Emerald Cruises vs Star Clippers

The core difference

Emerald Cruises and Star Clippers represent two of the most different experiences available within the yacht category — so different, in fact, that comparing them risks being misleading. One is a modern, purpose-built superyacht with an infinity pool, balcony suites, and included shore excursions. The other is a fleet of working tall ships where guests haul lines, climb masts, and sail under canvas that reaches 221 feet above the waterline. Understanding this distinction is essential, because these lines do not compete for the same traveller — they compete for different versions of the same traveller at different moments in their cruising life.

Emerald Azzurra is a purpose-built superyacht launched in 2022, carrying 100 guests across 50 suites. Part of Scenic Group, an Australian-owned company headquartered in Newcastle, New South Wales, the Azzurra delivers a contemporary luxury experience: an infinity pool, a water-sports marina deployed from the stern, regionally sourced dining, and included shore excursions. The fleet is expanding to four yachts by 2027. Everything about the product is modern, well-priced, and designed for travellers who want a superyacht experience without excessive formality or the ultra-luxury price tag.

Star Clippers operates three tall ships — the four-masted barquentines Star Clipper and Star Flyer carrying 170 guests each, and the magnificent five-masted Royal Clipper accommodating 277. These are working sailing vessels that travel under wind power up to 80 per cent of the time. The crew are trained square-rigger sailors who raise and trim 36,000 to 56,000 square feet of canvas by hand, and guests are genuinely invited to participate — hauling lines, climbing the mast, and learning celestial navigation. The bowsprit net at the prow, where passengers stretch out over the waves to watch dolphins, is the ship’s favourite gathering spot. Founded by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, Star Clippers draws a cosmopolitan mix of European, American, and Australian passengers, many of whom are sailors themselves.

For Australian travellers, the choice is not about quality — both lines are excellent at what they do. It is about what kind of holiday you want. If you want a modern superyacht experience with contemporary comfort and Australian support, Emerald is the answer. If you want to feel the ship respond to the wind, to watch sails unfurl against a Caribbean sunset, and to participate in the ancient art of sailing aboard vessels that are the real thing, Star Clippers is in a class of its own.

What is actually included

The inclusion models reflect the different price points and philosophies of these two operators.

Emerald’s yacht fare includes all onboard dining, selected beverages with meals (house wine, beer, soft drinks), a programme of included shore excursions at most ports, access to the marina platform with kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment, and crew gratuities. Premium beverages carry a surcharge. The inclusion of shore excursions is a meaningful benefit, saving AUD $500 to $1,000 per person over a week.

Star Clippers’ fare includes all meals aboard — breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a single open-seating restaurant — and the sailing experience itself. Wines are available at very reasonable prices, described by repeat guests as one of the best-value wine lists at sea. The watersports marina on Royal Clipper provides kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboarding, and snorkelling directly from the ship. Shore excursions are optional and priced separately. Gratuities are not included.

The value equation is straightforward. Emerald includes more tangible amenities and services in the fare — excursions, gratuities, and beverages. Star Clippers offers a lower headline price with fewer inclusions, supplemented by attractively priced onboard spending. Both deliver excellent value for their respective categories. Australian travellers should compare total cost rather than headline fare — Emerald’s included excursions and gratuities narrow the apparent price gap.

Dining and culinary experience

Dining aboard these two lines reflects their fundamentally different onboard environments.

Emerald’s dining aboard Azzurra is served in a modern restaurant with regionally sourced menus designed to reflect each port of call. The intimate guest count of 100 allows the kitchen to accommodate dietary needs with agility. An al fresco dining option adds ambiance on warm evenings. The quality is strong for the price bracket — fresh ingredients, competent preparation, and attractive presentation in a contemporary setting.

