Star Clippers
Star Clippers is a privately held sailing cruise specialist operating three authentic tall ships — including the Guinness-record Royal Clipper — offering 7- to 28-night itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, and transatlantic crossings for luxury travelers, honeymooners, and corporate charter groups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSaint-germain-en-laye, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Star Clippers does
Star Clippers is a privately held sailing cruise specialist founded in 1989 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, operating a fleet of three authentic tall ships under the legal entity Star Clippers Limited (Monaco), with US sales and marketing handled from Miami. The fleet comprises the 227-passenger Royal Clipper — a five-masted full-rigged square rigger recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest in service — and twin four-masted clipper ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer, each carrying 166 guests. Total berth capacity is 559 across the three vessels, all registered under the Malta flag with DNV classification.
The company's product is sailing cruises across the Caribbean (winter season), Western and Eastern Mediterranean (summer season), Central America, Panama Canal transits, Suez Canal crossings, and transatlantic ocean voyages, ranging from 7 to 28 nights. Onboard experience emphasizes traditional tall-ship sailing aesthetics (antique nautical decor, teak decks, Edwardian libraries), participatory sail-handling, an open-bridge policy, complimentary water sports (including a unique lowering marine platform on Royal Clipper), open-seating dining, and themed programming (yoga, culinary, photography). Cruise fares range from approximately $2,000 to $16,000+ per person depending on cabin category, itinerary length, and season, with Advance Purchase Rates offering up to 65% off brochure pricing.
The business model combines direct-to-consumer sales (own website portal mycruise.starclippers.com, US toll-free reservations, Miami-based call center) with a travel agent distribution network (dedicated agent portals, groups/charter sales line) and full-ship charter revenue from corporate incentives and family reunions. Pricing is per-cabin in USD with single supplements at 150-200% of double-occupancy fares; onboard accounts must be settled pre-disembarkation with a €75 administration fee otherwise. The company has won multiple World Travel Awards (World's Best Boutique Cruise Line 2023-2025), Condé Nast Traveller, and Travel + Leisure recognitions, and operates with no disclosed institutional capital, parent company, or public listing.
Star Clippers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Star Clippers
- Legal name
- Star Clippers Limited
- Website
- https://starclippers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Star Clippers is a privately held sailing cruise specialist operating three authentic tall ships — including the Guinness-record Royal Clipper — offering 7- to 28-night itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, and transatlantic crossings for luxury travelers, honeymooners, and corporate charter groups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Star Clippers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sailing Cruises
- NAICS
- Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114), Deep Sea Passenger Transportation (483112)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury Sailing Cruises (Windjammers & Tall Ships) (THAEADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF), Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC)
Keywords
Where Star Clippers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-germain-en-laye
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Star Clippers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Cruise fares: Primary revenue from passenger cruise fares. Pricing varies by cabin category, ship, itinerary length, and season. Brochure rates range from approximately $5,740 to $21,220 per person for 7-28 night sailings. Advance Purchase Rates offer up to 65% savings off brochure rates.
- Onboard spending: Revenue from alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, sodas, mineral waters, and personal items. Shore excursions are sold separately. All onboard accounts must be settled before disembarkation with a €75 administration fee for non-settlement.
- Group and charter bookings: Corporate incentives, group bookings, and full ship charters with completely customizable itineraries for corporate events, family reunions, and special interest groups.
- Single supplements: Single supplement fares at 150% of published cruise fare for categories 2-6, and 200% for category 1 cabins, Deluxe Suites, and Owner's Suites.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 6 (Inside/Outside cabins) - Smallest cabins with upper/lower berths |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 5 - Raised double bed, two lower beds or triple berth |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 4 - Outside cabin with two lower beds or double bed |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 3 - Outside cabin, two lower beds or double bed |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 2 - Large outside cabin with two lower beds |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Category 1 - Deluxe deck cabin with doors opening onto deck |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Deluxe Suite with private verandah, whirlpool, minibar, room service |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Owner's Suite - Largest accommodations |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Ocean Crossings - Extended transatlantic voyages |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Star Clippers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Star Clippers operates a fleet of three authentic tall sailing ships offering multi-night cruise itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, Panama Canal, and transatlantic ocean crossings. The company sells per-cabin cruise fares (ranging from approximately $2,010 to $21,220 per person), bundled with complimentary water sports, open-seating dining, and optional participation in traditional sail handling.
