Sailing the Greek Isles aboard the majestic Star Clippers

Three consecutive seven-night cruises will cap the tall ship Star Clipper’s Greek Isles and Turkey 2012 sailing season in the Mediterranean.

The 110m 170-passenger replica clipper ship will sail from Athens on September 29, and October 6 and 13. The first and last cruise will visit ports in the Southern Cyclades (Rhodes, Bodrum, Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra). The October 6 sailing will cover the Northern Cyclades, with highlights including an opportunity to visit the ancient site of Ephesus, the picturesque harbour and sacred cave of St John the Divine on Patmos, the remnants of old civilisations and the 11th century cliff-face monastery on Amorgos and the perfectly preserved Byzantine ruins on Monemvasia.

Prices start at $3022 including port charges, and all meals and entertainment on board. 

Star Clippers combines the romance of the legendary era of sailing ships with the indulgence of a luxury private yacht. The other sailing ships in the fleet are Royal Clipper and Star Flyer. It's a grand way to travel the high seas, with style and elegance, and a respectful nod to a rich history on these waters that have seen so many great ships throughout the centuries. What a way to travel!

For reservations contact your travel agent or Star Clippers on 1300 362 599 or email.

Star Clippers 'Malta to Athens' cruise price cut

Fancy a European cruise aboard the majestic Star Clipper luxury tall ship? Well check out their latest special offer - a one-off cruise  from Malta to Athens via Sicily and the Greek Isles has been reduced by 35 percent for early bookings!

Discounted cabins start at $2069 per person twin share if booked before January 31 for the seven-night rare sailing cruise as Star Clipper relocates from the Caribbean to Athens for the European Mediterranean summer. The price includes port charges and all meals and entertainment on board.  

The cruise starts in Valetta (Malta) on April 28 to Syracuse in Sicily, then the picturesque seaside town of Katakolon in Greece followed by famed Mykonos and Hydra before berthing in Athens.

From its summer home port in Athens, Star Clipper will operate 23 cruises mainly to the Greek Isles but with some special cruises to Venice and Istanbul.

On October 20 the ship leaves Athens for a 35-night westwards repositioning cruise through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic to St Maarten in the Caribbean. Segments of this great ocean crossing are sold separately offering the opportunity to visit Spain, Morocco and the Canary islands.

Star Clippers operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels visiting ports often untouched by larger cruise ships with passengers experiencing the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht. And, having travelled aboard one of these incredible ships before, we can tell you it is a journey like no other - travelling on the high seas on one of the finest tall ships in the world is an experience that makes for incredible memories!

All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, a convivial Tropical Bar on deck, a comfortable piano bar and first class accommodation and dining. The two smaller ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper, take 170 passengers each, with a crew of 70, and Royal Clipper carries 227 with a crew of 106.

For reservations contact your travel agent or Star Clippers on 1300 362 599 or email:starclippers@creativecruising.com.au. You can get more information at their website.

Romance and adventure on the Caribbean sea

Having been personally blessed to have traveled aboard a Star Clippers cruise along the Italian coastline a few years back, this writer can attest to just how amazing the experience can be. Sailing the high seas aboard one of these majestic ships is truly stunning, watching those sails hoist up each day, sipping champagne on deck as the sun sets, the ocean stretching out before you ... it's exquisite with grandeur, luxury and elegance.

So take that picture and put yourself in it ... in the southern Caribbean! Star Clippers is running an incredible 14-night sailing cruise aboard the luxury clipper Star Flyer along the northern coast of South America, calling at a string of exotic islands and ports along the way. Scheduled to depart from Bridgetown, Barbados on November 6th this year after a 29-night respositioning cruise from Cannes, the Caribbean itinerary will take in the islands of Margarita, with their stunning white sand beaches, and Blanquilla, home of the renowned "Venezuelan Wall", a 300 metre drop-off of coral and sea life. You'll pass through the scuba diving meccas of the Lesser Antilles - Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, call at the tropical city of Cartegena in Columbia, and culminate the journey with a crossing of the Panama Canal. 

The 14-night cruise costs from $6210 including all meals and entertainment on board, port charges and gratitudes. For reservations contact your travel agent or Star Clippers on 1300 362 599.