Star Clippers' new sailings for 2015/16

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has launched its 2015/16 programme, featuring cruises from three to twenty four nights on its three square-riggers, with sailings up to March 2016.

The three ships will sail in the Caribbean in winter (Star Clipper from St Maarten, Royal Clipper from Barbados and Star Flyer from Cuba) and in the Mediterranean and Aegean in summer. In addition, there are one-off sailings between Barbados and Panama (on Star Flyer); transatlantic crossings on all three ships in spring and autumn; and mini-cruises in the Mediterranean from three to five nights in addition to the longer sailings.

Taster cruises from £522

Once again, Star Clippers will be offering mini-cruises, for those who would like a taste of life on board a square rigger. Choose between three nights round-trip from Venice; four nights round-trip from Rome; or five nights from Malaga to Rome, all on Royal Clipper. Star Flyer, meanwhile, offers three- or four-night sailings from Cannes; and a four-night one-off cruise, taking in the practice day of the Monaco Grand Prix. From £522 plus £65 port taxes for a three-night cruise from Cannes on Star Flyer, calling at L’Ile Rousse in Corsica and St Tropez, departing  23 September.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Star Clippers Highlight Sail-Cruise Romance

Sail-cruising is a brand of the cruise world all its own, and there are a range of different experiences it can provide unlike any other kind of vessel. Foremost among is them is a genuinely romantic ambience to every voyage, and tall ship specialist Star Clippers has recently selected 10 of its most exciting, adventurous and romantic cruises to highlight for the 2014/15 season.

Each voyage highlights a different aspect of life on three of the world’s finest tall ships, from the great cultural sites of Europe to the most picturesque Croatian ports, the best beaches in the Caribbean and the most fashionable spots in the Balearics, plus the new Cuba destination.

Guests can choose between a 16-night transatlantic voyage or a three-day taster cruise; there are opportunities to learn yoga, attend lectures or simply relax on the sun-warmed teak decks, gazing up at a mass of billowing sails.

All voyages also include full board on the ship, entertainment and use of the watersports equipment on each vessel.

Highlights of the Top 10 include the new Balearics cruise, calling at anchorages only accessible to small ships, including the sleepy but beautiful islands of Formentera and lively Puerto Pollença on Mallorca; a 14-night Caribbean voyage calling at four ports in Venezuela (the coast of which is scattered with beautiful, unspoiled islands) and the Dutch ‘ABC’ islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, with some of the finest beaches on the planet; and Star Clipper’s "Treasure Islands" itinerary, sailing from St Maarten and with more stunning beaches.

More info: call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

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A Transatlantic Odyssey Under Sail

Avast there, me hearties! Get ready for a look at luxury cruising under sail this week as here at World of Cruising we've had a couple of stories from companies who specialise in sail-cruising.

Want to climb the mainsail or sit on the bowspit? Read on...!

With their teak-lined decks and billowing white sails, luxurious amenities, gourmet cuisine, exceptional service and only 150 to 300 guests on board,thet  here ships of Star Clippers allow you to soak up the ambience of almost owning your own private yacht. Passengers can even help the crew hoist the sails or learn their knots.

There is even more chance to experience the full majesty of these traditional vessels on a transatlantic voyage and Star Clippers are offering a special early-booking deal on one of their autumn sailings that make the opportunity more appealing.

The unique five-masted Royal Clipper (left, above) has a typical transatlantic cruise from Europe to the Caribbean, when she departs Lisbon on November 6, calling at Casablanca, Safi and Tenerife before arriving in Barbados on November 22. Early-booking fares are from just £1,540 for the 16-night voyage (with flights extra).

More info: call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

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A Tall Ship, Yoga - And Barbados

Yoga and cruising together increasingly well in our hell-conscious world, hence we are always keen to bring you news of new options that feature these kinds of opportunities. It is something we have featured in the World of Spas section of the magazine, and it will be very much on our agenda as we go to SIX editions in 2014 (so look out for more news of that in the near future!).

In the meantime, Star Clippers are featuring TWO of their signature Yoga-At-Sea programmes next year, and we're keen to highlight them here at Time Spent At Sea.

Free daily yoga and meditation classes will be the order of the day on both the spring and autumn 2014 transatlantic crossing of the line’s flagship, the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. With nothing but the vast, open ocean as a distraction, yoga classes will take place in the open air, on the ship's classic teak decks, under 56,000sq ft of sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul.

