What a dream!

Seeing the Royal Clipper ship in Cannes for the first time

I have always wanted to cruise on a tall ship, as I think there’s something truly magical in the moment the sails unfurl and catch the wind, and you begin to glide forward, powered by nature.

My husband had the chance to do just this in May 2025. Boarding the ship in Cannes to explore the mediterranean for 7 days. We needed a holiday, quick smart, and I searched but nothing really caught my eye, until I clicked on Star Clipper and found there to be one stateroom left on this itinerary - booked it!

Ideally, we prefer a balcony cabin, but due to the 2 weeks notice I had, we enjoyed a window instead. The staterooms are small. Do not underestimate this. The double bed was against the wall on one side, so I had to clamber over my husband to get out. There is room underneath for suitcase storage, and there is a wardrobe. The bathroom was lovely with a shower. But, you do not book a cruise on Star Clipper for the stateroom, you book for the experience of a tall-ship!

Star Clippers offers a one-of-a-kind luxury tall ship cruising experience that blends the romance of traditional sailing with modern comfort. Perfect for travellers who crave authentic adventure, intimate ships, and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, Star Clippers is unlike any other cruise line.

Royal Clipper is the largest of the Star Clippers, with a capacity of 227 passengers, as opposed to 170 passengers on Star Flyer and Star Clipper. But also, the Royal Clipper is special in that she has five masts, and when these are manually raised by the crew, to Vangelis’ Conquest of Paradise, it’s arm-hair tingling.

I enjoyed the ambiance onboard, which feels more like a private yacht than a conventional cruise. With fewer passengers, the atmosphere is casual, friendly, and highly personalised.

The cost covered breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner onboard. All of the dining was lovely - I wouldn’t class it as fine-dining, but it was varied & plentiful. Drinks are not included, at all. It’s pay-as-you-go signing for everything, including water. I really feel they are missing a beat here, to offer more of a luxury experience and include drinks, even a package. But then not every cruise line can be luxury. They are all different, catering for different people.

Non-motorised water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkelling are also available. One thing that really disappointed me about this particular sailing - I was really looking forward to using the water sports from the onboard marina, but this wasn’t the case. They tendered us to an, albeit, deserted cove, where we swam and used the equipment. I think maybe the marina is only used on certain itineraries.

Because of their smaller ship size, Star Clippers can anchor in hidden coves, secluded beaches, and charming boutique ports that larger cruise ships simply cannot reach. I loved the balance of luxury cruising, hands-on adventure, and cultural exploration.

Saying this, we did anchor out at sea a couple of times on this itinerary, meaning we were tendered into port. It wasn’t really a huge ordeal though, with fewer guests onboard, the tenders were quick.

We spoke with many people onboard. Some were on there 20th cruise with Star Clipper, and some were on their first. Would I cruise with them again? Yes, if the itinerary was right, I would. but 1) I would book a balcony stateroom or suite, and 2) I would know what to expect next time.

For travellers who want to combine the spirit of classic sailing with the comforts of modern luxury cruising, Star Clippers delivers a unique, immersive, and effortlessly memorable experience.

If you would like a truly unique experience, then send me a message or give me a call - 0118 317 7070.