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Think about occurring a cruise…and discovering it full of people that hate cruises. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? And but that’s precisely what I skilled on my first cruise with Star Clippers, a weeklong Caribbean journey aboard the Royal Clipper.
It started on embarkation day in Barbados. We had been standing on the Solar Deck, gazing up on the Royal Clipper’s 5 towering masts, when one among our fellow passengers nodded towards two huge cruise ships within the harbor. “Aren’t you glad we’re not on a kind of?”
“We’re SO glad we’re not on a kind of!” I laughed.
This second repeated itself repeatedly all through the journey. Even when a medium-sized cruise ship popped up someplace, somebody would inevitably level to it and say, “Boy, am I glad I’m on this ship as an alternative.”
I’ve executed one giant cruise earlier than, and whereas I had enjoyable, I knew the entire time that giant ship cruising is just not my factor. However I’ve executed two small ship cruises earlier than — to Antarctica in 2018 and to Eastern Canada in 2019 — and I realized that small ship cruising is VERY a lot my factor.
Cruising on small ships means you’re capable of go to tough-to-reach locations. You’re unlikely to expertise crowds wherever. It’s a lot simpler to get to know your fellow passengers, and the ambiance is far quieter and extra intimate.
For years, I’ve been desirous to attempt a small ship cruise within the Caribbean, particularly one which visits tiny, hard-to-reach islands inaccessible to large cruise ships. And in my analysis I discovered Star Clippers, with their three beautiful tall ships and their Grenadines itinerary.
I reached out to Star Clippers and so they generously supplied to host me and Charlie on their weeklong cruise. I gave them loads of suggestions on our expertise, and also you’ll discover that honesty mirrored on this detailed evaluation.
This put up was revealed in February 2026, and our journey befell in December 2025.
Crusing on the Royal Clipper
What I quickly realized was that the Royal Clipper is the principle character of the journey. THIS is why folks e-book these journeys! They’re in love with the ship and the way it makes you are feeling.
In 2001, the Guinness Guide of World Data licensed the Royal Clipper because the world’s largest sq. rigger in service.
The Royal Clipper is the biggest of Star Clippers’ three ships, with a capability of 230 passengers; we had 199 passengers on our journey.
And that small dimension makes a giant distinction. You don’t should take care of a few of the drawbacks of enormous ship cruises — combating for deck chairs, limitless corridors, crowded excursions led by umbrella-waving guides.
One essential factor to know is that the Royal Clipper is just not designed for a similar degree of accessibility as giant cruise ships. Many disabled vacationers select giant cruises for his or her elevators, broad corridors, and step-free entry all through the ship, however the Royal Clipper is just not constructed that approach.
There aren’t any elevators on board, and most of the staircases are steep. Among the doorways contain holding two doorways open in several instructions whereas stepping over a threshold step, which even I discovered difficult.
Moreover, most of the doorways are heavy (I caught my finger within the toilet door one evening), and going ashore requires strolling down gangway steps and climbing into a young quite than stepping or rolling onto a pier.
For that motive, I don’t advocate cruising with Star Clippers in case you have mobility challenges. The ship is gorgeous and the expertise is exclusive, however accessibility is just not its robust level.
That mentioned, when you ARE snug with stairs, uneven surfaces, and an energetic ship surroundings, the Royal Clipper presents experiences you’ll by no means in 1,000,000 years discover on a big cruise ship.
Listed here are just a few of the methods you may take pleasure in this tall ship surroundings.
Mast Climbing
One particular factor that Star Clippers presents is an opportunity to climb the mast to the crow’s nest. (Me: “There aren’t…legal guidelines towards this?”) As quickly as I realized this was a factor, I knew I had to participate!
Mast climbing is often supplied two instances in the course of the journey; it was supplied 4 instances on ours, solely when the ship was anchored. Round 5 folks go up at a time. You place your digicam in a sealed bag in your again, placed on a harness, clip your self in, and climb the rope ladder to the crow’s nest.
From the crow’s nest, you might have panoramic views of the ship and no matter islands are within the distance. When you’re up there, you may take your digicam out and take as many images as you’d like earlier than happening once more.
Was this scary? There are occasions that I don’t love heights, however I didn’t assume this was scary in any respect! My harness was safe and the expertise felt well-managed. Total, the exhilaration was properly value it.
(One other factor: numerous images on this put up had been taken with my Insta360 camera. I completely LOVE touring with this digicam, however I feel it’s at its easiest on ships and boats. You will get a lot extra out of a selfie with a 360 digicam than your cellphone.)
Swimming Off the Ship
However my absolute favourite exercise onboard was swimming off the marina platform at the back of the ship. The sports activities group opens the platform every now and then whereas the ship is anchored.
