Star Clippers new sailings for 2015/16

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has launched its 2015/16 programme, featuring cruises from three to twenty four nights on its three square-riggers, with sailings up to March  2016.

The three ships will sail in the Caribbean in winter (Star Clipper from St Maarten, Royal Clipper from Barbados and Star Flyer from Cuba) and in the Mediterranean and Aegean in summer. In addition, there are one-off sailings between Barbados and Panama (on Star Flyer); transatlantic crossings on all three ships in spring and autumn; and mini-cruises in the Mediterranean from three to five nights in addition to the longer sailings.

Taster cruises from £522

Once again, Star Clippers will be offering mini-cruises, for those who would like a taste of life on board a square rigger. Choose between three nights round-trip from Venice; four nights round-trip from Rome; or five nights from Malaga to Rome, all on Royal Clipper. Star Flyer, meanwhile, offers three- or four-night sailings from Cannes; and a four-night one-off cruise, taking in the practice day of the Monaco Grand Prix.

From £522 plus £65 port taxes for a three-night cruise from Cannes on Star Flyer, calling at L’Ile Rousse in Corsica and St Tropez, departing  23 September.

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Spend Christmas or New Year on a tall ship cruise

Spend Christmas Day snorkelling off the white sands of a tropical island in Central America, in the yachting enclave of Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour or in Iles des Saintes in the Caribbean. Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular Christmas and New Year itineraries on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica. All the ships will be festively decorated and a traditional Christmas will be celebrated on board, adding to the atmosphere in all the ports.

Christmas departures

The stunning, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, with a capacity of up to 227 guests, will be sailing a seven-night round trip from Barbados through the Windward Islands, departing on December 22nd. Christmas Day is spent anchored off Antigua, in beautiful Falmouth Harbour, a popular yachting enclave. The 7 night cruise costs from £1,390pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

The 170-guest, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 22nd from St Maarten on a seven-night Leeward Islands itinerary, spending Christmas Day in Iles des Saintes, a stunning anchorage popular with private yachts, usually with a great festive spirit over Christmas. The 7 night cruise costs from £1,255pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

The third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica over Christmas 2012 on a seven-night voyage from Puerto Caldera, departing on December 23rd. Christmas Day will be spent on the tropical island of Isla Gamez, Panama, with soft sand beaches, superb snorkelling and protected waters for dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking, all complimentary on a Star Clippers ship. The 7 night cruise costs from £1250pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

New Year Departures

Royal Clipper will spend New Year on a seven-night Grenadines cruise, round-trip from Bridgetown, sailing December 29th. On New Year’s Eve, the ship will be in St George’s, Grenada, sailing to sleepy, uninhabited Tobago Cays the following day, where guests can relax in the sunshine or snorkel over dazzling reefs. The 7 night cruise costs from £1,490pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

Star Clipper departs Philipsburg, St Maarten, on December 29th for an seven-night Treasure Islands cruise, spending New Year’s Eve in Virgin Gorda, where all the yacht clubs will hold big parties, and moving on to Soper’s Hole and Norman Island on New Year’s Day. The 7 night cruise costs from £1,355pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

Star Flyer sails out of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, on December 30th, for a seven-night cruise along the Pacific coast, spending New Year’s Eve at sea, with a special party on board to toast the New Year. The 7 night cruise costs from £1,90pp, including all meals on board, excluding flights.

To book, call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

Live la dolce vita this summer on an Italy and Croatia sailing cruise with Star Clippers

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering special package prices on three culture and romance-packed itineraries this summer, departing in July and August and exploring the exquisite coastlines of Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu and southern Italy.

Each cruise, either from Venice to Rome or Rome to Venice, is aboard the cruise line’s flagship, the graceful, five-masted Royal Clipper, calling at chic yachting ports along the Croatian coast, as well as beautiful Kotor in Montenegro, the lush Greek island of Corfu and several ports in Italy, among them romantic Taormina in Sicily; the jetset island of Capri; and Ponza, a popular weekend retreat for yachting fans. The July 31 departure also visits Piran in Slovenia, a port undiscovered by most cruise lines.

The length of each voyage, 11 days, allows for plenty of time to relax on the sun-warmed teak decks, gazing up at thousands of feet of wind-filled sails, or sipping a cocktail in the al fresco Tropical Bar, or sprawling in the bowsprit nets, keeping a lookout for dolphins. Each itinerary includes a day at sea, too, during which guests can try activities like mast climbing.

