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Last Saturday there was a 6 page supplement in the Daily Telegraph, a major paper in the Uk advertising lots of cruises on the Golden Horrizon. Including through the Suez canal and around Australia.  

My feeling is thats its so sad its not being operated by Star Clippers who know how to sail these ships.  It looks like a Clipper ship, but it isnt going to be run like one.

Hopefully the new crew will learn, but not sure a N European summer will be as nice as tropical seas. Iceland????  Take thermals!

Like other posts I would just say that if the weather is hot and sunny it will be great. However the Tropical bar, or whatever they call it, is open sided and very wet in rain. The deck  open......so take waterproofs! and it will be crowded in the one large inside lounge for everyone to shelter inside.

I replied on another thread. Golden Horizon is being marketed now  by Trailfinders UK. A whole page in a recent flyer.  She will be cruising out of Harwich and Glasgow in summer 2021. Then Suez and out to Bali.

Not sure how N European weather will be acceptable, remember SC trying it and giving up. Rain and tropical bars not condusive to a good cruise!  Also a tricky sea area for an inexperienced crew.

I tried to post this info on the Royal Clipper Fbook page but it was blocked by the one administrator, Cpt Sergei. SC dont want people to know anything about what is obviously a bigger Royal Clipper. But painted to look different.

Just had a brochure from Trailfinders. A whole page spread on the Golden Horizon. Very definately she is the Flying Clipper. Cruises from May 2021, to and from the UK. 7 from Harwich and 2 from Glasgow.  My question is who will sail her? The Star Clipper crew are amazing, loads of experience and expertise. No one else will have that unless they poach crew. Will a Captain jump ship?

No photos of the inside or details re dining etc.  They mention going down the Suez canal  later in 2021. Lets hope the pirates are holed up then. When the Star Clipper did that last time they took her empty with barbed wire around the deck and machine gunners on the sides.

We would feel sad abandoning the Star Clipper fleet but I guess some will be happy to jump ship!  Interesting to see how they cope sailing to Iceland, Norway and the Baltics. SC tried it but the Tropical bar isnt great in a westerly gale and rain! Cabins are smaller than on normal cruises and space inside limited. Something she is bound to encounter in these waters.

We will be off on our 7th cruise in 2 weeks. We are sailors, and we love the luxury of these cruises where you feel with all your senses that you are on a mighty sailing ship, but without having to pull on oilskins and take a watch at 2am!

However be aware that the Ship is the Star, its all about her and the magic of sails and sea, especially on deck at night when it is truely awesome. 

However it is not a luxury hotel!! Friends of ours love Sea Dream YC, that is a hotel on sea, and the service is 5*. On the Clippers the crew  and domestic staff are lovely, many are real characters, but you cannot clic your fingers and get service! A stroll to the tropical bar gets you a drink, you can ask questions, and do as much or as little as you like.

Try it, bet you will be hooked!

Soft and smallish cases under beds, large cases will be collected by your room steward and taken for storage elsewhere. Then reappear the afternoon before you depart. Its a slick operation!

I am hoping you get answers to your questions as I am booked on that cruise in September 2019!

As to bed size, which was the question asked, Cat 2 and 3 are all at least King size. They can be split into 2 normal sized twin beds if you ask. With separate, duvets, large enough for no gaps! Can't comment on Cat 4 or 5 but would think they are similar. Ask the agent!

In reply to Mijoy, Excursions on Northern route out of Phuket, most over 100Euros pp. Not many as most days its just off to an Island for free snorkling, off tender or the beach. Beautiful!

Excurtions in Lankawi were 117Eu pp. We stayed on board and enjoyed a walk and a very empty ship! James Bond Island about 100 Euros too. Some people did one to see Elephants which involved 2 hours each way on a speed boat in rough water for 100 plus Euros.

Honestly, the Ship and the Islands are the stars.......we did sightseeing before the cruise. If anyone wants a recommendation, Elephant Hills tented camp is amazing. A sanctuary for retired elephants, canoeing and we spent a night at the floating tented lake camp. The best experience of our whole trip (except for the mosquitoes) !

Copied my moan to Monaco. Just had a very nice reply. Seems the pump appeared the day we left and they are replacing the pipes. Acknowledged that there was a problem. Plus noted my other issues. 10/10 to them.

Just returned home after a great 3 weeks in Thailand. Our week on the Star Clipper was very good, the first few days up to the outer Islands were beautiful, and we were just under sail for the first 2 nights. Snorkling off the beaches was good for me, as I hate getting in off the tenders. Weather excellent, until we got closer to land at the end (thunder storms late afternoon). The sea was flat calm...hardly any movement. The crew were as smiley as always and food very good. BBQ good, though at a busy beach, and Phang Nga Bay at the end amazing. Peter Kissner was cruise director, so excellent talks, and the Captain Sergey Tunikov, a very professional and talented man, especially on the Spanish guitar! It was our 5th trip in various parts of the world.

