Star Clippers’ “Christmas in May” Promotion Invites Guests to Celebrate the 2026 Holidays at Sea
Travelers looking to trade winter weather and busy restaurants for warm breezes, uncrowded natural beauty and the romance of true tall ship sailing can celebrate the season at sea with Star Clippers’ collection of holiday sailings for the 2026-2027 winter season.
From Caribbean island hopping to tropical escapes along the coastlines of Costa Rica and Panama, Star Clippers offers a relaxed and intimate way to spend Christmas and ring in the New Year aboard authentic sailing vessels.
Travelers booking one of these select Christmas and New Year’s sailings during Winter 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 by June 30, 2026, will receive a US$400 (CAD$500) air credit per cabin and a bottle of Champagne.
This offer is applicable to category staterooms 2 through 6, applies to new bookings only, and is valid for residents of North, Central and South America only. The air credit can be used as a discount off the cruise fare if air is not needed.
The company’s three true clipper ships – Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer – will sail a variety of festive itineraries throughout December and early January, combining beachside celebrations, local holiday traditions and the unique atmosphere that only a sailing ship can provide. Guests can expect open-air deck parties, holiday dinners, island excursions and the unforgettable sight of giant white sails unfurled against warm Caribbean skies.
“Holiday travel should feel special and memorable, and there’s something magical about celebrating Christmas or New Year’s aboard a tall ship under sail,” said Terri Haas, Star Clippers VP of Sales & Marketing Americas.
“Whether guests want to spend the holidays snorkeling in warm, inviting clear waters, discovering secluded ports or simply relaxing on deck beneath the stars, our sailings offer a completely different way to experience the season.”
One of the standout itineraries for the season is the seven-night Windward Islands Christmas Cruise aboard 227-guest Royal Clipper, departing roundtrip from Barbados on December 19, 2026. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest five-masted full-rigged sailing ship in service, the Royal Clipper will call on ports throughout the Grenadines and Windward Islands.
On December 21, the charming four-masted Star Flyer joins the Royal Clipper to sail alongside each other towards Cabrits, where guests can visit orchid-festooned rainforests, waterfalls and a bubbling lake. In St. Lucia, travelers can enjoy peaceful beaches, water sports, or cultural discoveries. A morning visit to St. Kitts allows guests to shop in colorful Basseterre, play golf and tour old plantation houses. Guests can celebrate Christmas Day surrounded by the turquoise waters of Martinique while enjoying the spacious teak decks and elegant onboard atmosphere that define the Star Clippers experience. Rates begin at $2,080 (CAD$2,560) per person, double.
For travelers seeking a more intimate holiday sailing, the seven-night Leeward Islands Christmas Cruise offers a festive Caribbean escape departing roundtrip from St. Maarten on December 19, 2026. Carrying just 166 guests, Star Flyer recreates the golden age of sailing while offering modern comforts and relaxed luxury. The itinerary includes stops in St. Barts, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique, blending French Caribbean charm with secluded beaches and colorful island culture. Chic boutiques and waterfront cafes lure the guests in St. Barts’ Gustavia while Antigua’s Falmouth Harbor evokes the ancient presence of Admiral Nelson, with marinas, old inns, venerable pubs and convivial crowds of sun-tanned yacht crews – the epicenter of the Caribbean yachting world. Evenings onboard feature sunset cocktails beneath the ship’s towering sails. Fares start at $2,010 (CAD$2,480).
In Central America, Star Clippers offers an entirely different take on the holiday season with tropical voyages along the coastlines of Costa Rica and Panama. The seven-night Panama to Costa Rica Christmas sailing departs December 19, 2026, with prices starting at $2,010 (CAD$2,480). Guests aboard the 166-passenger Star Clipper will visit destinations such as Isla Tortuga and the Pearl Islands, areas known for their lush rainforests, quiet beaches and wildlife-rich waters. In Costa Rica’s Isla Tortuga, travelers can kayak through calm bays, snorkel among tropical fish or unwind on white-sand beaches shaded by palms. In Panama’s Pearl Islands, considered-among the best deep sea fishing grounds in the world, guests may spot dolphins and exotic birdlife while exploring secluded coves and untouched shorelines.
In addition to holiday-specific departures, Star Clippers will also offer the same sailings for New Year’s: Royal Clipper’s Grenadine Islands New Year’s Cruise sails roundtrip from Barbados on December 26, 2026 (US$2,280/CAD$2,760); Star Flyer’s Treasure Islands New Year’s Cruise departs from St. Maarten the same day (US$2,210/CAD$2,680); and Star Clipper sails out of Panama on December 26 for a Central American New Year’s (US$2,210/CAD$2,680). All itineraries feature festive onboard celebrations, island beach gatherings and relaxed sailing through some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque waters.
Unlike traditional mega-ships, Star Clippers vessels are designed to deliver an authentic sailing experience with fewer passengers, open bridge policies and itineraries focused on smaller ports and hidden harbors. Guests can climb the mast platform, help raise the sails, enjoy complimentary watersports directly from the marina platform and experience the simple pleasures of sailing powered by the wind whenever possible.
The holiday sailings are part of Star Clippers’ broader 2026-2027 winter program, which includes Caribbean island itineraries, Panama Canal crossings, Costa Rica and Panama sailings, and transatlantic voyages. Many itineraries feature ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships, giving travelers the opportunity to experience destinations in a more personal and immersive way.
(Star Clippers’ “Christmas in May” Promotion Invites Guests to Celebrate the 2026 Holidays at Sea)