The three sailing dates are:

· Royal Clipper, July 14, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,059pp

· Royal Clipper, July 31, Venice/Rome: 11 nights from £1,879pp

· Royal Clipper, August 18, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,149pp

Prices include return British Airways flights from London, transfers, 11 nights’ full board on the ship in a Category 6 cabin and watersports where possible at beach stops. To book, tel. 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

Sailing into Small ports

Those tired of arriving in port to find it crammed with giant ships and several thousand cruise passengers swarming all over town should consider cruising on a smaller ship with access to less crowded and more remote destinations.

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers sails itineraries that feature wonderfully off-the-beaten-track ports and anchorages, some so remote they are visited by no other ships, others accessible only to sailing ships like the company’s three graceful full-rigged tall ships.

Small ports in the Mediterranean

Ponza, Italy Visited by wealthy Italian weekenders who have homes there but otherwise unspoiled and rarely touched by the larger cruise lines. There are plenty of authentic bars and restaurants in the pretty town. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Rome-Rome itineraries throughout Summer 2012

Dalyan River, Turkey An anchorage attracting only the smallest ships. Take a flat-bottomed boat ride along the river, which is lined by reed beds, to see spectacular Lycean tombs cut into the rocks above, while keeping an eye out for the turquoise flash of a kingfisher. The excursion here includes a stop at a natural outdoor thermal pool with therapeutic mud baths. Featured on Star Clipper’s Southern Cyclades itineraries throughout Summer 2012

Hvar, Croatia Famous among the yachting fraternity but not visited by many cruise ships, other than very small or very upmarket vessels. Hvar is one of the smartest marinas along the Croatian coast, with a great nightlife scene in summer. Stony beaches mean the water is crystal clear, with some wonderful swimming spots from tiny, pine-fringed beaches. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Venice-Rome itineraries throughout Summer 2012

Limnos, Greece As sleepy as a Greek island as you could hope to get, with decent swimming and snorkeling and a laid-back town overlooked by an amazing ruined castle, with extensive battlements snaking over the mountaintop.Featured on Star Clipper’s Yachtsman’s Paradise itineraries on June 23 and August 18, 2012

Monemvasia, Greece A fortified medieval town clinging to a towering hunk of rock that’s linked to the mainland by a causeway. Cross the causeway and climb the path to the upper town, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, and the fortress for amazing views.  Featured on Star Clipper’s Northern Cylades itineraries throughout Summer 2012.

Small ports in the Baltic

Halmstad, Sweden A small port along Sweden’s Golden Coast lying amidst a maze of islands and rocks deeply indented by the sea and a favourite haunt of the sailing and fishing-addicted Swedes. Featured on Star Flyer’sWarnemunde to Oslo itinerary, August 12, 2012

Marstand, Sweden: Another popular sailing spot, the coast dotted with tiny, wooded islands and quiet anchorages. Setting for Sweden’s Match Cup Sailing Week, Marstrand is a small island, a ten-minute ferry ride from themainland, and only non-motorized vehicles are allowed. It’s guarded by a 17^th century fortress and is home to some surprisingly smart boutique hotels and places to eat. Featured on Star Clipper’s Oslo-Copenhagen itinerary, May 26, 2012

Small ports in the Caribbean and Central America

Ile des Saintes : A beautiful anchorage off the coast of Guadeloupe, only accessible to the smallest ships. There’s a tiny town, with some waterfront shops and bars and surprisingly chic and arty shops, and a crescent-shaped beach half an hour’s walk across the saddle of a hill. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Windward Islands voyages from November 2012 to March 2013.

Saba The smallest island in the Netherlands Antilles group, Saba is the remains of a dormant volcano, jutting abruptly out of the blue Caribbean Sea. This little known speck of land, with only 1,500 residents, is both remote and romantic, favoured by divers and honeymooners.  Featured on Star Clipper’s Leeward Islands voyages throughoutWinter 2013. 

Isla Iguana, Panama An exquisite beach on a tiny island populated by frigate birds, lizards and butterflies. Thesnorkeling is superb and there are no facilities at all, which keeps it free from litter and tourists. Take a walk through the rainforest to the more exposed side of the island, where there’s a frigate bird hatchery. Featured on Star Flyer’s Costa Rica to Panama itinerary, March 24, 2013

To book a Star Clippers tall ship cruise, call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

Wildlife Watching in the Caribbean

Most people think the Caribbean’s wildlife spectaculars are found only beneath the waves but with more than 7,000 islands, islets, cays and reefs stretching for over 2,500 miles there is just as much life on land especially in Cuba and Hispanola. Conditions vary greatly but the region is typified by forests found at different altitude levels, ranging from dry deciduous forest to mountain cloud forest.