The crew places out a rope connected to a number of floating rafts, and you’ll dive within the water, take a pleasant swim, or simply lie on the rafts and float away. Both approach, the spotlight is getting to absorb views of the Royal Clipper as you swim.
Simply being within the sea and searching upward at that spectacular ship — the masts, the strains, the gold lettering on the brilliant blue — is an expertise. You belong on that ship.
I had two swim classes — one in Martinique and one in St. Lucia — and so they had been SO stuffed with pleasure. Particularly in St. Lucia, as a result of we had a magical setting with panoramic views of the Pitons.
Should you’re snug swimming in deep water, I extremely advocate you find time for no less than one swim off the Royal Clipper.
Picture Safari
And on the ultimate day of your crusing, if situations are good, you’ll get to participate within the picture safari! The crew gathers folks into the tenders and also you slowly circle the Royal Clipper because it raises the sails.
Our picture safari befell in Soufrière, St. Lucia, with the Pitons rising dramatically within the background. This was probably the most stunning place we visited over the previous week, and attending to {photograph} probably the most stunning ship towards such an iconic backdrop, bathed in golden Caribbean gentle, felt like a present.
Everybody on board was in an important temper, and it was the proper method to commemorate our stunning week crusing via the Caribbean. I introduced my large Sony digicam, my iPhone, my Insta360 camera, and my Osmo Pocket 3 video camera, and I used all of them nonstop.
Exploring the Royal Clipper
Royal Clipper Cabins
One large distinction from a conventional mega ship is that cabins on the Royal Clipper are on the smaller facet, and just a few have balconies. I do know lots of people are severe about their balconies, to the purpose that they wouldn’t go on a cruise with out one, however once more, the Royal Clipper isn’t a typical sort of cruise.
Our Class 2 cabin had a double mattress with one facet towards the wall, a chair, and a small desk. There was ample cupboard space for our suitcases beneath the mattress, and we had sufficient drawers for all our clothes. Housekeeping is superb, and cabin stewards clear your cabin twice per day.
Sensible tip: watch out with the studying lamps above the mattress. They are often opened and adjusted into totally different positions, however the default place is correct the place you set your head, and cabin stewards reset them into this place after cleansing your cabin. I hit my head on these metallic, angular lamps greater than as soon as.
Our toilet was small however purposeful, with the whole lot we wanted, together with cleaning soap, bathe gel, shampoo, and conditioner.
One factor in regards to the toilet is that the ground can get QUITE moist, particularly when you bathe whereas the ship is crusing, however generally even when it isn’t. I urged to Star Clippers that they add a squeegee to every cabin — it could make it really easy to brush up all that water after showering.
I positively appreciated the quantity of loo cupboard space — particularly as soon as I spotted the mirror was a conceit that opened and stored issues securely behind it!
The ship makes use of European electrical retailers all through, so carry an adapter when you want one.
Communal Areas
Should you’re on the lookout for a spot to hold on the Royal Clipper, you might have just a few choices. The Solar Deck is residence to 3 swimming swimming pools, a number of seashore loungers and umbrellas, a bar, and plenty of locations to hang around and take within the views.
The following deck is the Principal Deck. Right here you’ll discover the Tropical Bar, which looks like the principle hanging-out spot on the ship, which is roofed however has open sides.
There may be additionally a small library, which is good and quiet and has a choice of books in lots of languages, and the Piano Bar. There may be an commentary lounge, which was the assembly house of one of many constitution teams on our crusing, and there are a handful of cabins.
The following deck is the Clipper Deck. This deck is generally stuffed with cabins, together with ours. There may be additionally the Sloop Store, promoting quite a lot of Star Clippers-themed clothes and a few small souvenirs, and the Tour Desk, the place you may join excursions.
The following deck is the Commodore Deck, the place you’ll discover the eating room and extra cabins. On the top of the ship, you’ll discover the marina platform (swim platform).
And one ground additional down, you’ll discover the Captain Nemo fitness center, lounge, and spa. The fitness center has just a few cardio machines and a few free weights; the spa has a hammam.
What sort of folks cruise with Star Clippers?
On our journey, many of the company had been from the US or UK, with a smattering of different international locations represented. We met just a few German audio system, and our cruise director Monja did the bulletins in English and German. The literature we obtained every day was in English, German, and French.
Age-wise, most company had been between age 55 and 75. Nonetheless, folks tended to be in respectable form, as you want to have the ability to climb numerous stairs and maintain heavy doorways with the intention to navigate the Royal Clipper.
There have been a handful of youthful folks on board. Some had been touring with their dad and mom or households; there have been just a few youthful {couples} and pal teams as properly. Charlie and I ended up bonding with two of the youthful {couples}, one from the US and one from the UK, and the six of us “younger’uns” frolicked rather a lot!
