Star Clippers Review: Sailing the Caribbean on the Star Flyer
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When it comes to sailing cruises, we think Star Clippers is one of the most unique lines afloat.
Its three tall ships – modeled after 19th century clippers – flaunt billowing sails, polished brass and gleaming teak decks. And yes, they really do sail!
We’ve now sailed on four Star Clippers cruises – most recently aboard Star Flyer in the Caribbean. These cruises are always fun and great value – and there’s no roughing it like Jack Sparrow!
Carrying fewer than 250 passengers each, they visit off-the-beaten-path ports in the Caribbean, Central America and Mediterranean, where you often tender right onto the beach.
Ready to sail away? Here’s our Star Clippers review of what it’s like to cruise the Caribbean Leeward Islands aboard Star Flyer.
Contents: Star Clippers cruise review (Star Flyer)
Star Flyer Leeward Islands itinerary (Caribbean)
Your first Star Clippers cruise? You can check rates and info here
- See Star Clippers’ official website.
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About Star Clippers Cruises
Swedish industrialist and entrepreneur Mikael Krafft had a dream – to bring back the golden age of sailing by building real clipper ships that cruise the world in style.
And so, Star Clippers was born in 1989.
Star Flyer and Star Clipper ships
The first ship, Star Flyer, set sail in 1991. Despite her years, this square-rigged barquentine still turns heads.
Her near-twin, Star Clipper, followed in 1992.
Ship specs
- Sail area: 36,000 square feet
- Passenger capacity: 166 each
- Crew: 72
- Size: 377 feet long
- Masts: 4
Royal Clipper
The grandest of the fleet, Royal Clipper, launched in 2000. She’s larger and even more impressive. (Read our post on what it’s like to cruise on Royal Clipper.)
Ship specs
- Sail area: 56,000 square feet
- Passenger capacity: 227
- Crew: 106
- Size: 439 feet long
- Masts: 5
Real sailing, truly green
Wind power is as “green” as it gets when it comes to cruising – and Star Clippers harnesses it beautifully.
These graceful tall ships travel under wind power up to 80% of the time, depending on the itinerary. (In the Caribbean, it’s around 70%.) That’s why Star Clippers has been crowned the “World’s Best Green Cruise Line” at least seven times in the past decade.
When engine power is needed, the ships use low-sulfur fuel – far cleaner than the heavy fuel burned by many big cruise ships.
But the thrill?
It’s watching the crew (dressed in blue-and-white striped T-shirts and white pants) unfurl the sails by hand, using ropes and winches when the ship leaves port – as stirring Vangelis music from the “1492: Conquest of Paradise” soundtrack swells in the background.
We never tired of the song…
Or of the daily ritual of standing on deck, watching the twinkling lights on land get smaller and smaller, as the enormous sails billowed in the breeze and the ship glided into open water – a scene as timeless as the sea itself.
Star Clippers cabins (small but stylish)
All three ships feature nautical-themed cabins with royal blue-and-gold carpeting, damask drapes, brass reading lamps and polished wood accents. Most are outside cabins with portholes.
Standard cabins are compact – 120 to 130 square feet on Star Flyer and Star Clipper, and 148 square feet on Royal Clipper. They’re certainly snug compared to staterooms on the luxury Seabourn Odyssey or bigger traditional cruise ships by Celebrity Cruises, Princess and the like.
But they’re more spacious that cabins on chartered sailing yachts and catamarans.
All cabins come with a TV/DVD player, private bathroom with hair dryer, closet and a good amount of drawer space.
Star Flyer cabins
Most of the 85 cabins on Star Flyer are outside; only six are inside. Eight deluxe deck cabins open directly onto the deck and boast marble bathtubs.
They’re configured differently, depending on their location on the ship.
Our Star Flyer cabin, #302, had a privacy curtain we could pull to hide the bed and the rest of the interior from the corridor when the door was open.
A small cushioned bench in the corner under the TV was useful for stashing beach bags and towels. Two narrow beds were pushed together to form a double/queen bed, with individual white European-style duvets.
At night, we loved feeling the power of the sea as it slapped against the hull outside our porthole and rocked us gently to sleep.
We also peeked into #308, where the bed is tucked behind a wall. It looked perhaps a bit more private.
Heads up on noisy cabins
Avoid cabins near the dining room if you’re sensitive to mealtime clatter. We once stayed beside it on Star Clipper and missed having a little more peace and quiet.
Light sleepers may also want to steer clear of stern cabins, where you can hear some vibration noise.
Bathrooms
The all-in-one bathrooms feature a curtain that tries (but doesn’t always succeed) at separating the shower from the toilet and sink.
Expect the occasional watery hug from the curtain – and a need for towel mopping if the ship’s moving. Thankfully, our cabin steward kept things fresh and dry with twice-daily service.
