Topmast

Topmast

STAR CLIPPERS

Star Clippers Magazine / Winter 2017

Indonesia DISCOVER

A magical island paradise...

WHAT TO WEAR? Sloop Shop 2017 Collection

Caribbean / Cuba / Asia / Mediterranean / Ocean Crossings / Panama Canal 11

Page 4 / Tropical Thailand Highlights

Welcome Welcome to the second edition of Topmast and aboard our three magnificent tall ships, Royal Clipper, Star Flyer and Star Clipper.

Star Clippers operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels. Visiting intimate ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht, Star Clippers is recognised as one of the premier speciality cruise lines.

Page 8 / Indonesia Archipelago Page 11 / Under the Beam

Page 12 / Mediterranean Dreams Page 15 / Holiday Reads

Passengers can enjoy the romance of sailing on board a true tall ship in a relaxed atmosphere with high standards of service provided by an attentive crew.

All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, a convivial Tropical Bar and a comfortable piano bar.

The gentle lapping of waves against a wind driven hull. A pod of dolphins playing in the curling bow wave. A salute to a propitious marriage, the wedding of a splendid cruise holiday with the romance of sailing aboard a true tall ship. It is the unique combination of sailing tradition and pampered relaxation that is the essence of Star Clippers. For within the setting of a magnificently evocative Tall ship is a world for those who seek an authentic sailing adventure without sacrificing creature comforts.

These graceful ships fly along the waves, just like the legendary clippers of a century and a half ago. And this is as much an adventure in highly evolved relaxation as it is in tradition. For though computers have not replaced the skilled hands of the crew in the art of raising sails, guests are not expected to become barefoot seamen. Relax and let the crew do the work.

Now come aboard Star Clipper, Star Flyer or Royal Clipper, the largest true fully rigged sailing ship in the world today. As thousands of square feet of sail unfurl above you, you will feel the elation of those mariners of long ago. Because this is Star Clippers and the adventure has only just begun.

Fay McCormack UK General Manager 2

Topmast News...

Star Clippers has had an amazing year so far and 2017 is set to be even more exciting with new ship launches, new itineraries PLUS new adventures in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world...

Grand Prix 2017 The 227 passenger tall ship, Royal Clipper will be making her Grand Prix Debut in May 2017 where you can soak up the electric atmosphere on the most anticipated date on the Formula 1 calendar - the Monaco Grand Prix. Arrive in Monaco and take your place amongst the crowd to experience a combination of precision driving, technical excellence and sheer bravery in this legendary race. After the excitement, explore the natural and historical treasures of Corsica, the street art and beautiful architecture in Porto and the glorious white beaches in Sanary-sur-Mer. This itinerary is available to book now!

Indonesia

Rail & Sail Options Have you thought of taking a Star Clippers cruise with a comfortable alternative to flying? Then our ‘Rail & Sail’ packages may be the answer! Guests can take the train directly from the UK to the south of France and join our magnificent tall ships, while completely avoiding airports and flying.

Begin your fantastic holiday with a trip on the Eurostar from London to Lille, then on a high-speed train for a pre-cruise stay in glamorous Cannes on the French Riviera on our Ligurian Sea sailing from £1419pp.

Cannes to Cannes sailing Begin and end your sailing in one of the loveliest ports in the world. With more sailings than ever before, seemingly endless beaches and aboard the largest fully rigged ship in the world, what’s not to love about our Cannes to Cannes sailings? Glittering Cannes is the archetypal Mediterranean

7 night Cannes - Cannes sailing from

resort city discovered by wealthy Cruise only + English nobles port charges who came to the sunny south of France to escape their draughty old castles during the dreary British winters. Cannes’ high-flying lifestyle has attracted notables and the notorious ever since. Every year, the stars flock to celebrate the Cannes Film Festival at the colossal Palais des Festivals.

£1419pp

Flying Clipper

Breaking news Star Clippers in 2017

New addition to the Star Clippers fleet

Star Clippers will be sailing in Indonesian waters for the first time in 2017. There will be a choice of 19 departures between May and October in 2017 aboard our tall ship, Star Clipper. Sailings of 7, 10, 11 and 14 nights will depart from Bali and Singapore including Bali round trips and itineraries with a reverse sailing option. Indonesia is a magical land of culture and breathtaking scenery. With beautiful beaches, historic temples, spectacular volcanic landscapes and Komodo dragons, this will be a Star Clipper adventure to remember...

