Imagine pulling from port in Barcelona with a backdrop of the Spanish city’s twinkling night lights, all decks on hand as yards of sails unfurl to ascend the ship’s four masts with the Vangelis song 1492: Conquest of Paradise playing at departure. Then add to the scene top-of-the-deck passengers lifting their glasses in synchronized toasts to their upcoming venture. This scene is just another day aboard Star Clippers' Star Flyer.
As one of the Star Clippers fleet, a collection of three (soon to be four) tall sailing ships, Star Flyer is the perfect combo of a historical back-in-the-day sailing vessel, equipped with 21st century yacht-like lures. Though large enough to provide such beloved fleet-wide hallmarks as a cozy library situated around a Belle Époque fireplace, a lively piano bar, the al fresco Tropical Bar and several salt water pools, each vessel is also small enough to visit off-the-beaten-path ports and intimate enough for passengers to readily know one another. The décor—antique-like fabrics, artwork of famous sailing vessels, expansive teak decks, gleaming mahogany railing and polished brass appointments—is soothingly remindful of the line’s distinguished maritime heritage.
Inspired by the classic sailing clipper ships that ruled the waves throughout the 1800s, yet created almost a century after the tall ships’ disappearance from the scene, Star Clippers’ backstory is distinctive. Swedish owner, lifetime yachtsman Mikael Krafft, gives details in the book, Star Clipper Saga, “In 1987 I decided to build a genuine large sailing ship with the wind as the most important source of power. No one had ever done that for almost a hundred years,” he wrote. “The ship should resemble old clippers in hull, yet be designed to accommodate some 150 guests. In my new clipper, I wanted to include all the romance of sail and style that you find in a large sailing yacht.”
Four years later, Star Flyer (175 passengers) launched in 1991 and in 1992, her sister Star Clipper made her debut. Fast forward to 2000 when the five-masted, full-rigger Royal Clipper (227 passengers) entered the scene, and in 2017 the 300-passenger Flying Clipper, a near replica of France II (ordered in 1911, its the world’s largest square-rig sailing ship ever built) will come onto the scene.
“This is a sailing ship, so I know you want to sail,” announced Captain Mariusz Szalek, Poland, upon introduction. “You can trust that as much as we can, we will be sailing.” His explanation as to why the Star Flyer is sometimes under power follows logic. “There’s no bad wind; there’s either no wind or there’s wind. All you need is time,” he said of the occasionally limited but important commodity for a ship with a set itinerary.
“The whole crew is not one nation, it is mixed,” continued the captain of his multi-national crew representing eight countries on this cruise. He introduced Steffi, the cruise director from Germany, Chef Diego from the Philippines (described as the crew member “responsible for all the pounds you are about to gain”) and Peter, the musician from Slovakia, whose intro is preceded by the statement, “A ship without music is impossible.” When asked about the captain’s own 23-year career on the sea and if he followed in his father’s footsteps, his answer somewhat reflected the mystique of this type of vessel. “No, you could call it destiny,” said Szalek.
As a sailing ship, the rules are different, the experience is authentic and the results are exhilarating. Everyone is welcome to visit the bridge at any time (simply ask permission to enter). It’s possible to skim the waves mere feet above the water when lying in the bowsprit’s trapeze-like net. If up for the challenge, a view of the Mediterranean from the crow’s nest perched on the mast high above deck is a high-wire-act-like opportunity.
Rather than bingo and Las Vegas-like revues, passengers have the chance to learn the art of napkin folding from the wait staff, the skill of knot tying with a deck cadet and the secret to cocktail mixing by the bartender. If it’s a beach day, activities can range from swimming and windsurfing to waterskiing, kayaking and snorkeling; and for the on-deck participatory types, there’s pulling the lines and hoisting the sails. Possibilities include sampling everything or doing nothing. Even packing is a simple affair. No formal gowns or black-tie attire are necessary, casual elegance defines the dress code.
A tall mast sailing experience appeals to many, but especially the well-traveled, those who seek authentic experiences, desire an international mix of passengers and who have an aversion to crowds. To best understand this fleet’s more than 60 percent repeat guest rate, passengers say it best. After three previous trips with the cruise line for such celebrations as a birthday and now their 45th anniversary, Robbie and Sara Alberry expressed their allegiance. “I don’t like sailing in blocks of flats,” said Robbie in reference to large liners’ deck upon deck of cabin after cabin. With regard to the choice of ships, he is definitive: “I sail 40-foot boats.”
Another team of sailors, Jan and Mike English, transfered the affection for sailing their 33-foot boat on Lake Michigan in their downtime to sailing with Star Flyer during vacation time. “Mike would never cruise on a megaship,” says Jan. “We prefer ships with 200 passengers or less and love making friends from all over the world.” Among the English’s newly-acquired friends are Sydney, Australia’s Louise and Rafi Glaser, admitted veterans of 25 cruises. “We enjoy boats but when we went on a 3,500 passenger ship, we didn’t like it,” shared Rafi. “To me, it’s the informal ease of the Star Flyer that I most enjoy.”
What’s on the horizon for the Star Clippers fleet? Having been one of the first cruise liners to receive permission from the Cuban government to sail their waters in 2014, the Star Flyer will continue exploring this recently opened destination. New for the Star Clipper in 2017 is Bali, Indonesia, and in May 2017, the Royal Clipper’s itinerary includes the made-in-the-Mediterranean opportunity to attend Grand Prix Formula 1’s trials and finals. The biggest news, however, occurs late in 2017 when the Flying Clipper launches as the world’s largest square rigger and the largest ship of its kind on the seas.
If your dream is to hark back to the grandest age of sailing, to discover the ultimate sea-going happening and experience the perfect balance of adventure, grandeur and tradition, Star Flyer has the answer. Anchors aweigh!
