Reminiscing on My Star Flyer Adventure
As October approaches, I find myself reminiscing about one of my favorite travel experiences from last year: sailing aboard the Star Flyer with Star Clippers.
There’s something incredibly special about seeing a tall ship on the horizon, its sails catching the wind. Unlike the large cruise ships most of us are accustomed to seeing, Star Clippers offers a completely different kind of sailing experience. It feels more like being aboard a private yacht—with the added adventure of actually sailing under beautiful billowing sails.
Star Clippers has three vessels: the Star Clipper, Star Flyer, and Royal Clipper. The Star Clipper and Star Flyer are sister ships and the two smaller vessels, while the Royal Clipper is the largest of the three.
My sailing was a 7-night Balearic Islands & Spain itinerary, beginning in Nice, France, and ending in Malaga, Spain. Along the way, we visited Mahon, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Cartagena, and Malaga.
And while the itinerary itself was wonderful, the journey to get there was just as memorable.
Three Nights in Nice Before Sailing
I decided to arrive in Nice three nights before boarding the Star Flyer, which gave me plenty of time to explore the French Riviera before setting sail.
I visited St. Paul de Vence, Antibes, Cannes, Eze, Monaco, and Menton, and having those extra days before the cruise was one of the best decisions I made.
October can be a beautiful time to visit this part of Europe. We had mostly fantastic weather, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds than you might experience during the peak summer months. However, October is also part of the rainy season, so there is always a chance that weather could affect your plans.
During my three days in Nice, we only experienced one day of rain—and unfortunately, it was an all-day rain. Other than that, we had absolutely beautiful weather for exploring.
Little did I know that the weather would become a much bigger factor once we set sail.
The Storm I Won't Forget
Because October is rainy season, there is always a possibility of rougher seas. And on our first full day at sea, we experienced exactly that.
We encountered a very strong storm, and the seas were incredibly rough. Since the Star Flyer is a much smaller vessel than the large cruise ships many travelers are familiar with, you definitely feel the movement of the ocean.
Let's just say we spent most of that day in our room doing our best not to get seasick.
It was our only full day at sea, which meant we unfortunately didn't get to enjoy the top deck the way we had hoped. There were definitely moments when we looked at each other and wondered if we were going to make it through the storm!
Thankfully, we did—and once the storm passed, the rest of the sailing was absolutely fantastic. The weather was nearly perfect for the remainder of our trip.
This is something I would definitely keep in mind if you're considering sailing with Star Clippers during October. A larger cruise ship, such as a Norwegian ship, will generally feel very different in rough seas simply because of its size. On a small sailing vessel like the Star Flyer, you are going to feel the ocean much more.
For someone prone to seasickness, this is an important consideration.
Exploring the Ports
One of the things I loved about this itinerary was how easy many of the ports were to explore independently.
Star Clippers does offer excursions that you can purchase through the cruise line. You can view the excursions before your sailing, but you cannot actually book them until you are onboard. My recommendation is to make excursions one of the first things you take care of after boarding, especially if there is something specific you want to do.
We only booked two excursions through the cruise line because most of the other ports were easy to explore on our own. The two excursions we did take were both enjoyable, and I'm glad we booked them because there wasn't as much to do immediately around the ship in those particular ports.
I also loved the smaller-ship experience when arriving in port. Being on a small sailing vessel allows Star Clippers to access ports and locations that aren't always possible for the giant cruise ships.
Life Onboard Is Much More Relaxed
If you're accustomed to the entertainment and activity schedule of a large mainstream cruise line, Star Clippers is a very different experience.
And honestly, that's part of its charm.
You won't find a constant lineup of activities, big productions, or entertainment happening every hour of the day. Instead, people seemed perfectly happy to enjoy a drink with friends, play cards, read a book, or simply relax on deck while watching the world go by.
The entertainment team did offer evening entertainment, along with classes and activities that guests could sign up for, but the overall atmosphere was much more relaxed.
This is a cruise where the sailing itself is the entertainment.
Watching the Ship Come to Life
One of my favorite places onboard was the top deck.
There were lounge chairs surrounding a small pool, making it the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the scenery. But what made it even more interesting was watching the crew work.
You could watch the crew hoist the sails, see the captain guide the vessel, and experience the ship actually being sailed rather than simply transported from one port to another.
On select days, guests even had the opportunity to help hoist the sails and climb the mast.
Yes—climb the mast!
It's one of those experiences you don't get on a traditional cruise ship, and it's a great example of what makes Star Clippers so unique.
And Then There Was the Food...
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the food onboard.
Breakfast and lunch were served buffet-style, including lunch on port days, while dinner was a sit-down gourmet experience. There were also daily snacks waiting for guests when they returned to the ship after a day of exploring.
One of my favorite little touches was the chef displaying a visual presentation of the evening's menu.
Rather than simply reading a list of dishes, you could actually see what the chef had prepared. I thought this was such a fun detail, and it made ordering dinner even easier because you knew exactly what you were getting.
Breakfast and lunch were more casual and come-and-go, while dinner was more of a shared experience, with everyone sitting down together.
The Crew Made the Experience
As wonderful as the itinerary, food, and relaxed atmosphere were, the crew was the best part of the entire experience for me.
They were friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout the sailing.
Even during our incredibly rough day at sea, the crew continued trying to take care of everyone with smiles on their faces. That really stood out to me.
When you're on a small ship, you naturally interact with the crew more, and that creates a much more personal atmosphere. By the end of the trip, it truly felt like we knew the people who had been taking care of us throughout our journey.
Is Star Clippers Right for You?
After experiencing the Star Flyer for myself, I think Star Clippers is a fantastic option for the right type of traveler.
I would recommend it if you:
- Enjoy smaller ships and a more intimate atmosphere
- Prefer a relaxed sailing experience
- Like visiting ports that larger cruise ships may not be able to access
- Enjoy spending time outdoors and on deck
- Are interested in sailing and want to experience the sails being hoisted
- Like interacting with the captain and crew
- Prefer a slower-paced vacation rather than a packed entertainment schedule
However, I would think twice if you:
- Are prone to severe seasickness
- Want nonstop entertainment and activities
- Prefer having lots of personal space
- Expect a modern, ultra-luxury cruise ship
- Don't enjoy being in close proximity to other travelers
It's also important to set your expectations regarding the ship itself. The Star Flyer is dated, but it is well maintained and clean. This isn't a brand-new luxury cruise ship with all the bells and whistles. The appeal is the sailing experience, the smaller ports, the relaxed atmosphere, and the incredible crew.
And for me, that was exactly what made it memorable.
Would I Sail Star Clippers Again?
Absolutely.
There was something magical about waking up, stepping outside, and seeing the sails carrying us toward our next destination. It felt completely different from any traditional cruise I've experienced.
Was the storm rough? Very.
Would I recommend this type of sailing to everyone? Probably not.
But if you're someone who wants a unique sailing experience, prefers smaller ships, enjoys a relaxed atmosphere, and wants to actually feel connected to the sea, Star Clippers is definitely worth considering.
My trip aboard the Star Flyer gave me memories I'll be talking about for years—and as October rolls around again, I can't help but look back on that adventure and remember just how special it was.
If you're interested in booking your own Star Clippers adventure, I'd love to help! My services come at no additional cost to you, and I book directly with the cruise line. I can help you through the planning process, answer your questions, and provide guidance along the way so you can determine whether a Star Clippers sailing is the right fit for your travel style.
Sometimes the best vacations aren't the biggest ones. Sometimes, they're the ones that let you slow down, feel the wind in the sails, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