Star Clippers is pleased to announce the name of our fourth ship, to be launched at the end of 2017. The Flying Clipper will be the biggest and the most ambitious of the Clipper fleet to date, carrying 300 passengers, measuring 8770 tonnes and powered by 35 sails totalling more than 6.350 m2. It is a near replica of the dramatic France II ordered in 1911 at La Gironde shipyard Bordeaux, which was the largest square rig sailing ship ever built. SPV Flying Clipper will be the world’s largest square rigger and the largest ship of its kind afloat today.

3

Thailand TROPICAL

TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS

by Danielle Dudley 4

South East Asia has always been an area of the world I have longed to explore. The typical images of the small wooden fishing boats floating peacefully on crystal clear waters, and the stunning yet rugged mountainous backdrops that pop out from the ocean, and the mouth-watering flavours of Thai cuisine are among the reasons that I’ve always been keen to visit - well my time has come, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it all on Star Clipper’s first 7 night voyage from Phuket! Here are some of my highlights from the trip:

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Sailing away on the first night is like a scene from a movie. Stood up on deck under the night sky, sipping another glass of cold champagne and watching the Captain and officers expertly echo the orders to the crew, as they start to pull on the ropes and the cream sails start to unfurl above us all. ‘Conquest of Paradise’ a classical piece of music by a composer called Vangelis, is played through the speakers and as the music fills the air, the sails rise above us and we set sail off into the calm waters of Thailand, using only the stars in the sky as our lights – a truly magical moment.

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We didn’t arrive into Ko Rok Nok until midday, so another leisurely morning on board was welcome, taking a sun lounger up on deck, reading a book in the Piano Lounge or maybe if you’re feeling brave, climbing the rigging up to the crow’s nest, there was plenty to do until we dropped anchor in our next port of call.

8 1 9 2 5 10 6 3 Our group flew business class with Etihad (via Abu Dhabi) on the first leg. The private roomy seat, which fully reclines into a bed, makes for a very comfortable start to the trip. If you’ve got a bit extra in the budget, I would highly recommend travelling in style…

After participating in a bike ride in Phuket, most of the group headed down to the beach for a massage, priced at just 400 BAHTS for one hour, converted is about £10, it was hard to resist! You could afford to have a massage on the beach every day in Thailand, which is definitely a highlight for me if you have the stamina to take it!

Our final stop before lunch on day 3 was at the ‘Big Buddha’, a relatively new, huge, religious statue sitting high on top of a hill. The views looking down over the bay were stunning and the guest monkeys were posing for tourists pictures (as well as trying to pinch their belongings). Finally, we ended up at a restaurant near the port, where we had a huge amount of fresh seafood, noodles and stir-fried vegetables bought to our table. The excitement had started to build now as our final stop for the day was to be Star Clipper herself…

Sail away is like a scene from a movie...

After a morning of relaxation in Ko Similan, we decided to take the steep trek up ‘snail rock’ a pedestrian route which was being taken by many other tourists, and although was a little ‘adventurous’ in places, it was well worth the climb – the views were outstanding!

Langkawi was my favourite port of call with our first stop being the ‘Oriental Village’. Within the village was the ‘Langkawi Cable Car’ where we headed straight up to the top. The experience of going up was amazing, slightly scary and wonderful all at the same time. The view got increasingly better the higher we went (so high my ears popped!) and the lush greenery of the island, contrasted with the clear blue waters around the sandy coastline was my favourite sight of all.

Whilst in Ko Kradan we were treated to ‘Captain’s Night’ which is a lovely occasion on board. A menu of chateaubriand or lobster tail is tantalising on the taste buds, we treated ourselves to a bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc tonight which didn’t disappoint, and the complimentary glass of bubbles was handed out prior to the Captain’s speech.

