Key Differences: Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises

To the casual observer, if docked side by side both Star Clipper and Windstar Ships look similar.

Both cruise lines belong to the niche market of small ship cruising, and both have sails (more on this below). There are no lines, no time wasted with transfers, most of the time the vessels dock right near the heart of the town. The service and the hardware gives you the feel of cruising on your own private yacht. The vessels are equipped with a watersports marina and they take you to less explored, exotic parts of the world inaccessible via large ship.

With that said, there are still few recognizable differences to consider:

Star Clipper in Monemvasia, Greece
Star Clippers
  • The Star Clippers fleet is comprised of 3 sailing ships with wind-operated sails:  Star Clipper, Star Flyer (sister ships), and Royal Clipper.  All launched between 1991-2000.  A new ship, the Flying Clipper is to be delivered by the end of 2017
  • The first two mentioned are true clipper ships, each accommodating 170 Guests with tonnage 2,298, boasting  4 masts and 16 sails
  • The flagship of the fleet, the Royal Clipper is the largest and the only 5 masted full-rigged sailing ship built this century, complimented with 42 sails. With tonnage 4,425, the vessel accommodates 225 Guests
  • Guest Profile:  Savvy and adventurous travelers, passionate about the art of sailing. Although the average age is 55 and up, in the past years Star Clippers became popular among multigenerational families, and teenage kids can be seen onboard.  
  • More than 50 % of the guests are European and naturally more smokers can be seen 
  • Staterooms range from inside staterooms to suites
  • Star Clippers is family owned cruise line, headquartered in Monaco
  • Star Clippers service staff is a good mix between European and Asian 
  • Complimentary Welcome Cocktail Reception
  • Soft drinks, coffees and teas are included with breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Dining -- the Main Dining Room serves breakfast & lunch buffet & plated dinner, and with its open seating policy, no reservations are needed.  Afternoon canapes are served by the Tropical Bar and once per itinerary, alfresco buffet lunch
  • Activities & Entertainment -- On sea days, the main activities are concentrated around the pools or the bridge, such as navigation classes or how to tie a knot. The Piano bar or the alfresco  Tropical bar are center of the night entertainment, where the talent crew engage the guests with dance competitions and stand up comedy.  At least once per voyage, a local dance troupe is brought onboard
  • Complimentary Watersports Marina lowers down for non-motorized fun aquatic activities such as kayak, snorkel, paddleboarding
  • Star Clippers offer itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean), Caribbean, Panama Canal and SouthEast Asia

At the bow of  Star Clipper Ship at sunset

 Windstar Cruises
  • Windstar Cruises fleet is comprised of 6 power yachts -- Windstar & Wind Spirit (sister ships) are equipped with 4 masts and and 6 computer-operated sails with approx. tonnage 5,300 they both  accommodate 148 guests
  • The flagship in the fleet, the Wind Surf is a power sailing yacht equipped with 5 masts and 7 computer-operated sails with tonnage 14,745 and accommodate 310 guests
  • The All-Suite Yachts Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend are the newest addition to Windstar Fleet (entered the fleet 2014 & 2015) and accommodate  215 guest on board with registered tonnage 9,975
  • Guest Profile:  Savvy and active travelers, seeking to explore the world in a casual, yet elegant yacht style without following a rigid schedule. Windstar Cruises caters to adults only, there are no children facilities on board. The average age is 55 with couples in their 30s on certain voyages.
  • Majority of the guests are Americans
  • Staterooms range from picture window stateroom to suites (No inside staterooms)
  • Windstar Cruises is operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, one of the world's most environmentally responsible travel and hospitality company
  • Windstar Cruises service staff is a good mix of European and Asian
  • Complimentary Welcome Champagne Reception
  • Non-alcohol beverages are served throughout the day
  • The Main Dining Room (AmphorA) serves breakfast and lunch buffet and plated dinner and with its open seating policy, no reservations are needed. The Veranda restaurant with indoor and alfresco seating is open for breakfast and lunch, Candles alfresco dining restaurant offers elegant dining under the stars, additional specialty restaurants, free of charge are offered on the larger vessels (reservations required)
  • Activities and Entertainment:  During sea days, guests gathered around the pool bar and the jacuzzi, while the night entertainment is centered around the Lounge & the Mini Casino, the Yacht Club and additional bars on the larger ships
  • Complimentary Watersports Marina lowers down for non-motorized water sports. Scuba Diving Packages are offered as well.
  • Windstar Cruises offer itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean, Northern Europe), Caribbean, Panama Canal and Tahiti 
  • A highlight of the voyage is a Complimentary Private Event which takes place on land -- in cultural or landmark settings, showcasing the best of the visited destination.
Pool Deck at Wind Star Ship

 Key differences that cruisers will note between Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises

Wind Star in Istanbul, Turkey
  • Wind Operated Sailing Ships vs. Computer Operated Power Yachts
  • One dining venue vs. multiple dining rooms & alfresco dining
  • Entry level inside cabin vs. entry-level porthole window cabin
  •  Multigenerational family travel vs. mainly couples 
  • Learn New Nautical skills vs. Private Event on land

Windstar Cruises Private Event in Palma de Mallorca

Thank you for reading and please leave you thoughts and comments below!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Malta For First-Time Travelers

Image
Dear Traveler, Did you know that Malta's history is older than the Pyramids? The small archipelago is home to some of the world's oldest human structures and many of them are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Moving on to later millennia, the strategic geographical position of the island has naturally attracted the ruling military powers of that period. Romans, Moors, the Knights of the Order of Saint John, the French, the British -- all have left their impact in shaping Malta's history, culture, and architecture. Quick facts & geography Malta is one of the smallest nations in the world (just under half a million inhabitants) situated right in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and the North African Coast. A part of the EU,  the local currency is Euro and there are no visa requirements for  US citizens. The official languages are Maltese and English (as a former British colony).  The Maltese Archipelago is comprised of Malta (the largest island),
Read more

Sailing to Amorgos, Greece: The Island of the "Big Blue"

Image
Dear Traveler, On a hot summer morning at the end of August, our Star Clipper Ship docked in the Katapola port on the island of Amorgos, the easternmost of the Cyclades group. Somewhat isolated, Amorgos wasn't on the traveler's map until the late 80's when it became a filming location of " The   Big Blue " -a freestyle diving movie featuring the french star Jean Reno. Cyclades Island Map Lonely Planet Compared with its trendy neighbors, such as Santorini and Mykonos, Amorgos attracts with its rough beauty and its peaceful and spiritual vibe. The mountainous relief of the island is hilly and steep with narrow and windy roads. The lack of hotel infrastructure (the majority of accommodations are room rentals concentrated around the port) draws low maintenance hikers, herb-pickers, and divers. We made a new friend at Asset Car Rental Amorgos is big enough that, in order to explore it, you will need to rent a scooter or a car. If you are not experienced w
Read more