A FAM trip place is up for grabs for one lucky agent as the Star Clippers team launches their summer 2027 itineraries, featuring 27 brand new ports of call.   An advent calendar-style initiative throughout December will give agents the opportunity to guess the new port of call featured in the new itineraries. Daily hints will be given on the teams’ closed Facebook groups; a winner will bag a £10 Starbucks voucher each day, with every entrant going into a draw to win a place on a Star Clippers FAM trip in 2026. The winner of the FAM trip place will be announced after Christmas via Facebook and email.   The addition of 27 new ports of call across the fleet of three ships is record-breaking for the specialist cruise line.   Fay McCormack, General Manager of the UK GSA, said ‘it is our priority to ensure we offer our guests new and unique ports of call, amongst our returning favourites. As a tall-ship cruise line, we have the unique ability to reach smaller, more inaccessible ports of call, meaning we can expand our offerings beyond what guests might expect. The key to getting this message out there is educating the travel trade, so we are incredibly excited to offer a FAM trip place to one lucky agent that engages with this initiative.’   Agents can request to join one of the below groups to ensure they can participate in the competition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nicsouthwest/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/southeastmidlands/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/Northscotlandandnireland/

  The world’s largest full-rigged tall-ship in service, Royal Clipper, will feature within an episode of a new 6-part premium factual series commissioned by Channel 4, airing on Monday 17^th November at 8pm. This is the first time a UK-based production company has had access to the ship; the show will give viewers an in-depth insight into life on board one of the most unique vessels in the world.   Created by Crackit Productions, ‘Inside The World’s Most Luxurious…’ explores the most high-end lifestyle experiences and environments on the planet.  Each 60-minute episode will take viewers inside a different luxury precinct, revealing the craftsmanship, design, logistics and experiences that define modern day indulgence.  The episodes will be individually themed to focus on a different area of opulence.   A segment of Inside The World’s Most Luxurious Cruises will follow Royal Clipper’s guests and crew as they depart from the heart of Venice, setting off on an iconic journey towards Croatia and Montenegro. Working alongside the production company, Rosanna Ivkovic – UK PR & Communications Manager – accompanied the film crew as they captured passenger stories, ship tours and the day-to-day workings of this unique ship. Viewers can expect a front-row seat and unrivalled access inside one of the world’s grandest sailing vessels.   Simon Withington, Series Editor at Crackit TV said: ‘It was obvious just looking at Star Clippers that they were a unique offering in the luxury market. I felt that the elegance and old-school grandeur of the ship would not only appeal to our upmarket viewers, but also nicely contrast with the other more modern ships we had found to include in our show. Then, when I heard about the opportunity that guests had to climb the mast, I was sold! The visuals we ended up with on screen for Star Clippers truly speak for themselves’.   ‘Inside The World’s Most Luxurious Cruises’ will air on Channel 4 on Monday 17^th November at 8pm.

  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 has launched a brand new brochure solely dedicated to bespoke Greek Islands packages, offering a variety of cruise-and-stay options following increased demand.   ‘Through The Porthole: Greece & Her Islands’ is the first printed version in what will be a series dedicated to different destination experiences. It features 8 tailor-made packages, including – for the first time – a sailing incorporating a pre-cruise stay in Albania’s Tirana and Berat (departs 14^th July 2026, 13-nights from £5129pp)   Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, said the cruise line has noticed an uptick in guests incorporating a twin-centre to enhance their sailing experience. She said: ‘Throughout 2025, we have noticed an increase in enquiries for multi-centre stays, blending our sailings with either a pre or post-cruise stay which isn’t the embarkation or disembarkation port. Our guests’ sense of adventure parallels in their preferences for elongated and enriched experiences, and this brochure is our way of recognising this trend to ensure our passengers can continue to experience fresh and unique offerings’.   The brochure can be viewed online here: Greek-Mailer-for-ISSUU-8PG.pdf

  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.

  The specialist cruise line has announced Alison Jared’s replacement, following her decision to take a career break in the spring. Emma Hilton, who brings with her 29 years of experience in the travel industry, will begin the role as Regional Sales Manager for the North on 22^nd April 2025.   Emma is moving across from Olympic Holidays, where her roles included Key Account Manager and Business Development Manager for the last 8 years. Previous roles include Regional Sales Manager for Bellair Holidays and Setnet Global.   Emma will report into Nicola Cox, Head of Trade Sales, and will be responsible for nurturing existing relationships whilst sourcing new business to continue the growth trajectory of Star Clippers passengers departing from the northern region.   On the new appointment, Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, says ‘we are delighted to welcome Emma to the team and have no doubt her vast experience of developing and growing trade relationships will be invaluable to our small, yet hugely dedicated, team. We are pleased to be able to continue supporting travel agents with a loyal and committed presence on the road to ensure that our agent partners remain informed, supported and educated.’   Emma adds ‘I am really excited to join the Star Clippers team and look forward to transferring my previous skills and experience to assist in the growth of the business’.

Star Clippers will sail fifteen themed cruises during the summer 2025 Mediterranean season. Select departures will host professional yoga instructors, health and wellness experts, chefs, and in a first for the cruise line, a world-renowned celebrity stylist. Guests will have access to daily yoga classes suitable for all abilities, with no additional costs incurred, on select sailings departing in May, July, August, September and November 2025. Itineraries include seven-night sailings departing from Athens on board Star Clipper, visiting the Northern and Southern Cyclades, as well as highlights of the Sporades archipelago throughout July, August and September. The lead-in fare for Star Clipper’s 9 August 2025 yoga-themed departure visiting the Greek islands of Skiathos, Limnos, Skopelos and Poros starts at £2429pp. Flights and transfers are included. Additional yoga sailings include departures on board Star Flyer from Cannes (3 May 2025), Rome (19 July 2025) and Venice (21 August 2025). Samantha Brown, a personal and celebrity stylist, will be on Star Flyer’s 22 October 2025 departure from Nice. Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, said “We are always seeking ways to elevate the experience of our guests and consistently receive positive feedback from our themed sailings.”

