Sea Cloud Cruises vs Star Clippers

The core difference

This is the comparison for sailing purists — the only two cruise lines in the world operating genuine tall sailing ships, both raising canvas by hand, both moving under wind power, and both accessing harbours that conventional cruise ships cannot reach. And yet the experience aboard could hardly be more different.

Sea Cloud Cruises approaches tall-ship sailing as heritage luxury. The original Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for Marjorie Merriweather Post, is a three-masted barque carrying just 64 guests in cabins that retain their original mahogany panelling, marble fireplaces, and gold-plated bathroom fixtures. The crew hand-sets 29 sails across 3,000 square metres of canvas using the same techniques employed since the vessel’s maiden voyage. Guests watch this extraordinary spectacle from deck — but the sailing is the crew’s domain. The atmosphere is refined, European, and contemplative. Sea Cloud II (2001, 94 guests) and Sea Cloud Spirit (2021, 136 guests) expanded the fleet while preserving the philosophy that sailing under canvas should be experienced in surroundings worthy of the tradition.

Star Clippers approaches tall-ship sailing as participatory adventure. The fleet of three tall ships — the four-masted barquentines Star Clipper and Star Flyer (170 guests each) and the magnificent five-masted Royal Clipper (277 guests) — travel under wind power up to 80 per cent of the time with 36,000 to 56,000 square feet of canvas. These are not cruise ships with decorative sails; the crew are trained square-rigger sailors who raise and trim canvas by hand. The critical difference is that guests are genuinely invited to participate — hauling lines, climbing the mast, learning celestial navigation, and lying in the bowsprit net at the prow watching dolphins beneath the hull. The atmosphere is informal, international, and exhilarating.

For Australian travellers who love sailing, this comparison is deeply personal. Sea Cloud offers the beauty of watching sailing done perfectly by professionals aboard a vessel of irreplaceable historical significance. Star Clippers offers the thrill of participating in sailing aboard vessels designed to put canvas in your hands. Both are authentic. The question is whether you want to witness or to join in.

What is actually included

The inclusion models reflect the lines’ different market positions — one European luxury, the other accessible adventure.

Sea Cloud’s fare covers all dining — breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and multi-course dinners with complimentary table wines at dinner. A daily cocktail hour with open bar is included. Soft drinks are available throughout the day. Sea Cloud Spirit adds a swimming platform and spa, though treatments carry a surcharge. Gratuities are at guests’ discretion and not included. Premium wines and spirits outside the cocktail hour are charged separately. Shore excursions are priced individually.

Star Clippers’ fare covers all dining in a single open-seating restaurant with regionally inspired menus. Watersports from the marina platform on Royal Clipper — kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboarding, and snorkelling — are complimentary. Wines are available at notably reasonable prices rather than included. The bowsprit net, mast climbing, and hands-on sailing participation are all included. Gratuities are at guests’ discretion. Shore excursions are additional.

The practical difference for Australian travellers is cost of living aboard. Sea Cloud’s included table wines and cocktail hour mean moderate drinkers will spend little beyond the fare. Star Clippers’ very reasonably priced wine list — frequently cited by past guests as a genuine highlight — means the onboard spend remains modest even without an inclusive bar. Neither line operates the kind of premium all-inclusive model that SeaDream or Silversea offer. Both are transparent and accessible in their pricing.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines deliver cuisine that consistently surprises guests expecting simple ship’s fare — and both benefit from the intimacy of cooking for small numbers.

Sea Cloud’s dining follows the European tradition of elegant multi-course meals. The single restaurant serves regionally inspired cuisine with complimentary wines at dinner, changing menus drawing on Mediterranean and European culinary traditions. Ingredients are sourced at ports of call wherever possible. On the original Sea Cloud, dining for 64 guests in a room adorned with 1930s fixtures feels like a private dinner party. Sea Cloud Spirit’s expanded restaurant maintains the culinary standard while accommodating 136 guests. Afternoon tea is a daily ritual. The atmosphere at dinner is refined, unhurried, and conversational — silver service in the best European tradition.

Star Clippers’ dining is a single open-seating affair that draws consistent praise. The cuisine is regionally inspired — Mediterranean menus in the Med, Caribbean flavours in the islands, Asian influences in Southeast Asia — with surprisingly excellent quality for a line positioned as adventure rather than luxury. There are no formal nights, no assigned tables, and no pretension. The wine list is notably well-curated and remarkably well-priced — a detail that loyal guests cite repeatedly. On-deck barbecues add casual conviviality. The atmosphere is lively and social, with the international passenger mix creating energetic dinner conversations.