You’ll find amazing bird life such as parrots, boobys, pelicans and frigate birds but most people are drawn to the snorkelling and diving in magical places such as the Tobago Cays ( Above with Star Clippers' Royal Clipper offshore.. The coral life here is simply stunning and the chance to swim with turtles and the incredible shoals of fish numbering in their thousands that lazily split in half to allow you through is unforgettable.

Perhaps the ultimate wildlife experience here is interacting with the giant stingrays off Grand Cayman but now many islands including St Lucia offer wildlife hikes deep into the rain forests. Best time to visit, November to April.

For more details of voyages to the Caribbean follow this link to the Cruise Line.

Star Clippers - Adventure sailing

Tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers is offering free return flights from London to join selected sailings on board the 170-guest, fully crewed tall ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer and the 228-guest flag-ship Royal Clipper this spring. The offer is applicable on eight sailings in the Greek Islands, the Baltic and the western Mediterranean.

The free flights, to the value of £300pp, are available with the following cruises this spring, based on two adults sharing. Children sharing with two adults pay 50% of the fare:

· 5th May : Athens-Athens on Star Clipper, seven nights, calling at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos, Monemvasia, from £1,370pp.


. 5th May : Southampton-Hamburg on Star Flyer, five nights, calling at Amsterdam and Hamburg, from £1,035pp

· 19th May : Hamburg-Oslo on Star Flyer, seven nights, calling at List, Esbjerg, Kristiansand, Arendal and Stromstad, from £1,490pp


· 26th May : Oslo-Copenhagen on Star Flyer, seven nights calling at Marstrand, Goteborg, Halmstad, Kalundborg and Helsingborg, from £1,490pp


· 23rd April : Malaga-Rome on Royal Clipper, five nights calling at Palma de Mallorca and Mahon, from £1,080pp

· 28th April, 5th May and 12th May : Rome-Rome on Royal Clipper, seven nights, calling at Ponza, Sorrento, Amalfi, Taormina, Lipari and Stromboli (scenic cruising), from £1,515pp.


Prices include all meals on board on the ship, port taxes and return flights to the value of £300pp. To book, call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.


* If flights cost more than £300, the guest may pay the difference.

Star Clippers Romantic Trip to Rome





Star Clippers is offering three ways to combine a relaxing voyage on Royal Clipper, the elegant, five-masted flagship of the Star Clippers fleet of three stunning tall ships, with a stay in Rome. The flight and rail-inclusive packages make the most of the ship’s forthcoming series of spring and summer cruises from the Eternal City to the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, Corsica and Sardinia.

17^th May 2012 : 9 night land-cruise holiday, Rome and Italy’s islands

Departing on 17^th May 2012 Blue Water Holidays is offering a nine-night holiday combining two nights in Rome, followed by seven nights cruising the Italian coast, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. The price, from £1995pp, includes return flights to Rome, two nights in a city centre four-star hotel, with plenty of time to explore the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Vatican City and the designer shops and art galleries, transfer to Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, and seven nights cruising the picturesque Amalfi coast, heading south to Taormina in Sicily and back via the Aeolian Islands, sailing by Stromboli in the evening to watch the dramatic volcanic eruptions. Call Blue Water Holidays on 01756 706502 / www.cruisingholidays.co.uk/italy.

26^th May 2012 : Orient Express & Royal Clipper – the ultimate way to travel

Bath Travel is offering a spectacular week’s cruise on board the head-turning, five masted tall ship, `Royal Clipper’, followed by two nights in Rome, two nights in Venice, and first class return travel to the UK on board the Orient Express. The holiday starts with flights to Rome on 26^th May to set sail from Civitavecchia on Royal Clipper, cruising to Ponza, the Amalfi Coast, Taormina and the Aeolian Islands, returning to the Italian capital for a two night stay the Grand Hotel Flora, on the chic Via Veneto, with time to explore the monuments, museums and designer shops. The next stage of the journey is a high-speed train trip to Venice and two nights at the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, just 100 yards from Piazza San Marco, right on the magnificent Grand Canal. Next, a private water taxi will whisks guests to the station to board the Orient-Express for a journey of a lifetime with a private compartment, in stunning 1920s décor and lavish meals served in the elegant restaurant car.