Star Clippers’ dining is a single open-seating affair — no assigned tables, no formal dress code, no pretension. The cuisine is surprisingly excellent for tall-ship vessels, with regionally inspired menus that change nightly and draw on local ingredients wherever possible. The wine list is widely praised for quality at remarkably reasonable prices. Dining aboard Star Clippers has the atmosphere of a convivial dinner party — guests sit where they choose, conversation flows between tables, and the mood is animated and social. The deck barbecue on warm-weather itineraries adds an informal al fresco option that guests consistently cite as a highlight.

Neither line competes on culinary prestige with Michelin-starred operations. Both serve well-prepared food appropriate to their respective experiences. The difference is environmental: Emerald’s dining room is modern and polished; Star Clippers’ is nautical and communal, with the creaking of timber and the slap of waves as the evening soundtrack. For food-driven travellers who prioritise refined presentation, Emerald is the better fit. For those who value the atmosphere of dining aboard a working tall ship with the most diverse company imaginable, Star Clippers delivers a meal that no restaurant on land can replicate.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation gap between these lines is the most significant in this comparison — and travellers should understand it clearly before booking.

Emerald Azzurra’s suites range from stateroom categories at approximately 210 square feet to the Owner’s Suite at roughly 515 square feet. Eighty-eight per cent feature step-out balconies. The design is contemporary, with clean lines, quality textiles, modern bathrooms, and functional layouts. Every suite is climate-controlled with modern entertainment systems. The consistency is a strength — any cabin delivers a well-designed, comfortable space.

Star Clippers’ cabins are compact and nautically themed — typically 120 to 150 square feet with portholes rather than windows or balconies. There are no lifts on any Star Clippers vessel. The ships can heel under sail, which affects how the cabin feels in motion. Cabins are functional, clean, and well-maintained, but they are not luxurious by any conventional cruise standard. On Royal Clipper, the Owner’s Suite and Deluxe Suites offer more space with windows, but these represent a small fraction of the accommodation. The standard cabin experience is compact, maritime, and designed for guests who plan to spend their days on deck rather than in their room.

This is not a criticism of Star Clippers — it is the nature of tall-ship sailing. These vessels are designed around masts, rigging, and canvas rather than around cabin square footage. The trade-off is explicit: compact accommodation in exchange for the only genuine tall-ship sailing experience available at this scale. Travellers who need spacious, modern suites should choose Emerald without hesitation. Travellers who consider the cabin a place to sleep between sailing experiences should understand that Star Clippers’ compact quarters are a deliberate feature of a product designed around the deck, the sails, and the sea.

Pricing and value

The pricing comparison reveals different market positions and different definitions of value.

Emerald’s yacht per-diem runs approximately AUD $500 to $800 per person per night for standard suite categories, with seven-night voyages typically starting from approximately AUD $4,000 to $6,000 per person including meals, selected beverages, excursions, and gratuities. Scenic Group’s Australian presence means AUD pricing and local support.

Star Clippers’ per-diem starts from approximately AUD $300 to $500 per person per night, with seven-night Caribbean or Mediterranean voyages available from roughly AUD $2,500 to $4,000 per person. Shore excursions and gratuities add to the total. The onboard wine list is remarkably affordable, and the overall cost of a Star Clippers voyage — including onboard spending — is typically materially below Emerald’s all-in cost.

The value assessment depends entirely on what you are buying. Emerald delivers a modern superyacht experience with balcony suites, an infinity pool, and included excursions at a price that represents strong value for the yacht category. Star Clippers delivers a tall-ship sailing adventure — an experience that is genuinely unique in the cruise industry — at a price that represents perhaps the most accessible entry point into authentic sailing holidays. These are different products at different price points, and both deliver excellent value for what they offer.

For Australian travellers on a budget who want an intimate small-ship experience, Star Clippers offers an extraordinary adventure at a price that many premium cruise lines cannot match. For those willing to invest more for modern comfort and a polished superyacht experience with Australian support, Emerald justifies the premium.

Spa and wellness

The spa and wellness comparison reflects the fundamental difference between a modern resort-style yacht and a working tall ship.

Emerald Azzurra offers a spa area with treatment rooms, a beauty salon, and a fitness centre. The infinity pool is both a centrepiece and a relaxation space. The marina platform provides kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling gear. The wellness offering is well-rounded for a 100-guest yacht.