 

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer, back on board by popular demand, will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning on the 16-night spring  crossing, from Barbados to Malaga, departing April 12 and arriving April 28, from £1,420 (flights extra). She will then join the autumn transatlantic sailing, when Royal Clipper departs Lisbon on November 6, calling at Casablanca, Safi and Tenerife and arriving in Barbados on November 22. Prices are from £1,540 for 16 nights, with flights once again extra.

More info: call 0845 200 6145 or visit  www.starclippers.co.uk.

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Star Clippers Highlights New Destinations In 2014

Tall ship cruise specialist Star Clippers is featuring a range of new destinations and new ports of call in 2014 on their three head-turning sailing ships Star Clipper, Star Flyer and Royal Clipper. The fabulous array of offerings includes a maiden season in Cuba, a sailing taking in the Monaco Grand Prix, new sailings from Mallorca and new port calls in Porto, Formentera and Corsica. In February, Star Flyer will operate a maiden season in Cuba, returning to the island for a second season from November. In May, Grand Prix fans will be able to access the atmosphere of the most prestigious race of the F1 season in Monte Carlo, when guests on Star Flyer will be in pole position in the harbour. Summer 2014 sees Star Clippers sailing a season from Palma de Mallorca for the first time, while new ports of call for the Mediterranean season include Porto and the Scandolo Nature Reserve in Corsica, and La Sabina in Formentera. Another brand new itinerary has been introduced for the 2014-15 Caribbean season, where Royal Clipper will operate a completely new cruise in March 2015, spending a leisurely two weeks sailing the southern Caribbean and skimming the coast of South America on a one-off voyage to Venezuela and the Dutch Caribbean. In addition to new destinations and routes, there is more variation in length of cruise than ever before, from a three-night taster from Venice in September to a 21-night transatlantic crossing on Royal Clipper from Barbados to Rome. The 2014-15 season is also featured in a new preview brochure.  More info: call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.     Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Star Clippers Offering Free Cabin Upgrades

To celebrate National Cruise Week, which runs from September 21 to 29, tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering free cabin upgrades for all bookings made during that period.

Book any Star Clippers voyage to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Cuba during this special promotional week, or one of the longer ocean crossings, and the cabin paid for will be upgraded by one category.

All Star Clippers cabins have twin or double beds, TV, marble-lined bathroom and plenty of storage, becoming more spacious according to the level of the category. All sailings on all three of the line’s graceful square-riggers are included in this fantastic offer.

Savings include:

Mediterranean

Round-trip Rome on Royal Clipper, departing May 10 and calling at Ponza, Sorrento, Amalfi, Taormina, Lipari and Stromboli. It costs £1,470 in a category 6 cabin; save £75 per person with a free upgrade to category 5 (port taxes and flights extra).

Cuba

Round trip Cienfuegos (Cuba) on Star Flyer, departing December 7, 2014, and calling at beautiful beaches and bays in southern Cuba as well as the Cayman Islands It costs £1,115 in a category 6 cabin; save £115 per person with a free upgrade to category 5 (port taxes and flights extra).

Caribbean

Round-trip Philipsburg (St Maarten) on Star Clipper, departing November 30 and calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and St Barths It costs £1,080 in a category 6 cabin, saving £155 per person with a free upgrade to category 5 (port taxes and flights extra).

Note: The maximum upgrade included in this offer is category 3 to category 2.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Yoga In The Med With Star Clippers

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a springtime yoga and meditation-themed cruise on its flagship, the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, under the tuition of acclaimed expert Raphaella Rose.

Departing Lisbon on April 28, the seven-night voyage includes calls at Portimao, Tangier, Cartagena, Ibiza and Palma, ending in Barcelona. The yoga programme will include two daily sessions out on the ship’s sun-warmed teak decks under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxing environment for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air and the spring sunshine.

Each class is open to all guests and suitable for all levels, with no prior experience required. All classes and lectures are optional and run alongside the ship’s regular activities. For guests who also want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the sailing to complement their yoga practice, Star Clippers’ breakfast buffets feature an abundance of fresh, seasonal fruits, and guests can select from a variety of salads at lunchtime and vegetarian options at dinner.

Raphaella’s classes are suitable for all levels of experience. Her speciality is Ishta style yoga, a highly personalised form of yoga that embraces Hatha postures and Tantric and Ayurvedic philosophy. Tantra offers specific meditation techniques and tools to calm the mind, while Ayurveda with posture modification aims to rebalance the individual mentally and physically.