Product overview
Star Clippers is a sailing cruise specialist operating a fleet of three authentic tall ships: the five-masted Royal Clipper (largest square rigger in service, 227 guests) and twin four-masted clipper ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer (166 guests each). The company offers cruise itineraries across Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, Panama Canal, and ocean crossings, supplemented by themed cruises (yoga, culinary, wellness), shore excursions, honeymoon packages, and group/charter services. The three ships serve as the core products, with various destination-based services and experience offerings building around them.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Royal Clipper Sailing Cruises Multi-night sailing cruises aboard the Royal Clipper, a 134-meter, five-masted full-rigged tall ship carrying 227 guests. Features 42 sails, traditional clipper aesthetics with Edwardian-style library, a retractable marine platform for direct water sports access, and stabilization systems that minimize heeling under sail. For travelers seeking the largest traditional sailing experience available.
- Star Clipper Sailing Cruises Sailing cruises aboard the Star Clipper, a 115-meter four-masted clipper ship carrying 166 guests, featuring antique prints, teak decks, two swimming pools, and Edwardian-style décor evocative of the grand age of sail. For travelers seeking an authentic four-masted clipper experience with full cruise amenities.
- Star Flyer Sailing Cruises Sailing cruises aboard the Star Flyer, a 115-meter four-masted clipper ship carrying 166 guests. Twin sister ship to Star Clipper, offering spacious accommodations, expansive teak decks, and traditional nautical elegance.
- Caribbean Sailing Cruises Winter season sailings (December through March) visiting Caribbean destinations across the Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Grenadine Islands, and Treasure Islands itineraries. Includes new 2026 10- and 11-night sailings from Grenada, Jamaica, and Antigua.
- Western Mediterranean Sailing Cruises Summer season sailings visiting Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, with new 2026 itineraries from Nice aboard the Star Flyer.
- Eastern Mediterranean Sailing Cruises Sailings visiting Greek islands across Northern Cyclades, Southern Cyclades, Sporades Highlights, and routes between Greece, Turkey, and Malta.
- Central America Cruises Panama Canal and Costa Rica sailings visiting destinations between Balboa and Puerto Caldera and around the isthmus, including Christmas and New Year's themed cruises.
- Panama Canal Sailings Transits of the Panama Canal connecting Caribbean and Pacific routes, including sailings from Barbados to Panama and Panama to Antigua.
- Ocean Crossings Transatlantic crossings between Europe and the Caribbean, including westbound and eastbound Atlantic Ocean voyages ranging from 15 to 28 nights (Nice to Bridgetown, Malaga to St. Maarten, Bridgetown to Lisbon, Bridgetown to Nice).
- Grand Voyages Extended voyages of 14 to 20 nights combining multiple regions and destinations across all three tall ships.
- Suez Canal Crossing Voyages crossing the Suez Canal connecting Mediterranean and Red Sea routes, including Cairo overland excursions.
- Yoga & Themed Cruises Specialty cruises featuring yoga teachers, chefs, sommeliers, wellness experts, and photographers with curated onboard activities and demonstrations.
- Water Sports Program Complimentary water sports including kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and snorkeling at beach stops, with a special marine platform on Royal Clipper enabling direct water entry without tenders.
- Honeymoon Packages Romantic celebration packages for honeymoons and anniversaries including champagne, sweet treats, special gifts, and Captain-signed certificates.
- Groups, Charter & Incentive Cruises Corporate event and charter services for groups, with full-ship charter options and custom itineraries for incentive programs, team building, and special-interest groups.