However I am not sure that I will be booking a sixth trip aboard. This Ship is getting tired and dated. Our cabin 305, had a nasty smell all week. Drains, not actually sewage. We have a sailing boat and I know how clogged our pipes get, the pipes on the Clipper all need stripping out. Some people in Cat 1 cabins had no water every afternoon, and not enough for showers in the morning. They were told the Ship was waiting for a new pump.....not at all satisfactory, and many people were cross.

The tenders too are so uncomfortable....the orange paint came off on my legs and on shorts, and they are very hard to sit on. Ours broke down whilst doing the photo shoot and we had to transfer to another at sea, no problem, but it shows how hard they are worked. Modern ships have changed since these were built. I hope the Flying Clipper has better tenders. Excursions on only a few days, and very expensive and too long. 7 hours in a coach in Langkowi for 117 Euros each. We didnt go, those that did came back exhausted.

We felt that 12 months out here in the tropics non stop is too much for this 26 year old Ship. She needs a refit, and soon. Running repairs whilst at sea are not going to fix the drains, let alone all the other services. We love the Star Clippers, I do hope they sort out the problems, wonder what condition the Flyer and Royal are in?

Good to hear you are safely in the Caribbean again. Nice account of your voyage, only been on RC once, get the impression she doesnt sail as well as the SC and SF!

Very chilly here in NF, Devon. If we weren't booked on the flyer out of Phuket in 4 weeks we would be green with envy! Happy Christmas!

Not wishing to put you off, but one wet departure from a beach in the Caribbean sticks in my mind! One 40 something 'gentleman' who thought he was the bees knees waded out first to show us how to do it, there was surf so you needed to get onboard in swim suits. Unfortunately, he made a big jump, a wave washed by, and he lost his shorts!!!! It was a sight to behold, the rest of us managed with modesty intact, and big grins on our faces. Just a shame I didnt have a camera to hand.

We are joining in Singapore next week. Getting quite excited. Will let you know after how it went. This will be our first Clipper cruise. Ever since we stood in Taormina in Sicily overlooking the bay below some 12years ago, and seeing that fabulous ship below, I have wanted to do this.

We are already familiar with the area and will be our 3rd visit to Phuket and Langkawi. Malacca is my favourite town in Malaysia. So much history. First occupied by the Portuguese, then the Dutch before the British, but owes much to the Baba Nonyas - the wealthy Chinese men who married into local families. It is a shame we don't have longer there and the local food is delicious. We won't be doing it, but the tour seems to cover most of the important places. And of then of course, Singapore itself....

Can you tell us it was? this board is so slow, really keen to hear all about it!

Would love to hear how the cruise was Aeros Em. Did you board by tender in Patong? We are booked for next January on a Phuket round trip northwards. Will be our 5th cruise on Star Clippers.

I looked into this route a couple of years ago. We are sailors, in the UK, it was a route from Barbados, to include the Panama canal at the time, or to Cuba.

The passage west is likely to be downwind until well into spring. NE trade winds blow up to at least February. On a Clipper downwind is wonderful, upwind a slog into the waves and with little wind for lift. Sail boats can't sail into the wind. So it means motoring, with sails up, into the seas. Not so comfortable, or fast if the winds are strong.

At the time there were fewer stops on this route, so we chose a week in Cuba. Interesting, but not much sailing. :(

Hope that helps! Anyone a bit seasick would be better west bound. Its warmer on deck too with the wind behind you!:)

Sorry to hear Kew Gardens unhappy, though nearly all his complaints are about the food. We love the Clippers but they are working sailing ships, not motor boats or cruise liners, that's why we love them! Food for us carnivores excellent, and plentiful. Early pastries then breakfast, a full cooked lunch, afternoon snacks at 5pm, dinner and midnight snacks if anyone can still do up their trousers! Fruit always available and tea and coffee in the piano bar.

The kitchen is tiny, nothing like a normal familys kitchen, let alone a cruise ships facilities. they feed up to 170 people plus 70 crew each sitting. If you are a vegetarian who eats fish you will be fine. Otherwise, yes it will be boring, that's why most of us are not vegetarian. They cannot prepare special food for one or two people, they do not have the space.

Noise is missing further forward, and on higher decks. Its a small ship, it sails, its noisy! If you pay for a cat 1,2 or 3 cabin you will be fine, no steps. They are just in the cheaper, noisier cat 5 and 6.

On 11 Jan 2015 cruise. All very smooth. Lovely weather, ship beautiful, Captain jolly, crew friendly and very efficient. Food excellent.

Spent first day at sea sailing up and down......there is nowhere else to go, and get the impression Cuban officials very firm about where they go. Ok as newbies found their sea legs, and old timers relaxed after the car crash city that is Havana.

Day 2 Ancona beach off Trinidad, Days 3 and 4 Caymans......Brac, and Grand, lovely Islands. Snorkling good off beach, and a wreck, though sea quite lumpy. Stingray trip plus turtle farm worth every penny. Day 5 Cayo Largo, amazing white soft sand beach..bar if needed swim with dolphins if you like. Did not move anchorage for last day at Cayo Rico next door. Beach BBQ, amazing work transferring lunch. In super covered bar, but beach very shallow (bright blue amazing clear water) and transfers long....its too shallow even for tenders at the end, so local boats used. Some complaints about this, but SC trying hard.

