Star Clippers... Across The Caribbean
Updated August 2018
Iglu Cruise's Head of Commercial, Dave Mills, was shipped off to the Caribbean for a week with Star Clippers. Here's what he got up to while the rest of the team were back in Wimbledon, working hard...
Star Clippers is a cruise-cum-sailing experience like no other. Blending the calmness and serenity of sailing from port to port under billowed sail with the effortless luxury and exemplary service you'd expect on a quality cruise ship. A holiday onboard one of Star Clippers' tall ships is both elegant and invigorating.
We joined the Royal Clipper in Antigua where we set sail on four nights of sailing through the beautiful Caribbean.
Sailing with around 150 fortunate guests, there's a real sense of camaraderie onboard. Each day at sail away, for example, we'd all gather on deck for the dropping of the sails - a breathtaking ceremony with a classical music and a champagne backdrop!
Each day we'd arrive in port - more often than not these were smaller fishing villages or yachting harbours - with a real sense of pride as we disembarked our stunningly elegant ship. The small size and shallower draft means that tiny, off-the-beaten-track islands can be explored, and completely deserted Caribbean beaches discovered - such as Ille de Saints. The shore excursions available echo the more exclusive, intimate and immersive experience onboard.
Onboard, the conveniences of modern cruising can be found. The cabins are slightly smaller, but well appointed with a charming mixture of brass and teak.
Dining, as with any cruise is a focal point, with a sumptuous choice for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner - and once per cruise, an extensive deck lunch is laid on too. The wine list is a little limited, but you won't be left wanting.
Evenings were spent in the deck bar, swapping stories of the day, and being entertained by the phenomenally hospitable crew, with all manner of live music, dancing, and even drinking games to while the night away.
It's the sort of voyage where you can be as active or laid back as you choose. I actually came back with a little rope burn from helping to raise the sails each day, and a touch of sunburn from laying out in the nets below the bow for too long, as we schooned across the Caribbean waves - the choice is yours!
It's a holiday experience suited for anyone looking for something on a smaller scale and more unique than a regular ocean cruise.
I hope it's not too long before I can cast off my bowlines, and feel the trade winds in my sails again.
If you like what you see, take a look at our range of Star Clippers getaways. Alternatively, see our blog - Star Clippers FAQs: Answers to Your Top Questions.