Are children allowed on Star Clippers? They’re technically allowed from the age of six months, however there are zero child-centric amenities on board, so it’s not a well-liked selection for younger households.
As for variety, I’m certain there have been loads of queer folks on board, however I didn’t discover any queer {couples}, and you could possibly depend the folks of colour on one hand.
You also needs to know that a few of your passengers could also be a part of an outdoor group. As we embarked, we realized that an American Bible research group made up an excellent proportion of our fellow passengers.
Now, I’ll be trustworthy — after I first heard this, I used to be a bit apprehensive. I puzzled whether or not having a non secular group on board may have an effect on the general vibe of the ship.
Truthfully, it didn’t have an effect on the vibe in anyway. Everybody was pleasant, respectful, and fully nonjudgmental. The truth is, the 2 finest associates we made on the ship had been a part of the Bible research group! It was an excellent reminder to not make assumptions.
Total, I discovered the passengers on the Royal Clipper to be fascinating, well-traveled, and nice conversationalists. I all the time say that irrespective of the place you go around the globe, 98% of persons are fantastic and the opposite 2% are usually not, and that was actually true on our journey.
Meals and Drink on the Royal Clipper
Now, some of the essential features of any journey is the meals, and that is the place Star Clippers shines. We discovered the meals to be glorious throughout the board.
Star Clippers serves three meals per day. There’s a breakfast buffet from round 7:30-9:30 AM, a themed lunch buffet from round 12:00-2:00 PM, and a plated multi-course dinner within the evenings from 7:30-10:00 PM.
Along with the three major meals, they serve a easy continental breakfast within the Piano Lounge from 6:30 AM-10:30 AM, gentle snacks within the Tropical Bar from 5:00-6:00 PM, and late evening snacks within the Tropical Bar from 11:30 PM-12:30 AM.
Meals
I discovered the breakfast buffet to be fairly typical: scorching trays of eggs, bacon, sausage, and beans for the Brits; a number of pastries and baked items; yogurt and its many accoutrements; a number of fruits; an omelet station with eggs to order.
Every single day, the lunch buffet had a theme: seafood, Italian, Asian. There can be trays stuffed with themed dishes — meat, fish, and vegetarian choices — together with interactive stations like carving or pasta stations, and loads of salad stuff.
The buffet meals wasn’t fancy, but it surely was tasty for probably the most half.
However my favourite a part of lunch was the dessert buffet. THE DESSERTS WERE SO GOOD. And there have been so lots of them! Piña colada mousse. Eclairs. Chocolate cake. Silky cappuccino cups. Tiramisu. All in little parts so you could possibly attempt all of them.
I additionally shortly realized that almost all desserts didn’t make a number of appearances, so, properly, I HAD to attempt the whole lot!
Dinner is a extra formal affair, with a number of programs. Most individuals costume up somewhat nicer than their day garments, and males are required to put on lengthy pants.
Servers sit you at tables with different company, and I discovered this was one of the simplest ways we acquired to know our fellow passengers.
Every evening, you may select between two appetizers, one soup, one palate-cleansing sorbet, 4 major dishes (no less than one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian), and three desserts (one is all the time a special sort of ice cream). You may as well order a salad of the day or cheese plate for one among your programs, and so they supply two wine bottle suggestions.
We’d often get an appetizer, both the soup or the sorbet, the principle dish, and the dessert.
Here’s a pattern menu:
The only smartest thing we ate on the Royal Clipper was this plate of roast beef. It was so tender, so flavorful, and I used to be impressed that each single plate was cooked to the right temperature.
Charlie and I had been having dinner with a father and son from the US that night, and all 4 of us acquired the roast beef. Then as we completed, our server grinned and mentioned, “You need extra beef?” I declined, however the three guys all mentioned sure.
Effectively, our server introduced them not just a bit bit extra beef, however A SECOND PLATE. They had been as pleased as clams.
(And as quickly as we realized this was a factor you could possibly do on the Royal Clipper, we could have ordered second plates a few times extra.)
Whereas the meals high quality at dinner was glorious, I felt like the meat dishes had been the perfect of the bunch. Each steak I had was exemplary. Charlie, for his half, beloved the lamb dishes as properly.
Whereas the meals was scrumptious, it was very Eurocentric, so don’t count on international delicacies. I might have beloved extra worldwide dishes than a single Asian-themed lunch (particularly since our cooks had been from the Philippines and Indonesia and will most likely flip it out!).
Does Star Clippers cater to dietary restrictions? They do. We acquired to know a vegan visitor who had been on a number of Star Clippers cruises, and in her phrases, “They’ve gotten rather a lot higher over time,” and “I can get by.”
At dinner, you all the time have the choice to order a consommé, pasta dish, or steak frites when you don’t like something on the every day menu. We tried the steak frites one evening and loved it.
