Royal Clipper

The 2000-built Royal Clipper cruise ship is a masted barquentine/tall-sailing ship constructed by Stocznia Gdynia SA (shipyard in Gdansk Poland). The fleetmates Star Flyer and Star Clipper are both authentic 4-masted barquentines.

The vessel (IMO number 8712178) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 248786000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

The 227-passenger Royal Clipper is a tall sailing ship owned by Star Clippers Ltd (Sweden). The 5-masted, steel-hulled, fully-rigged vessel was designed by Zygmunt Choreń and built using the existing steel hull modified by Gdansk Shipyard. The Royal sailing ship was designed for the polish miners as a sailing holiday cruiser. Her first name is Gwarek (meaning The Miner in ancient polish).

In July 2000 Merwede shipyard completed ship's interior. The renovations included Rainer Maria Latzke's frescography murals, completing the Mediterranean interior of the vessel. Royal ship's design is based on Preussen - the famous 5-masted German Flying P-Liner windjammer built in 1902.

Royal Clipper ship claims she is the biggest "true sailing ship", of course, built since Preussen. She is also in Guinness World Records as largest in service square-rigged ship featuring 5202 m2 of sail.

Decks and Cabins

Royal Clipper has 4 passenger decks and a total of 114 staterooms, of which 16 Suites, 14 Balconies, 6 Inside, 106 Outside. The cabin categories are 8.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Clipper Dining room is Royal Clipper's 3-level open-seating main restaurant. It features a buffet-style breakfast and lunch. Dinner is ordered from a five-course menu. 

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Royal Clipper offers sea-going ultimate experience, with balanced grandeur, tradition and adventure of sailing with superb service and amenities of a modern yacht. Carrying just 227 passengers, the boat provides the luxurious style and full 19,000 ft2 of open deck. The three swimming pools give a wonderfully spacious outdoor environment.

Royal Clipper Lounges and Bars include Captain Nemo Gym Lounge & Spa ( spa and health club featuring underwater glass portholes), Observation Lounge, Tropical Bar, Piano Bar (live music), Atrium (three-deck), Purser's Office, Gallery (2). Other facilities include a library (with faux fireplace, board games), Water Sports Marina, Wireless Internet Access.

Itineraries

During the summer, Royal Clipper sails in the Mediterranean, departing from Civitavecchia-Rome and Venice. During winter months, she offers Caribbean voyages through the southern part of the Lesser Antilles area. She can visit the smallest ports which larger ships cannot reach, because of her size. Between seasons, Transatlantic crossings are offered.

The Royal Clipper cruise ship is a 5-masted steel-hulled and fully-rigged tall ship (sailing ship). It joined the fleet of Star Clippers in 2000. The vessel was modeled after the famous German windjammer Preussen (built 1902). This sail cruise ship was originally designed as a holiday cruiser for the coal miners from Gdansk Poland, under the name Gwarek (meaning "The Miner" in Old Polish).

Royal Clipper is listed as "the largest square-rigged ship in service" in the Guinness World Records book, with 5202 m2 (56000 ft2) of sails.

On select Yoga-themed fitness cruises, Star Clippers offers free daily meditation and yoga classes. The company also invites celebrity chefs to give themed cooking demonstrations. Royal Clipper's most thrilling onboard experience (performance) is climbing the rigging. The mast climbing is always supervised and takes place several times during a voyage (weather permitting).