Suites
Each ship also has a handful of larger “suites” – Royal Clipper has 14 of them. But don’t expect to throw any parties in them. Even the suites are cozy by cruises standards.
Public rooms
Tropical Bar
The open-air Tropical Bar is the main hub on all ships. Mid-ship on the top deck, it’s covered by a canopy (for sun and rain protection).
Wooden bar stools around the bar invite you to plonk yourself down and order a cool one.
Or you can seat yourself at one of the bar tables with stools scattered along the deck sides.
Passengers also gather in the Tropical Bar for port briefings, afternoon canapés and evening entertainment.
Library
Inside, beside the Tropical Bar, there’s an Edwardian-style library with a faux fireplace.
Paneled in dark wood, it’s a beautiful room, used mostly by guests who want a quiet place to read or play cards.
Pools
Star Flyer and Star Clipper each have two teeny plunge pools (one at the stern and one mid-ship), with several blue sun loungers sprinkled around them.
Royal Clipper ups the ante with three small pools, including one with a glass bottom. From the piano bar below, you can sip cocktails while watching legs paddle overhead.
We were so busy during the day, however – out and about onshore on this Star Flyer cruise – that apart from a 20-minute spell, we didn’t have any time to spend by the pool.
Next time, perhaps?
Gift shop
For such small ships, the Star Clippers’ ships have great little gift shops. Specifically, we’re talking about the high-quality linen shirts for guys (which have a discreet Star Clippers logo on them).
Toward the end of the cruise, the shop holds a sale where several clothing items go for half-price. George bought a couple of beautiful linen shirts (lemon-colored and blue-and-white striped) at half-price.
Funnily enough, at dinner that evening, one of our fellow table companions also wore a new Star Clippers’ shirt (in a different color).
Dining on Star Clippers
Each Star Clippers ship has just one restaurant, with tables for four, six and eight persons.
On the Star Flyer and Star Clipper, cozy six-seat booths line the dining room sides by the portholes, while round tables fill the center.
It feels like a vintage yacht club – think royal blue carpet woven with golden rope designs, brass candelabra sconces adorning the walls and French Provincial chairs in gold corduroy. Nautical elegance, done right.
Mealtime details:
- Open seating means you can dine when you like and with whomever you like.
- Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is plated and served at your table.
Breakfast
You can start your day light – fresh fruit salad, yogurt and smoothies.
Or you can go for a hearty English breakfast, with sausages, baked beans, bacon, eggs (there’s an omelet station), lox and cream cheese, pancakes and more!
Lunch
Lunches are always a highlight.
We especially loved the tantalizing selection of healthy salads.
Hot dishes might include fish in white sauce and deep-fried shrimp, and for dessert, perhaps warm peaches in caramel sauce.
Save room on the Italian lunch day for the exceptionally delicious tiramisu and lemon tart!
Dinner
Come 7:30 pm, a crew member walks down the corridors and rings a little brass bell to announce that dinner is ready.
The three-course meal is served anytime between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, but most guests arrive between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm.
The cuisine is continental.
You can expect continental-style dishes with meat, fish and veggie entrées offered nightly – or steak and fries on request (yes, every night if you wish!). A cheese plate follows dessert.
While you dine, a pianist plays live classical music on a white baby grand piano.
We often didn’t eat too much at dinner… not because we didn’t enjoy it, but because lunch was just that good.
But dinner was always pleasant – and it was lovely to see the restaurant gussied up for the evening, with white tablecloths and a fresh pink carnation in a silver vase decorating each table.
Pssst! See our post on what drinks cost on Star Clippers.
Dress code
There’s no need to pack fancy duds for your Star Clippers’ cruise.
Dress is informal – perhaps a simple dress, or capris and a blouse, for ladies (with flats, no high heels) and for men, casual travel pants and a golf-style T-shirt or cotton shirt.
If you wish, you could pack something a little dressier for the Captain’s gala dinner – maybe a pretty shawl and sparkly earrings for women and a long-sleeve linen shirt for men?
Activities and entertainment
Most Star Clippers’ cruises have just one day at sea, giving you full days ashore exploring different ports most of the time.
But when you’re onboard, there’s still plenty to do – including a few experiences you won’t find on other cruise ships. (Mast climbing, anyone?)
Listen to port talks
Port talks, held in the Tropical Bar, are quite relaxed.
The cruise director scribbles key information about the upcoming port on an erasable whiteboard.
Do yoga on deck
Practice your down-dogs and stretch out those kinks during free early-morning yoga classes held on deck in the Tropical Bar.
Climb the mast
One of the most thrilling activities, unique to Star Clippers, is to climb the mast.
