Star Clippers’ fleet of tall ships sail to some of the globe’s most beautiful and far-flung locations, but the nearby Caribbean has always been one of the most popular with passengers as well as a favorite of the cruise line. So popular, in fact, that the company has announced the Star Flyer will spend the entire 2019-2020 season sailing out of St. Maarten, offering 13 departures between December 2019 and March 2020.
“Tourism plays a crucial role in the Caribbean’s economy, and we’re encourage by the reports that St. Maarten, as well as so many of the islands affected by last year’s hurricane season, are well on the road to recovery,” said Mirell Reyes, President of Star Clippers America. “We’ve planned a full season of sailing out of St. Maarten to show our support for the island’s economic recovery as well as to educate travelers that these islands are open and ready to receive visitors.”
Itineraries of 7, 11 and 14 nights out of St. Maarten will offer guests an array of experiences, all centered around the uniqueness of exploration aboard one of the world’s largest traditional clipper ships. For those eager to visit the Caribbean sooner, Star Clippers’ upcoming sailing season runs from December, 2018 through March 2019 and offers 37 departures ranging from seven to 14-nights. Two ships—Royal Clipper and Star Flyer—call on multiple islands that were affected in last year’s storms, including St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, St. Barts, BVI and Anguilla.
To entice travelers to see for themselves the remarkable recovery efforts in Caribbean, Star Clippers has several offers on upcoming Caribbean sailings. Those wishing to extend their Caribbean getaway before or after sailing can take advantage of complimentary two-night hotel stays plus breakfast and transfers in either Barbados or St. Maarten on select 2018 and 2019 departures. Guests booking select 11-night Montego Bay to Barbados and seven-night Windward and Grenadine Islands itineraries will receive two complimentary nights at the Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, a full service resort in Christchurch, Barbados. Guests booking select 14-night Panama and seven-night Treasure and Leeward Island sailings will receive a two-night stay at the charming Holland House beach hotel in downtown Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Solo travelers will love the waived single supplement offer on select Caribbean sailings on the Star Flyer or Royal Clipper between December 2018 and March 2019, with rates starting at $600 per person for a three-night treasure island sailing.
For more than 25 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to the thrill of modern tall ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indonesia and Far East. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 170 guests, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck and piano lounges. The brand’s newest vessel, Flying Clipper, will debut in late 2018.
Star Clippers, 800-442-0551, www.starclippers.com