Star Clippers does not offer a conventional spa. There is no fitness centre, no treatment rooms, and no salon. The wellness programme is the sailing itself — climbing the mast, hauling lines, swimming from the ship at anchor, kayaking and paddleboarding from Royal Clipper’s marina, and the invigorating experience of standing on deck under full sail. The bowsprit net, where guests lie over the bow waves, is a form of active meditation that no spa treatment can replicate. Two tropical deck pools on Royal Clipper provide swimming, but these are compact and nautical rather than resort-style.

If spa facilities and a proper swimming pool matter to you, Emerald is the only choice. If your definition of wellness includes the physical engagement of sailing, the salt-air therapy of life on deck, and the mental freedom of disconnecting from the digital world aboard a vessel powered by the wind, Star Clippers delivers a kind of wellbeing that no treatment room can match.

Entertainment and enrichment

Neither line offers production shows, casinos, or the structured entertainment of a conventional cruise ship — but the alternative each provides is distinctive.

Emerald’s enrichment is destination-focused, with the EmeraldACTIVE programme providing included guided excursions — walking tours, cycling, and cultural visits. Evening entertainment consists of live music, cultural performances, and the social atmosphere of the yacht’s public spaces. The programme is curated, professional, and designed to enhance the destination experience.

Star Clippers’ entertainment is the sailing. Watching the crew raise 36,000 to 56,000 square feet of canvas, climbing the mast under supervision, lying in the bowsprit net, and learning celestial navigation are the daily activities. Evening entertainment is whatever the ocean and the crew provide — acoustic music, crew performances, stargazing from the deck, and the animated conversation of 170 to 277 guests who share an enthusiasm for sailing and adventure. There is no casino, no formal programme, and no screen-based entertainment. The ship, the wind, and the sea are the show.

The distinction is absolute. Emerald provides curated enrichment that modern travellers expect. Star Clippers provides an experience so inherently absorbing that conventional entertainment is not merely unnecessary — it would be incongruous. For travellers who want structured activities and evening programming, Emerald delivers. For those who consider hauling a line at dawn and watching dolphins from the bowsprit net the finest entertainment available, Star Clippers is without peer.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleets cover overlapping but distinct geographies, with different vessel types creating different access to ports and anchorages.

Emerald’s yacht fleet centres on Azzurra, expanding to four sister ships by 2027. Deployment covers the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red Sea, and select seasonal rotations. The broader Emerald brand includes river vessels across European waterways and the Mekong. The modern yacht design allows access to smaller Mediterranean harbours while maintaining contemporary comfort.

Star Clippers’ fleet comprises three tall ships: Star Clipper and Star Flyer (170 guests each) and Royal Clipper (277 guests). The fleet sails the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, with itineraries leaning into smaller harbours and anchorages that larger vessels cannot reach. The shallow draft and narrow beam of the sailing ships allow access to bays, coves, and island anchorages that even small modern yachts may not enter. Star Clippers’ Southeast Asian deployment — sailing through Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia — offers a destination that Emerald’s yacht fleet does not currently cover.

For Australian travellers, Star Clippers’ Southeast Asian itineraries are particularly compelling — accessible via short flights from Australian east coast cities to Bangkok or Singapore, with sailing through the Andaman Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and the Indonesian archipelago. Emerald’s Mediterranean and Adriatic programmes are accessible via Middle Eastern hub connections. Neither line operates in Australian waters.

Where each line excels

Emerald Cruises excels in:

• Modern accommodation. Balcony suites in 88 per cent of categories, contemporary design, and generous square footage. The most comfortable cabin product in this comparison.
• Onboard amenities. Infinity pool, marina platform, spa, fitness centre, and the full resort-style amenities that modern travellers expect. Star Clippers offers none of these in a conventional sense.
• Australian ownership and support. Scenic Group provides AUD pricing, local phone support, and familiarity with Australian travel patterns.
• Included excursions. Shore excursions bundled into the fare represent genuine savings and convenience.
• Accessibility for all ages and mobility levels. Lifts, stabilisers, and modern ship design make Emerald suitable for travellers who may find tall-ship sailing physically challenging.

