As I listened to the last strains of the triumphant melody, “Conquest of Paradise” by Vangelis, the ship’s crew finished hoisting the sails of the four-masted tall ship, Star Flyer. Fully rigged with 16 sails, the unfurled canvas cloth sails billowed out and flapped with the wind. It was a thrilling sight to behold, as our ship sailed away at dusk from the port of Malaga, Spain.
My previous travels to Spain included visits to its main cities and a few Andalusian towns. On Star Clippers’ eight-day itinerary, I could see another part of this fascinating country. It presented a unique opportunity to cruise the Balearic Islands — embarking from Malaga, instead of the larger port of Barcelona, with stops at Motril, Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca before moving on to Sardinia, Italy, and ending in Rome. It was a unique itinerary, and island-hopping the Balearics onboard a vessel inspired by classic 19th-century tall ships appealed to my sense of adventure, too.
A Unique Cruising Option
When Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft founded Star Clippers in 1989, his intent was to recreate classic clipper sailing ships that plied the high seas during the “golden age of sailing.” The result was two identical, four-masted barquentine sailing ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper. Of course, these ships were built with advanced technology and all the modern amenities and luxurious ambiance of private sailing yachts. In 2001, the third ship in the fleet was added: the larger, five-masted, full-rigged Royal Clipper, with 42 sails and measuring 100 feet longer than its sister ships. The line’s three clipper ships remain some of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels.
The ship’s decor draws on traditional nautical influences.
Credit: 2024 Star Clippers
For those clients who dream of stepping back in time to experience the romantic era of sailing, a voyage on a Star Clipper tall ship is the modern maritime equivalent in all the best ways. The crew mans the ship entirely; however, there are a number of ways to get a taste of the sailing life. Passengers can observe the operations of the crew while on deck, which could include polishing brass fittings, working the ropes and more.
On my sailing, a navigation class was offered, as well as a class on how to tie sailing knots. There was a tour of the engine room and opportunities to visit the bridge. Wearing a safety harness, intrepid passengers could scramble up the rope ladder lines of the Crow’s Nest mast to a high platform with amazing views. And, on sunny days, there was the possibility to stretch out and lounge on the hammock netting suspended over the ocean from the bowsprit. Most days, however, I was content sunbathing in a lounge chair on the expansive teakwood deck, gazing up at the sails rustling in the breeze.
Despite its size, the ship has plenty of lounge spaces for guests.
Credit: 2024 Star ClippersIt’s not surprising to learn that the custom-built clipper ships appeal to all types of sailing enthusiasts, from small-boat owners and maritime history buffs to those who are attracted to the romance of nautical travel of a bygone era. The decor enhances the nostalgic vibe, with glossy wood details, teak decks and sparkling brass hardware. I especially admired the tall-ship paintings and prints in the lounge bar, dining room and my cabin. As the only tall-ship clipper sailing company of its kind, Star Clippers has a high guest return rate of 64% fleetwide.
The crew knows how to tap into this sense of history, too. I, along with the other guests, enthusiastically succumbed to the hilarious pirate-themed night on the ship, when passengers were encouraged to come to dinner dressed as a pirate. The crew wore outlandish pirate finery and put on quite a show, complete with a treasure chest of games and other swashbuckling amusements.
Sailing the Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands, Malaga to Rome itinerary is scheduled at the beginning and the end of the Mediterranean season (spring and fall), as the ships are in transit to/from the Caribbean. This special itinerary is popular with repeat guests, as it is offered only once each way, per year. For those clients looking to avoid the crowds of summer, this is a great option.
Weather conditions during the late-spring sailing are variable: Clients might hope for sunny days but expect some rain. We encountered rainy, windy conditions on several days, which called for the rare occasion to pop open umbrellas in Granada, a destination known for 340 days of sunshine annually.
Star Clippers’ itineraries include stops in Mallorca, Spain.
Credit: 2024 Star ClippersExcursions provided a range of options to experience the unique terrain, history, art, architecture, culture and foods of each port-of-call. Alternatively, many passengers explored local sites on their own. The nimble Star Flyer docked close to port, allowing travelers to walk from the ship into the heart of historic districts.
A sailing cruise onboard Star Flyer was a novel way to experience the beauty and cultural history of the Balearic Islands. But regardless of the itinerary, clients with an adventurous spirit will enjoy the romantic bygone appeal of a Star Clipper tall-ship cruise.
