For the 2026 season, Star Clippers is offering a series of sailings in Greek waters aboard the tall ship Star Flyer, operating roundtrip voyages from Piraeus, the port of Athens. Reservations made before April 30th, 2026, include a complimentary hotel night in Athens, either before or after the voyage, together with breakfast and a transfer between the hotel and the vessel. The promotion is limited to travelers residing in North, Central and South America.
Unlike conventional cruise vessels that rely primarily on engines, the ships of Star Clippers are designed to sail under canvas whenever conditions permit. Their rigged masts and broad spreads of sail allow passages to be undertaken in the traditional manner, while still offering the accommodations expected of modern passenger vessels. These ships, carrying a comparatively small number of guests, are able to enter smaller harbors and anchorages that lie beyond the reach of larger cruise liners.
Among the voyages scheduled for the summer season is the Northern Cyclades itinerary, departing on July 11th and again on August 1st. Over the course of 7 nights, the vessel calls at several islands long associated with Aegean maritime life. The route includes Mykonos, known for its whitewashed houses overlooking a busy waterfront, as well as Amorgos, where the Monastery of Hozoviotissa stands against the cliffs above the sea. The itinerary also reaches Sifnos, an island recognized for its harbor settlements and culinary traditions. Fares for this voyage begin at approximately US$2,410 per person, inclusive of port charges.
Another option is the Southern Cyclades sailing, scheduled for July 18th and August 8th. This route brings the vessel to Santorini, where the caldera dominates the island’s volcanic landscape, and to Rhodes, whose medieval town remains one of the best preserved in the eastern Mediterranean. The itinerary also includes Hydra, where motor vehicles are largely absent and the movement of people and goods continues by foot or by pack animals, preserving the island’s traditional character. Prices begin at roughly the same level as the Northern Cyclades departure.
A third program, titled Sporades Highlights, focuses on the northern Aegean. Departing on July 25th and August 15th, this 7-night sailing reaches the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, where wooded hills descend toward sheltered bays. The voyage also includes Poros, a small harbor town off the Peloponnese coast, noted for its neoclassical architecture and seafront promenades. Fares again begin from around US$2,410 per person.
Life aboard the vessel follows a rhythm shaped partly by the wind. When weather permits, the crew sets the ship’s extensive spread of canvas—some 56,000 square feet of sail—allowing the vessel to proceed under wind power across the Aegean. Passengers are invited to observe or participate in aspects of traditional seamanship, which may include assisting with lines, watching the sails being hoisted, or climbing to the crow’s nest. Such practices recall the working routines of sailing ships while remaining firmly within the framework of modern passenger travel.
During the weeklong voyages, the ship alternates between open-sea passages and calls at historic harbors, where guests may go ashore to visit local markets, swim in sheltered bays, or explore coastal towns shaped by centuries of maritime exchange. Evenings aboard are typically quiet affairs, often centered on open-deck dining and informal gatherings in the ship’s lounge.
The Athens hotel stay included with the promotion provides an opportunity to spend additional time in the Greek capital before or after the voyage, simplifying the logistics of embarkation while allowing travelers to explore the city’s historic quarters. The offer applies only to new bookings made before the end of April 2026 and is available on a limited number of sailings.
Star Clippers has been operating tall-ship voyages for more than three decades, introducing travelers to sailing itineraries in regions such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Central America. Its fleet presently consists of three large sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer, each accommodating 166 guests, and the larger Royal Clipper, a 5-masted fully rigged ship recognized as the largest vessel of its type currently in service.