Sea Cloud wins on refinement and formality — the table setting, the wine service, the 1930s ambience of the original vessel. Star Clippers wins on approachability and social energy — the communal open seating, the reasonable wine prices, and the relaxed atmosphere where barefoot is an acceptable dress code at lunch. Both deliver food well above what their respective positions might suggest.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation on both lines reflects their tall-ship heritage — compact, nautically themed, and oriented toward life on deck rather than life in the cabin.

Sea Cloud’s cabins span the full range of its fleet’s history. On the 1931 original, the Owner’s Cabins retain their original mahogany panelling, marble fireplaces, and antique furnishings — museum-quality interiors you sleep in. Standard cabins are compact with portholes. Sea Cloud II offers more contemporary accommodation across 47 cabins for 94 guests, with improved bathrooms and modern fixtures. Sea Cloud Spirit represents a generational leap — balcony cabins, contemporary suite accommodation, and a wellness area that brings the fleet into the modern era while maintaining the sailing heritage. Across all three ships, the variety of cabin styles is exceptional.

Star Clippers’ cabins are compact and nautically themed across the entire fleet. On Star Clipper and Star Flyer, cabins average approximately 120 to 150 square feet with portholes, teak trim, and a design aesthetic rooted in maritime tradition rather than hotel luxury. Royal Clipper offers slightly more variety — including Owner’s Suites with private balconies and direct access to the stern — but the standard cabins remain compact. There are no elevators on any Star Clippers vessel. The ships can heel under sail. Prospective guests should understand that accommodation is functional rather than spacious, and the real living space is the deck.

The difference is stark at the extremes. Sea Cloud’s 1931 owner’s cabins and Sea Cloud Spirit’s balcony suites offer accommodation that would be noteworthy on any luxury vessel. Star Clippers’ standard cabins are purpose-built for guests who plan to spend their days on deck, in the rigging, or in the water rather than in the cabin. For travellers who value cabin quality, Sea Cloud offers more range. For travellers who view the cabin as somewhere to sleep between sailing adventures, Star Clippers’ compact quarters are entirely adequate.

Pricing and value

The pricing gap between these lines is the most significant in this comparison — and it reflects genuinely different market positions.

Sea Cloud’s pricing varies by vessel and cabin category. The original Sea Cloud’s owner’s cabins with 1930s appointments command premium rates — AUD $1,200 to $1,500 or more per person per night. Standard cabins on the original vessel and Sea Cloud II range from approximately AUD $600 to $900 per person per night. Sea Cloud Spirit’s broader cabin range offers entry points from approximately AUD $600 per person per night with balcony cabins commanding more. Fares include dining with table wines and the cocktail hour.

Star Clippers’ pricing is notably accessible for a genuine sailing experience. Entry-level pricing starts from approximately AUD $300 to $500 per person per night for seven-night Mediterranean or Caribbean itineraries. Royal Clipper’s Owner’s Suites command a premium but remain well below Sea Cloud’s top categories. The well-priced wine list keeps onboard spending moderate. Star Clippers has been recognised repeatedly as the World’s Best Boutique Cruise Line — a title that reflects exceptional value rather than exceptional luxury.

For Australian travellers, the value calculation is compelling. A seven-night Star Clippers Mediterranean voyage might cost AUD $2,100 to $3,500 per person for the cruise alone. A comparable Sea Cloud Spirit sailing might cost AUD $4,200 to $6,300. The original Sea Cloud in an owner’s cabin could reach AUD $10,500 for the same duration. The Star Clippers experience is genuinely excellent — the sailing is more authentic in terms of guest participation, the food is very good, and the atmosphere is vibrant. Sea Cloud’s premium buys heritage, luxury finishing, and smaller guest counts. Both require international flights from Australia.

Spa and wellness

Neither line is a spa destination — and both would argue that sailing under canvas is the ultimate wellness programme.

Sea Cloud’s wellness has evolved across its fleet. The original Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II have minimal spa facilities — the ship’s heritage makes the deck and the sea the primary wellness offering. Sea Cloud Spirit introduced a dedicated wellness and spa area with treatment rooms, a swimming platform for direct ocean access, and an ocean-view fitness centre. Across all three ships, the most compelling wellness is experiential — the restorative rhythm of a sailing vessel, the meditative quality of watching sails set overhead, and the sea air on deck.

