Star Clippers
This line is in the Luxury filter on this site, but by ship size and what its fare includes we list it as upper-premium. Set the guest's expectations to match.
PremiumSee how Star Clippers describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Three of the largest tall sailing ships in service: Royal Clipper (five masts, 42 sails, 227 guests) and the four-masted twins Star Clipper and Star Flyer (166 guests each).
- 2Free water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding, dinghy sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling), an open bridge, and sail-handling and knot-tying sessions.
- 3Relaxed onboard style: open-seating dining, no formal nights, no casinos or production shows.
- 4Fares are cruise-only; gratuities (suggested €10 pp/day), drinks and Wi-Fi cost extra, and onboard charges are in euros.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line90 days before departure
Final payment 90 days before departure; port charges are paid with final payment. Reservations not paid by the due date may be cancelled.
Applies to: Star Clippers Americas General Terms & Conditions (U.S. dollars)
Group policies may differ.
Deposit
Per cruise line$400 pp (cat. 2-6) / $800 pp (cat. 1, Deluxe, Owner's) within 3 days
$400 per person per sailing for categories 2-6; $800 per person for Category 1, Deluxe Suites and Owner's Suites. Due within a 3-day option period (shorter within 90 days of departure). Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or check; only cashier's check or credit card within two weeks of sailing.
Applies to: Star Clippers Americas General Terms & Conditions (U.S. dollars; US and Latin America residents)
Group policies may differ.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
Written notice required. 120+ days before sailing: full refund of cruise fare. 119-90 days: $400 pp (categories 2-6) or $800 pp (Category 1, Deluxe, Owner's). 89-60 days: 50% of cruise fare. 59-30 days: 75%. 29 days or less: no refund. No-shows get back only unused port charges, prepaid tips and prepaid onboard credit. Air, hotel and supplier fees are deducted. Change fee $50 pp; sailing dates can't be changed within the penalty period.
Applies to: Star Clippers Americas General Terms & Conditions (U.S. dollars)
Air tickets: $100 pp fee plus airline penalties once issued.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Not included; suggested €10 pp/day (can be prepaid in USD)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Not included; same suggested €10 pp/day for every cabinPer cruise line
- Drink package
- Not included; drinks bought onboard and charged in euros. No drink package published.
- Premium drink package
- Not included; no premium package published
- Soda package
- Not yet verified
- Non-alcoholic package
- No package published; coffee, tea and juices are served at the early continental breakfast
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Not included; internet and Wi-Fi cards sold onboard (price not published). Wi-Fi in certain areas only; not guaranteed on ocean crossings.
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- No premium tier published; same onboard internet purchase
- Specialty dining package
- Not offered (one open-seating dining room; no specialty restaurants)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not applicable (no extra-charge restaurants)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Gym classes are listed among onboard activities; yoga classes (e.g. morning yoga on deck) are led by yoga teachers on selected themed sailings. Price not stated.Per cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Not offered (no spa pass). Royal Clipper's Captain Nemo Lounge spa sells massages, facials, body treatments and hydrotherapy; prices not published.Per cruise line
- Air program
- Air & Sea Program: round-trip economy or business-class air including taxes from many gateways in the Americas, booked with the cruise; flights confirmed within 45 days of departure; $100 pp fee for changes after ticketing. Air Credits or reduced airfare offered as promotions.Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Port charges: included in the published fares (brochure price tables); possible fuel surcharge up to $10 pp/day if oil exceeds $80/barrel (none in effect); $50 pp change fee; onboard account in euros (€300 cash deposit if paying cash); laundry, shore excursions (booked and paid onboard), spa, phone and internet extra. Water sports free (except scuba).Per cruise line
Sources differ
Star Clippers' pages differ on port charges. The General Terms & Conditions (on the website and on p. 91 of the brochure) say 'Port charges are in addition to the cruise fares and payment must be made at the time the final payment is due.' Every price table in the Nov 2026 - Mar 2028 US brochure says 'Port charges are included.', and the 2027 Summer Collection prices are 'with port charges included'. We show the newer brochure prices; confirm with Star Clippers at booking.General Terms & Conditions US brochure, Nov 2026 - Mar 2028 (price tables) 2027 Summer Collection brochure
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Star Clippers at booking about any condition, disability or reduced mobility needing special arrangements, and at least 48 hours before assistance is needed. Star Clippers may ask for medical proof of fitness and require a companion. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- No elevators or ramps; going ashore is often by tender or Zodiac, sometimes with wet landings. Disabled guests are advised to bring a doctor's note and a companion who can help onboard and ashore. No accessible cabins are listed. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Not permitted: the Contract of Carriage bars 'any animal whatsoever' and the brochure says pets are not permitted. Service animals are not mentioned separately. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- A doctor sails on long ocean crossings; on other cruises trained nurses from the crew, with officers trained in first aid. Ships stay near shore hospitals on coastal routes. The nurse sells only very basic non-prescription medicine. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryCategories 2-6 (inside and outside cabins; S single cabins on Royal Clipper)
Per cruise line86-145 sq ft (brochure averages). Shower, TV/DVD (not Category 6 on the twins), safe, hairdryer; most beds twin or double.
