Sail through Christmas 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 itineraries on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica.
The magnificent, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 228 guests, offers an eight-night, round-trip sailing from Barbados, departing December 18 and calling at various islands in the Grenadines, including the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, returning to Barbados on Boxing Day. From £1,375 per person plus £130 port taxes (flights excluded).
The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails on December 18 from St Maarten on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths. From £1,295 per person plus £130 port taxes (flights excluded).
Star Flyer, meanwhile, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica, offering a chance to escape completely. On a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera, the ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight. From £1,130 plus £110 port taxes (flights excluded).
The ships’ mizzen masts, with their red and green port / starboard lights, are considered to be their Christmas trees, the dining room on each ship will be decorated for a typically festive Christmas Day and throughout both the Caribbean and Central America, guests will enjoy many familiar Christmas traditions, including Christmas trees, colourful lights and the occasional appearance by Santa.
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 228 with a crew of 106.
For more information and reservations, visit: starclippers.co.uk
