Golden Horizon

The 2019-built Golden Horizon cruise ship (fka "Flying Clipper") was originally planned to be chartered to Star Clippers as the company’s newest (fourth) sailing vessel. The megayacht (square-rigger/5-masted schooner) is also the world’s largest-ever clipper (tall sailing ship).

The vessel (IMO number 9793545) is currently Croatia-flagged (MMSI 238129940).

On June 5, 2020, the shipowner (DIV Group Ltd/Croatia) announced that the sailing ship would be chartered to Tradewind Voyages UK Ltd instead of Star Clippers Ltd. The charterer, Tradewind Voyages, manages the vessel and most onboard and shoreside operations (hotel, wellness, shopping, entertainment, water sports, tours/shore excursions). For Deck, Hotel and Engine operations, the DIV Group’s subsidiary BSM (Brodosplit Ship Management) was contracted.

The vessel was renamed “Golden Horizon,” rebranded, and scheduled to start cruises for Tradewind in May 2021. Tradewind Voyages plans to charter additional newbuild sailing ships and expand operations over the coming years. The company’s CEO is Alan McGrory.

DIV Group Ltd is a Croatian industrial group founded in 1990 and owner of Brodosplit Shipyard. The corporation operates in 30 countries, fully owns 55 subsidiaries, and specializes in shipbuilding, steel structure manufacturing, marine engine manufacturing, and railway infrastructure, among others.

Flying Clipper was intended as Star Clippers’ biggest ship and the company’s first newbuild since the 2000-built Royal Clipper. The shipbuilder is Brodosplit Shipyard (Split, Croatia). She was launched on June 10, 2017, and scheduled for delivery in Q4 2017, later rescheduled to Q1 2018 and finally to H2 2019.

The ship was designed by Zygmunt Choren (Polish naval architect) and modeled on France II—the 1912-built sailing vessel that was the world’s largest at the time. Previously, Star Clippers modeled Royal Clipper (capacity 227 passengers) on Preussen (German, steel-hulled, 5-masted ship, 1902-built). Flying Clipper’s rig is the same as that of the cargo ship France II, which sank in 1922.

Currently ranked the world’s largest tall sailing ship, Golden Horizon has a max passenger capacity of 330 (plus 140 crew), a volume of 8,770 GT, and is wind-powered by 68,320 ft²/6,347 m² of sail—42 sails in total (all square-rigged). Alternative power is provided by new-design, fuel-efficient diesel engines.

If you’re interested in maritime technologies and vessel details, see the ship’s Wiki section.

Decks and Cabins

Flying Clipper/Golden Horizon staterooms number 140, in 3 types (Suite, Balcony, Porthole) and 14 categories. All cabins on Deck 3 (Main Deck) have step-out balconies. The four Owner’s Suites are all located forward on Deck 4 (Upper/Pool Deck).

All cabins are outside and feature smart HDTVs (satellite reception), en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin), and ample luggage storage. Complimentary bottled water (replenished daily) and twice-daily housekeeping are provided. Balcony cabins have a shower over the bathtub. Suites have separate shower and bathtub. Décor reflects the clippers’ Golden Age, with polished wood furniture and prints of the world’s most famous sailing ships.

The boat has 4 decks, all with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship has one restaurant (main dining room) spanning two decks with open seating, large windows, and wood paneling. The Restaurant’s entrance is from the Lobby level of the three-deck-high Atrium. Meals include buffet-style breakfast and lunch. Dinner is waiter-served, with a choice of gourmet dishes and vegan/vegetarian options.

BBQ parties are held at Horizon Bar (on the Sun Deck) and also ashore.

Tea, coffee, and fresh fruit are complimentary and always available.

The ship’s focal point is the alfresco Horizon Bar (fka Tropical Bar/Star Clippers’ hallmark), hosting port talks, live musical entertainment, shows, exercise classes, and outdoor dining (BBQ, light lunches, afternoon snacks). Inside, an elegant Piano Bar serves those who prefer casual buffet lunch, calm music, and air-conditioning. A Dive Bar is located by the aft pool.

The company provides complimentary 24-hour room service.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The sailing cruise ship Golden Horizon has two plunge pools. One pool is glass-bottomed, channeling sunlight into the Atrium below. A third pool (scuba-diving pool) is located aft (near the stern), descending 18 ft/5.5 m through two decks. This pool is glass-walled, allowing guests to watch the divers. Diving classes are offered onboard, and the ship carries a professionally trained Dive Master.

The aft water-sports platform (marina at the stern) is lowered when Flying Clipper is at anchor. Complimentary activities include snorkeling, dinghy sailing, waterskiing, and sea kayaking. When the ship is at sea, a signature activity is supervised mast-climbing. Guests may also lounge in the two nets strung on either side of the bowsprit.

This sail cruise ship also has a small spa (Sauna Room, Snow Room, Jacuzzi, Treatment Room for Thai massages), a Beauty Salon (facials, manicure/pedicure, hairstyling, blow-dries), a Library, and a Function Room (for guest lectures and private events). Tradewind Voyages offers no dedicated kids’ programming. Babysitting and childcare are not available onboard; however, kid-friendly activities are occasionally organized on select itineraries during the summer holidays.