midCategory 1 Deluxe Deck Cabins (8 on each of Star Clipper and Star Flyer; 2 on Royal Clipper)
Per cruise line156 sq ft; minibar, bathtub (whirlpool on Royal Clipper), doors opening onto the deck.
topRoyal Clipper Deluxe Suites (14, with verandah) and Owner's Suites (2 on Royal Clipper; 1 Owner's Cabin on each twin)
Per cruise lineRoyal Clipper Deluxe Suite 280 sq ft with private verandah, whirlpool and room service; Owner's Suite 430 sq ft (no verandah). Twins' Owner's Cabin 237 sq ft with sitting area, minibar and room service.
Loyalty program
TopGallant Loyalty ClubPer cruise line
Guests may say
“TopGallant”, “Top Gallant”, “TopGallant Loyalty Club”, “Top Gallant Referral Program”
None: Star Clippers is a standalone, family-owned line with no sister brands.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Not included. Airport-ship transfers (and an overnight stay if needed) can be bought from Star Clippers through the travel agent.
Which ports: Varies by voyage; see each voyage page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Free water sports and 'sailor for a day'
Per cruise lineKayaks, paddleboards, dinghy sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing and snorkel gear are free (scuba isn't), run by the ship's sports team on beach days for guests over 12. Guests can help raise the sails, climb the mast to the crow's nest in a harness, and lie in the bowsprit net.
Onboard account is in euros
Per cruise lineAll onboard charges (bar, spa, excursions, gratuities) are billed in euros, so US cards may add foreign-transaction fees. Visa, MasterCard and Amex only; no Discover or Diners on board. Paying cash needs a €300 cash deposit.
No elevators; tenders and wet landings
Per cruise lineThe ships have no elevators or ramps. At anchor, guests go ashore by tender or Zodiac, sometimes with a wet beach landing, which needs good physical condition. Not a fit for guests who can't manage stairs or boat transfers.
Children and pregnancy
Per cruise lineInfants from 6 months; no kids' club or babysitting, and under-18s must sail with an adult. Star Clippers may refuse guests in their third trimester of pregnancy.
No bring-your-own alcohol
Per cruise lineGuests can't bring alcohol aboard for their own use; bottles bought ashore are held at the gangway and returned at disembarkation.
Casual dress, open seating, three languages
Per cruise lineSmart casual: no formal nights, one Captain's dinner. In the evening, no shorts in the dining room and men wear collared shirts with sleeves. Open seating at all meals. Programs and announcements are in English, German and French (English is the main language).
Fleet
- Ships
- 3 tall sailing ships: Royal Clipper (2000; 227 guests, five-masted full-rigged ship) and the twin four-masted barquentines Star Flyer (1991) and Star Clipper (1992), 166 guests eachPer cruise line
- Newest ship
- Royal Clipper (built 2000). No new ship announced on the current site.Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Royal Clipper (five-masted full-rigged ship; 227 guests), Star Clipper class (four-masted barquentines Star Clipper and Star Flyer; 166 guests each)
Where they sail
Last full review: 8 Oct 2026·Last updated: 8 Nov 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.