Phang Nga Bay was very special. We were all given the opportunity to take a tender from the ship, and follow her whilst she proudly boasted under full sail – a magnificent site. Her four mast barquentine style is the most elegant tall ship of all, gracefully gliding the turquoise waters, expertly navigating her way through the famous Phang Nga Bay. I must have taken over a hundred photographs of the ship, it was hard to stop, at times finding it hard to believe the beauty that we were witnessing and desperate to catch every moment, although no picture does the experience justice, truly fantastic.

There was an excursion to ‘James Bond Island’ at the end of the itinerary, which a lot of the passengers took, but we decided to go to the beach that the ship’s tender took us to – Ko Hong. Our last lazy day on the beaches of Thailand, so we soaked up every last moment of the gorgeous sunshine before taking a tender back to the ship for our last sail away.

Read Dani’s full blog here:

http://www.starclippers.co.uk/blog

7 night Phuket - Phuket sailing from

£976pp Cruise only + port charges

5

Gods THE ISLAND OF THE

S

tar Clippers tall ship cruises provide an insight into a bygone era of sailing, with itineraries operated in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and across the Atlantic on board three spectacular ships. Last year, it was announced that Star Clippers would also operate itineraries out of the Far East between December 2016 and April 2017 aboard Star Clipper. These seven-night sailings will take passengers to a range of stunning and untouched destinations across Thailand and Malaysia, with selected sailings also taking passengers to Singapore.

In addition to these sailings, Star Clippers recently announced that they will be enhancing their South East Asia sailings with a range of 7, 10, 11 and 14-night sailings out of and around Indonesia.

These exciting journeys, which will commence from May 2017, will be reminiscent of adventures embarked upon by Robinson Crusoe, with port calls to many tiny jungle-and-sand islands. One of the many highlights of these itineraries will involve being able to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on the Indonesian islands.

The small size of the Star Clippers vessels provides a unique opportunity to visit smaller islands that larger ships are unable to reach.

These include the volcanic island of Pulau Satonda, which was formed by a volcanic eruption on the sea floor millions of years ago. Today, it is home to towering mountains which hold a beautiful salt-water lake in the crater.

On the subject of volcanic islands, there will also be the option to embark on an optional excursion to Mount Bromo – a 2,329m high active volcano based in East Java. On the 14th day of the Hindu Festival, Yadnya Kasada, locals throw offerings of fruit, rice, vegetables and livestock sacrifices into the caldera as an offering to the mountain gods.

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Borobudur Temple

Travelling to the southern part of central Java, guests will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Borobudur Temple, which was built between the 8th and 9th centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a renowned Buddhist temple, which was built in three tiers: with a pyramidal base, five square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and a monumental stupa, which sits at the top.

Other cultural sites of significance visited on select itineraries include Pura Ulun Danu Bratan water temple on Bali, which was built in 1663 and is used for ceremonies to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess, Dewi Danu.

As well as visiting remote islands and cultural landmarks, passengers onboard these sailings will be able to delve into Hindi culture and explore bustling streets and exotic markets. They will also be able to see ‘Phinisi’ boats, which are traditional Indonesian sailing ships which feature twin masts, a wooden hull and seven billowing sails.

Following the tradition of Star Clippers itineraries, passengers will have the unique opportunity to enjoy a series of water sports. Sailors will be able to try snorkelling, kayaking and canoeing off many of the stunning island beaches.

Star Clippers founder and owner, Mikael Krafft, said “The Indonesian waters will really bring out the very best of a Star Clippers cruise and the natural scenery and spectacular sights will provide an exceptional back-drop for our beautiful ship, Star Clipper. Guests will enjoy the most memorable sailings in some of the most beautiful waters in the world, while daytime activities will be eclectic, exotic and each day will bring opportunities for new adventures”.

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Cruise only from

£1705pp

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Indonesian Disc overy

11 nights

>> Departs 10th Ju

>> 11 nights aboa

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>> Visiting: Bali, Gi li Kondo, Komodo National Park, Pin k Beach, Waikelo, Wera, Satonda Island, La buan Haji, Gili Bid er a, Carik, Senggigi Be ach, Lovina Beach, Gili Sudak, Bali

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£1872pp

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7

ARCHIPELAGO

K

omodo National Park was founded in A visit to Komodo National Park 1980 with the aim of preserving the can be found on 7 night unique Komodo dragon and its habitat.