Each time we anchored, or went into port in Cuba, had 4 doctors out to take temps of everyone on board (Ebola) plus loads of people checking papers again and again. All before Ship was cleared...so 6.30 to 7.30am! Paperwork is a career in Cuba.

Overall it was lovely, a respite from Cuba which is dirt poor, food terrible, hygene worse, people friendly but only as long as tipped frequently, 2 people on our ship had been mugged in Havana in daylight. . We were 111 passengers, this week there are only 70. Star Clippers trying hard, but unless the US visitors are allowed I cannot see this continuing as an option.

I know people on that first cruise feel aggrieved, but I really feel its the Cuban officals who caused problems, now ironed out. Is it a cruise I would recommend? Only to people who don't like sailing much. The Windwards and Leewards involve much more variety and distance, however as part of a Cuban holiday its a bit of luxury amidst the chaos of Cuban resorts and hotels. Pleased I went, but stomach says I will not return to Cuba.

We were beginning to think it was just us and the crew! Assume as there may be no American passengers it may not be full! See you there.

We have nearly a week doing Havana first and Trinidad. Should be fun!

After all the moaning in posts last summer regarding the first cruise by the Flyer around Cuba, I wondered whether it was a good idea to have booked early!

Is anyone else going? We are on the trip 11 January. We regard it as a week of r and r and good food in the middle of a 3 week holiday touring Cuba. We have fairly low expectations of food and accommodation there, even in 5* hotels, having read Trip-advisor! We will not expect to sightsee form the ship, we are doing that by land. We are looking forward to some sun and blue, warm seas to brighten up January!

Are we on our own?

Start in Venice! NW winds will be behind you all the way to the 'Corner' at the SW of Greece. All yachts sail best with the wind abaft (behind) the beam, ie mid point along the ship. By the last few days you will have your sea-legs!

However, maybe there will be no wind at all........ or, the opposite. We motored into Kotor fiord in a full gale from the south, and pouring rain, it was a thunderstorm. It was the only wet day, never saw the tops of the mountains! Remember in September the weather in the Med can be on the change.

However almost all of us were out on deck, in waterproofs, standing watching the Captain steer us in to calm water, even with no sails up we were well heeled over. It was dramatic, but memorable!

We did it in the opposite direction, Sept 2012. The prevailing strong winds in the Adriatic are from the NW in Sept. So for us it was on occasion a bit rough as we had to beat into it. Never saw anyone sick, sailed overnight, but some did remain in cabins for breakfast! Going the other way with the wind behind you it should be wonderful, Clippers are made to sail downwind. It will feel much smoother!

In the Aegian, the last 2 days, the NW winds can kick up a nasty sea and then it may be rougher. They will reduce sail and motor if its strong.

We loved it, but found it a rougher trip overall than a cruise on the Royal in the Caribbean, and we are sailors.

I think the inference is that Americans pay less, so are happy to tip more. Europeans, and certainly Brits hate tipping if the service is not outstanding. On our first Star Clipper cruise we gave extra in cash to our room steward who went out of his way to give advice when a port and excursion was changed.

We hate the hard sell re tipping. It would be better to add it to the fare if its actually crew wages. Although I guess that means it would incur more tax at point of sale?

Balloon man do e-mail Monarco......they will reply. It would be nice to know.

Apuleius, I wasn't suggesting all was well, it very obviously was not for you guys on the first few cruises. However some posters did moan about the half day seeing Trinidad as not enough, no time in Cienfuegos etc. No one has commented recently, I wish they would!

I am worried that the ports and infrastructure regarding landing places, beaches etc are just not ready for SC. The e mails I had from Monacco were sympathetic to your complaints. They seemed on the case to try to improve for next year.

I do wonder how passenger numbers will be filled without the Americans.

I suspect SC may not be raking in the money at the moment, so maybe that's why they are not forthcoming with better compensation.

I replied to one of the early Cuba postings as I am booked on a cruise Jan 2015. I was unhappy with peoples experiences, so e mailed Monaco and had an instant reply. They have responded a number of times and I am happy that they will sort this out in future, seems dealing with a fledgling state-run tourist industry is not easy.

Seems the US office in Miami cannot respond to any problem re the Cuban cruises. They cannot even mention it in blogs in the US.

The e mail address I used was

info.monaco@starclippers.com

This will be our 3rd cruise with SC, first on the Flier, they are lovely ships. To me the itinerary and shore trips are just extras. We usually only take one tour and prefer to wander about on our own or stay on the ship.

The sailing and tall ship experience is what SC are all about. I have read peoples grumbles on the Cuba thread. Seems to me most wanted to see Cuba. In that case they needed to spend time pre and post cruise, as we will. A few hours in port in a tour group is no way to really get to know a country. Sorry this is in small print, no idea why!

Regarding the cruise from Panama to Cuba, my research showed it to be a repositioning trip, with the wind from the NW, its not a good place for sailing in a northerly direction.......could mean bashing into seas and wind to keep on schedule. In the Caribbean downwind sailing is best, its usually force 6 and that's not great when you need to go into it. We are sailors, so we know!

No. I thought I would wait to hear from the March sailing.