Star Clippers – Caribbean

Table of Contents

Why take a Star Clippers Caribbean cruise?

Accommodations

The Royal Clipper is one of three sailing ships in the Star Clippers line and is the world’s largest and only five-mast, full-rigged sailing ship. Maximum capacity of 227 passengers. (The photo above shows the Star Clipper, one of two smaller ships in the Star Clippers line, which met up with the Royal Clipper on my sailing. Both the Star Flyer and Star Clipper have a maximum capacity of 180 passengers.)

Royal Clipper cabin (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Three-story Atrium, Royal Clipper (©Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

View of Lunch Buffet, Royal Clipper (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Activities

On board: Swimming, sunbathing on deck, climbing to the Crow’s Nest (usually offered on one day of the cruise); piano bar, dancing and entertainment in the Tropical Bar, local performers sometimes brought on board, knot tying and navigation classes, library. Every evening, passengers gather on the top deck to witness the raising of the sails.

Shore excursions are offered in most ports of call, or explore on your own.

Beaches

Beautiful beaches are visited at several of the ports of call. Watersports staff provide snorkeling equipment, kayaks, Sunfish, etc., for fun in the water.

Food and Drink

Breakfast and lunch aboard ship are served buffet style; the six-course evening meal offers several choices and is ordered from the menu. House wines are French; other fine wines available. Open seating and casual dress (no jackets, ties or evening wear required; no shorts or swimsuits).

Getting There

Airport Code: BGI – The ship sets sail from Bridgetown, Barbados. Direct flights can be booked from the following U.S. cities: Miami (MIA), Charlotte (CLT), and Dallas-Ft Worth (DFW), Direct flights from Canada: Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL).

Location

Windward Islands in the Caribbean, including St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts/Nevis, Iles des Saintes and Martinique.

Vibe

Casual and relaxed. The passenger list is usually roughly half European; the international crew is enthusiastic and accommodating.

If you go, don’t miss:

• Climbing the mast for a bird’s eye view from the Crow’s Nest, offered to passengers one day during each week’s cruise.

Crow’s Nest, Royal Clipper (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

• The photo opportunity of the week! Board one of the tender boats to photograph the ship under full sail from all sides.

Royal Clipper ship under full sail (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

• Witnessing the raising of the sails as the ship leaves for the next port of call.

Raising the sails, Royal Clipper (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Sunsets on top deck. Come back when the stars are out for unforgettable stargazing.

Sunset on Top Deck, Royal Clipper (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Here are highlights from the ports of call on Star Clippers’ Windward Islands cruise:

Rodney Bay, St. Lucia (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Beach, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Children playing on beach, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Dominica (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Trafalgar Falls, Dominica (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Royal Clipper and sailboats, Antigua (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Romney Manor, Caraibelle Batik Factory, St. Kitts

Published article – Star Clippers Caribbean cruise:

Classic Clipper

Sailing the Caribbean on a smaller craft makes for a more relaxing journey, with stops at less-crowded ports of call

We were about to set sail from Bridgetown, Barbados, aboard the Royal Clipper, the largest and only five-masted fully rigged sailing ship in the world. Along with most of its passengers, my traveling companion and I gathered on the top deck to witness the raising of 56,000 square feet of sails, not by motor, but by the hands of trained sailors. Illuminated by the moon and countless stars and accompanied by Vangelis’ Conquest of Paradise over the PA system, it was a majestic sight, one that was repeated each evening as we embarked for yet another island destination…

Read the rest of the article about my Star Clippers Windward Islands cruise by opening a PDF here: RoyalClipper-MartiniqueArticles