The eleven night holiday costs from £3,999pp, including return flights to Rome, two nights B&B in Rome and two in Venice, seven nights’ full board on Royal Clipper, first class seats on the train from Rome-Venice and Orient-Express travel from Venice to London Victoria, with full board, all transfers and taxes and including a Bath Travel cocktail party on Royal Clipper. Tel. 01202 238846 / www.bathtravel.co.uk.

 3^rd June 2012 : 4 night tall ship sailing and two nights in Rome

Take a city-cruise holiday with Kirker Holidays and Star Clippers that combines two nights at the four-star Marcella Royal hotel in Rome with a four-night cruise around the islands of the Tyrhennian Sea on Royal Clipper. Sailing from Civitavecchia, visiting Bonifacio in Corsica; the glamorous Costa Smeralda, Sardinia’s jetset hideaway; and beautiful Elba, where Royal Clipper docks at the fortified capital of Portoferraio for the day. The six night holiday costs from £1,498pp, including return flights from the UK, two nights’ B&B in Rome; four nights’ on board Royal Clipper, with all meals, private car transfers, entrance to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, and taxes. Departs June 3, 2012. Tel. 0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk.

Star Clippers New `no-fly’ tall ship cruises for 2012

Star Clippers has introduced new travel-inclusive, no-fly holidays in the Mediterranean and the Baltic in 2012 for those tired of airport delays and luggage restrictions. Travelling outbound or return by rail to within a short transfer of the ship there’s no need to check in hours in advance and there are no restrictions on how much luggage to take.

The new rail-sail combination holidays combine the romance of train travel through Europe with the gentle pace of life on board a genuine sailing ship, where guests can either help the crew hoist the sails and try their hand at mast climbing, or simply soak up the sun or relax in the al fresco Tropical Bar with the cocktail of the day.

All packages include train travel to or from the UK to the port; transfers and all meals on board.

Sample ‘Rail and Sail’ offers in 2012 include:

5th May 2012 : Sail from the UK on the stunning Star Flyer

Join the head-turning tall ship `Star Flyer’ in Southampton, where the four-masted, full-rigged clipper will be making a rare appearance twice in 2012, the first time one of the Star Clippers has been in British waters since her launch in 1992. Departing on 5th May 2012, Star Flyer sets sail from Southampton to Hamburg, with two days at sea to enjoy life under sail, followed by a full day in Amsterdam. The five night cruise holiday, departing on 5th May 2012, costs from £1,095 per person, and includes a transfer from Hamburg port to the station; and rail travel home in an overnight double sleeper from Hamburg to Paris, followed by Eurostar to London.

16th May 2012 : Sail & rail to Hamburg & Amsterdam

Enjoy the excitement of sailing on a fully rigged clipper ship as Star Flyer cruises from one great maritime port to another on a three day mini-break from Amsterdam to Hamburg, both cities in which the ship will attract a huge amount of attention. The voyage also includes a day in the Frisian holiday island of Borkum. The cruise costs from £945 per person, including three nights’ on board Star Flyer, with all meals, return transfers to the ship and Eurostar/InterCity rail travel to Amsterdam, via Brussels, by overnight / Eurostar rail from Hamburg to London, via Paris. Departs May 16th, 2012

27th July 2012 : Rail-sail from Venice, the most romantic small-ship port in the Med

Travel by train from the UK to Venice to join the head-turning four-masted tall ship, Star Clipper, to sail out of Venice, one of the most beautiful and spectacular small-ship port calls in the Mediterranean. Having left the spires and palaces of Venice behind, sail south to Croatia, exploring Losinj, Hvar and Rovinj, the true yachting ports of the Adriatic, calling at harbours and secluded anchorages inaccessible to bigger ships. The four night cruise costs from £1,245 per person, including all meals on board Star Clipper; transfers to and from the railway station in Venice; return overnight sleeper train between Venice and Paris, and return Eurostar travel between London and Paris. Departs July 27th, 2012.

