Sailing around the Greek Islands
I flew with BA to Athens and stayed at the Royal Olympic hotel overnight before embarking on the cruise the following day. This hotel is a great choice for those wanting a good quality hotel in a central location, close to the main sights. It has an attractive outdoor swimming pool - always welcome in a city hotel, particularly in the hot summer months. Best of all, the hotel has a wonderful outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant which has fabulous views of the Acropolis.
It was extremely hot in Athens so it was wonderful to board the Star Clipper and head out to sea the following day and to feel those welcome sea breezes. The ship is under sail for most of the time and only uses her engines in poor wind conditions. When she is under full sail, she really is a magnificent sight to behold.
My first impressions of the ship were good and although our cabin wasn’t very big, it was very comfortable with a surprising amount of storage space. There was a somewhat surprisingly mixed age group on board and life on board was very relaxed and there was a really good friendly atmosphere. The food and service were excellent and the evening entertainment was low key but good fun.
We stopped at a number of lesser known Greek islands and with only around 100 passengers on board, getting on and off the ship was a breeze.
During the cruise, you’re given the opportunity to help with hoisting the sails and also to climb the main mast to a platform 75 feet above the sea. Sitting on deck late at night, looking up at the stars and listening to the gentle flapping of the sails with the ship gently moving through the waves was so romantic.
You just couldn’t help but fall in love-with the Star Clipper experience.