway with Star Clippers is the easy way to travel. Starting in London, they’ll board the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris – it’s a 2hr 16 minute journey to Gare du Nord where they can then catch a RER train to Gare du Lyon (it’s only a two-station hop, takes around 25 minutes and saves having to lug bags onto the metro), before boarding a double decker train to Cannes.
The cruise line’s no-fly option gives guests the opportunity to set their own pace from the beginning, read a novel, take a nap, catch up on emails as there is wifi and sockets for chargers onboard, or simply enjoy the views before arriving in the French Riviera.
They can even stop in Gare de Lyon for lunch at the iconic Le Train Bleu, the Michelin-star restaurant designed by renowned architect Marius Toudoire to embody the grandeur of the French railways for the 1900 World Expo. This Belle Epoque brasserie is the place to be seen dining beneath the neoclassical ceiling, chandeliers and gilded carvings.
The library. Image: Rebecca Barnes
Reach lesser-known ports of call
While Cannes to Monaco and Corsica’s L’ile Rousse was a glamorous taster of a week-long Mediterranean cruise, Star Clippers sail to destinations around the world, many of which are not open to bigger cruise ships.
Venice has banned cruise ships from entering the city but smaller clipper ships are still allowed. From traditional ports of call including the Med and Caribbean, Star Clippers’ fleet call at Central American hotspots, traverse the Panama Canal and cross the Atlantic.
Small, swift, and able to sail on wind power or engine, clippers can stop at off-the-beaten track locations where they drop anchor, and offer an array of land and water activities including kayaking, snorkelling, nature trails, and hiking.
We watched staff literally roll out the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, walked the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and explored villages perched on top of Corsica’s mountains.
The cruise line’s Swedish owners Mikael and Ann Krafft were on board our cruise, still enjoying life at sea more than 30 years since Mikael started the line to share his love of the ocean with passengers from all over the world. “I just love it,” he said, and we had to agree.
Wind powering through the waves. Image: Rebecca Barnes
Relaxing under sail. Image: Rebecca Barnes
The deal
A 8-night package sailing from Cannes to Rome on June 14, 2024 costs from £2799pp, based on two adults sharing a category 6 cabin. Includes rail from London to Cannes, one-night pre-cruise stay at Villa D’Estelle in Cannes, 7-night full-board cruise on Star Flyer, flights to London from Rome, overseas transfers and port charges.
Our editor’s view 9/10
“If your clients are keen to experience a cruise that is not only filled with tradition but offers a more sustainable way to sail, this is it. Blending real sailing on charming vessels with modern touches, this is a cruise for die hard sailors and romantics with a taste for adventure, and will have you hooked on what is a truly unique way to sail the world.”
Rebecca Barnes
https://magazine.cruise-adviser
Tags: Rebecca Barnes, Star Clippers