Eastbound sailings, Nowadays the project is broader in scope, and 10 & 11 night and the goal is currently to protect both sailings the terrestrial and marine biodiversity. These efforts have been rewarded; in 1986 the park was declared to be “a Man and Biosphere” reserve and attained UNESCO World Heritage status, underlining its ecological importance.

Komodo Island is the domain of a highly aggressive reptile that looks like a relic from the age when dinosaurs walked the earth.

The species is notoriously fierce and the “dragon” moniker is well deserved. The Komodo dragon which belongs to a once widespread order of monitor lizards now survives only on a handful of islands.

This giant lizard can grow up to 3 metres in length and weigh as much as 150 kg. Like other monitor lizards they have tapered heads, visible ear-openings, a long slender neck, round pupils and eyelids and above all very powerful jaws.

A visit to

Pink Beach, or Pantai Merah, is one of Pink Beach can be only seven such beaches on the whole found on 7 night planet. The amazing colour comes from Eastbound sailings, and 10 & 11 night microscopic animals called Foraminifera sailings which leave a red pigment on the coral reefs and the name Pantai Merah literally means red beach. Tiny fragments of red stained coral break off and combine with silvery sand to produce the glorious pink shade visible from the shoreline. Pink Beach is bounded by turquoise blue sea and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, including small islands, hills and mountains. It is said to be the best spot for snorkelling in Komodo National Park.

Picture minuscule islands fringed by powdery white sandy beaches, dotted with coconut palms, and set in a turquoise blue sea surrounded by coral reefs... the Gilis are a foretaste of Paradise offering superb snorkelling sites. The name “Gili Islands” is a form of tautology as the 8

word Gili simply means “small island”in Sasak.

A visit to the The Sasak people are a mainly Muslim ethnic Gili Isles can be group which make up the majority of the found on all of our Indonesian population of Lombok. The “Gilis” are an itineraries archipelago of 3 small islands: Trawangan, Meno and Air, just off the north west coast of Lombok, but the name has stuck and is universally used and understood in Lombok. Indeed, all the surrounding islands have the word “Gili” in front of their name.

The islands are a popular destination for visitors looking for a secluded, getaway. Each Gili has its own character; some have very small “resorts”, usually consisting of a collection of huts for tourists, together with bars and restaurants, whereas others are completely uninhabited. Diving and snorkelling in and around the Gilis is very popular due to the abundance of marine life and attractive coral formations.

Mount Bromo is part of the Tengger Semeru National Park and is situated in a spectacular A visit to Mount Bromo can lunar landscape of incomparable natural be found on 7 night beauty.

Westbound sailings, and Enjoy a drive through lush, scenic 14 night crossing from countryside and terraced farmland before Singapore-Bali & savoring traditional snacks at a local Bali-Singapore restaurant before a jeep ride to Bromo Tengger Semaru National Park where you can admire the iconic peaks of East Java’s volcanoes, including Mount Bromo.

Discover breathtaking views of Mount Bromo and Mount Batok with Mount Semeru in the background before you carry on down the crater. Leave the jeeps to continue over rough ground, exchanging a four wheel drive vehicle for a guided pony ride to the foot of Mount Bromo for your ascend.

Accompanied by a guide you will then hike up the side of the mountain and follow the rim of the inner caldera surrounded by a sea of sand with the volcano puffing clouds of sulphurous smoke. Arriving at the lava view restaurant you can admire the spectacular views of Mount Kursi while you enjoy an authentic Indonesian buffet lunch.

9

STAR CLIPPERS’

Style

STAR CLIPPERS WATCH

STAR CLIPPERS UMBRELLA

STAR CLIPPERS SLOOP SHOP Welcome to Star Clippers very own boutique clothing collection for all sailing occasions! All clothes and accessories can be purchased aboard Star Flyer, Star Clipper or Royal Clipper in the sloop shop, where our experienced team will be happy to assist and advise you.

Whether you’re looking for a gift, souvenir or an extra item of clothing or two, the Star Clippers collection has something to suit all.

