There’s nothing quite like taking to the open ocean in a tall ship, cruising beneath billowing sails, listening to the creak of the rigging and feeling the fresh and salty sea winds on your skin. Our Cruise Product team have recently added ‘Costa Rica Tall Ship Adventure’ to the Cruise & Tour portfolio, partnering with cruise line Star Clippers. Guests explore the towering volcanoes and mist-wreathed cloud forest on land before boarding the timeless tall ship to sail along the Pacific coastline. But what’s it like onboard the Star Clipper? Read on to get the know the ropes…
When you first board the Star Clipper, you’ll be welcomed with a rum cocktail (perfectly fitting for the casual and carefree atmosphere) to sip as you explore the ship and settle into your cabin. With berths for just 170 passengers and 74 crew, this is a small ship experience but also a step back in time – it recreates the romance of classic sailing adventures with gleaming mahogany, brassing fittings, leather and hardwood, and a deck crew dressed in crisp white uniforms. While the look and feel are very much times-gone-by, the facilities, activities and service are very much modern, and they’ve hit just the right note; guests can enjoy a grand adventure of the past with all the comforts of the present.
Many guests aren’t really worried about where they are sailing because they join a Star Clippers’ voyage for the authentic tall ship vibe (that authenticity is something to consider for non-seasoned cruisers; you can feel every wave, and sometimes those waves can get a bit wild!). You’ll find those guests on top deck for every sailaway, perched among the sailing paraphernalia, as the crew run the ropes and unfurl the sails, music blaring, wind ruffling the canvas before it catches, the ropes creak taut, and the ship begins to move. It’s a daily event that will never get old.
Daily life onboard revolves around the Tropical Bar, which is the muster station, the drinks service, the evening entertainment hub (put on by the enthusiastic crew) and the spot that the 5pm afternoon snacks are served. Meals are served in the main dining room and are casual – you can arrive at any time within the service window and sit wherever you like. Theme evenings include white night and pirate night, and you can expect a Captain’s Dinner on the final night of your voyage.
You’re welcome (when it isn’t moving) to leap off the ship to explore the ocean. The Star Clipper carries water toys, like kayaks, SUPs and snorkelling equipment. On certain days throughout the voyage guests are welcome to climb the rigging to a lookout point while the hammock-like bowsprit netting at the front of the ship offers the perfect place to relax.
A nautical once-in-a-lifetime experience, Star Clippers not only looks the part, it offers the nostalgia and thrill of traditional travel, and it does it to a tee.