Star Clippers’ wellness is almost entirely active and experiential. Royal Clipper’s stern opens into a watersports marina offering kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboarding, and snorkelling directly from the ship. On Star Clipper and Star Flyer, swim stops in open water and snorkelling from the ship’s tenders are standard. Mast climbing — ascending the rigging under crew supervision — is a genuine physical challenge and a unique form of active engagement. The bowsprit net at the prow, where guests stretch out over the waves, is both meditative and exhilarating. Small fitness areas are available but not the primary draw.

The distinction is clear. Sea Cloud Spirit offers the most structured wellness of any vessel in this comparison. Star Clippers offers the most active wellness — climbing rigging, hauling lines, kayaking from the marina, and swimming from the ship. Both lines deliver wellness through sailing itself, which no gym or spa can replicate.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines let the sailing provide the spectacle — but the evening philosophies differ in ways that reflect their broader identities.

Sea Cloud’s enrichment is destination-focused and culturally rich. Guest lecturers cover maritime history, regional culture, architecture, and the remarkable history of the ships themselves. The original Sea Cloud’s story — from Marjorie Merriweather Post’s private yacht to service in World War II to its current incarnation — provides material for several evenings. Classical music performances complement the ship’s heritage atmosphere. Evening gatherings in the elegant public rooms have the warmth of a country house party. The daily spectacle of watching the crew hand-set 29 sails is the signature entertainment — guests describe it as among the most memorable moments of any voyage.

Star Clippers’ entertainment is generated by the ship and the sea. The daily opportunity to haul lines, climb the mast, and participate in sailing is the primary programme. Evening entertainment includes local musicians boarding at port, crew talent shows, crab racing on deck, and impromptu gatherings at the bar. The Captain’s briefing each evening is a popular social event. There is no casino, no formal entertainment, and no production shows. The bowsprit net becomes a gathering point for sunset watching. The international passenger mix — many of whom are sailors themselves — generates energetic conversation and genuine camaraderie.

Sea Cloud’s enrichment rewards the curious mind — history, culture, and the contemplative beauty of sail. Star Clippers’ entertainment rewards the adventurous spirit — participation, camaraderie, and the collective excitement of sailing under canvas with like-minded travellers.

Fleet and destination coverage

Both lines operate three-ship fleets — but the deployment, size, and destination range differ meaningfully.

Sea Cloud’s three ships deploy seasonally across the Caribbean (winter), Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Northern Europe (summer). Sea Cloud (64 guests), Sea Cloud II (94 guests), and Sea Cloud Spirit (136 guests) offer itineraries from four to nineteen nights. The ships’ shallow draft accesses small harbours and anchorages. All three are genuine sailing vessels with hand-set sails. The fleet does not visit Southeast Asia, the Pacific, or Australian waters.

Star Clippers’ three ships deploy across a broader geography. Star Clipper and Star Flyer (170 guests each) rotate between the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and crucially Southeast Asia — Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Royal Clipper (277 guests) operates primarily in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. The Southeast Asian deployment is significant for Australian travellers, offering direct flight access from major Australian cities to Singapore or Bangkok. The ships access small harbours across all regions.

For Australian travellers, Star Clippers holds an accessibility advantage through its Southeast Asian itineraries. Thailand and Indonesia are three to eight hours by direct flight from Australian east coast cities — a fraction of the travel time required to reach the Mediterranean or Caribbean embarkation ports that both lines share. Sea Cloud does not deploy to any region within short-haul range of Australia.

Where each line excels

Sea Cloud excels in:

• Heritage and provenance. The 1931 original is irreplaceable — a vessel with genuine historical significance that you experience as a guest, not a museum visitor. No other sailing experience offers this depth of heritage.
• Luxury finishing. Original mahogany cabins, marble fireplaces, silver service dining, and the refined European atmosphere of a Hamburg-based company with decades of heritage.
• Ultra-intimate capacity. Sixty-four guests on the original Sea Cloud is among the smallest capacities in cruising. Even Sea Cloud Spirit at 136 guests is more intimate than any Star Clippers vessel.
• Modern fleet expansion. Sea Cloud Spirit’s 2021 launch brought balcony cabins, a spa, and a swimming platform — demonstrating that heritage sailing can evolve without losing its soul.
• Cultural enrichment. Guest lectures, maritime history, and classical music create an intellectual dimension that complements the sailing.