Here are just a few NEW items for 2017!

LINEN/COTTON SCARF WITH SHOPPING BAGS one for each ship

LUGGAGE PROTECTION SLEEVES BEACH BAG

VISORS AND MARINE HATS

SHIPSHAPE STYLE TOWEL BAG

Him: polo ‘ship’ blue, white cargo Bermuda, sun glass straps Her: vest stripe, tee shirt sky, navy short, visor navy

TOILET CASE LIMITED EDITION PRINT STAR CLIPPER OFF MARTINIQUE 84X70cm G.Hunt

EXCURSION DAY 10

Beam UNDER THE

Jodie Ioannou

Reservations Manager We spoke with Jodie, our UK Reservations manager to talk about her experience aboard her favourite tall ship. Here’s a closer and more personal look into what it’s really like aboard the Star Clippers fleet...

Where was your first ever holiday?

My first ever holiday was to Portugal when I was around 5 years old, I have many happy memories of this trip which include playing in the sand and sea at the beach.

Which of the Star Clippers fleet is your favourite, and why?

I love the Royal Clipper, especially the Marina Platform where you can dive off into the sea or take part in various water sports activities. I do also love elements of the smaller ships, in particular, the dining rooms aboard Star Clipper and Star Flyer.

What’s the best excursion you have done, and why?

The best excursion I have done has to be the Safari Island Drive in St. Kitts on the Windward Island itinerary. Exploring a full island tour in an open jeep and seeing all St. Kitts has to offer was an experience I would love to repeat!

What would you recommend doing aboard the ship on a day spent at sea?

I would definitely recommend climbing the mast and listening to Captain’s story time, you will hear some amazing and fascinating stories here! For those that like to relax I would recommend a massage on deck aboard our two smaller ships, or in the Captain Nemo Spa aboard Royal Clipper, followed by a dip in the pool and a spot of sunbathing.

A strawberry daiquiri is my ultimate Tropical Bar indulgence...

What is your favourite drink from the tropical bar?

A strawberry daiquiri is my ultimate Tropical Bar indulgence, however, I also love a glass of prosecco (or bottle!). I would also recommend the Red Wine with dinner.

What category cabin did you stay in?

I always stay in a category 4 cabin when on board, these are a very good size with lots of wardrobe space, and also great locations on the ships.

What has been your favourite destination and why?

Barbados has to be my favourite destination that we offer, I love the ports of call that boast white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, the perfect way to relax and unwind!

What has been the best dish you have eaten aboard?

I loved the filo fish pastry as a starter, followed by the pork medallion - the BEST pork I’ve ever had! Then the bread and butter pudding at dinner, and the calamari at afternoon tea.

How do you think a Star Clippers cruise differs from other cruises?

Star Clippers takes you back to the grand age of sailing, we are able to visit smaller ports of call that most other cruise lines are not able to access, all aboard our small, intimate, fully working sailing ships.

Did you experience any sea sickness when on board?

No, aboard all three of the ships in our fleet you don’t tend to feel too much movement!

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Dreams MEDITERRANEAN

O

ur Western Mediterranean cruises allow you to sail through this beautiful and picturesque part of the world whilst visiting many famous destinations as you go. The Med offers comfortably warm seas and covers an area of nearly one million square miles between the Strait Of Gibraltar in the west and the Suez Canal in the east, with various embayments in between.There are chances to explore the Balearic Islands, top up your tan in St. Tropez, see the luxury and extravagance of Monaco and discover lesser known European destinations such as Montenegro and Slovenia. You won’t be able to escape the romance of this region as you fall in love with the stunning landscapes, delicious and authentic cuisine and intriguing yet diverse cultures.

Although still in the same part of the world, our Eastern Mediterranean cruises are vastly different from those that we offer in the Western Mediterranean. The weather is still fantastic and ports of call are still as exciting and intriguing as ever, but the cultures and traditions that you will find in places such as Greece and Turkey vary to those elsewhere in Europe. As you sail through the transparent Aegean Sea, stopping off at various islands along the way, you will find yourself eagerly anticipating the revelation of where you wake up every morning. Let the glorious Royal Clipper and Star Flyer do all the hard work as you lay back and enjoy the excellent atmosphere on board and discover what new adventures await at your next port of call.