24th August 2012 : Rail out, sail home

Spend a night in 5* luxury in Cologne, arriving by rail from London, followed by a seven-night tall ship cruise on board the magnificent four-masted Star Flyer, cruising home from Hamburg back to the UK (Southampton). Departing on 24th August 2012, the holiday travels from London by rail via Brussels to arrive at Cologne rail station, immediately adjacent to the spectacular Cologne cathedral, Germany’s most visited tourist sight. An overnight stay in the 5* Hotel Excelsior gives time to take in Cologne’s medieval streets, bier kellers and pedestrianised shopping streets, before continuing a short rail journey to Hamburg to join the beautiful tall ship, Star Flyer. The ship sails to Amsterdam, where a late evening departure ensures maximum time in port to enjoy this vibrant and cosmopolitan city, before cruising to Ljmuiden, Antwerp and Zeebrugge, the port for the picturesque town of Bruges, and over the Channel to make a rare appearance in British waters when she arrives into Southampton on September 1st. The cruise costs from £1,499 per person, including full board on the ship, train travel from London to Cologne and on to Hamburg; a night’s B&B at the 5* Hotel Excelsior in Cologne; transfer from Hamburg station to the port; and port taxes.

1st September : 13 night land-cruise from the UK to France, Portugal & Spain

Join Star Flyer in Southampton for a rare appearance in British waters on September 1st and cross the Channel to cruise the coastlines of France and Spain, calling at Brest, La Coruna and Vigo, before arriving in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, on September 9th. Spend two nights exploring Lisbon, staying at the Hotel Tivoli Jardim, before travelling by train to Hendaye on the Spanish/French border enjoy two nights in the Spanish sea-side town of San Sebastian, with b&b accommodation at the four-star Villa Soro. The final leg of this exciting journey is via TGV from Biarritz to Paris, followed by Eurostar on to London. The thirteen night land-cruise holiday costs from £2,199 per person, including all meals on the ship, two nights’ B&B in Lisbon, two in San Sebastian, transfers, train fares (double cabin on the sleeper train), a bottle of wine, Lisbon card and port charges. Departs September 1st, 2012.

To book, tel. 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk

Book a Star Clippers sailing cruise before January 31 and save up to 20%

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering generous discounts of up to 20% on selected voyages on the line’s three square-riggers for bookings made before January 31, 2012. In addition, returning guests quality for an extra 5% discount.

The savings apply to exciting and romantic cruises under sail in the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Central America and on transatlantic crossings during 2012.

Examples of Star Clippers’ 2012 voyages include:

· Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £629 per person for four nights, round-trip Venice, departing July 28

· Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £702 per person for four nights, round-trip Rome, departing June 5

· Up to 10% off Baltic cruises on Star Flyer, now from £499 per person for three nights Amsterdam-Hamburg, departing May 16

· Up to 20% off Costa Rica cruises on Star Flyer, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip Puerto Caldera, departing December

· Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £932 per person for seven nights round-trip Barbados, departing various dates in December

· Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip St Maarten, departing various dates in December

· Up to 20% off transatlantic crossings, now from £724 per person for 14 nights on Star Clipper, Las Palmas-St Maarten, departing November 10

To book, call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk. All prices include full board on the ship. Port charges and flights are extra.

Capture the Med - new photo-cruise with Star Clippers

In conjunction with cruise retailer WeCruise, tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a themed photography cruise from Athens to Venice on the 170-passenger Star Clipper in 2012, taking in some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and photogenic locations.

With photography classes and expeditions ashore escorted by award-winning photojournalist Philip Dunn (pictured), the voyage includes calls at Mykonos, Santorini, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar and Venice – a grand finale for which participants will be encouraged to get up at dawn to photograph the ship gliding across the Lagoon and along the Giudecca Canal.

Philip has 40 years’ experience as a professional photographer and has worked for the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, the BBC, and many of the UK’s other top newspapers and magazines. He also runs his own photographic holidays.

During the voyage, there will be numerous opportunities to learn from Philip in hands-on workshops all about photographing the ship and crew in action, as well as the destinations. Participants will be invited to climb the masts for a bird’s-eye view of the ship from the Crow’s Nest, and step into the bowsprit nets for a unique perspective on the ship cutting through the blue water.

The 12 night holiday costs from £2820 per person, including return flights from Heathrow, a night post-cruise in Venice, transfers, daily photographic workshops, a welcome party and an 11 night sailing on Star Clipper from Athens to Venice, with all meals, departing July 14. To book, call 0844 3340812.