Complimentary live entertainment includes a resident pianist (at the Piano Bar) and local performers who board in call ports. Debeljak’s Bar Lounge is the venue for after-dinner cocktails and premium gin and whisky.

Passengers are encouraged by the crew to participate in navigation and even help set the sails. Other popular activities include wine tastings, cooking demos, and Sun Deck games. Complimentary water sports are launched from the aft Marina, and complimentary fitness classes are held on the Sun Deck.

Tradewind Voyages 2021-2022 (inaugural cruise itinerary program)

For summer 2020, Star Clippers planned Flying Clipper cruises in Europe (the Mediterranean). Following a Transatlantic repositioning, during winter 2020-2021 she was planned to operate in the Caribbean.

Golden Horizon’s Inaugural Cruise in 2021 was initially scheduled for May 1 but later moved to July 1 (both from Harwich). Tradewind Voyages’ Northern Europe 2021 program included ports and destinations in the UK, Iceland, Norway (Svalbard Islands, Norwegian Fjords), and Baltic ports (including St Petersburg, Russia).

The Baltic itineraries ranged from 7 to 14 and 21 days, all roundtrips from the UK. Select voyages were 10 and 11 days. The ex-UK program (May through September 2021) had nine itineraries, including seven from Harwich (England) and two from Greenock-Glasgow (Scotland).

Other destinations to be served by Tradewind Voyages with SV Golden Horizon (SV = sailing vessel) included Asia, the South Pacific, Australia-New Zealand, and the Arctic.

In 2022, due to the Russia-Ukraine war (which started on Feb 20) and subsequent EU sanctions against Russian entities (particularly VTB Bank Germany—Tradewind’s Russia-based creditor), Tradewind Voyages canceled all Golden Horizon sailings (24 total) between May 1 and October 26, 2022.

The table below shows Golden Horizon’s 2021-2022 schedule, which was eventually canceled.

Bookings opened in September 2020. However, in early March 2021, Tradewind Voyages announced (via press release) that the brand’s inauguration (and Golden Horizon’s Inaugural Cruise) was rescheduled for July 1 (“Eastern Coastal Contrasts” roundtrip from Harwich). The next itineraries were “Scotland East to West” (July 6, from Leith-Edinburgh), “West Coast Gems of Scotland” (July 15, from Greenock-Glasgow), “Maritime Cities of the Northwest” (July 21, from Greenock-Glasgow), and “Rounding the South West” (July 25, from Liverpool). Tradewind’s program from August 4 onward remained unchanged.

The “Maritime Silk Route” itineraries were replaced by “All Inclusive Dubai” (Arabian Gulf) and the “Indonesian Islands Collection” series (including “A Passage to Singapore,” a 14-day repositioning cruise from Dubai to Singapore). All affected bookings received a 100% cash refund or a 110% FCC (future cruise credit).

(Deployment/itinerary changes) In August 2021, Tradewind announced Golden Horizon’s Caribbean 2021-2022 winter season, replacing the previously planned Australian deployment, due to Australia’s ongoing COVID-related international travel uncertainties. The Australian season was replaced with homeporting in Bridgetown, Barbados (November 11, 2021, through March 31, 2022) and visits to St Barts, St Vincent, Mayreau/Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Jamaica, St Lucia, and St Kitts. The Caribbean season was to end with a 15-day Transatlantic repositioning from Barbados to Lisbon. However, in October 2021, this program was also canceled.

For more information see the ship’s Wiki page.

Tradewind Voyages 2022-2023 itineraries

Tradewind Voyages’ 2022-2023 itinerary program (announced in June 2021) was divided into four collections that included a total of 23 different itineraries. Prices per person (by itinerary group) started at:

• GBP 1100 (“Antipodean Summer – Crossing the Tasman Sea”), GBP 1800 (“South Pacific Collection – Pearls of French Polynesia”), GBP 2100 (“West Coast Americas – Colours of the Mexican Coast”), and GBP 3200 (“North Pacific – Contrasts of Japan”).
• Signature destinations included Southeast Asia, Japan (May–June 2022), Alaska (and the Aleutian Islands), Arctic Russia, Canada/USA, Central and South America (August–October 2022/El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile), Pacific Ocean islands (Easter Island, Pitcairn Islands, French Polynesia, Tonga, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands), and Australia/New Zealand (2023).

Golden Horizon’s Maiden Voyage was eventually rescheduled for May 1, 2022, departing Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Spain). The inaugural season (Mediterranean) included 23 itineraries (see the above table of canceled cruises) visiting ports in the Western Med (Spain, France, Italy), the Adriatic Sea (Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia), and the Eastern Med/Aegean Sea (Greece, Turkey). The canceled Mediterranean 2021-2022 programs included homeporting in Palma, Civitavecchia-Rome, Split (Croatia), and Piraeus-Athens. The season was to end with the 14-night Transatlantic crossing (themed “Canaries to the Caribbean Voyage”), followed by the Caribbean season (winter 2022-2023) homeporting in Barbados (Bridgetown).