On shore, a group of light-hearted Star Clippers’ travellers follow a twisting alleyway to a small taverna where the strums of the bouzouki and a glass of ouzo are the perfect accompaniments to the evening’s catch.

Long ago, these Eastern Mediterranean islands and ports were the landing places for an endless tide of invaders from far off lands.

From ancient Phoenicia, Persia, the Peloponnesus, Imperial Rome and Constantinople they came. Followed by waves of European Crusader

12

knights, Genoan mariners, Venetian merchants and turbaned Turkish troops of the Ottoman Empire. They stormed ashore to conquer, only to be vanquished by time and absorbed into the dry volcanic earth.

All that remains are their stone ruins, ghostly shapes wrapped in myth and mystery. Today the sun-spangled seas bordered by Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia and the Dalmatian Coasts are inviting playgrounds for pleasure seekers. Join us as we explore a yachtsman’s paradise on forgotten islands where white-washed sands invite sun worshippers to bask under Helios’ gaze, or fortress-like rocks where ancient monasteries cling like mountain climbers on towering cliffs.

Or stand where battling armies fought hand-to-hand in Troy and Gallipoli. Walk through iron doors of medieval Kastros where tales of pagan rites and knightly rituals are told. Inhale the balm of almond and lemon at the place where Hippocrates taught his healing arts. The Dodecanese, the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dardanelles Islands and places that fairly sing on the tongue. And no one knows these favoured lands and seas as well as Star Clippers.

Natural beauty and 4,000 years of history converge in Italy, Sicily, France, Portugal, Spain and the islands of the Mediterranean. The taste of sweet green olive oil and fresh ripe tomatoes, the sound of carefree children laughing on sun drenched beaches, the sight of myriad yachts at anchor in picturesque harbours…

These are but a few sights and scenes of the Western Mediterranean. Replete with sparkling capitals, ancient civilizations and cultured ambience, it is an incredibly vivid world of mythical lands and tranquil seas, soaring mountains, medieval villages, private coves and sun struck beaches. Wherever you may wander, you will discover the special magic of the Mediterranean that has enchanted travellers for millennia.

SOUTHERN CYCLADES

ROME VENICE

Departs 13th May 2017

Departs 17th June & 29th July 2017

Athens • Rhodes • Bodrum • Dalyan River Santorini • Hydra • Athens

Rome • Ponza • Palmarola • Sorrento Taormina • Corfu • Kotor • Dubrovnik • Hvar Rovinj • Piran • Venice

7 nights aboard Star Flyer Cruise only from

11 nights aboard Royal Clipper Cruise only from

per person + port charges

per person + port charges

CROATIA & MONTENEGRO

CANNES – ROME

£1,279

£2,229

Departs 23rd & 30th September 2017

Departs 3rd June & 26th August 2017

Venice • Dubrovnik • Kotor • Korcula Mali Losinj • Piran • Venice

Cannes • St. Margherita • L’ile Rousse East Corsica Beach • Bastia • Portoferraio Porto Vecchio • Porto Cervo • Rome

7 nights aboard Star Flyer Cruise only from

7 nights aboard Royal Clipper Cruise only from

per person + port charges

per person + port charges

£1,279

£1,419

Similar reverse itinerary also available

Dani s

Mediterranean Blog Rome - The ancient city steeped in unimaginable history. Frequented by travellers around the world, city break revellers and those wanting to lose themselves in another century, just for 24 hours. The traditional trattorias line the cobbled streets and piazzas, with cold prosecco and limoncello available on every corner, fresh pizzas and pasta let you indulge in the Italian way of life, whilst you soak up the incredible architecture as you realise, Rome really wasn’t built in a day...

For all of the above reasons, and so much more, I would always recommend a stay in the city before or after your sailing, just a night or two would suffice, and we opted for a one-night pre-cruise stay at the 4* boutique Marcella Royal hotel. The location was good, a 10-minute walk to the Spanish steps, so fairly central, allowing us to do everything on foot.