One random tip: attempt to have dinner with somebody celebrating a birthday! Each evening, the servers sang to these celebrating birthdays and introduced them a chocolate birthday cake to share with their desk mates. One evening we occurred to be consuming with somebody celebrating a birthday — and that cake was SCRUMPTIOUS.
Drink
Star Clippers doesn’t supply drink packages, which makes them totally different from conventional giant ship cruises. And I feel that’s an excellent factor, because it retains the binge drinkers away.
So the whole lot is à la carte, however the drink costs are extraordinarily affordable. On our journey, comfortable drinks had been €3, beers had been €4-5 every, home wines had been €4. Cocktails had been €8, the cocktail of the day was €7, and mocktails had been €5.
You may as well order wine by the bottle, and we had been delighted to see that they weren’t marked up very a lot. One evening, we ordered a bottle of one among our favourite Italian reds, Brunello di Montalcino, for simply €42. That may most likely value €35 on the winery.
And when you order a bottle and don’t end it, they’ll put your identify on it and reserve it for subsequent time.
Filter espresso and tea are included without spending a dime, however espresso-based drinks are further (€2 for espresso, €2.50 for cappuccino). These coffees are made with Nespresso professional capsules. Charlie and I discovered this disappointing, as Nespresso is mediocre espresso, however as a result of George Clooney is of their commercials, folks assume it’s fancy.
I feel it could be clever for Star Clippers to put money into an actual espresso machine with respectable beans, and I talked about this with their group. I feel that is a simple method to uplevel their service for a reasonably low value. Charlie and I might have purchased two or three coffees every per day if they’d been higher.
Actions and Leisure
As soon as once more, the Royal Clipper isn’t a megaship — don’t come right here when you’re anticipating fixed actions all day. Individuals come on the Royal Clipper to take in the vibe.
There have been just a few every day actions, although. Every morning, there was a yoga class and a “morning gymnastics” session (a body weight exercise adaptable for all health ranges) earlier than breakfast.
Sometimes, in the course of the morning or the afternoon, the sports activities group would supply mast climbing or swimming off the marina platform. By no means each on the identical time, as every exercise required the total sports activities group.
Captain Sergey did just a few “Story Hour” classes, telling tales from his life at sea. There was an engine room tour sooner or later (Captain Sergey: “I don’t perceive why persons are all the time so on this, however you may go see the engine room…”), which gave me a deeper appreciation for the hardworking crew.
There’s a spa on the Royal Clipper, with quite a lot of massages, facials, and physique therapies out there, in addition to a hammam.
On our day in Tobago Cays, the crew did a barbecue on the seashore for everybody.
However there was all the time organized leisure within the Tropical Bar after dinner. One evening, it was a pirate social gathering! Everybody dressed up of their most pirate-y outfits (I wound my sarong round my head; Charlie purchased a black bandana in St. Vincent, and the ship had loads of props to pose with), and we performed goofy video games for prizes.
One evening there was a expertise present (each crew and company participated, and clearly, the Filipinos dominated the karaoke!). One other evening, a style present. Different nights, simply music and dancing.
However probably the most particular occasion was a Grenadian metal band efficiency. We had been anchored in Grenada till late within the night, so the ship was capable of host an area band.
And so they had been so enjoyable! Beginning with “Dancing Queen,” they performed quite a lot of pop songs on the metal drums, and also you couldn’t maintain folks off the dance ground.
Star Clippers Grenadine Islands 7 Nights Itinerary
Star Clippers’s Grenadine Islands 7 Nights itinerary begins and ends in Bridgetown, Barbados. (This cruise doesn’t enter any port within the US, so maintain that in thoughts if that’s essential to you.)
What I really like about this itinerary is that many of the ports are small, intimate, and inaccessible to bigger ships. We anchored at sea and took tenders in at each port besides Fort-de-France, the place we docked at a pier.
Right here is the itinerary:
- Day 1: Embark in Bridgetown, Barbados (afternoon)
- Day 2: Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (afternoon)
- Day 3: St. George’s, Grenada (afternoon)
- Day 4: Tobago Cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (all day)
- Day 5: Kingstown (morning) and Bequia (afternoon), St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Day 6: Fort-de-France (morning) and Grand Anse (afternoon), Martinique
- Day 7: Marigot Bay (morning) and Soufrière (afternoon), St. Lucia
- Day 8: Disembark in Bridgetown, Barbados (morning)
Right here’s an outline of the locations and what we did every day.
Barbados
We spent 4 days in Barbados earlier than our cruise, and I’m SO glad we did. Barbados is an island with 1,000,000 issues to do, in addition to some very nice white sand seashores. It doesn’t matter what sort of journey you need to have, you may have it right here.