- Shore Excursions Pre-arranged and on-board bookable shore excursions at various ports including cultural tours, adventure activities, and destination experiences.
- Pre & Post Cruise Hotel Stays Hotel accommodations in Mediterranean ports (Athens, Venice, Rome, Nice, Malta) and Caribbean ports (Barbados, St. Maarten, Panama) for pre- and post-cruise extensions.
Companies that use Star Clippers
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Star Clippers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Star Clippers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Star Clippers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours: Australian-headquartered luxury cruise operator (Scenic Eclipse ocean yachts and river ships) carrying 114-228 guests. Competes in ultra-luxury small-ship space with similar pricing and experiential focus.
- Viking Cruises: Major river and ocean cruise operator with 80+ vessels, including Viking Ocean ships (465-930 guests) targeting culturally curious affluent travelers. Competes in Mediterranean and Caribbean small-ship segments with strong brand recognition.
- Silversea Cruises: Ultra-luxury cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean Group, operating 12 ships carrying 100-728 guests. Competes for the same affluent segment with all-suite small-ship offerings and expedition itineraries in overlapping regions.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Ultra-luxury all-inclusive cruise line owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, operating five ships (490-750 guests). Competes for the same affluent experiential traveler with luxury inclusions and exotic itineraries.
- Crystal Cruises: Luxury cruise line (relaunched under A&K Travel Group ownership) operating ocean and expedition ships for 60-740 guests. Competes in luxury and luxury-expedition small-ship segments overlapping with Star Clippers' experiential positioning.
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: German luxury and expedition cruise line owned by TUI, operating five ships (HANSEATIC-class) for 120-230 guests. Competes in the premium small-ship expedition segment with similar DNV-class safety standards and European clientele.
Direct peers
- Lindblad Expeditions: US-based small-ship expedition cruise operator (publicly traded as LIND) with a fleet of 15+ vessels carrying 50-200 guests. Comparable boutique positioning, premium pricing, and experiential travel focus across global destinations.
- Ponant: French luxury expedition cruise line operating 13 small ships (under 250 guests) including the three-masted Le Commandant Charcot. Directly comparable as a small-ship luxury and expedition cruise specialist serving affluent travelers in similar geographies.
- Windstar Cruises: Operates a fleet of six small sailing yachts (motor and motorized sailing yachts) carrying 148-312 guests. Closest direct competitor to Star Clippers, specializing in boutique sailing cruises with similar itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
- Sea Cloud Cruises: Germany-based operator of three authentic tall ships (Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Sea Cloud Spirit) carrying 64-136 guests. The most direct competitor in the luxury tall-ship sailing category, with similar 19th-century-rig aesthetic and small-ship positioning.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Star Clippers social profiles
Digital presenceStar Clippers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Star Clippers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Star Clippers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Star Clippers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Star Clippers
What does Star Clippers do?
Star Clippers operates a fleet of three authentic tall sailing ships offering multi-night cruise itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, Panama Canal, and transatlantic ocean crossings. The company sells per-cabin cruise fares (ranging from approximately $2,010 to $21,220 per person), bundled with complimentary water sports, open-seating dining, and optional participation in traditional sail handling.
Is Star Clippers a public or private company?
Star Clippers is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Star Clippers founded?
Star Clippers was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Star Clippers based?
Star Clippers is headquartered in Saint-germain-en-laye, France, in the Europe region.
How does Star Clippers make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cruise fares are the primary driver. The others are onboard spending, group and charter bookings and single supplements.
Who are Star Clippers's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Viking Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Direct peers are Lindblad Expeditions, Ponant, Windstar Cruises and Sea Cloud Cruises.
Does Star Clippers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Star Clippers.
What industry is Star Clippers in?
Star Clippers's product category is Sailing Cruises. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAEADAB, Luxury Sailing Cruises (Windjammers & Tall Ships), with a secondary code of THAEABAF, Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises. Its NAICS code is 483114 and its SIC code is 4400.