To contact Star Clippers, tel. 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk

Short breaks with Star Clippers

Not enough time for a full week’s holiday? Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has launched a series of short break, fully-crewed sailing holidays for 2012, a chance to experience life on board an elegant clipper ship and to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful and romantic ports.

Mediterranean Treasures, April 23, 2012

Experience the joys of daily yoga and meditation on this wellbeing-themed voyage from Malaga to Rome on the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. Experienced yoga teacher Christel Vollmer, back on board by popular demand, will offer daily classes on the warm teak decks, while as usual, guests can follow a healthy or vegetarian diet if they wish. The ship sails from Malaga to Palma, Mallorca and Mahon in Menorca and the voyage includes two days at sea for maximum relaxation in the spring sunshine. From £999 per person including full board on the ship, all yoga classes, flights and transfers.

Sail from Southampton, May 5, 2012

Join the head-turning Star Flyer on her maiden call to Southampton for a five-night sailing to Hamburg, via Amsterdam, with two days at sea. The ship, with its four masts and graceful lines, is bound to attract a lot of attention in two such important seafaring cities. This package includes five nights’ car parking in Southampton; five nights’ full board on the ship, flight from Hamburg to London and transfer back to Southampton. From £1,045 per person.

For more information follow this link to adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line.

Short breaks with Star Clippers

A Taste of Italy, departing June 4, 2012

Make the most of Britain’s extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and take to the seas on Royal Clipper on this four-night sailing from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. The five-night break includes one night in the heart of Rome at the four-star Marcella Royal Hotel, with a welcome bottle of wine and a tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The following day, Royal Clipper sails to Bonifacio in Corsica; Sardinia’s ultra-glamorous Costa Smeralda; pretty Portoferraio in Elba; and back to Civitavecchia. From £1,275 per person including B&B accommodation in Rome, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

Venetian Romance, departing July 27, 2012

Enjoy an evening in Venice after the crowds have departed, staying the night before your cruise at the four-star superior Liassidi Palace Hotel, within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. The holiday includes entrance to the Doge’s Palace and a bottle of wine on arrival. Then, sail in style along the spectacular Giudecca Canal on the magnificent, four-masted Star Clipper, heading out across the lagoon and into the Adriatic, for a four-night adventure exploring some of Croatia’s most fashionable anchorages: Mali Losinj, Hvar and Rovinj. From £1,195 per person, including B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

For more information visit this link to Adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line

Royal Clippers New Cruises

The 227-passenger Royal Clipper spends winter in the Caribbean, offering seven, 10 and 11-night voyages from Barbados, alternating between the Windward Isles and the Grenadines, from £1,225pp, excluding flights. The ship will then offer seven and 11 night voyages round-trip from Rome, or between Rome and Venice, during the summer of 2012, cruising the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, from £1,515pp, excluding flights.

Cruises on Star Clipper

· Star Clipper, with a capacity of 170, winters in St Maarten, offering seven-night voyages to the Leeward Islands and around the British Virgin Islands from £1,245 pp excluding flights. The ship will sail the Greek Islands all summer, round-trip from Athens and between Athens and Venice and Athens and Istanbul. A four-night mini-cruise from Venice starts at £770pp, excluding flights, departing July 28 and calling at popular yachting ports in Croatia.

Special offers for Christmas and New Year 2011

· €300 per person onboard credit on Star Flyer’s Christmas and New Year Costa Rica cruises, from £1,770pp excluding flights.

· No single supplements on Christmas and New Year Costa Rica cruises.

· Third passenger occupying a cabin on Costa Rica cruises over the holiday season pays only port taxes

· 50% discount for children in Costa Rica at Christmas and on New Year cruises on all three ships

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Flyer - New Cruises from Malaga

In the autumn of 2012, Star Flyer will operate five seven-night cruises round-trip from Malaga between September 15 and October 13, exploring the Moorish heritage of Andalucia and the North African coast. Ports of call include Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco, Gibraltar, Cadiz and Motril, for Granada, setting of the magnificent Alhambra’s palace. From £1,370pp, excluding flights.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Christmas and New Year with Star Clippers

Escape the cold this winter and spend Christmas exploring the tropics on a romantic square rigger. Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular Christmas and New Year itineraries on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica. All the ships will be festively decorated and a traditional-style Christmas will be celebrated on board. As a Christmas gift from Star Clippers, there are onboard spending credits on the two Costa Rica departures, as well as zero single supplements no charge for a third person sharing a cabin. All past Star Clippers guests, meanwhile, qualify for a 5% discount.

