Sailing the Greek Islands Aboard Star Clipper

By Amber, Social Media Executive

I knew sailing around the Greek islands on Star Clipper would be different from a typical cruise, but I don’t think I appreciated just how involved in the sailing experience we would become. Over the course of our fly-cruise through Corfu, Gytheio, Milos, Poros and Athens, I climbed to the crow’s nest, helped raise the sails, learnt how sailors once navigated by the stars and even had the chance to steer the ship.

With a maximum of around 170 guests, Star Clipper feels a world away from a large cruise ship. There aren’t endless restaurants, huge theatres or packed daily schedules. Instead, much of the experience comes from the ship itself, the people you meet and the places you’re able to reach along the way.

Experiencing Life Under Sail

My favourite moments were often the simplest ones. Setting sail was something I never got tired of. Music would play as the crew raised the sails, and you could hear the wind catching them as we headed out to sea. Watching the crew doing so much by hand made the whole experience feel much more connected to traditional sailing than being on a ship where everything happens automatically behind the scenes.

Guests can get involved too. We were invited to help raise the sails, and on our sea day I climbed the mast to the crow’s nest. It was quite a climb, but standing up there looking down across the ship and out over the sea was easily one of the highlights of the cruise.

You can also sit out on the bowsprit net while Star Clipper is sailing. Reading a book there with the waves directly beneath you, the sea breeze around you and the sun beginning to set is a memory that’s going to stay with me.

At one point, when Star Clipper was under full sail, the crew even took us out in a tender so we could see and photograph the ship from the water. You don’t quite appreciate how impressive she looks until you’re alongside her with every sail raised.

You Really Do Feel Part of the Crew

Star Clippers has an open bridge policy, which was another aspect I loved. You can visit the bridge, speak to the officers and ask questions about where you are, the islands you’re passing or the depth of the water. We even had the opportunity to steer the ship.

That connection continued after dark. There were stargazing talks where we learnt some of the basics of how sailors once navigated using the night sky. Then, each evening, Cruise Director Frederic would head onto the open deck with guests to point out stars and constellations overhead.

Mornings were much slower. Guided meditation took place outside, so you’d open your eyes to the sunrise, followed by yoga with a certified instructor. It was a very peaceful way to start the day.

A Different Side of the Greek Islands

One of the biggest advantages of travelling on a ship this size is where it can take you. Our cruise destinations included Corfu, Gytheio, Milos, Poros and Athens, and being able to reach smaller ports made the experience feel much more local. That was probably my favourite thing about Star Clipper. You’re not always arriving alongside several huge cruise ships, and some of the places we visited felt far removed from the busiest tourist spots.

Before arriving in each port, Frederic would give a talk about where we were going and what we could do there. I found these really useful because you never stepped ashore wondering where to start.

There were also experiences before we’d even docked. Ahead of our visit to Milos, tenders took us around some of the island’s caves, almost like having an extra excursion included before our day ashore had begun.

On other days, we’d stop for a swim before reaching port. Star Clipper carries equipment for activities including paddleboarding, snorkelling and water skiing, which guests could use without an additional charge.

In one port, they even operated separate tenders to the town and beach, making it easy to choose how you wanted to spend the day.

What Is Star Clipper Like On Board?

With only around 170 guests when full, you quickly start recognising people. Everyone talks to everyone, whether you’re sitting at dinner, heading ashore or meeting at the Tropical Bar, and I found the atmosphere incredibly friendly.

The food was another highlight. Everything I ate was excellent, and the team were particularly accommodating for guests with allergies or dietary requirements. Before dinner, the dishes were displayed so you could actually see what was being served before deciding what to order, which I loved.

There isn’t a drinks package, but I found prices very reasonable. Cocktails were around €8.50 during my cruise, with the cocktail of the day at €7.50. There was also a masseuse on board, with a one-hour massage costing €60 when I sailed.

Entertainment, Star Clipper Style

Don’t expect a huge theatre or Broadway-style productions. Entertainment here is much more informal, and that became part of the fun.

Pirate Night saw guests and crew dress up before everyone gathered at the Tropical Bar for an interactive pirate game show. Another evening brought a talent show, with both crew and guests getting up to perform. You didn’t have to take part to enjoy it, and watching everyone else was just as entertaining.

My favourite evening, though, was probably the simplest. A film was projected onto the back of one of the sails and we all sat outside watching it together in the middle of the ocean. It summed up Star Clipper perfectly.

Who Would I Recommend Star Clipper To?

Star Clipper isn’t trying to recreate the experience of a large cruise ship on a smaller scale. That’s precisely what makes it so interesting.

I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to feel more connected to the sea and the places they’re visiting. You can climb the mast, help with the sails, speak to the officers on the bridge, learn about the stars and spend your days exploring smaller ports that larger ships can’t always reach.

For me, it was the human side of sailing that made the biggest impression. From watching the crew raise the sails to sitting out on the bowsprit with nothing but the sea below, there were so many moments when the journey itself became just as memorable as the Greek islands we had come to see.

If you’d like to experience Star Clipper for yourself, speak to one of our Cruise Experts at Bolsover Cruise Club to discover the latest Star Clippers itineraries and find the right sailing for you.