Australian-born but currently based in Barcelona, Raphaella has practiced yoga for 16 years and taught regular classes since 2005 in the USA, Britain and Spain, running regular retreats alongside her class schedule. Prices are from £1,590, cruise-only, including full board, all yoga classes and all port taxes.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruising specialists.

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Star Clippers Adds New 'Taster' Cruises

In response to growing demand for short ‘taster’ cruises, tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has added new short-break cruises in the Baltic for 2013, in addition to Mediterranean sailings during 2012, including a five-night mini-cruise from Athens to Malta this October for just £999 per person, including flights and transfers.

Departing Athens on October 20, the 170-passenger square rigger Star Clipper sails to the picturesque ports of Monemvasia and Pilos in Greece, both relatively untouched by tourism, followed by a day at sea in which to relax on the warm teak decks, enjoying the autumn sunshine. There’s a day in historic Syracuse, Sicily, before arriving in Malta on October 25.

The company's new shorter cruises in 2013 cost from £690 per person, cruise-only, for three nights on Star Flyer (a sister ship to the four-masted Star Clipper), including the `Sailing Parade’ tall ships festival in Hamburg, to £1,025 for a five-night sailing from Monaco to Rome on Star Clipper. Other mini-cruises depart from Venice and Rome, for three and four nights respectively, on the company’s flagship, the five-masted, 227-passenger Royal Clipper.

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Live La Dolce Vita with Star Clippers

 

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering special package prices on three culture and romance-packed itineraries this summer, departing in July and August and exploring the exquisite coastlines of Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu and southern Italy.

Each cruise, either from Venice to Rome or Rome to Venice, is aboard the cruise line’s flagship, the graceful, five-masted Royal Clipper, calling at chic yachting ports along the Croatian coast, as well as beautiful Kotor in Montenegro, the lush Greek island of Corfu and several ports in Italy, among them romantic Taormina in Sicily; the jetset island of Capri; and Ponza, a popular weekend retreat for yachting fans. The July 31 departure also visits Piran in Slovenia, a port undiscovered by most cruise lines.

The length of each voyage, 11 days, allows for plenty of time to relax on the sun-warmed teak decks, gazing up at thousands of feet of wind-filled sails, sipping a cocktail in the al fresco Tropical Bar, or sprawling in the bowsprit nets, keeping a lookout for dolphins. Each itinerary includes a day at sea, too, during which guests can try activities like mast climbing. 

The three sailing dates are:

• Royal Clipper, July 14, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,059pp
• Royal Clipper, July 31, Venice/Rome: 11 nights from £1,879pp
• Royal Clipper, August 18, Rome/Venice: 11 nights from £2,149pp

Prices include return British Airways flights from London, transfers, 11 nights’ full board on the ship in a Category 6 cabin and watersports where possible at beach stops.

To book, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Short Breaks With Star Clippers

Not enough time for a full week’s holiday? Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has launched a series of short-break holidays for 2012, with a chance to experience life on board an elegant clipper ship and explore some of Europe’s most beautiful and romantic ports, as well as themed 'extras'.


Mediterranean Treasures, April 23, 2012
Experience the joys of daily yoga and meditation on this well-being themed voyage from Malaga to Rome on the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. Experienced yoga teacher Christel Vollmer, back on board by popular demand, will offer daily classes on the warm teak decks, while as usual, guests can follow a healthy or vegetarian diet if they wish. The ship sails from Malaga to Palma, Mallorca and Mahon in Menorca and the voyage includes two days at sea for maximum relaxation in the spring sunshine. From £999 per person including full board on the ship, all yoga classes, flights and transfers.

Sail from Southampton, May 5, 2012
Join the head-turning Star Flyer on her maiden call to Southampton for a five-night sailing to Hamburg, via Amsterdam, with two days at sea. The ship, with its four masts and graceful lines, is bound to attract a lot of attention in two such important seafaring cities. This package includes five nights’ car parking in Southampton; five nights’ full board on the ship, flight from Hamburg to London and transfer back to Southampton, from £1,045 per person.