Star Clippers excels in:

• Participatory sailing. Guests haul lines, climb the mast, learn celestial navigation, and lie in the bowsprit net. No other cruise line offers this level of hands-on engagement with the vessel’s operation.
• Wind power. Sailing under wind power up to 80 per cent of the time — the highest proportion of any cruise line. These are working sailing ships first and cruise ships second.
• Value. Entry-level pricing from approximately AUD $300 per person per night delivers a genuine tall-ship sailing experience at a fraction of Sea Cloud’s cost.
• Southeast Asian deployment. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are accessible from Australia in under eight hours — the shortest flight to any tall-ship sailing experience from Australian gateways.
• Repeat loyalty. More than half of Star Clippers guests return within a year. The World’s Best Boutique Cruise Line recognition reflects an experience that inspires fierce devotion.
• Watersports marina. Royal Clipper’s stern marina with kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and snorkelling complements the sailing with active ocean engagement.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Sea Cloud

Sea Cloud: Caribbean under Canvas (7-10 nights, winter season) — The original 1931 vessel sailing the Windward and Leeward Islands with just 64 guests. The Owner’s Cabins with their 1930s appointments elevate this to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Small anchorages and harbours inaccessible to larger vessels showcase the ship’s shallow draft. Fly via the United States from Australian east coast cities.

Sea Cloud Spirit: Greek Islands and Adriatic (7-14 nights, summer season) — The newest vessel with balcony cabins exploring the Greek Islands, Dalmatian coast, and Adriatic. At 136 guests, Sea Cloud Spirit is the most accessible entry point. Fly to Athens or Venice from Australian gateways via the Middle East or Singapore.

Star Clippers

Star Clipper or Star Flyer: Thailand and Southeast Asia (7 nights, winter season, roundtrip Phuket or Singapore) — The standout itinerary for Australians. Tall-ship sailing through the Andaman Sea or Strait of Malacca, visiting islands, snorkelling in warm waters, and participating in sailing with the crew. Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth to Singapore or Phuket in five to eight hours make this the most accessible tall-ship experience from Australia. No Sea Cloud vessel visits this region.

Royal Clipper: Mediterranean (7 nights, summer season) — The magnificent five-masted full-rigged ship sailing the Italian and French Rivieras or Greek Islands. At 277 guests, Royal Clipper is the largest vessel in this comparison, but the five masts carrying 56,000 square feet of canvas create a spectacle unmatched by any vessel afloat. The stern marina deploys in warm Mediterranean waters for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling. Fly to Mediterranean ports from Australian gateways.

Star Clipper: Caribbean (7 nights, winter season) — Tall-ship sailing through the Grenadines, calling at secluded anchorages and beaches under canvas. The participatory sailing — hauling lines, climbing the mast — is at its best in Caribbean trade winds. A compelling alternative to Sea Cloud’s Caribbean sailings at a significantly lower price point.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Sea Cloud

Sea Cloud (64 guests, 1931) — The irreplaceable original. Book for the Owner’s Cabins and the intimacy of 64 guests under hand-set sails. This is the luxury choice for sailing romantics who want to witness perfection.

Sea Cloud II (94 guests, 2001) — Purpose-built to extend the fleet with contemporary comforts and traditional sailing. A strong middle ground between heritage and modernity.

Sea Cloud Spirit (136 guests, 2021) — The modern flagship with balcony cabins, a spa, and a swimming platform. The best entry point for first-time Sea Cloud guests or those wanting modern amenities with sailing heritage.

Star Clippers

Star Clipper or Star Flyer (170 guests each) — The most intimate Star Clippers experience and the vessels most likely to deploy in Southeast Asia. Four masts, hands-on sailing, and a social atmosphere that builds deep camaraderie. Choose for Southeast Asian itineraries accessible from Australia.

Royal Clipper (277 guests) — The world’s largest full-rigged sailing vessel. Five masts, 56,000 square feet of sail, a stern watersports marina, and Owner’s Suites with private balconies. The most spectacular vessel in this comparison by sheer scale of sail. Choose for Mediterranean and Caribbean when the grandeur of five masts matters.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines require international flights from Australia, but the accessibility gap is meaningful.

Sea Cloud’s embarkation ports are exclusively in the Mediterranean and Caribbean — regions that require 20 to 30 hours of travel from Australian gateways. The Hamburg-based company’s European passenger base means limited Australian representation. Booking through specialist Australian cruise agents like Pan Australian Travel is advisable for flight routing guidance and European booking system navigation.

