Five Top Tall Ship Experiences In 2013

Transit the Panama Canal on a tall ship The Panama Canal is a 50 mile-long engineering marvel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, slicing through the mountainous, serpent-like country of Panama. Experience a full Panama Canal transit through the many locks of this magnificent waterway on board the 170-passenger square rigger, Star Flyer, as she repositions from her summer cruising area in Europe to Puerto Caldera in Costa Rica, and vice versa. Because of her grace and beauty, and small size in comparison to other Canal traffic, Star Flyer is always the focus of much attention during the transit. A 14-night voyage on board Star Flyer from Panama to St Maarten via the Panama Canal, Cartagena, Aruba, Curacao, the British Virgin Islands and St Barths, departing March 30, costs from £2,610pp, excluding flights. Contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145, www.starclippers.co.uk Learn to paint and sketch afloat Learn to draw and paint against the backdrop of a magnificent tall ship under sail on a voyage along the French and Italian Rivieras or, new for 2013, the beautiful Croatian coastline. Both of these themed cruises are led by British artist Richard Nichols, who specialises in seascapes and coastal scenes. Daily ‘Art Afloat’ workshops include tuition in a variety of media and the cruise price includes an artist's backpack containing sketchbooks, paper, watercolours, brushes and pencils. The seven-night Art Afloat cruise cost from £1,599 per person for the French Riviera, on board Star Clipper, departing April 27 and including flights to Nice, transfers, full board on the ship, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. Contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145, www.starclippers.co.uk Join the Tall Ships Parade in Hamburg From May 9-12, Hamburg hosts the world's largest sailing festival, during which 1.5 million visitors from around the world descend on the 800-year-old port to view the magnificent Tall Ships Parade, an assembly of some of the world’s most stunning sailing vessels. Star Flyer, a replica of the trading ships of the 19th century, will be in Hamburg harbour for all three days of the event, including the grand arrival and departure parades of tall ships, historic ships, cruise ships, sailing and motor yachts and other vessels. There will be a water ballet performed by tug boats, a firework display and a culinary festival set up all along the harbour front. A three night stay on board Star Flyer for the Hamburg port party costs from £690pp, including all meals on board and sailing excursions during the event (flights extra). Contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145, www.starclippers.co.uk Experience white nights in St Petersburg Summer cruises in the Baltic mean long, light evenings and the opportunity to sit up on deck at nearly midnight and see the sun finally slip briefly behind the horizon. Experience white midsummer nights in St Petersburg, when the sun only sets briefly in the early hours of the morning. The city’s White Nights festival, or Beliye Nochi, lasts from June 11 to July 2, during which time there are concerts and festivals, and the bridges over the Neva River open all night to let boats through. The magnificent four masted Star Flyer overnights in St Petersburg on her summer Baltic itineraries; a ten-day voyage round-trip from Stockholm departing June 4th costs from £2,270pp, excluding flights. Contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145, www.starclippers.co.uk Christmas 2013 sailing the coastline of Costa Rica Imagine spending Christmas Day with scarlet macaws soaring over the forest canopy and howler monkeys swinging through the trees, before sitting down to a traditional Christmas lunch in the bay of Golfito on board the four masted tall ship, Star Flyer. This magnificent clipper will spend Christmas 2013 cruising the coastline of Costa Rica, stopping at deserted islands for sunbathing and snorkelling and stopping in harbours and ports along the way to allow guests time to explore the national parks, go horseriding along deserted beaches or strolling along the sands. The seven night sailing costs from £1,305pp excluding flights, departing December 22, 2013. Contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145, www.starclippers.co.uk End. Notes to editors: Star Clippers operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels. Visiting ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht, Star Clippers is recognised as one of the premier speciality cruise lines. Passengers can enjoy the romance of sailing on board a true tall ship in a relaxed atmosphere with high standards of service provided by an attentive crew. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, a convivial Tropical Bar on deck and a comfortable piano bar and are large enough to offer first class accommodation and dining, but small enough to call into intimate ports, untouched by large cruise ships. The two smaller ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper, take 170 passengers each, with a crew of 70, while Royal Clipper carries 227 with a crew of 106. Contacts: Star Clippers reservations: 0845 200 6145 e-mail : star.clippers@fredolsentravel.co.uk Website:  www.starclippers.co.uk