Vadim Novikov has been promoted to Captain of Star Flyer, 11 years after joining the company as a Deck Cadet. The 36-year old Russian-born Master is the youngest Captain of the fleet, having joined the company following a sighting of Star Flyer whilst training as a cadet on board the Kruzenshtern in 2013.   In a story reminiscent of Star Clippers’ founder, Captain Novikov spent his early childhood on board sailing ships, spending his weekends and free time amongst a blended group of crew and family on board Kruzenshtern, the training vessel on which his father was a captain.   Captain Novikov says:   ‘From a young age I was always around tall ships. Instead of attending kindergarten, the training ship was my natural childhood environment. After my first year in Kaliningrad Maritime University, I went to sea for my initial practical training with a group of cadets. Most of the things on board the ship were already familiar to me, it felt like a natural environment I knew before.   One summer in 2013, on board Kruzenshtern, I saw Star Flyer for the first time. At first, I thought she was another training ship, but I saw passengers disembarking. I didn’t know such ships existed, so I spoke to the crew and 6 months later, in January 2014, I got my first contract with Star Clippers.’   Star Clippers, which offers guests the experience of sailing on board an authentic tall ship without any compromises on comfort or amenities, prides themselves on nurturing crew members throughout their career at sea. Brunon Borowska, another Captain within the fleet, will celebrate 30 years with Star Clippers in November.   Captain Vadim Novikov is currently on board Star Flyer, where he will shortly be commencing the sold-out transatlantic crossing with 166 guests on board.

  The specialist cruise line will offer brand new 7-night roundtrips from St John’s, Antigua in March 2027, in addition to a new 10-night departure from Oranjested, Aruba.   In efforts to vary the itineraries amongst the fleet of three authentic tall-ships, whilst utilising ideal wind conditions, tall-ship Star Clipper will complete her Central America sailings - incorporating an iconic Panama Canal transit - before spending the second half of the winter season in the Caribbean. On January 27^th 2027, a new departure from Aruba (from £2620 pp), as well as three varying itineraries from St John’s, Antigua across four dates in March 2027 (from £1835 pp), will debut for the cruise line.   The new sailing from Oranjested, on board 166-guest-capacity Star Clipper, will transport guests to Willemstad (Curaçao), Bequia, Cannouan, Tobago Cays & Mayreau (Grenadine Islands) and Charlottesville & Castara Bay (Tobago). Star Clipper will disembark guests in St George’s, Grenada on 6^th February 2027 where 10 and 11-night Grenada roundtrips commence.   On 6^th March 2027, Star Clipper will set sail on her inaugural Antigua roundtrip itineraries. Visiting ports including Gustavia (St Barts), Basseterre & South Friars Bay (St Kitts), Terre de Haut (Iles des Saintes), and Deshaies (Guadeloupe), Star Clipper will return to St John’s on 13^th March 2027 to resume the next sailing incorporating the best of the British Virgin Islands including ports of call in Tortola (Sopers Hole), Virgin Gorda (Spanish Town) & Jost Van Dyke (White Bay).   Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, said:   ‘We are delighted to offer our guests new routes that utilise and harness the ideal wind conditions for our vessels. With over 60% of our passengers returning to Star Clippers, it is vital we refresh our sailings whilst maintaining the same truly unique sailing experience we have prided ourselves on for over thirty years’.   The Star Clippers fleet will continue to offer the popular Windward & Grenadine Island sailings on board Royal Clipper, as well as Treasure & Leeward Island sailings on board Star Flyer.   The full programme of winter 2026/27 itineraries is now on sale. For the first time, selected sailings for solo passengers will have a reduced 25% solo supplement.   The new itineraries can be viewed here: Star Clippers Winter 2026/27 Sailings by Fred. Olsen Travel - Issuu and at www.starclippers.co.uk.

Tall-ship cruise line Star Clippers has completed installation of SpaceX Starlink cruise ship Wi-Fi. Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tech enables faster and a more stable Wi-Fi connection. Star Clippers has now launched Starlink's internet service on board the three ships - Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. Mikael Krafft, owner and President of Star Clippers said “Starlink on our ships is a pivotal move for the company in recognising the importance of dependable connectivity at sea.” “Our sailing ships visit remote ports of call, but ensuring our guests remain in touch with back home is our priority.” 

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