Royal Clipper Cruise

By Peter10 mins read

The Royal Clipper Cruise was the cruise of a lifetime, aboard one of the world’s largest sailing ships. The Royal Clipper is a 439-foot-long sailing vessel that is one of the largest in the world. It was inspired by a legendary tall ship, the Preussen. It has five masts and 42 sails and can carry a total of 227 guests.

Royal Clipper Itinerary

Windward Islands

Depart from Bridgetown, Barbados
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Rosseau and Cabrits, Dominica
Falmouth Harbour, Antiqua
Basseterre and South Friar’s Bay, St. Kitts
Isles des Saintes
Fort de France, Martinique
Arrive in Bridgetown, Barbados

Life Onboard

While onboard, guests can relax on any of the scores of bright blue lounge chairs that are scattered on the wooden deck, soak in any of the three pools, or enjoy a drink from one of two outdoor bars, or one indoor bar.

Inside, you will find a workout room, a full-service spa, and a library to keep you amused. For more active folks, there is always the Marine platform located aft, from which you can swim, scuba-dive, windsurf, jet-ski or sail. And I haven’t even mentioned the excursions yet!

Going Ashore

During the royal clipper cruise, you will sail mostly at night. This allows them to moor alongside the island of choice during the day so that guests can embark and explore. If you do not wish to join one of the Excursions that are organized by the Cruise Director, you can simply take a tender to the island and wander on your own. The tenders generally take you to a harbor where taxi cabs are waiting, and the effusive taxi drivers are happy to take you on a guided tour of their home.

Excursions From The Royal Clipper

For a more current list of excursions, you can go directly to the Star Clipper website, these are simply the excursions that were offered when we went in January, last year.

St. Lucia: Safari and Rugged Beach Getaway, Views of St. Lucia, Snuba Adventure and Pigeon Island, Rainforest Canopy Adventure.
Dominica: Trafalgar Falls and Champagne Snorkel, Whale Watching, Middleham Falls Hike, and Sulphur Spa
Antiqua: Kayak Eco Tour, Island Discovery Tour, Yacht Racing, Canopy Tour, Swimming with the Stingrays, Moonlight Cruise
St. Kitts: Scenic Rail Tour, Quad Bike Adventure, Essential St. Kitts Tour, Caribbean Cooks
Martinique: Botanical Gardens, 4 x 4 Adventure

From the Cruise Director

Aside from the marine platform and nightly entertainment (music in the Piano bar), there are a number of Onboard Events planned throughout the week to entertain and amuse the wide variety of guests. Events included a fashion show, scuba lessons, lectures on sea life and humpback whales (there is a marine biologist onboard), mast climbing, cocktail demonstration, captain’s storytime, pirate night, steelband, and a hilarious disco night.

The staff is friendly, helpful, and relaxed, always ready to lend a hand or share information about the boat, the area, their jobs, and sailing.

Royal Clipper Menu

And then there was food…food, and more food! A normal day aboard the Royal Clipper Cruise includes a total of six meal/snack times. Yes, I said six. For those early risers or people leaving early for excursions, there is a 6 am breakfast. For the rest of us, there is a buffet from 8 to 10 am. Then you have the lunch buffet, the afternoon snack, the A La Carte dinner, and of course, the midnight snack. You can also order room service if, for some strange reason, that isn’t enough food for you.

A word of warning, though… Do NOT attempt to eat the entire seven-course meal. It hurts. After being in pain for quite a while on our first night, we learned to pick out a few courses and enjoy those. There is plenty of time during the week to try new things.

Tips For New Travelers

Listen to the lifeboat drill! Hopefully, you never need it, but it is good to know.
Take a tour the first night and ask questions. This ensures that you don’t miss a departure time simply because you can’t find the appropriate tender.
Remember the ‘One hand for the boat’ rule. A ship this side doesn’t roll as much as smaller ones, but you can be surprised and lose your footing if the weather is rough.
Buy a Gravol patch and put it on an hour before you sail. Finding out that you are prone to seasickness mid-trip is tough, and I am told that once you ARE seasick, medications won’t help.
Try new things! The fact that you have never snorkeled before shouldn’t hold you back from taking an excursion. There are diving pros ready and willing to teach you. And I know from experience that they are VERY patient.
Do not wear three-inch heels on a wet deck. Although dinner is semi-formal, remember that it is a boat, can get wet, and a twisted ankle will seriously hamper your fun.
Bring a jacket. The breeze at night is cooler than you may expect.
Be cautious when you are ashore without crew members. Stay in well-lit and populated areas, and ensure that you have time to get back to the dock well before the last tender leaves shore.