That mentioned, we discovered Barbados to be staggeringly costly in comparison with different Caribbean islands, so maintain that in thoughts as you intend your journey. (How costly? At one cafe we acquired a breakfast sandwich, an order of waffles, and two cappuccinos and our invoice got here to $50 USD.)
My favourite experiences in Barbados had been taking a Barbados food tour, which was enjoyable, academic and scrumptious — I extremely advocate it! I took a full day around-the-island tour, which was good for picture ops and attending to know numerous the island (Rihanna’s childhood house is included!).
We additionally loved beaching and swimming at Dover Seaside and spending Friday evening on the Oistins Fish Fry, an island custom with a number of meals, drinks, and music.
We determined to remain in a finances resort for this portion of our four-week Caribbean journey, and selected the Melbourne Inn. Let me inform you — this place doesn’t look fancy, however its punches approach above its weight! Comfy rooms with balconies, a surprisingly good pool space, and the friendliest, most fantastic workers.
And it’s in an ideal location close to Dover Seaside, near a grocery retailer, and strolling distance from The Cake Lady, THE finest spot for espresso, cake, and breakfast!
I extremely advocate including just a few days in Barbados earlier than or after your journey. However take into account that in case your cruise leaves on Saturday, as ours did, you may need to come beforehand so you may expertise the Friday Evening Fish Fry.
My pal Nicola’s web site Next Stop Barbados was a wonderful useful resource for planning our journey.
Embarkation
On the primary day of our cruise, we had been capable of drop off our baggage on the Star Clippers stand at 12:00 PM, with boarding starting at 4:00 PM. Charlie and I dropped off the baggage promptly at midday and took a taxi from the port to Harrison’s Cave for his or her drive-through cave tour. It was a enjoyable tour and we paid for the driving force to attend for us, which was a stress-free method to get again on time.
The cruise terminal in Bridgetown has an out of doors bar that serves each meals and drinks, in addition to a handful of outlets. There may be free wifi when you want it.
As soon as boarding started, we made our approach up the gangway onto the Royal Clipper, accepted a glass of champagne, and queued into the Piano Bar for check-in. This was the place we handed over our passports for the week, the crew ran my bank card for future bills, and we obtained our cabin task and ship card, which doubles as your room key and onboard ID.
Subsequent got here an important step: signing up for excursions on the tour desk on the Clipper Deck. Not like giant cruise ships, Star Clippers doesn’t supply advance tour reserving; you merely add your identify to the checklist after boarding.
Signal-ups are first-come, first-serve, and so they shut two days forward of time. I like to recommend signing up instantly, as common excursions — like our prime precedence, the catamaran journey in Tobago Cays — refill shortly.
We unpacked, watched the protection video, had welcome snacks within the Tropical Bar with our fellow passengers, took a tour of the ship, and loved our first dinner on board.
However the true magic occurred after dinner, when the Royal Clipper set sail for the primary time. The crisp sails unfurled towards the inky blue sky and we stared at them in awe.
I used to be fully unprepared for the sheer majesty of crusing on a tall ship. Proper then and there, I spotted that this was why folks journey with Star Clippers repeatedly.
Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Union Island was our first cease amongst a number of within the Grenadines, and when you’re on the lookout for a laid-back island that’s off the overwhelmed path, it’s an important spot. There may be virtually nothing on Chatham Seaside, the place we docked for the afternoon.
We had been directed to land on the seashore and switch left, and on the finish of the seashore we’d discover a respectable snorkeling spot. The seashore was strewn with stones, however the snorkeling was glorious — I used to be stunned what number of cool fish we noticed!
There was a small bar on this facet of the seashore dishing up cocktails (playing cards and Apple Pay accepted, which stunned me!).
High tip: Apparently there’s a actually cool bar with a scorching tub on the proper facet of the seashore as you land. Our associates found this after a tip from Captain Sergey, however we didn’t hear about it from anybody on the crew. So ensure you don’t miss it! I want we had recognized about it.
St. George’s, Grenada
Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean, with colourful houses tucked into the wild, jungly hills. We determined to take the Chocolate and Falls tour, which included visits to a waterfall and a chocolate manufacturing facility.
To be trustworthy, this was the one tour we regretted taking. It was a really lengthy drive in a small, cramped bus (although I appreciated the beautiful surroundings), and highway works and accidents alongside the route delayed us much more.
Our first cease was Harmony Falls, with a waterfall flowing into an emerald-green pool. We watched an area man soar in from the highest. And whereas that was cool, he aggressively hounded everybody within the group for suggestions. I really put a tip within the field, and on the way in which out he glared at me and mentioned, “I didn’t see you give me a tip.” “I DID TIP!” I sputtered.