Wearing a tethered safety vest, you can scale the rope ladder to the crow’s nest – 60 feet above the water – for spectacular bird’s eye views.
Recline in the widow’s net
The best spot to watch the waves whoosh along and the world go by? The hammock-like netting stretched above the ocean at the very front of the ship.
On all Star Clippers’ ships, you can crawl into the bowsprit netting and hang there suspended above the water. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Chat with the captain
An open-bridge policy means you’re free to pop into the bridge to chat with the captain or officer on duty.
Learn about sailing
We found it fascinating to watch the sail maker mend the white sails on deck. He uses a honking-huge, old-fashioned sewing machine to do repairs.
And if you want to learn the art of tying nautical knots, there’s a session where crew will teach you.
Our Star Flyer review of her Caribbean Leeward Islands itinerary
Star Clippers primarily sails in the Caribbean, Central America and the Mediterranean, with off-season transatlantic crossings.
Our 7-night Star Flyer sailing cruise was a roundtrip voyage through the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, starting and ending in St. Martin/Maarten – an island that’s half French, half Dutch.
This itinerary isn’t your typical Caribbean cruise.
If you’ve sailed with big-ship lines and think you’ve “done” the Caribbean, think again. Star Clippers reveals a more relaxed, off-the-beaten-path side of the region – one you’re unlikely to experience on a mega-ship.
Our pre- and post-cruise stays: Before and after our cruise, we stayed on French St. Martin – at Hotel L’Esplanade and Le Petit Hotel, both boutique hotels with a Provencal flair.
Leeward Islands itinerary (7 nights)
- Philipsburg, St. Maarten
- Day 1 – River Bay, Barbuda*
- Day 2 – Cabrits, Dominica
- Day 3 – Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes
- Day 4 – Deshaies, Guadeloupe
- Day 5 – Falmouth Harbour, Antigua
- Day 6 – Gustavia, St. Barts
- Philipsburg, St. Maarten
*When we sailed, the first stop was Nevis, now replaced by Barbuda.
Day 1 – Barbuda (Nevis for us)
After boarding the Star Flyer the day before, we were happy our first port day was all about relaxation on Nevis’ Pinney’s Beach.
Barbuda’s River Bay, which now takes its place, is even more secluded, with pink-tinged sand and crystal-clear water perfect for swimming and snorkeling. A quiet off-the-radar anchorage, it’s the definition of laid-back Caribbean bliss.
Day 2 – Dominica
Dominica is arguably the lushest and greenest of the Caribbean islands.
We tendered to the simple dock at Portsmouth, right by the entrance to Cabrits National Park. (Large cruise ships dock on the opposite side of the island at Roseau.)
For a $5 USD park entrance fee, you can hike 5 to 10 minutes along a paved trail to Fort Shirley, a restored 19th century British outpost, or explore longer hiking trails that crisscross the forested park – which looked well worth a wander.
But we had other plans – river tubing down the scenic Layou River, about an hour’s drive away.
Curled up in bouncy round inner tubes, with our legs dangling in the water, the tubing was a barrel of laughs – bumping into fellow tubers and splashing along in the river.
Bonus thrill? Spotting furry tarantula legs poking out of holes burrowed into the mud riverbanks.
Day 3 – Iles des Saintes
The most picturesque port we dropped anchor at was Terre-de-Haut, one of a cluster of tiny islands that make up Iles des Saintes.
Très Francais, this gem of an island is like a little slice of France, but in the tropics.
There’s no need to do an organized tour here!
Rent a moped or ATV-style buggy the locals favor, or use your feet. The fun is in discovering this island for yourself.
First on our agenda?
Huffing our way up a steep narrow road (past goats nibbling by the roadside) to the mid-1800s Fort Napoleon and its botanical gardens, where we were rewarded with splendid views.
Oh look, there’s our tall ship waaaaay down below!
Next? An obligatory cappuccino in one of the seaside cafés.
Then after a quick lunch back on the ship, we tendered to a narrow strip of sandy beach for some swim-and-snooze time.
Day 4 – Guadeloupe
Sometimes the best days aren’t planned. They just happen. That was the case with our day on Guadeloupe.
Our ship anchored off Deshaies, a small fishing village with a sprinkling of seafront cafés, T-shirt shops and laid-back restaurants.
We thought we’d poke around town and then make our own way to Grand Anse Beach, a 5-minute drive away – perhaps by taxi, if we could find one?
But at the dock, a small tourism booth caught our eye – and that’s where we learned you could actually hike over to the beach, climbing up the 700-foot “mountain” of Gros Morne and descending the other side.
We were wearing runners. Why not? A little exercise would be good for us!
The steep trail ended up being quite a bit more challenging than anticipated, full of tangled roots and volcanic rock boulders.