Star Clippers excels in:

• Authentic sailing. The only fleet of working tall ships at this scale. Up to 80 per cent of travel under wind power. The spectacle of hand-raised sails, the sound of canvas catching the wind, and the feeling of a vessel responding to the sea. Nothing else like it exists.
• Participatory adventure. Hauling lines, climbing masts, celestial navigation, bowsprit nets, and an active engagement with the ship itself. Star Clippers turns passengers into participants in a way no motor yacht can.
• Value. The most affordable entry into intimate small-ship cruising, with per-night rates that undercut most yacht-category competitors by a meaningful margin.
• Southeast Asian coverage. Sailing through Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia on tall ships — a destination and a format that Emerald does not offer.
• Repeat loyalty. More than half of Star Clippers guests return within a year — a loyalty rate that speaks to the addictive quality of the experience. The cosmopolitan passenger mix includes many sailors who consider these ships the finest way to experience the sea.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Azzurra: Adriatic and Dalmatian Coast (7-10 nights, seasonal) — Croatia’s islands and Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor with included walking tours. The marina platform deploys in the warm Adriatic. Fly to Venice or Dubrovnik from Australian gateways via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha.

Emerald Azzurra: Greek Islands (7-10 nights, seasonal) — Cyclades island-hopping with calls at Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes. Included excursions cover archaeological sites. Embark from Athens via a single connection from Australian east coast cities.

Star Clippers

Royal Clipper: Caribbean (7 nights, winter season, roundtrip Barbados) — The five-masted flagship sailing the Grenadines, St Lucia, Martinique, and Dominica under full canvas. The marina platform deploys for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling in Caribbean lagoons. Fly to Barbados via London or Miami from Australian east coast cities. The 277-guest Royal Clipper is the most spacious Star Clippers vessel, with the best cabins and the most dramatic sail plan.

Star Clipper or Star Flyer: Southeast Asia (7-14 nights, seasonal, roundtrip Phuket or Singapore) — Sailing through the Andaman Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and the Indonesian archipelago aboard a 170-guest barquentine. Accessible via direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth to Singapore or Bangkok, then a short connection to Phuket. For Australian travellers, this is the most geographically accessible Star Clippers deployment — and the combination of tall-ship sailing with Southeast Asian waters, temples, and cuisine is extraordinary.

Royal Clipper: Mediterranean (7-14 nights, summer season) — The Adriatic, Greek islands, or western Mediterranean under five masts of canvas. Smaller ports and anchorages unreachable by larger vessels. Fly to Rome, Barcelona, or Venice from Australian gateways via Middle Eastern hubs.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Azzurra (100 guests, launched 2022) — The proven original. Choose for the most established Emerald yacht experience, with well-refined service patterns and the strongest value proposition. The infinity pool, marina platform, and 88 per cent balcony ratio deliver a complete modern superyacht package.

Emerald Kaia, Raiya, Xara (approximately 100 guests each, 2026-2027) — Sister ships with design refinements. Book early for inaugural departures.

Star Clippers

Royal Clipper (277 guests, five masts) — The flagship and the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship. Choose for the most dramatic sail plan (56,000 square feet of canvas), the best cabins in the fleet, the watersports marina, and two tropical pools. The 277-guest count is the largest in the fleet but still intimate by any measure. Best for first-time Star Clippers guests who want the most spacious experience.

Star Clipper or Star Flyer (170 guests each, four masts) — The smaller barquentines, and the more intimate sailing experience. Choose for Southeast Asian itineraries or for the closest Star Clippers comes to a private yacht atmosphere. At 170 guests, these ships are genuinely intimate, and the crew-to-guest dynamic is more personal than on Royal Clipper. Best for repeat guests, serious sailors, and those who prioritise intimacy over onboard space.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines require international flights from Australian gateways, but the ease of reaching embarkation ports differs — and Star Clippers holds an unexpected advantage.