Star Clippers’ Southeast Asian deployment is a genuine advantage for Australians. Embarkation from Phuket or Singapore puts guests five to eight hours from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane by direct flight — comparable to a domestic transcontinental journey. The Mediterranean and Caribbean deployments require the same long-haul flights as Sea Cloud. Star Clippers draws a more international passenger mix with a notable Australian contingent, particularly on Southeast Asian sailings.

The cost of access matters. A return flight from Sydney to Singapore costs approximately AUD $600 to $1,200. A return flight from Sydney to Barcelona or Rome costs AUD $2,000 to $4,000. Combined with Star Clippers’ lower cruise fares, a seven-night Southeast Asian sailing can be completed for a total outlay that represents exceptional value — a genuine tall-ship sailing experience from approximately AUD $3,000 to $5,000 per person including flights. Sea Cloud’s total cost for a comparable Mediterranean voyage, including flights, begins at roughly AUD $7,000 per person.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmospheres aboard these two lines represent different interpretations of what it means to love sailing — and the distinction is felt immediately upon boarding.

Sea Cloud’s atmosphere is reverential and refined. Guests board a vessel of genuine historical significance and behave accordingly — there is a collective awareness that this ship has a story worth respecting. The predominantly European passenger base brings a Continental sensibility. Conversation is cultured, dinners are elegant, and the daily spectacle of watching the crew hand-set sails is observed with something approaching awe. The dress code is elegantly casual — no formal nights, but a natural sophistication that suits the surroundings. The mood is contemplative, romantic, and quietly luxurious.

Star Clippers’ atmosphere is convivial and adventurous. Guests board a working tall ship and immediately feel invited to become part of it. The bowsprit net fills with guests sprawled over the waves within hours of departure. Mast climbing draws a queue by the second day. Lines are hauled with genuine enthusiasm. The international passenger mix — many of whom sail their own boats at home — creates instant camaraderie built on shared passion. The dress code is relaxed to the point of barefoot. Evenings are social and unstructured. More than half of guests return within a year, creating a loyal community that welcomes newcomers warmly.

The distinction is between witnessing and doing. Sea Cloud invites you to experience the beauty of sailing from the deck of a masterpiece. Star Clippers invites you to feel the rope in your hands and the wind in the rigging from 100 feet above the water. Both are deeply rewarding — but they attract fundamentally different expressions of the same love of sail.

The bottom line

Sea Cloud Cruises and Star Clippers share something rare and precious — genuine tall-ship sailing under canvas, powered by the wind, aboard vessels where the sails are not decoration but propulsion. In a cruise industry dominated by floating resorts, both lines preserve a maritime tradition that grows more valuable with every new mega-ship launched. Choosing between them is a privilege.

Choose Sea Cloud for the luxury of witnessing sailing perfection aboard vessels of irreplaceable heritage. Choose it for the 1931 original with its owner’s cabins, for 64 guests under 29 hand-set sails, for the refined European atmosphere, for guest lectures on maritime history, and for Sea Cloud Spirit’s modern comforts with balcony cabins and a spa. Choose it for the traveller who wants to feel the romance of sailing without getting rope burns. Accept the premium pricing, the European-centric embarkation ports, and the fact that you watch the sailing rather than join it.

Choose Star Clippers for the adventure of participating in sailing aboard working tall ships. Choose it for hauling lines alongside the crew, climbing the mast, lying in the bowsprit net, and sailing under wind power 80 per cent of the time. Choose it for Southeast Asian itineraries accessible from Australia in under eight hours, for remarkable value that puts a genuine tall-ship experience within reach of more travellers, and for a loyal community where more than half of fellow guests are returnees. Choose it for Royal Clipper’s five masts and 56,000 square feet of canvas — the most spectacular sailing vessel in passenger service. Accept compact cabins, no elevators, the possibility of heeling under sail, and an atmosphere that is adventurous rather than luxurious.

For many sailing enthusiasts, these lines complement beautifully. A Star Clippers Southeast Asian voyage for the hands-on adventure and the accessible flight from Australia, followed by a Sea Cloud Mediterranean for the heritage and the luxury, delivers both dimensions of tall-ship sailing. The traveller who insists on choosing one will not be disappointed by either — but will spend the rest of their cruising life wondering about the road not taken.