By the point we acquired to the Diamond Chocolate Manufacturing facility in Victoria, it was closed for the day and we couldn’t see any manufacturing. We did a fast stroll via the backyard and so they gave us chocolate samples to attempt within the reward store. That was it.
The chocolate was scrumptious, particularly the nutmeg chocolate, and we purchased some bars to take residence. However total, the tour fell in need of expectations, and that sentiment was shared by lots of our fellow passengers.
On a brighter word, I did hear that folks on the snorkeling tour had a superb time, so when you’re taking this journey, that may be a greater match for you.
Full disclosure: Star Clippers did checklist the driving time on the tour sheet, and it’s not like they might have predicted the delays, which added an additional hour of driving time. I did give the Star Clippers group particular suggestions about this tour.
Tobago Cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Now, when you dream of crashing on a desert island within the Caribbean, Tobago Cays is the place for you! These islands really feel straight out of Robinson Crusoe, with pristine seashores and little or no growth.
Charlie and I really like a catamaran journey, so we booked a catamaran crusing tour with snorkeling. This turned out to be the perfect tour of our journey!
After touchdown on the island of Petit Rameau, we boarded the catamaran and sailed off for some snorkeling. The waters had been choppier than I anticipated, and the catamaran crew had us put on vibrant orange vests for visibility. The snorkeling wasn’t nearly as good as Union Island, however we did see just a few cool fish.
High tip: there are a number of catamarans that do that tour, and so they all look similar. Ensure you memorize the identify of your boat so you recognize which boat to swim again to!
Subsequent, we landed off the island of Mayreau and swam to shore. And I fell in love with this tiny island! An ideal, quiet, sandy seashore with wood shacks dishing up freshly caught fish and rum punch. The vibes had been immaculate. We didn’t have a lot time right here, however I’d like to return for a full day.
Lastly, the catamaran sailed again to Petit Rameau, the place the Royal Clipper crew had arrange a seashore barbecue with burgers, sausages, rooster, fish, a bar, and all of the fixings. We ate outdoors at picnic tables (although solely half of them had shade).
From that time on, we had loads of time to swim, stroll the seashore, and gallivant. A second group of passengers went out on the catamaran tour within the afternoon. When Charlie and I had had sufficient solar, we jumped on the tender again to the Royal Clipper.
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Kingstown, a metropolis situated on the island of St. Vincent, is the capital and transit hub of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Charlie and I hadn’t booked an tour, so we determined to simply stroll across the metropolis somewhat bit. We strolled, visited some markets, took within the ambiance, and tried some native dragonfruit and pineapple sodas. We’d have visited the fort for the view, but it surely occurred to be closed for refurbishment throughout our go to.
We did hear from just a few passengers that the excursions right here had been glorious, together with an off-road journey and a go to to the botanical gardens. If I got here to Kingstown once more, I might positively do a kind of.
High Tip: the ferry terminal in Kingstown has a cute espresso store known as Carib-Beans that served THE finest espresso we had throughout our month within the Caribbean. Effectively value a go to!
Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Bequia was my favourite cease of your entire journey and the primary place I need to return to. In comparison with different islands within the Grenadines, it’s fancier and extra developed than Union Island or Tobago Cays, however not practically as luxe as Mustique, a favourite of the British Royal Household.
The ship anchored in Admiralty Bay and the crew gave us the selection of taking the tender to the port or Princess Margaret Seaside. We selected the seashore, and headed there with our 4 associates.
This seashore was DIVINE. Good comfortable sand, clear turquoise water, stunning views of immaculate wood houses constructed into the hills. Better of all, there was really respectable shade — the seashore is lined with thick, lush timber and loads of room to stretch out beneath them.
Did I point out this seashore ALSO had little stands serving up rum punch? “Day consuming within the Grenadines? We’re positively honoring Princess Margaret the best approach,” I joked as we toasted.
After just a few hours of swimming and sunning, we headed again to the ship.
I might love to return again to Bequia for no less than just a few days. One in all my blogger associates was right here across the identical time, and he beloved exploring the island by bike.
Fort-de-France, Martinique
I had no concept what to anticipate in Fort-de-France, however this metropolis ended up charming my pants off! Martinique is a part of France, and it’s apparent from the second you arrive, from the Renaults and Peugeots all over the place to the BNP banks and the Galeries-Lafayette division retailer to the scent of butter within the air.
I really like visiting French abroad departments like Réunion and St. Pierre and Miquelon as a result of you may all the time get basic French meals blended with contemporary native produce.
We did some analysis on the place to eat and had been the primary ones off the ship. Our first cease was Pâtisserie Hery, an artisan patisserie the place we loved genuine French pastries, together with a conventional croissant and a supreme spherical croissant full of pistachio cream and dipped in chocolate. In addition they serve a scrumptious scorching chocolate.
