All three of the tall ships—Star Clipper, Star Flyer, and Royal Clipper—are modern, authentic ... [+] sailing ships and itineraries are created using wind charts to ensure the ships can move under the power of wind as much as possible.

Star Clippers is a unique sailing experience reminiscent of the golden age of sailing, but with all the modern amenities of a private yacht. It combines off-the-beaten-path destinations—they sail to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, Asia and the South Pacific—and exploration of different cultures and histories while still having the unique experience of tall ship sailing.

“Of course, the past two and half years have been a challenge for the entire travel industry. But being a small ship company sailing to remote places, offering a lot of open deck space and being sustainable are big advantages in today’s environment and we’re very positive about what’s to come,” says Mirell Reyes, President, Star Clippers Americas.

Costa Rica is known for its wildlife.

Costa Rica is one of the most popular itineraries—and the seven-night sailings along the Pacific coast also call on ports in Nicaragua and Panama.

There are plenty of opportunities to explore the destination in an active-adventure way. In Quepos, travelers can explore Manuel Antonio National Park consisting of tropical rainforests and more than one thousand species of flora. On Isla Tortuga, a dreamy island paradise fringed with tall coconut palms, sugary white sand beaches and emerald waters, travelers can snorkel and explore the variety of marine life found here.

Some favorite excursions on the Costa Rican sailings include zipline canopy tours, soaking in Vandará Hot Springs, an eco-hike in the Mombacho Reserve and a visit to the cloud forest.

There are plenty of active-adventure excursions for families in Costa Rica including zip lining.

Costa Rica’s diverse geography makes it an ideal vacation destination for families, as there’s plenty to explore and many opportunities to learn about the natural environment.

More than half a million species of flora and fauna inhabit the country’s rainforests, where kids can look out for monkeys, sloths, brightly colored tree frogs or one of more than 800 tropical bird species in their natural habitat. The beaches of Costa Rica present opportunities for snorkeling and even the possibility of spotting humpback whales. Older kids will love flying through the rainforest by zip-line or rappelling down the face of a waterfall.

Visiting Costa Rica onboard Star Clipper sailing allows families to choose a different adventure in each port or to spend the day playing on the beach. Onboard, older kids can partake in mast climbing, learn to tie sailor knots, or hang out in the bowsprit netting watching for dolphins.

Travelers are encourage to climb the mast to the crow’s nest.

On all the ships, travelers are allowed (and encouraged) to climb the mast to the crow’s nest. At 75 feet above water level, the crow’s nest offers an incredible view of the ship’s top deck as well as the scenery beyond. Guests are also encouraged to attend knot-tying or help with the rigging to learn about the process of sailing.

A favorite spot on any Star Clippers ship is the bowsprit netting, where guests can lay out with the ocean beneath them. The lengthy bowsprit stretches 30-feet forward of the bow and is open to passengers during the day. The hammock-like netting is suspended over the water and can be a place of excitement or reflection depending on the traveler.

Eco-friendly features like wind power make the Star Clippers unique in the cruising industry.

All three of the tall ships—Star Clipper, Star Flyer, and Royal Clipper—are modern, authentic sailing ships and itineraries are created using wind charts to ensure the ships can move under the power of wind as much as possible. A popular experience is being on the top deck for sail away and watching the nautical crew raise the sails.

Royal Clipper, the largest in Star Clippers’ fleet at 439 feet, holds the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest, five-rigged, square-masted sailing ship in service, with 42 sails totaling 54,000 square feet. The ship carries 227 guests and features three swimming pools, a full-service spa, and a marina platform on the back of the ship that can be lowered when the ship is docked to offer travelers access to water sports like snorkeling, kayaking and wind surfing free of charge.

Star Clipper and Star Flyer are sister ships with identical deck plans. Each feature more than 36,000 square feet of sails and carry 166 guests. The outdoor tropical bar is a favorite gathering place for guests, and two pools on the top deck are ideal for soaking in the sun. The interiors of all three ships feature polished brass and mahogany, lending to the feeling that you are sailing on an authentic clipper ship.

A favorite spot on any Star Clippers ship is the bowsprit netting, where guests can lay out with the ... [+] ocean beneath them and watch the world go by.

Star Clippers ships are true sailing vessels, and as such they are a unique way to cruise. “Travelers often remark on how friendly and approachable the crew members are, which can come as surprise to cruisers used to the ‘upstairs downstairs’ hierarchy on large ships,” says Reyes.

The line has an open bridge policy and passengers are welcome to drop by and chat to the captain and duty officers at any time, except when the ship is maneuvering in and out of port.

“One of the statistics we’re very proud of—and which I think speaks for itself—is that more than 60% of guests take a second Star Clippers sailing within the first year,” says Reyes.

“Star Clippers ships are naturally green,” says Reyes. “They operate under wind power as much as possible, which translates to less fuel used. In the Caribbean, the ships operate under wind power up to 70% of the time, thus minimizing use of auxiliary engines. Sailing versus a motor cruising means substantially lower fuel consumption and emissions. Star Clipper and Star Flyer use very pure, high-quality low sulfur gas oil for which the company was awarded the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate.”

The company has a 60 percent repeat visitor rate.

Says Reyes: “The possibility of adding a new ship will always be on the horizon, especially with the high demand in the Mediterranean. With over 60% repeat passengers coming back within one year, we have to be creative when it comes to our itineraries. We will continue to offer new places no other cruise lines can get to, creating unique itineraries for our well-traveled guests.”

“There’s no question the global pandemic caused major changes to the industry, and the need to be flexible, fluid, nimble and patient has never been more important,” says Reyes.

She explains that moving forward; it’s essential that they remain apprised of the evolving protocols and restrictions in the countries Star Clippers visits so we can adapt our processes and offer our guests peace of mind when booking and traveling. Keeping a strong focus on communications with our guests allows them to make the best possible travel decisions based on their comfort levels.

Says Reyes: “I believe the trend toward small ship cruising—which was growing pre-pandemic—is going to continue. Guests are looking for safety with smaller numbers of people and more space per guests on board. Small ship sailing also allows for experiential travel—another trend we see increasing. Unlike large ocean liners, our ships stop in small ports and disembarkation is not drawn-out process—guests can simply walk off the ship and enjoy exploring each port as they wish.”