Starting with the Colosseum, we ventured in awe of our surroundings, before taking a rest at the famous Trevi Fountain, an awesome sight, but in late July, littered with tourists, like us, of course!

The Marcella Royal has a real selling point, it’s beautiful roof top bar, the perfectly kept flowers and traditional style Veranda offered the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks, boasting views over the ancient city as the sun sets, the only way to end the day in style.

The next morning we arrived for our prebooked tour of the Vatican City. A 3 hour guided tour took us through the many Vatican museums and the famous Sistine chapel. If you have time I would really recommend this experience, a surreal and overwhelming few hours that genuinely left us speechless, the history, the art, the religion, makes this a very special place.

Lined up next to Norwegian Cruise Lines and Pullmantur, there was no mistaking the Star Flyer, standing taller than the rest, but in every other way the most petite and elegant ship in port, her four masts standing proud as guests look up in excitement before boarding the ship. The fruity welcome cocktail is always appreciated, especially after the train journey we’d had, so we happily drank ours before the seamless check in process which didn’t last longer than 3 minutes, eventually being shown to our cabin.

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The Crew

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Whilst aboard the Royal Clipper, sailing through the Greek Islands our Sales Support Executive Emma Moody was able to gather a few members of the crew from their busy schedules to ask them each some questions about their different roles with Star Clippers and what they get up to on their rare down time...

Hotel Manager What is your full name?

“Anita Rollin” How many years have you been with Star Clippers?

“6 years, always as a Hotel Manager” Where do you call home?

“Germany and Belgium” Do you have a favourite ship?

“I would have to say my favourite ship is Royal Clipper, although I have worked aboard Star Clipper and Star Flyer too” What does an average day look like for you?

“Well, I get up for 7am and check that the breakfast buffet is running smoothly first. We then attend a captains meeting followed by checking emails. Another meeting will take place at 10am with the head of departments to ensure everything with the crew is operating as it should before checking around the ship. Then, it’s nap time! Today I will be holding a lecture on the operation of a Hotel Manager and behind the scenes information about the crew and the ship. I will then attend a cocktail party for returning passengers before greeting all the guests before they sit down for their evening meal. Then I start all over again the next day!”

Head Chef What is your full name?

“Rudolf Soledad” How many years have you been with Star Clippers?

“16 years, always as a chef” Where do you call home?

“The Philippines” What is the most popular meal or desert?

“Captain’s dinner with the lobster tail. This is the most talked about dinner on board.

Baked Alaska is also a very popular choice for passengers. We try to make sure the 14

guests enjoy all the food, even if they want to sample more than one dish at a time!”

Do you have any special requests?

“Dietary requests are very normal, from gluten free to dairy free. They are very tricky sometimes as they can be very specific but we ensure we take care of all the guests on board and they enjoy all their meals” Do you have a speciality dish?

“Definitely the Beef Wellington!”

Cruise Director

Head Barman

What is your full name?

“Gabor Torma”

What is your full name?

“Manilito Detorres”

How many years have you been with Star Clippers?

“3 years in total. I was a musician before becoming a Cruise Director aboard Royal Clipper”

How many years have you been with Star Clippers?

“16 years in total, mostly aboard Royal Clipper. I served a short contract aboard Star Clipper a while back but have always been head barman”

Where do you call home?

“Hungary” Do you have a favourite ship?

“Definitely Royal Clipper because of the size of the ship and the available equipment on board. This means there are more things to do and more options for both crew and passengers.

How often do you go home?

“I spend 8 months sailing aboard the ships and then spend 3 months at home for a break before I return for more adventures.”

Where do you call home?

“The Philippines!”

Do you have a favourite ship?

“Royal Clipper! I miss her when I’m not here” Where’s your favourite port of call or destination?

“Venice. It’s a beautiful place” What is your favourite cocktail to make?

“Bushwaker! Always Bushwaker!”

Reads HOLIDAY

Get engrossed in these page turners for your holiday...

