Sailing with the Royal Clipper, the flagship of the Star Clippers fleet, is like taking a journey back in time. It takes you back to the mid-19th century when sleek, ultra-fast clipper ships dominated the high seas. It was the zenith of wind-powered maritime supremacy just before steamships were widely integrated.
The ship
The ship was launched in 2000 and retains a distinct nautical charm with its 19th-century aesthetics. Image credit: Emily Tyler Photography
Guinness World Records has recognised the Royal Clipper as the world’s largest square-rigger in service. The design was inspired by the tall ship Preussen and is now the only five-masted, full-rigged ship in the world in service. It features 42 sails spanning 56,000 square feet and carries up to 227 passengers. The ship was launched in 2000 and retains a distinct nautical charm with its 19th-century aesthetics. No matter where you dock with the Royal Clipper, the ship always commands attention and attracts avid photographers.
However, behind the quaint veneer is a 21st-century state-of-the-art maritime navigation system. It uses a computer-assisted sail-handling system so that they can respond quickly to changes in the wind speed. When the wind conditions are too light, such as during our cruise in the calm Adriatic waters, they will use their digital engine management system to seamlessly connect with the auxiliary diesel-electric engines.
The navigation bridge is located on the Sun Deck (Deck 4), and a unique feature of this ship is its open-door policy. You can easily visit the bridge area, watch the officers navigate, and ask questions about the sailing when appropriate. Depending on the season, the ship alternates between a Mediterranean and a Caribbean itinerary.
Excursions
One of Europe’s hidden gems, San Marino is the oldest republic in the world
Their loyal followers keep coming back to cruise with Star Clippers because they are constantly innovating and looking for new ports and itineraries. In 2027, they have 27 new ports of call across seven countries.
On our recent sailing with Royal Clipper in the Adriatic, we traversed four countries: Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and San Marino. They do cover the popular bucket list destinations such as Dubrovnik, but it is the hidden gems on the itinerary that you should be looking out for.
At their Pesaro stop in Italy, you can visit a micro-state and the oldest republic in the world, San Marino. The medieval walls and three towering fortresses of San Marino are all part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The historical centre is perched on a dramatic cliff side setting with a labyrinth of winding, cobblestone paths. You will find charming boutique shops, as well as an abundance of street art, such as their ‘BUONENOVE’ urban art project.
The stunning Skradinski Buk waterfall is located in Krka National Park in Croatia
Their Adriatic cruise delivers the perfect mixture of urban delights and countryside charisma. At their Šibenik stop, you can take a short excursion to Krka National Park. There you will find what is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Europe at the Skradinski Buk waterfall.
It features a collection of 17 cascading waterfalls with a total drop of 45 metres, and you can hike to the base of the waterfall to capture the majesty of this natural wonder.
Another must-visit stop is the Blue Cave on the small island of Biševo. The Royal Clipper will anchor off the island of Vis in Croatia. From the dock at Vis, you will take a thrilling speedboat ride to the relatively isolated Biševo. There you will transfer to smaller, wooden boats, which can access the narrow entrance to the Blue Cave (guests will still need to bend down to successfully cross the entrance).
The mesmerising blue colour is created by the sun’s rays entering the water and reflecting off the limestone floor of the cave. The best time to visit is just before noon.
Cabin
The cabins are well-appointed and deliver on an Edwardian yacht elegance. Image credit: Emily Tyler Photography
There are eight distinct cabin categories; however, it can be broadly summarised into the following. The owner’s suites at 320 sq ft are the most commodious and feature a separate sitting area and two bathrooms. The deluxe suites at 280 sq ft are highly sought after, as they offer private balconies and even whirlpool baths. The remaining cabins range from 140 to 175 sq ft and generally have portholes, unless it’s an inside cabin (there are only six on board).
The cabins are well-appointed and deliver on Edwardian yacht elegance. You will find rich mahogany wood paired with polished nautical brass fixtures and there is a variety of cleverly designed storage spaces, so the cabin never feels claustrophobic. The bathrooms deliver on the refined elegance with marbled walls and bespoke upscale toiletries. During turndown service in the evenings, toiletries are replenished, and towels are replaced where required.
There is a retro charm to their on-board entertainment system. Each cabin is equipped with a DVD player, and you can borrow DVDs from the Purser’s Office. They have Hollywood classics like Top Gun: Maverick. Alternatively, you can stream videos on your own device via their extremely speedy Starlink Wi-Fi system.
Food and drink
One of the key highlights of the trip is the much-lauded dining experience. Image credit: Emily Tyler Photography
One of the key highlights of the ship is the much-lauded dining experience. The three-tiered main restaurant includes an open, sweeping, spiral staircase and an abundance of natural sunlight via a glass-bottomed swimming pool from the deck above. Breakfast and lunch are both an extensive buffet affair with a live cooking station. The latter is themed and includes an Oriental, Italian, French, seafood and Arabic buffets.
For dinner, the main options are pre-prepared and displayed in the Piano Bar, so you can visually pick your courses for the evening. The kitchen team can’t be faulted for a lack of invention with dishes like banana and shrimp salad, which included great ingredients individually.
Some dishes had Michelin-quality execution, such as their mojito jelly with marinated crab. The zesty lime and cooling mint flavours contrasted well with the umami richness of the crab meat.
Dining in the restaurant is generally an informal affair, but they do have dress-up evenings such as the captain’s farewell dinner, the white night and the pirate night.
Their house white wine from Château Minvielle is not only extremely sippable, but features a masted sailing ship on the label. Cocktail action typically takes place at their tropical bar, with Aperol spritz being particularly popular, as an antidote to the summery Mediterranean weather.
Activities
The aft marina platform is arguably the most popular activity area on board. When the sea conditions are suitable, this platform is lowered from the stern. Guests can take part in sea swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding. They generally have a swim stop prior to approaching Dubrovnik. They also have three swimming pools located on the top deck. It’s been designed for cooling off rather than swimming laps.
They have a spacious gym that typically operates from 6am to 8pm and the gym equipment is from BH Fitness. Next to the gym is their Captain Nemo Spa. The unique feature is the underwater portholes, as they are located below the waterline. They have a sauna and a Turkish hammam, which is free to access.
The spa treatments are generally regarded as great value when compared to other cruise ships. They also offer shorter half-hour treatments for those looking for an energising massage boost. Their highly skilled masseuses offer a range of treatments from Swedish to hot oil massages using high-end EvadéSens spa products.
Factbox
Classic Adriatic Escapes
Seven nights on board Royal Clipper visiting: Venice, Pesaro (for San Marino), Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Vis and Rovinj.
Sailings in June, July and August from £2,179pp based on two adults sharing a category six cabin. 10 per cent Early Booking Discount applied, valid until 31st January 2027, includes port charges.
For more information, visit starclippers.com
