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Matt and I recently sailed through Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro aboard Royal Clipper, the largest ship in the Star Clippers fleet. It was our first time sailing on a true tall ship, and this Star Clippers cruise was unlike any other cruise we had taken before.
I have already shared a complete look at our Royal Clipper Adriatic Sailing Trip, including our cabin, food, itinerary, costs, and what life was like onboard the Royal Clipper. However, several smaller details surprised us so much that I thought they deserved their own post.
Star Clippers hosted us for this Royal Clipper cruise. As always, all opinions, photos, and experiences shared here are our own.
8 Unexpected Things We Loved About Our Star Clippers Cruise
From the relaxed atmosphere to swimming directly from the ship, so many parts of our Star Clippers cruise experience exceeded our expectations. I think those unexpected details are what set the Star Clippers experience apart from other cruises.
Here are eight unexpected things Matt and I loved about sailing with Star Clippers in Europe!
#1 Royal Clipper Never Felt Crowded
Royal Clipper can accommodate just over 200 passengers, and our sailing was fairly close to capacity. Even so, the ship never felt crowded. In fact, by the end of the cruise there were so many familiar faces!
We always found plenty of room on the top deck, around the pools, and at the Tropical Bar. We very rarely waited in lines, and it never felt like thousands of passengers were moving through the same spaces at once.
That alone made our Star Clippers cruise feel completely different from a traditional large-ship cruise!
#2 The Star Clippers Drink Prices Were Surprisingly Affordable
This may not sound like a major detail, but it changed the entire feel of our Star Clippers cruise. One thing I dislike about cruising is the high drink prices and the big debate over whether to buy an expensive drink package. That isn’t even an option on a Star Clippers cruise!
House wine was about €4 per glass and €18 per bottle, and many spirits started at €5. The large signature cocktails were around €7 to €8. There was no expensive drink package to justify and very little pressure to spend money onboard.
Matt and I could order a glass of wine after exploring all day without feeling nickel-and-dimed. During our entire seven-night cruise, we spent around $400 onboard—and that included Wi-Fi, plenty of drinks including wine with every meal, my 50-minute massage, and a few other purchases.
#3 The Smaller European Ports Were Some of Our Favorites
Before the trip, we were most excited about recognizable destinations like Venice, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Those stops were incredible and we loved walking the walls of Dubrovnik and taking a Game of Thrones tour, but the smaller places surprised us most.
Royal Clipper sailed through narrow waterways into Šibenik and tendered us directly into places like Komiža and Rovinj. These are European destinations that can require more planning and transportation to visit independently.
Sailing with Star Clippers allowed us to reach them easily while still giving Matt and me the freedom to explore each destination on our own. I particularly loved Komiža, with Rovinj a close second!
And when looking over the 2027 Star Clippers Western European Itineraries, there are so many other ports I would love to visit in places like Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and more.
Take a minute to browse the complete collection of itineraries. I think you’ll be impressed by the variety of European cruise ports, Caribbean islands, and other destinations Star Clippers visits.
- Western Mediterranean
- Eastern Mediterranean
- Caribbean Sailings
- Central America
- Panama Canal
- Ocean Crossing
- Grand Voyages
#4 Sail-Away Felt Special Every Single Time
We knew Royal Clipper would be beautiful, but we did not expect sail-away to become one of our favorite parts of each day.
As the crew raised the sails, music from 1492: Conquest of Paradise played across the deck. It sounds dramatic, and it was, but the entire experience was also surprisingly emotional. At times, the passengers helped lift the sails.
And I enjoyed watching the local pilot come aboard to help navigate, climbing up a rope on the side of the ship, James Bond style. And then quietly leaving the same way.
Even after a full day exploring Dubrovnik, Kotor, or Rovinj, Matt and I always looked forward to returning to Royal Clipper and making sure we were on the top deck for sail-away!
#5 The Star Clippers Cruise Experience Was Incredibly Relaxed
Star Clippers offers activities, live music, entertainment, and special events, but we never felt like we had to follow an overwhelming cruise schedule. Nor did we feel like we needed to spend extra time on the ship to use flashy amenities.