A Taste of Italy, departing June 4, 2012
Make the most of Britain’s extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and take to the seas on Royal Clipper on this four-night sailing from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. The five-night break includes one night in the heart of Rome at the four-star Marcella Royal Hotel, with a welcome bottle of wine and a tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The following day, Royal Clipper sails to Bonifacio in Corsica; Sardinia’s ultra-glamorous Costa Smeralda; pretty Portoferraio in Elba; and back to Civitavecchia. From £1,275 per person, including B&B accommodation in Rome, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

Venetian Romance, departing July 27, 2012
Enjoy an evening in Venice after the crowds have departed, staying the night before your cruise at the four-star superior Liassidi Palace Hotel, within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. The holiday includes entrance to the Doge’s Palace and a bottle of wine on arrival. Then, sail in style along the spectacular Giudecca Canal on the magnificent, four-masted Star Clipper, heading out across the lagoon and into the Adriatic, for a four-night adventure exploring some of Croatia’s most fashionable anchorages: Mali Losinj, Hvar and Rovinj. From £1,195 per person, including B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

For more information and booking offers, use this link to visit luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Royal Clipper's New Voyages

Here are some great ideas for that 'something different' cruise in 2012, courtesy of our friends at Star Clippers.

The superbly elegant five-masted Royal Clipper (above) spends winter in the Caribbean, offering seven, 10 and 11-night voyages from Barbados, alternating between the Windward Isles and the Grenadines, from £1,225pp, excluding flights. The 227-passenger ship will then offer seven and 11-night voyages round-trip from Rome, or between Rome and Venice, during the summer of 2012, cruising the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, from £1,515pp, excluding flights.

Star Clipper, with a capacity of 170, winters in St Maarten, offering seven-night voyages to the Leeward Islands and around the British Virgin Islands from £1,245 per person, excluding flights. The ship will sail the Greek Islands all summer, round-trip from Athens and between Athens and Venice and vice versa. A four-night mini-cruise from Venice starts at £770pp, excluding flights, departing July 28 and calling at popular yachting ports in Croatia.

Special offers for Christmas and New Year: receive €300 per person onboard credit on Star Flyer’s Costa Rica cruises, from £1,770pp excluding flights.; No single supplements on Costa Rica cruises; third passenger occupying a cabin pays only port taxes; 50% discount for children in Costa Rica at Christmas and on New Year cruises on all three ships.

For booking to sure to check with The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Star-Clippers

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Royal Clipper Sailing Off Naples

A final look at my cruise experience aboard the beautiful Royal Clipper of Star Clippers...

Well, I'm home again to a wet Northumberland - and how I'm missing the contrast with the sun and style of the wonderful Royal Clipper (as my photo shows!).

She has to be the ultimate in luxury adventure sailing. I could write thousands of words here but your best bet is probably just to go and experience her yourself. Yes, it really is that good.

Steve Newman

For more details, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the luxury sailing and adventure cruising specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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With Royal Clipper, Leaving Rome

Day One of Steve's live blog from Star Clippers' beautiful ship Royal Clipper in the Med

Well, we have just left the port of Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) in darkness, with all sails being hoisted and the evocative music of Vangelis ringing out. The masts were lit and the light bounced off the sails as we left port. It's bit choppy but we are going to sail tonight and I hope the stabilisers work!

Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruse ship in the world with her 5 masts and we have only 158 passengers on board. Tomorrow we are getting up at 7 to watch the dolphins and we have a water sports day (with all activities provided free of charge).

The food was superb tonight and we were joined by the First Officer at dinner.

See you tomorrow!
Steve Newman

To find out more about this voyage or Star Clippers' ships, see www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the sail-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Tall Ship Sailing In The Med

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering two wonderful opportunities to explore the history of the Mediterranean this autumn, combining the romance of a voyage through the Balearic Islands and Andalucia to Morocco with a stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech. A second option combines a mini-cruise with both Marrakech and two nights in historic Lisbon.

Sailing on the line’s flagship, the five-masted square rigger Royal Clipper, the first voyage departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on October 15. After a day exploring the dramatic medieval fortress town of Bonifacio in Corsica, the ship sets a course to Mahon, Menorca, Lord Nelson’s chosen base for the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. There’s a day in Ibiza, best known for its nightlife but actually rich in history, from its Carthaginian origins to 500 years of Moorish rule. On board, guests can relax on the warm, teak decks, enjoy their favourite cocktail from the Tropical Bar, or help the crew raise thousands of square feet of billowing sails.

Royal Clipper next calls at Motril on southern Spain’s Costa Tropical, an easy hop from Grenada and the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Then there’s a day at Safi in Morocco, famous for its pottery, before disembarking in Casablanca for the short flight to Marrakech.

Here, guests will stay for four nights at the tranquil, four star Les Jardins de la Medina, a traditional 19th century riad inside the city’s massive terracotta ramparts, surrounded by luxuriant gardens and complete with its own gastronomic restaurant, cookery school, hammam and spa, before flying back to London on October 27. Priced from £2,585 per person, including flights, full board on the cruise, transfers, B&B at the hotel, a bottle of wine and a three-hour private tour of Marrakech.