Emerald’s Australian advantage is its Scenic Group ownership. AUD pricing, Australian-hours phone support, local travel agent relationships, and a company that understands Australian travellers. For booking convenience and pre-departure support, Emerald is the easier choice.

Star Clippers’ geographic advantage for Australians is Southeast Asia. The seasonal deployment from Phuket and Singapore is accessible via direct or one-stop flights from Australian east coast cities — roughly six to eight hours to Singapore, then a short connection. This makes Star Clippers’ Asian programme one of the most accessible international small-ship cruises from Australia. Mediterranean and Caribbean deployments require the same long-haul connections as Emerald.

The passenger mix on Star Clippers includes a meaningful Australian contingent, reflecting the brand’s appeal to Australian sailors and adventurers. The cosmopolitan, European-heavy mix creates a diverse social environment. Emerald’s passenger base is more consistently Australian and British, with a demographic that aligns closely with the Scenic Group’s river cruise customer base.

Physical considerations matter more for Star Clippers. The ships can heel under sail, there are no lifts, and cabins are compact. Travellers with mobility challenges or who are uncomfortable with ship motion should note that Star Clippers vessels are not stabilised in the way modern yachts are. Emerald’s modern design, lifts, and stabilisers make it suitable for a broader range of travellers.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmospheres aboard these two lines could hardly be more different — and both are compelling.

Emerald’s atmosphere is contemporary, relaxed, and sociable. The 100-guest capacity creates a friendly dynamic. The demographic trends toward couples in their forties to sixties, active and well-travelled. The dress code is smart casual. The vibe is modern and unpretentious — a polished superyacht holiday that feels accessible.

Star Clippers’ atmosphere is adventurous, communal, and centred on the sea. The dress code is relaxed — the most informal in the yacht category. Barefoot on deck is standard. The passenger mix is cosmopolitan, typically aged 40 to 65, with many sailors and adventurers. More than half return within a year. The social dynamic is shaped by the shared experience of sailing — guests bond over watching the sails unfurl, over hauling lines together, and over lying in the bowsprit net. Evenings are convivial and unstructured, with acoustic music, crew entertainment, and the kind of animated conversation that happens when travellers share a genuine adventure rather than a passive experience.

The fundamental distinction: Emerald is a holiday on a yacht. Star Clippers is an adventure under sail. Both are deeply satisfying. They attract different travellers and create different kinds of memories.

The bottom line

Emerald Cruises and Star Clippers occupy the same category label but deliver experiences so different that recommending one over the other depends entirely on who you are and what you want from your time at sea.

Choose Emerald for a modern, polished superyacht experience with Australian support, balcony suites, an infinity pool, included excursions, and contemporary comfort. Choose it for the expanding fleet, the AUD pricing, and the Scenic Group backing that makes booking from Australia straightforward. Choose it if you want luxury at sea without the adventure element, or if compact cabins and ships that heel under sail are outside your comfort zone. Emerald is an excellent superyacht product at an excellent price.

Choose Star Clippers for the only genuine tall-ship sailing adventure available at this scale. Choose it for 36,000 to 56,000 square feet of hand-raised canvas, for climbing the mast, for the bowsprit net, and for the feeling of a ship responding to the wind rather than to an engine. Choose it for the Southeast Asian deployments accessible from Australia, for the remarkably affordable pricing, and for the cosmopolitan community of fellow adventurers who return again and again. Accept the compact cabins, the absence of lifts and stabilisers, and the reality that this is an adventure under sail rather than a luxury resort on the water.

These lines do not compete — they complement. An Emerald Adriatic voyage for polished comfort, followed by a Star Clippers Southeast Asian sailing for the adventure of a lifetime, is a combination that captures the full breadth of what intimate small-ship cruising can offer. Both deserve consideration from Australian travellers who have outgrown the mega-ships and want something that feels genuinely different.