Families under sail – top family activities on a tall ship cruise

Sailing beneath thousands of feet of billowing sails in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or South East Asia provides numerous opportunities for families to bond and to share unique and exciting experiences away from computer games, TV and social media. Star Clippers’ unique tall ship sailing voyages are crewed by friendly, hands on crew, to hoist the sails and navigate the ship, organise complimentary water sports, low key evening games and entertainment and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the ships’ free-seating restaurants.

Roger Condon, Sales & Marketing Manager – Australia/New Zealand, said “Our ships are really ideal for families with school aged children, from around 10 years and above, looking for active days and new experiences in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere. They are small enough not to lose sight of each other, but rather like a vast private yacht, there’s plenty of space and enough going on with the sailing activities and port calls to keep everyone occupied.”

1. Climb the rigging
Almost every sailing offers guests from 8 to 80 years old the chance to climb to the first Crow’s Next, some 50’ (15metres) above the teak deck. Secured by a safety harness and overseen by experienced Sports Crew, guests can ascend high above the surrounding ocean to get the best possible bird’s eye view of the ship.

2. Learn a new watersport
Take to the water straight from Royal Clipper’s drop down Marina Deck, or via the gangplank on the two smaller ships, Star Flyer and Star Clipper. Each ship’s trained sports crew organise complimentary sail boarding, kayaking and water skiing (when ports allow) either directly from the ships, or during long days on the beach.

3. Discover the art of sailing
With an open bridge and approachable officers and sailing crew, families can learn about the history and techniques involved in navigating and sailing a vessel up to 135m in length (Royal Clipper), with 5 masts, 42 sails and a totally of 56,000 square feet of billowing cream sails. Regular Captain’s story time and informal chats on the bridge bring to life the art of sailing a vast tall ship.

4. Star gazing and dolphin watching
Bond with the family beneath inky black starry skies, spot Orion, the Great Bear and the Milky Way, easily seen above the decks of the ships at night. And early risers can join officers on deck to spot dolphins, swimming alongside, attracted by the vibration of the ships clipping the waves to the next port call.

5. Sit around a table together
With family meals and schedules typically rushed and busy at home, a week or two on a tall ship gives the time and space to sit down together in the Clippers’ free seating restaurants, for buffet breakfasts and lunches, and waiter service at dinner. The simple art of dining together brings families and friends together, without the usual disruptions of home life.

6. Tie the knot, and tie the knots
A pre-booked marriage blessing or re-blessing can bring Mums and Dads closer together with the kids on hand as witnesses, alongside the Captain and uniformed crew. Or for other kinds of knot tying, friendly crew hold regular informative sessions on how to tie nautical knots.

7. Take up yoga, fitness or fashion
Star Clippers are offering ten themed sailings in 2019 with personal trainers, a fashion expert and yoga practitioners on board. Five yoga themed sailings, with the opportunity to join in dawn and dusk meditation and yoga are offered in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asian waters, open to all ages and levels of experience.

8. Desert island family Christmas
Spend a peaceful family Christmas Day (2019) on the idyllic Thai island of Ko Adang, way off the radar of tourist groups and a world away from online shopping and rainy British High Streets. With only a handful of permanent inhabitants, the island’s pristine white beaches and deserted coves are mostly deserted, while the clear, warm waters are teeming with marine life, making it a perfect snorkelling spot.

9. Go wild with the wildlife
Spot rare and mythical Komodo Dragons during a port call eastbound from Bali, see the unforgettable seaward exodus of baby turtles on Caribbean beaches, immerse the family in the biodiversity of dense rainforests, and spot orangutan, clouded leopards and the Irrawaddy dolphin in South East Asia. Or simply don a snorkel and flippers (freely available to all guests) and discover the colourful and teeming wildlife beneath the waves.

10. Sail + Motor Sport
Family F1 fans can take in the trials and finals of the Monaco and Singapore Grand Prix as part of a Star Clipper sailing experience. Grand Prix sailing packages available to be ashore for arguably two of the most spectacular races of the F1 season, on the streets of Monaco, with the ship at anchor in the Bay, and Singapore, as part of a city-cruise add on package.

SPEAK WITH A TRAVEL DESIGNER TO BOOK A STAR CLIPPERS CRUISE TODAY ON 1300 295 161

www.starclippers.com