Star Clippers 2015/16 tall ship sailing program

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has launched its 2015/16 programme, featuring romantic cruises from three to 24 nights on its three stunning true sailing ships, with sailings between November 2014 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.

New for 2015

Ten-day Cuba cruises from $3415pp

Star Flyer will operate two new ten-day Cuba itineraries in March 2016, sailing between Cienfuegos, its winter base, and Havana, the capital. Ports of call include Maria La Gorda; Isla de la Juventud; Cayo Rico; Cayo Largo; Georgetown and Cayman Brac in the Cayman Islands; and Trinidad.From $3415 per person including port charges, cruise-only, departing March 6 and 16.

Venezuela and the ABC Islands

Royal Clipper will spend winters operating her usual enticing Windward Isles and Grenadines itineraries out of Barbados but two new, exciting cruises have been added, circling the entire southern Caribbean. Departing Barbados, the 14-night voyage calls at four ports in Venezuela (the coast of which is scattered with beautiful, unspoiled islands); the ‘ABC’ islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean; and the Grenadines and St Lucia, with departures on March 28, 2015 and March 26, 2016. From $4849 per person including port charges and gratuities, cruise-only, departing March 28, 2015.

Farewell Balearics season from $2365 pp

Star Clippers will be introducing new itineraries, yet to be announced, for summer 2016, so summer 2015 will be the final season sailing the Balearics, with six sailings on Star Flyer in July and August round-trip from the glamorous port of Palma, calling at ports including Formentera, Ibiza, Valencia, Mahon and Soller. From $2365 per person including port charges, cruise-only.

Taster cruises from $1015 pp

Once again, Star Clippers will be offering mini-cruises, ideal for those who would like a taste of life on board a true sailing ship. 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 $1015 per person including port charges for a three-night cruise from Cannes on Star Flyer, calling at L’Ile Rousse in Corsica and St Tropez, departing September 23.

Themed cruises

Yoga and meditation

Star Clippers offers regular yoga and meditation themed cruises, with three highly qualified teachers offering two daily complimentary yoga and meditation classes on board. All classes take place on deck in the fresh air, early morning and just before sunset and all are suitable for any level of experience and conducted in English. The eight yoga cruises for 2015 include:

January 18 and 25: Christel Vollmer, sailing on Star Flyer from Cienfuegos, Cuba

January 24 and 31: Inge Schöps, sailing on Star Clipper from St Maarten

May 16 and 23: Raphaella Rose, sailing on Royal Clipper from Rome

August 1 and 8: Christel Vollmer, sailing on Star Flyer from Palma

From $2365 per person including port charges, excluding flights, for a seven-night round trip from Palma on Star Flyer.

Star Clippers is offering an early booking discount of up to 35% until January 31, 2015 for the European summer sailings and until April 30 for winter Caribbean 2015/16 sailings.

To book, call 1300 295 161 or your travel agent or visit www.starclippers.com/au/

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 74, while Royal Clipper carries 227 with a crew of 106.