STAR CLIPPERS
Seafarer Journey Mikael Krafft’s
STAR CLIPPERS
In celebration of International Day of the Seafarer on June 25th 2022, Star Clippers’ founder Mikael Krafft opens up about his own seafaring journey, and how the company’s deep-rooted family philosophy remains unchanged after over 30 years in operation.
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ith a fleet of three iconic, full-masted tall ships under his wing - allowing passengers to experience a voyage like no other - it is no wonder Mr Krafft hails Star Clippers as the third child he never had. We delve deeper into what inspired the creation of one of the leading small-ship cruise lines of today, which has in turn made dreams come true for so many people. ‘History, geography and DNA’, Mr Krafft states when asked about what motivated him to form Star Clippers. ‘We Scandinavians are descended from the Vikings, so seafaring is in our blood. My uncle was a sea captain, and the family has always had strong links with the sea. As a child, I was lucky enough to live near one of the finest yacht builders in the
world - the Plym’s Shipyard - and I used to spend most of my free time there, picking up a lot of useful knowledge about mixing varnish and wood stain and how wooden boats are made.’ Of course, unabating intrigue as a young boy ignited a fire inside Mr Krafft which led to moments of youthful rebellion, he adds: ‘Growing up in the Swedish archipelago, all the kids had their own boats. I used to spend many happy times sailing around the islands and camping. I also made a forbidden solo trip twenty miles over the open sea to the Aland Islands, where the four-masted barque Pommern formerly one of the famous Flying P liner and now a museum ship - is moored’. There is no doubt that seafaring runs through Mr Krafft’s veins, and as such it is a true family affair,
‘The sea, the
sails and the camaraderie are what makes a Star Clippers cruise unique’.
with Mikael’s wife and two children very much at the helm alongside him. ‘Star Clippers is like a third child for me and my wife Ann. It is a family project, and like my other two children it has grown and flourished, giving us both a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. Eric and Marie are now both adults and involved, each in their own way, with the development of the company. Eric taking care of finance and Marie as a sales director, with a special interest in the Scandinavian and French speaking markets’. As Mr Krafft’s family grew and evolved and technological advancements in the real world picked up pace, the ships remained as true to themselves as the day the fft ra K l e a Mik g boy company as a youn n first became a woode in oat sailing b
established in 1989. As vessels reminiscent of the grand age of sail, stepping on board a Star Clippers ship feels like taking a leap back an entire century. Rich mahogany woodwork, billowing sails with a mighty presence and gleaming bells that toll throughout the teak decks become a norm. For many, life on board evokes fond memories of days gone by, before the internet dominated day-to-day life and ‘switching off ’ for a week or so was possible. It is easy to forget the outside world when the important question of the day is whether there is enough wind to allow the engines to turn off today, or which beach the Captain will visit for the lunch barbecue. ‘Of course, when I first dreamed up the idea of Star Clippers, there was no internet or mobile phones. Nowadays passengers want a functioning Wi-Fi connection and email access even when they are on holiday. We are living in a world where it is well-nigh impossible to disconnect.’ Despite an ever-increasing reliance on the internet and mobile phones, Krafft’s passion for delivering a genuine experience never faltered. ‘Our ambition has remained the same, to give passengers an authentic tall ship experience, as if they were chartering a private yacht. The sea, the sails and the camaraderie are what makes a Star Clippers cruise unique’. Now widely recognised as the pioneers of smallship sailing, it is no wonder Krafft revels in pride at how consistent the Star Clippers ethos has remained over the past three decades. There will never be motorised sails on board and traditional sailing methods take precedence over modern technology. Nostalgia is the perfect remedy for contemporary chaos, which is reflected by a high returning rate of passengers that have discovered the perfect antidote for over-stimulation in today’s world. Star Clippers has allowed scores of guests to experience a snippet of true sailing, but for Krafft, this is his life and seafaring evidently courses through his veins. When asked about his favourite memory as a seafarer, suddenly Star Clippers’ bi-annual voyages across the vast Atlantic Ocean - perhaps intimidating to some - make sense. ‘I have crossed the Atlantic many times on different boats and after each crossing I felt sad that the trip was over; nothing beats watching the sun rise in the early morning light and setting in the evening with the famous green flash, and the sheer joy of sailing. I love the spirit of comradeship with passengers and crew that you get on an Atlantic crossing.’ The Star Clippers team wishes all seafarers, far and wide, fair winds and following seas this International Day of the Seafarer. #SeafarerJourney
STAR CLIPPERS Sailings on Star Clippers can be booked with ABTA travel agents or with the company’s UK general sales agent, Fred. Olsen Travel on
0845 200 6145
STAR CLIPPERS
or local number 01473 242 666 www.starclippers.co.uk sales@starclippers.co.uk All prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a lead in category cabin. Port charges are per person and need to be added to the cruise fare. All prices are cruise only and do not include flights and transfers. All prices are correct at time of print and are subject to availability and/or change and can be withdrawn at any time. ABTA & ATOL bonded for your protection. Terms & Conditions.