Christmas departures

The stunning, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 227 guests, will be sailing a ten-night round trip from Barbados, departing December 17 and calling at St Barths, St Kitts, Iles des Saintes and St Lucia, as well as various tiny bays and islets in the British Virgin Islands. Christmas Day is spent anchored off Iles des Saintes. The 10 night Christmas cruis costs from £1,940pp, excluding flights.

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 23 from St Maarten on a seven-night Treasure Islands itinerary, spending Christmas Day in Virgin Gorda, famous for The Baths, a stunning beach of dramatic rock formations and crystal clear water. Thuis seven night Christmas cruise costs from £1,245pp, excluding flights.

The third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a ten-night voyage from Puerto Caldera, departing December 18. Christmas Day will be spent in the lush bay of Golfito, known for its animal sanctuary, orchid garden and zip-lining expeditions. This ten night cruise costs from £1,770pp, excluding flights. Each passenger, sharing a double cabin and paying the full fare on this departure will receive a €300 onboard spending credit. There are no single supplements on this cruise and what’s more, anybody occupying a third berth pays only port taxes. Two children sharing their own cabin each receive a 50% discount off their fare.

New Year Departures

Royal Clipper will spend New Year on an 11-night British Virgin Islands cruise, round-trip from Bridgetown, sailing December 27. On New Year’s Eve, there will be a beach barbecue at Jost van Dyke, followed by an overnight anchored off Virgin Gorda, to see in the New Year. From £2,095pp, excluding flights; children receive 50% discount.

Star Clipper departs Philipsburg, St Maarten, on December 30 for an eight-night New Year cruise to Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Antigua, Guadeloupe and St Barths. New Year’s Eve is spent at sea, with New Year’s Day in Dominica. From £1,520pp, excluding flight; children receive 50% discount.

Star Flyer, meanwhile, sails out of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, on December 28, for an 11-night cruise along the Pacific coast, spending New Year’s Eve on the exquisite Playa del Coco and January 1 in the National Park of Santa Rosa. From £2,051pp, excluding flights. Each passenger paying the full fare on this departure will receive a €300 onboard spending credit. There are no single supplements on this cruise and what’s more, anybody occupying a third berth pays only port taxes. Children travel at 50% discount.

For more information  visit www.starclippers.co.uk or luxury cruise specialist The Cruise Line

Star Clippers bring Costa Rica expert on Board.

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has announced that it will carry a guest lecturer, German-born Steffi Adels, on board Star Flyer for the ship’s forthcoming 2011/2012 Costa Rica season.

Steffi, whose professional background was originally in healthcare, fell in love with Costa Rica at first sight when she travelled there on holiday a few years ago. She was offered the chance to stay on and work in the country and has never looked back, saying she ‘went native’ with great ease, learning fluent Spanish and replacing her passion for schnitzel and fries with one for arroz con pollo, the Costa Rican staple of chicken with rice.

During each voyage, Steffi will talk to the guests about her experiences in Costa Rica, where she worked for a year as a tour guide for German-speaking guests as well as visitors from the USA and Canada. She has guided and travelled in all the most beautiful and popular areas of the country, including the volcanoes, the cloud forests, the rivers and canopy trails, the rainforests and national parks, as well as being a regular visitor to neighbouring Nicaragua.

Steffi, who is known for her energy and enthusiasm, will offer lectures and Q&A sessions every day in both English and German, covering topics such as the flora and fauna of Costa Rica; natural resources; volcanoes; forests; and the people.

The 170-guest Star Flyer spends from November to March each winter sailing the tropical waters of Central America’s Pacific coast, visiting dramatic rainforests, sweeping beaches and secluded inlets and islands, with plentiful opportunities for spotting wildlife and birds, as well as snorkelling over the reefs and hiking the forest trails. Most itineraries include a day at sea so that passengers can enjoy the full experience of a magnificent tall ship under full sail, whether it’s from the crow’s nest or the comfort of a lounger on the sun-warmed teak decks.

Star Clippers offers a seven-night Costa Rica and Nicaragua cruise from £1,140, cruise-only, round-trip from Puerto Caldera, calling at San Juan del Sur, Playa del Coco, National Park Santa Rosa, Samara, Puerto Carrillo, National Reserve of Curu and Isla Tortuga.

To book visit www.starclippers.co.uk.or The Cruise Line