We strolled across the metropolis, photographing the road artwork and landmarks like Bibliothèque Schoelcher and Cathédrale Saint-Louis, and stopped for a cappuccino at somewhat cafe known as Jaden Centre-Ville.
We made our method to the Marché Couvert, town’s lined market, and tried some contemporary fruit juices and purchased just a few postcards for our postcard wall at residence.
Whereas it rained for many of our time on shore, Charlie and I each really feel like we’d prefer to return to Martinique and discover way more.
Grand Anse, Martinique
We really didn’t get off the ship right here. It was drizzling once we docked, so I figured we’d simply relax for the afternoon. Effectively, quickly the solar got here out, and we went swimming of the again of the Royal Clipper! These hours had been properly spent.
Marigot Bay, St. Lucia
In St. Lucia, we selected the Panoramic Tour tour, which picked us up in Marigot Bay and dropped us off in Soufrière, with some fascinating stops alongside the way in which. We had been virtually plastered to the home windows, because the surroundings was so attractive! St. Lucia actually is the fantastic thing about the Caribbean.
In Marigot Bay we stopped lengthy sufficient to eat some bananas, attempt some banana ketchup, and take within the view from above — and what a view it was!
Soufrière, St. Lucia
Soufrière, a city within the south of St. Lucia, is residence to the Pitons, the 2 conical mountains which are the image of the island. As soon as rounding the view pictured above — sure, we stopped for loads of images — we visited two locations in Soufrière: the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Qualibou Volcano.
Our information, Delicia, confirmed us via the botanical gardens and shared her favourite native cures. Charlie and I are literally going to attempt some at residence! Apparently once you grate nutmeg right into a bottle of vinegar and depart it for just a few weeks, it turns into an excellent salve in your joints.
St. Lucia is residence to the one drive-in volcano on this planet, Qualibou Volcano. Don’t count on fiery lava right here, simply numerous steam and that signature sulfur odor! You may go in sulfuric mud baths right here when you’d like; I didn’t partake, but it surely seemed enjoyable.
Our tour completed with an area buffet lunch overlooking one other view of the Pitons. Charlie took the time to get some aerial photographs together with his drone from right here, as St. Lucia is a really drone-friendly nation.
Total, I’m glad that we selected this tour. Delicia was an exquisite information, the surroundings was spellbinding, the bus was snug, and the gardens and volcano had been actually cool. Better of all, I acquired killer images of the Pitons!
The city of Soufrière itself wasn’t very thrilling, so we determined to return to the Royal Clipper. Later that afternoon, it was again onto the marine platform for one more attractive swim, adopted by our picture safari, circling the Royal Clipper within the tender on the sails went up, bathed within the delectable gentle of golden hour.
Debarkation
Debarkation in Barbados was easy and well-organized. On our final full day on board, we settled our invoice and added a gratuity for the servers and cabin attendants. That night, we left our baggage outdoors the cabin, tagging our baggage with the colour comparable to our chosen switch.
We joined the bus switch to the airport with just a few dozen of our fellow passengers. It is best to know that the baggage is transferred individually — the baggage truck arrived about half-hour later. That wasn’t a problem, as Star Clippers makes certain you get to the airport with ample time earlier than your flight.
Whereas ready to test in, Charlie, our associates and I grabbed pizza and milkshakes at Chefette, Barbados’s most beloved quick meals chain. I’ve to say, that milkshake was precisely what I wanted after per week at sea.
And from there, the 4 of us mentioned our goodbyes and Charlie and I hopped on our flight to our subsequent vacation spot: the island nation of Dominica.
Kate’s Ideas on the Itinerary
It was this particular itinerary that attracted me to Star Clippers within the first place, and I beloved the locations we visited. I appreciated that we visited small ports and hard-to-reach islands. I feel the one port the place we noticed a giant cruise ship was Grenada.
A couple of lightning spherical solutions:
Finest seashores: Princess Margaret Seaside in Bequia, adopted by Mayreau island in Tobago Cays.
Finest snorkeling: Union Island within the Grenadines.
Finest metropolis: Fort-de-France, Martinique.
Finest locations to discover independently: Fort-de-France and Bequia.
Finest locations to discover by tour: Kingstown and Soufrière.
Finest tour total: Catamaran journey in Tobago Cays.
In fact, once you think about excursions and exploration, you may have any sort of journey you need — adventurous, low-key, snorkel-y. I feel we had an excellent selection all through our journey.
Journey Suggestions for Star Clippers Caribbean Cruise
Seasickness on a Star Clippers Cruise
Do you might want to fear about seasickness on the Royal Clipper or every other Star Clippers cruise? Truthfully, seasickness can range rather a lot from individual to individual, and it may be robust to foretell.