1. SUMMER IN SANTORINI

by Holly Greene

2. LAST DANCE IN HAVANA

by Rosanna Lee

3. ONE NIGHT IN ITALY

by Lucy Diamond

4. EAT, PRAY, LOVE

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Olivia has had the worst year of her life. Her fiancé abandoned her with only weeks to go before their wedding and she’s just been overlooked for promotion at work.So when her generous aunt suggests some time away from it all - and offers her little time-share cottage on the Greek island of Santorini. Determined to mend her broken heart, regain her lust for life and try to enjoy the best of what the beautiful island has to offer, Olivia is entranced by Santorini upon arrival. But just as she finally begins to feel the weight of her troubles lift from her shoulders, another surprise awaits.

This story is set between two separate time frames -Cuba, 1958 and present day England. In 1958, you’ll meet Elisa where she falls in love with Duardo, a Cuban freedom fighter and Grace who is married, living in contemporary England and finding herself developing feelings for her husband’s best friend, Theo.

This is an exotic tale of love, family and friendship across the ages Perfect to read on deck basking in the sunshine.

Is Italian really the language of love? Anna’s recently been told the father she’s never met is Italian.

Now she’s baking focaccia, whipping up tiramisu and swotting up on her vocabulary, determined to make it to Italy so she can find him in person. Catherine’s husband has walked out on her, and she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life.

But she’ll need courage as well as friends when she discovers his deception runs even deeper than infidelity.

Elizabeth Gilbert pursues her own journey in search of three things she has been missing: pleasure, devotion and balance. So she travels to Rome, where she learns Italian from handsome, brown-eyed identical twins and gains twenty-five pounds, an ashram in India, where she finds that enlightenment entails getting up in the middle of the night to scrub the temple floor, and Bali where a toothless medicine man of indeterminate age offers her a new path to peace: simply sit still and smile. And slowly happiness begins to creep up on her.

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for your peace of 44mind 09

ABTA No. V3510

TOP 5 POPULAR DEPARTURES* 1. Corsica & The Monaco Grand Prix | 7 nights

27th May 2017 / From £2799pp* / 7 nights aboard Royal Clipper Cannes, Monaco (GP Finals), Portofino, Calvi, Alghero Porto, Porquerolles, Sanary-sur-Mer, Cannes Price includes return flights from London, tickets to the Monaco GP Finals, non UK transfers and port charges *based on two adults sharing a category 4 cabin

2. Positano Stay & Amalfi Coast Sail | 10 nights

7th June 2017 / From £2349pp / 7 nights aboard Royal Clipper Rome, Ponza, Palmarola, Sorrento, Amalfi, Taormina, Lipari, Stromboli (sail by), Rome Price includes return flights from London, 3 nights pre-cruise stay in Positano, train from Naples to Rome, non UK transfers and port charges

3. Thailand & Malaysia Stay & Sail | 8 nights

13th April 2017 / From £2099pp / 7 nights aboard Star Clipper Phuket, Ko Surin, Similan Island, Hin Daeng, Ko Rok Nok, Langkawi, Ko Kradan, Phang Nga Bay, Ko Hong, Phuket Price includes return overnight flights from London, 1 night pre-cruise stay at The Vijitt, non UK transfers and port charges Additional dates and similar itineraries available

4. Panama Canal | 14 nights

25th November 2017 / Cruise only from £2385pp / 14 nights aboard Star Flyer Barbados, Captain’s Best, St. Georges, Margarita Island, Blanquilla, Kralendijk, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Cartagena, San Plas Islands, Panama Canal Transit, Panama Plus port charges

5. Barbados - Grenadine Islands Sailing | 7 nights

6th January 2018 / Cruise only from £1092pp / 7 nights aboard Royal Clipper Barbados, Captain’s Best, Grenada, Grenadines, St. Vincent, Bequia, Fort de France, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados Plus port charges Additional dates available

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

0808 115 1295

www.starclippers.co.uk sales@starclippers.co.uk All cruise only prices are per person and based on two adults sharing a category 6 cabin. Port charges are per person and need to be added to the cruise fare. All packaged prices are per person based on two adults sharing a category 6 cabin, and include return flights from London, hotel stay where indicated, non UK transfers and port charges. All prices are correct at time of print and are subject to availability and/or change and can be withdrawn at any time. ATA & ATOL bonded for your protection.

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