Star Clippers has appointed a new sales executive to grow the brand’s presence with high-street travel agencies. The cruise line named Emma Daines in the southern-based role in a restructure to the Trade Sales team for 2025. Reporting to Nicola Cox, Head of UK Trade Sales, Daines is tasked with growing Star Clippers’ business with high-street travel agents across the south, providing regular visits, training and events to educate trade partners. She brings over 30 years of experience in the travel sector, having previously worked as a travel agent at Premier Travel, and most recently within the Star Clippers reservations. “I was ready for a new challenge and I am so excited to take my knowledge out on the road. Having previously been a travel agent myself, I know how best to support our loyal agent partners,” Daines said. Fay McCormack, General Manager of the Star Clippers’ UK GSA said, ‘Emma’s enthusiasm for Star Clippers, paired with her vast product experience, makes her perfect for this role.” She can be contacted at: [email protected]  

Star Clippers is sailing to multiple new Mediterranean ports of call for summer 2026. The small ship line has announced seven brand new ports of call, including Ouranoupolis in Greece plus Barletta, Monopoli, Crotone and Pesaro in Italy. Star Flyer will visit Ouranoupolis, a small city in the Halkidiki region, as a part of a seven-night Greek Islands sailing in June 2026. Pesaro will be a tender port, allowing multiple excursion opportunities including day trips to the Republic of San Marino. There are currently no other cruise ships scheduled to visit Ouranoupolis or Pesaro in summer 2026. Other new ports for the three tall-ships include Šibenik (Croatia), Gythio (Greece) and Crotone (Italy). Puglia’s Monopoli and Barletta are also brand new ports for 2026. Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA said: “We are delighted to offer these new ports of call. For over 30 years our unique tall-ships have allowed guests to explore smaller, intimate destinations.” Prices for a three-night cruise on board Royal Clipper departing from Rome on September 9 2026 start from £788pp, based on a lead-in cabin on a cruise-only rate. Star Clippers’ summer 2026 programme os now on sale. The preview brochure can be viewed here:  

Star Clippers promotes Nicola Cox to Head of Trade Sales Star Clippers, represented in the UK by General Sales Agent Fred. Olsen Travel, announced Nicola Cox's promotion from Key Account Manager to Head of Trade Sales. The move, taking effect from 14 October 2024, comes after the departure of former Head of Trade Sales, Danielle Bates, who will take up a new position within Fred. Olsen Travel on the same date. Cox brings with her 34 years of experience in the travel industry, with the last six spent at Star Clippers – most recently operating as the company's Key Account Manager. “There has never been a more exciting time to represent a brand in the niche cruising sector, and as a team we are committed to ensuring the trade is educated on our unique product,” she said. Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers' UK GSA, adde: 'I am delighted that Nicola has accepted her promotion to Head of Trade Sales. Over the last six years she has proven herself as an integral, committed and highly-motivated member of the Star Clippers team,” 

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Star Clippers is targeting homeworkers with special Ivy lunch events in collaboration with Kirker Holidays and Inspiring Travel. To follow on from the launch of the second edition of the cruise line’s tailor-made Captain’s Collection brand earlier this year, it is putting the focus on educating homeworkers with a series of lunchtime events. The initiative’s shift to home-based agents, named ‘Homeworker Collection’, consists of three regional events hosted by representatives from all three brands. The lunch events include a three-course meal and presentations by Star Clippers, Kirker Holidays and Inspiring Travel.   Birmingham The Ivy - Temple Row – The Archer Room, 67-71 Temple Row, Birmingham Wednesday 23 October 12pm – 230pm York The Ivy – St Helens Square – The Etty Room, 2 St. Helen’s Square, York Thursday 14^th November12pm – 230pm London The Ivy Market Grill – The Pygmalion Room, 1a Henrietta Street, Covent Garden Tuesday 10^th December 12pm – 230pm   Fay McCormack, GM of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, said: ‘Our Captain’s Collection brand offers elevated packages  hand-picked for those with a desire to experience unique holidays.” “It is our commitment to ensure homeworkers are educated on this concept and, alongside Inspiring Travel and Kirker Holidays, we are excited to continue demonstrating our loyalty to agents.’ Agents should confirm their place by emailing [email protected] by 23 September 2024. 

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Star Clippers will operate its largest ever Fam trip for the UK travel trade. The UK trade team has invited 15 travel agents aboard Star Flyer for an eight-night sailing from Malaga to Rome later this month. UK-wide travel agents from The Cruise Village, Miles Morgan Travel, The Travel Bureau, Deva Travel, IGLU, Glen Travel, Gates Travel, Peakes Travel and more will experience the Star Clippers service on an authentic tall-ship. The sailing will be divided in two parts, each giving agents a first-hand experience of sailing on the 166-capacity ship. Star Flyer will depart Malaga on 26 April before visiting Motril (Spain), Ibiza (Balearic Islands), Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands), Mahon (Balearic Islands) and Bonifacio (Corsica). The ship arrives in Rome on 4 May. The two groups will be hosted by Nicola Cox, Regional Sales Manager for the South, and Alison Jared, Regional Sales Manager for the North. “Providing travel agents with the opportunity to experience a Star Clippers sailing first-hand is the ultimate way to educate industry partners about our unique product,” said GM of Star Clippers UK, Fay McCormack. Star Clippers is represented in the UK by General Sales Agent Fred Olsen Travel. The line’s two smaller ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper have a capacity for 166 guests each, while Royal Clipper carries 227 with a crew of 106.   

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