Thankfully, the forest provided lots of shade. And hammering woodpeckers entertained us, while a cooling breeze made the climb more bearable.
And lo and behold, a couple of hours later, we descended onto the one-mile stretch of majestic Grand Anse Beach.
Carpeted in gold sand and fringed with swaying coconut palms, it’s the mother of all beaches – untainted by resort development and picture-perfect.
We plonked ourselves down at the far end, closer to a smattering of restos tucked up behind the trees (hidden from the beach).
A quick refreshing swim. A quick nap. And then we quickly walked along the road (about 25 minutes) back to Deshaies, making it in time to catch the last tender back to the ship.
Day 5 – Antigua
Quick. What is Antigua known for? Its 365 beaches (one for every day of the year, they say).
So, what to do in Antigua on a Star Flyer cruise? Why, enjoy a beach barbecue!
Tenders ferried guests to idyllic Pigeon Point Beach on Antigua, where we climbed down a ladder from the tender at the water’s edge and sloshed our way up onto the sand.
As with all beach stops, the Star Clippers’ water sports team hauled SUP boards, kayaks and sailing dinghies onto the beach for guests to use (complimentary).
After ample time for swimming, SUPping (is this a verb yet?) and lounging around under the shade of sea grape trees, we were ready for the ship’s BBQ.
We helped ourselves to grilled burgers, fish and salads, then ate – plates balanced on our laps – as we sat on our towels on the sand.
A fun beach day!
Day 6 – St. Barts
St. Barts is the final stop on this Star Flyer itinerary.
We strolled the streets of Gustavia, St. Barts’ tony capital, peeking into very expensive designer boutiques and gawking at gleaming mega yachts in the harbor.
At the edge of town, we came to Shell Beach.
This very pretty beach is literally covered with millions of tiny unique shells. (Don’t worry, they won’t cut your feet.)
You can rent a beach chair and umbrella at Shellona Restaurant – or join the bikini-clad vacationers lolling about on bean bags there for some bubbly or beer.
But all the beaches on St. Barts are free.
So we simply enjoyed a swim, followed by chill time at one side of the cove, where boulders offered shade.
Read more: See our guide on visiting the island of St. Barts.
Rates and other essential info
- Electricity: On Star Clipper and Star Flyer, the voltage is 110V (standard for the U.S., Canada and most of South America). Royal Clipper runs on 220V, suitable for European appliances. Bring the right adapter if you’re coming from a country with a different voltage.
- Pricing: Everything onboard is priced in Euros.
- Gratuities on Star Clippers: Tips are extra. The cruise line recommends you tip 8 Euros ($10 USD) p.p. a day.
- WiFi on Star Clippers: WiFi is available at a charge, but the connection can be spotty. It’s strongest when in port.
- Cruise fares: Star Clippers’ rates are very reasonable for the value you receive (and just a little more than traditional cruises, like Holland America, Princess and MSC Cruises.
Star Clippers review: The right cruise for you?
These alluring tall-ship cruises attract a fun international mix – mostly Brits, Europeans and Americans, with a smattering of Aussies and South Americans.
Most guests are in their 50s and 60s, but you’ll find younger couples too.
On our cruise, we chit-chatted with the charming Italian celebrity Maria Teresa Ruta and her companions, who added a splash of glamor.
About 60% of guests are repeaters. That says a lot.
So do the accolades: Star Clippers was runner-up in USA Today’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Boutique Cruise Line,” and it snagged first place as the “World’s Best Boutique Cruise Line” in the 2024 World Cruise Awards.
So, will you like a Star Clippers cruise? Yes.
That is… if you’re easy-going, active and open to new experiences; like the intimacy of a small ship and the romance of sailing; don’t mind cozy cabins; and can do without a casino and big-ship bells and whistles.
These cruises aren’t suited for anyone with limited mobility, however. There are no elevators, and agility is needed to climb stairs and clamber in and out of Zodiacs and small tenders.
This was our fourth Star Clippers cruise – and we can’t wait for our next!
More cruising inspo!
- Dreamy Tahiti Cruises: Windstar vs. Paul Gauguin
- What’s it Like to Sail on Windstar Cruises?
- Chartered Yachts Aren’t Just for the Rich and Famous
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Our top travel tips and resources
General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, offering loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy! (You may prefer Expedia for booking hotels in the U.S. or Mexico.)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: For the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets are often non-refundable. If you want more flexibility, it’s usually worth booking directly with the airline, even if it costs a bit more.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 2, 6 to 8, 11, 16, 20 to 22, 24 to 28, 30 to 40, 44 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 41 Shellona Restaurant | Remaining photos Star Clippers
We sailed on this cruise as media guests for review purposes. But we always maintain the ability to write what we want, as we experience it.
About the authors