Instead, the rhythm of our trip followed the destinations. We explored during the day, returned for sail-away, enjoyed dinner and drinks, and spent relaxed evenings on the deck near the Tropical Bar.
There were no complicated schedules or constant announcements. The atmosphere aboard Royal Clipper was casual, comfortable, and wonderfully uncomplicated.
#6 We Could Swim Directly From Royal Clipper
Royal Clipper has three pools, but our favorite water experience happened right off the back of the ship.
At certain stops, the crew opened the marina platform for swimming and complimentary watersports. Guests could use paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even a small sailboat. In the August heat, the Adriatic Sea was so refreshing!
Jumping directly from Royal Clipper into the Adriatic Sea was easily one of our favorite experiences of the entire week. It’s something I’ll remember forever!
#7 The Ship Felt Genuinely International
Our Royal Clipper sailing included passengers from 19 countries and crew members from 13. We expected an international mix while cruising in Europe, but we did not expect it to become such a memorable part of the experience.
We met couples, families, friends, and solo travelers from around the world. English was widely spoken onboard, so communication was never difficult. The Star Clippers crew likes to say that onboard “we are all sailors” and that we have more in common than differences.
#8 The Sailing Was Part of the Experience
This was probably our biggest surprise and a refreshing change from some of the large ship cruising trips we have taken in the past.
On many cruises, a huge ship simply transports you between destinations. On Royal Clipper, watching the crew work the sails and rigging made the actual sailing part of the adventure.
Royal Clipper is not merely designed to look like an old-fashioned sailing vessel. It is a real five-masted tall ship, and the crew actively uses the sails whenever conditions allow. And the slightly smaller Star Clipper and Star Flyer are also true clipper ships offering the same sailing experience.
Some of our favorite moments were spent doing absolutely nothing except sitting on the top deck and watching Royal Clipper move through the Adriatic Sea. And while the winds weren’t always in our favor during that steaming August heat, I was told by a couple of people that the Star Clippers sailing experience in the Caribbean is not to be missed!
Would We Take Another Star Clippers Cruise?
We would 100% do this again!
Star Clippers generally spends the warmer months cruising in Europe before moving its tall ships to the Caribbean for the winter sailing season.
The Star Clippers European itineraries explore destinations throughout the Adriatic, Greek Islands, Italy, Spain, France, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and other parts of the Mediterranean. During winter, its Caribbean cruises visit smaller islands and harbors throughout the Grenadines, Windward Islands, and Leeward Islands.
The 2027 Star Clippers Itineraries include so many interesting combinations that we would have a difficult time choosing just one. Matt and I are especially drawn to the Greek Islands and itineraries combining Italy, Spain, and the French Riviera.
After our week aboard Royal Clipper, we can confidently say that the destinations are only part of the appeal. The relaxed atmosphere, personal service, international passenger mix, and experience of traveling aboard a true tall ship made this one of the most unique ways we have ever explored Europe.
So, book the trip! Take that Star Clippers cruise!
More Travel Inspiration
Traveling through Europe has been a major focus for us over the past several years. As I write this, I am getting ready to leave for my 8th trip to Europe in 2026. Follow along on social media via the buttons below to find out where!
From detailed European itineraries and destination guides to practical travel tips and the essentials we pack, I have plenty of additional resources to help you plan your next trip.
And here at Our Little Lifestyle, we write all our content (real humans) and share our own first-hand experiences. We only write about places we have personally visited, sharing our honest travel recommendations and top travel tips!
Whether you are planning a European cruise, a multi-country itinerary, or your first international trip, these guides are a great place to start!
- Browse all Europe Posts
- My Europe Travel Essentials
- How We Find Flight Deals
- International Travel Tips
- Family Photos in Europe
- European Plug Adaptors
- Booking Last Minute Tours
- Easy European Cities to Visit
- How to Plan a Europe Trip
- International Driver’s License
- Family Hotels in Europe
- View All Travel Posts
I am also really into Points & Miles and use them to cover many of our family trips to Europe. It has changed our lives, and my Intro to Points & Miles Guide can help you learn the same!
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