The second option departs London on October 21, for two nights at Les Jardins de la Medina, before flying to Casablanca on October 23 to join Royal Clipper for a four-night cruise to Lisbon via Tangier, Cadiz (for Seville, the magnificent Andalucian capital) and Portimao on the popular Algarve coast. Guests disembark in Lisbon and spend two nights at the boutique Lisboa Plaza hotel. A complimentary train ticket to the beach resort of Cascais is included, as well as a Lisbon Card, for discounts on entries to the city’s museums and attractions, and free public transport, as well as the Elevador da Gloria funicular, a scenic tram that links Baixa with the Bairro Alto.

Priced from £1,725 per person, including flights from London, full board on the cruise, two nights’ B&B at the Jardins de la Medina and two nights’ B&B at the Lisboa Plaza, as well as a bottle of wine, three-hour private tour of Marrakech, the Lisbon Card and train tickets.

For more info, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Longer Leave with Star Clippers

The extra public holiday for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, hard on the heels of the four-day Easter weekend break and immediately prior to the public holiday on May 2, will enable holidaymakers to take up to 11 days holiday - but only three days leave from work.

Star Clippers’ head-turning, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper sets sail from Lisbon on April 23 on a seven-night cruise of Portugal’s east coast, through the Straits of Gibraltar, calling at Portimao on the Algarve, Tangier in Morocco, Cartagena, Ibiza and Mallorca, before guests disembark in Barcelona.

The seven-night cruise costs from just £1,259 per person, including all meals and return UK flights, based on two sharing.

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Flyer departs Lisbon on April 20 on a 10-night cruise along Portugal’s west coast, through the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean sea to Monaco. During the cruise the ship calls into Portimao on the Algarve, Cadiz (with an optional tour of Seville), Tangier in Morocco, Motril (optional tour of Granada), Ibiza, Palma and St Tropez.

The 10-night cruise costs from £1,499 per person, including all meals and return UK flights, based on two sharing.

For more info, contact http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Cruise the Moorish Mediterranean and stay in a Moroccan riad

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Mediterranean, combining the romance of a voyage through the Balearic Islands and Andalucia to Morocco with a stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech.

This one-off cruise, on the line’s flagship, the five-masted square rigger Royal Clipper, departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on October 15.

After a day exploring the dramatic medieval fortress town of Bonifacio in Corsica, the ship sets a course to Mahon, Menorca (above), Lord Nelson’s chosen base for the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. There’s a day in Ibiza, best known for its nightlife but actually rich in history, from its Carthaginian origins to 500 years of Moorish rule. Ibiza is especially lovely in autumn, when the summer crowds have left but the sea is still warm enough for swimming.

Royal Clipper next calls at Motril on southern Spain’s Costa Tropical, an easy hop from Grenada and the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Then there’s a day at Safi in Morocco, famous for its pottery, before disembarking in Casablanca and being transferred to Marrakech.

Here, in conjunction with short break specialist Kirker Holidays, guests will spend four nights in the Riad Kniza, an exquisite town house that has been restored by one of the city’s top antique dealers, situated in the heart of the old Medina, just minutes’ walk from the famous Djemaa el Fna Square.

The riad, built around three open air courtyards, has just 11 rooms, as well as a pool, traditional hammam and roof terrace. Marrakech is a wonderful city for browsing the tangled streets of the souks, walking along the massive ramparts, soaking up the carnival atmosphere of the Square, or taking day trips into the Atlas Mountains.

From £2,199 per person, including flights to Rome and from Marrakech; eight nights’ full board on Royal Clipper; four nights’ B&B at the Riad Kniza, a three-hour private tour of Marrakech, transfers and the services of a Kirker Holidays concierge.

For more information, please visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Mini Med Cruise, Sail Style

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a new, three-night mini-cruise of the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Elba on its flagship, five-masted Royal Clipper (above), the world’s largest vessel of its kind. The cruise departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on June 1, and costs from £585 per person, excluding flights and port charges.

After embarkation, Royal Clipper sails to the chic Corsican resort of Porto Vecchio, surrounded by mountains that give way to powdery, unspoiled beaches. After a sunset sailaway, the ship sets a course for Portoferraio, capital of tiny Elba, where Napoleon was exiled in 1814. There’s a whole day to explore the historic town, shop, indulge in a gelato or two, visit the island’s fortresses or simply relax over an extended lunch in one of the many picturesque squares. Finally, there’s a third night on board to enjoy the facilities of the ship before returning to Civitavecchia on June 4.

