The tall ships take us to ancient times when the sea was like a platform for merchants, admirals, and pirates. Their grandeur, with sails billowing and hulls cutting through the waves, doesn’t just catch the wind but our imagination as well. A cruise company named Star Clipper has become a leader in sustainable travel that offers this traditional vibe while offering the luxuries of the modern world and minimizing the environmental impact.
The Star Clippers is a Monaco-based cruise company. They offer cruises that feel and look like a traditional sailing vessel. These majestic ships feature bowsprit, masts, and multiple sails. Unlike the modern vessels, these ships run on wind power that is generated using the mentioned features. This method has eliminated fossil fuel consumption and opened the door for a sustainable journey at the sea. But this does not mean that they don’t have modern features. They offer modern amenities such as swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and spas which give you the feeling of peak luxury and comfort. Passengers can participate in sailing lessons, climbing the masts, sunbathing, and other variety of fun activities.
The Star Clippers has three vessels. These vessels are different in size, features, and capacity.
Star Clipper & Star Flyer:
The Star Clipper and The Star Flyer are two sister ships and the hidden gem of the company. These twin boats are 115 meters long and can carry up to 166 guests. Both vessels have 4 masts.
Royal Clipper:
The Royal Clipper is the largest sailboat containing five masts and 42 square sails. The vessel is 134 meters in length and can accommodate up to 700 passengers. The ship was inspired by the famous tall ship named the Preussen which was inaugurated at the beginning of the 19th century.
The Star Clippers have different programs that cover various areas in different months. They sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South-East Asia. They have packages for cruises that usually last 7-14 days.
The advantages of sailing for the environment are apparent in that there are no emissions and fuel consumption. The latter trip was carried out in an environment where, for most of the time (30%), it was just plain straightforward sail by wind even though there were several challenges like headwinds or tight schedules that could have prevented this from happening. While some sailing companies would be flexible with their timing, this company has remained strict with its timetable and thus made its trips without engines at given times.
According to Terri Haas from Star Clippers North America, most of their voyages can be sailed thereby reducing the amount of fuel needed for such journeys. On the other hand, a smaller size means less waste. The small size of their ships is also associated with minimal wastage as well as reduced port footprints.
The Star Clippers is one among the few already established firms that are embracing sustainability about sailing ships coupled with adding adventure and nostalgia factors. New sail-equipped ships are also coming up from many cruise lines indicating a shift towards ecological navigation principles. Hybrid models, combining wind with emerging clean-energy technologies, have become a practical solution.
As the winds of change continue to reshape our climate, the Star Clipper’s journeys serve as a reminder that the way we travel must evolve too, embracing the sustainable practices of the past to protect our future.
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Writer,
Abdul Ahad Bin Feroz
Intern at Content Writing Department,
YSSE