I’ll say {that a} smaller ship just like the Royal Clipper can typically really feel extra queasy than a big cruise ship, however once more, that is private. Charlie and I each had just a few moments of seasickness, however we acquired via them.
When crusing throughout mealtime, we discovered it extra snug to take a seat going through the entrance or again of the boat, quite than the perimeters.
I like to recommend bringing non- or less-drowsy motion sickness medication on the very least. (Or take a drowsy one and chase it with an espresso martini.) Some folks discover motion sickness bands useful.
Alternatively, your physician can prescribe a scopolamine patch. I used these in Antarctica, however after just a few days I skilled the uncommon facet impact of blurred imaginative and prescient, so I switched again to Dramamine.
Web on a Star Clippers Cruise
Star Clippers has web packages out there. The excellent news is that they use Starlink, so the web is quick, however the unhealthy information is that they’re data-based, which suggests apps working within the background can eat via your knowledge in just some minutes.
I personally by no means buy data-based packages for that reason.
My advice? Get an eSIM card that covers many of the Japanese Caribbean. We used this one from Airalo. It labored in each vacation spot besides Martinique (which we didn’t want anyway, because it’s a part of the EU and our Czech SIM playing cards labored there).
Whereas it didn’t work whereas we had been out at sea, we had web entry at any time when we had been anchored.
What to Pack for a Star Clippers Caribbean Cruise
Comfy informal clothes. What you put on is all the time a private resolution. I just about reside in merino wool year-round, so I wore 4 Wool& dresses for many of the journey: the Camellia dress (my favourite scorching climate costume) in teal and black, and the Isabelle dress in magenta and inexperienced.
I used to be glad to have a Wool& tank top, a pair of Wool& bike shorts, and closed-toe sneakers for mast climbing; I primarily wore deck sneakers and Birkenstock sandals whereas on board.
Applicable dinner put on. There isn’t a proper evening, like on different cruises, however I did discover many individuals dressed up a bit for dinner. Ladies have a bit extra leeway, however males are requested to put on lengthy pants at dinner.
Numerous ladies wore informal sundresses or tops with skirts or slacks. Numerous males wore short-sleeved button-downs with lengthy pants. It’s your name.
Water shoes. A good suggestion when you’re snorkeling or beaching. The seashore we visited on Union Island had numerous rocks and water sneakers would have made it extra nice.
Reef-safe sunscreen. I like to recommend you carry reef-safe sunscreen as a default once you’re swimming wherever, and that’s completely true for the fragile reefs of the Caribbean.
Solar safety. A large-brimmed hat, sarong, and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt may be very useful.
Reusable water bottle. The Royal Clipper has fountains within the Tropical Bar the place you may fill your bottles with filtered water. Don’t add to the plastic drawback.
Dry bag or waterproof phone case. Whereas your electronics are fairly secure whereas on the tender, you may need to carry these for different boat journeys and when you’ll have to swim to shore (like on our catamaran tour in Tobago Cays).
Clothes for White Evening and Pirate Evening. You don’t have to decorate up, and so they have some pirate props for the social gathering, however hey, in case you have a corset prime and ruffly skirt you want you could possibly put on extra typically, that is your likelihood!
Different Star Clippers Suggestions
Don’t do excursions each single day. I acquired this tip forward of time, and I’m glad I heeded the recommendation. Excursions are enjoyable, however they’ll eat up all of your free time.
I like to recommend doing a little bit of analysis and choosing out 1-3 excursions that you just need to do probably the most, and some ports that you just’d quite discover by yourself. And if there are some that maintain no curiosity for you, you may all the time keep on the ship and benefit from the ambiance.
If mast climbing or swimming off the marina platform are an choice, don’t wait — do them. These actions solely occur if situations are good, so this may be your solely likelihood.
Don’t overpack. There’s a moderately priced and speedy laundry service on board, and we used it 3 times. Simply wash what you might want to be washed.
Is Star Clippers Value It?
Effectively, after studying this put up, you must have a reasonably good concept of how a lot I beloved my time on the Royal Clipper! Charlie and I had a blast and have been speaking about this journey always.
The truth is, we’re already pondering of doing one other cruise with Star Clippers — probably in Europe this time. We just like the look of a few of their itineraries visiting Corsica and Sardinia. As soon as once more, it’s all in regards to the small ports.
And if we might carry a bunch of our associates on board? Even higher.
Once I look again at my time on the Royal Clipper, my thoughts goes straight to mast-climbing, or swimming off the marina platform, and watching the sails go up at sundown. Greater than something, Star Clippers is in regards to the magic of being on a tall ship — and that have is staying with me.
The Star Clippers Grenadines itinerary begins at €2,350 ($2,790) per individual. You’ll find extra data on StarClippers.com.
Does this seem like your sort of cruise? Share away!
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