June is one of the best times to visit the Mediterranean; temperatures are usually pleasant, the sailing conditions should be perfect and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. One of the biggest advantages of sailing on a small ship like Royal Clipper is that it can access ports favoured more by yachts than large cruise ships.

For more information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Spend Christmas on a tall ship

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering 25% off spectacular Christmas cruise itineraries, with no single supplement on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica.

The magnificent, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 228 guests, will be sailing an eight-night round trip from Barbados, departing December 18 and calling at various islands in the Grenadines, including the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, returning to Barbados on Boxing Day (from £999 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 18 from St Maarten on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths (from £769 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

Meanwhile, the third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera. This head-turning ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight (from £769 plus, £110 port taxes; flights excluded).

Visit Star Clippers on http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Christmas Under Sail

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular stay-and-cruise packages this Christmas, combining a few days on the beach in a luxury hotel with a voyage on a romantic square rigger in either the Caribbean or Costa Rica.

Choose from three alternatives:

Christmas cruise & stay; Beach & Grenadines

Spend four days topping up your tan in Barbados at the newly-renovated Tamarind, one of the finest boutique hotels on the island’s ritzy Platinum Coast, before boarding the magnificent, five-masted flagship, Royal Clipper, which carries 227 guests, for an eight-night, round-trip sailing from Barbados. Ports of call include various islands in the Grenadines, among them the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, and returning to Barbados on Boxing Day. Departs December 14, from £2,199 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Caribbean gems

The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails from St Maarten for her Christmas cruise on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths. Spend five nights before the cruise at the four-star Grand Case Beach Club on St Maarten, on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Departs December 13, from £1,999 per person including five nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Central America

Star Flyer, meanwhile, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica, offering a chance to escape completely. On a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera, the ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight. Spend four nights before the cruise in the four-star Hotel Parador, a stunning beach resort set in 12 acres of tropical rainforest, adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Departs December 15, from £2,299 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, seven nights full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

For more details, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call the specialist cruise agents of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Rail and Sail!

Here's a great new thought about combining a cruise with a deluxe rail journey, both as a high-quality add-on to the voyage and an alternative means of getting to your cruise (as opposed to flying).

Great Rail Journeys has introduced the ultimate ‘sail-rail’ holiday for 2011, partnering with the unique Star Clippers line to create an exclusive Mediterranean cruise holiday on the world’s tallest sailing ship.

Great Rail Journeys’ carefully-planned First Class rail travel combines scenic journeys with civilised hotel stays in Paris, Venice and Rome, where additional sightseeing and meals are provided.

Dovetailing with these fully-escorted arrangements is a 10-night cruise on the Royal Clipper (above) the world’s largest true full-rigged sailing ship, which offers its 227 guests the ultimate in luxurious, yet laid-back cruising.

On this holiday, the Royal Clipper sails from Venice along the Croatian coast, dropping anchor off Rovinj, Hvar and Dubrovnik as well as Montenegro’s port of Kotor and the islands of Corfu, Sicily, Capri and Ponza before sailing into Civitavecchia for Rome at the end of its 11-day cruise.

Great Rail Journeys’ guests, who will be supported by their own Tour Manager throughout the holiday, can sit back and relax while the Royal Clipper’s crew does all the work, or may choose to lend a hand when it comes to unfurling the ship’s 56,000sq ft of sail.

Facilities include three swimming pools, a three-deck atrium and even crows-nests furnished with comfy sofas for the ultimate mast-head view! The no-tie dress code makes for a relaxed onboard atmosphere, with informal, yet first class dining.

Great Rail Journeys’ exclusive departure dates for The Royal Clipper Cruise are 23 July, 2 and 13 August, 2011.

The 2 August departure adds the extraordinary experience of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to an already memorable mix. On this date, the Royal Clipper departs from Rome and sails to Venice, visiting the same ports of call along the way, but in reverse. From Venice, Great Rail Journeys’ guests travel overnight on the Orient-Express to Paris before transferring to Eurostar for the last leg of an unforgettable journey.

The 17-day holiday costs £3,595 per person for 23 July and 13 August departures, and £4,475 for 2 August departure incorporating the Orient-Express experience.

The holiday includes First Class rail travel from London’s St Pancras, hotel accommodation en route, the cruise, most meals and the services of a tour manager throughout.

More info: 01904 521 980 or http://www.greatrail.com/.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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