Star Clippers vs Windstar Cruises

The core difference

This is the comparison that every sailing enthusiast eventually needs to resolve — because Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises are the only two cruise lines in the world that operate under sail, and the difference between them defines what you believe sailing should feel like on a passenger vessel. Both put canvas above the deck. Both offer the sight of sails against the horizon. Both attract travellers who find something primal and irresistible about wind-powered travel. And yet the experience aboard is so fundamentally different that choosing the wrong one could leave a sailing purist feeling patronised or a romance-seeker feeling underpampered.

Star Clippers’ sailing is hands-on and authentic. The fleet of three tall ships — Star Clipper and Star Flyer (four-masted barquentines, 170 guests each) and Royal Clipper (five-masted full-rigged ship, 277 guests) — travel under genuine 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. Guests are genuinely invited to participate: hauling lines during sail changes, climbing the mast to the crow’s nest, lying in the bowsprit net over the open ocean, and learning celestial navigation from the officers. These are working sailing ships, not cruise ships with decorative sails. The sound of wind filling the rigging, the heel of the ship under canvas, and the creaking of the masts are the constant soundtrack. The ships visit the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, calling at small harbours that the sail plan and shallow draft make accessible.

Windstar’s sailing is romantic and refined. Three of its seven ships — Wind Surf (342 guests), Wind Star (148 guests), and Wind Spirit (148 guests) — are motorised sailing yachts carrying four or five masts of computer-controlled sails that unfurl during every departure and deploy whenever wind conditions permit. The sails are beautiful, dramatic, and genuinely functional — capable of generating speeds up to twelve knots without engine power — but guest participation in sailing is observational rather than hands-on. The signature sail-away ceremony, often accompanied by the Vangelis “1492” score, is a moment of genuine theatre. Windstar’s broader identity extends beyond the sailing yachts: the Star Plus class motor yachts (Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride, 312 guests each) and new-build Star Seeker (224 guests) carry no sails at all but deliver the same culinary and service philosophy. The James Beard Foundation culinary partnership, Candles open-air dining under the stars, and the “180 degrees from ordinary” ethos unite a fleet of seven ships (growing to eight) covering the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti year-round, Alaska, Japan, and seasonally Australian waters.

For Australian travellers, the question is pointed. If you are a sailor — if you own a boat, if you have crewed on a yacht, if you dream of the age of sail — Star Clippers will make your heart sing in ways that Windstar’s computer-controlled sails cannot. If you love the romance of sailing — the sight of masts against the sunset, the elegance of canvas overhead — but want refined dining, modern suites, broader destinations, and the option of boarding from an Australian port, Windstar delivers sailing as ambiance rather than adventure, and that is not a lesser thing.

What is actually included

The inclusion models reflect different positioning — Star Clippers as an accessible sailing adventure, Windstar as a refined small-ship experience with optional all-inclusive upgrades.

Star Clippers includes all meals — breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner — in the fare. The cuisine is regionally inspired and surprisingly excellent. Alcoholic beverages are purchased separately at modest bar prices, with wines at dinner very reasonably priced. The sailing experience — mast climbing, line hauling, bowsprit net, celestial navigation — is entirely complimentary. Royal Clipper’s watersport marina provides kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and snorkelling at no charge. Gratuities are not included and are discretionary.

Windstar’s base fare covers all dining across every restaurant without surcharges, 24-hour room service, non-alcoholic beverages, and complimentary watersport marina access. Alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and crew gratuities (USD $16 per person per day) are not included in the base fare. The All-In package bundles unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, and prepaid gratuities for USD $99 per person per day — the most common booking option and the recommended approach for Australian travellers wanting peace of mind. On Star Plus class and Star Seeker vessels, five dining venues are included without surcharges.

The practical comparison for Australian travellers is instructive. A seven-night Star Clippers voyage might cost AUD $2,500 to $4,200 per person including drinks and gratuities. A seven-night Windstar sailing yacht voyage with the All-In package might cost AUD $4,500 to $6,500 per person. The difference of roughly AUD $2,000 to $2,500 per person buys the James Beard culinary programme, more refined service, a broader drink selection with no per-drink pricing, Wi-Fi, and included gratuities. Star Clippers includes more sailing; Windstar includes more hospitality.

Dining and culinary experience

The culinary comparison is Windstar’s strongest advantage in this pairing — and it reflects different levels of investment in the dining programme.

Star Clippers’ dining is a communal, full-board affair that consistently surprises with its quality. The galley produces regionally sourced menus — Greek salads and grilled fish in the Mediterranean, Caribbean spices in the islands, Asian-influenced dishes in Southeast Asia. Breakfast and lunch are generous buffets with made-to-order stations; dinner is a served multi-course meal. Wine pricing is remarkably fair — a decent bottle might cost AUD $30 to $50. The single open-seating creates a social atmosphere where the shared experience of the day’s sailing fuels conversation. The food is honestly good — but it does not carry the prestige or the culinary storytelling that Windstar delivers.

Windstar’s culinary programme is anchored by the James Beard Foundation partnership — more than a decade of collaboration that places James Beard Award-recognised chefs aboard select sailings for cooking demonstrations, hosted dinners with wine pairings, and local market tours. On every sailing, the dinner menu features a “Signature Recipe” from the cruise’s James Beard Foundation-affiliated chef. The crown jewel is Candles, the open-air restaurant on the Star Deck where guests dine on steak and seafood under the stars — widely cited as one of the most romantic dining experiences at sea. On Star Plus class ships and Star Seeker, additional venues include Cuadro 44 (transitioning to Basil + Bamboo on newer vessels), Stella Bistro, and the Veranda, bringing the total to five dining options — all included without surcharges.

The comparison is clear. Windstar delivers a more refined, more varied, and more prestigious culinary experience — the James Beard partnership, the Candles setting, the multiple venues on newer ships. Star Clippers delivers honest, well-prepared food in a convivial communal setting at a fraction of the price. For food-motivated travellers, Windstar wins this category decisively. For travellers who value the social dimension of dining — sharing a table with fellow sailors who hauled the same lines — Star Clippers’ communal atmosphere has its own irreplaceable charm.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation comparison spans a wide range — from Star Clippers’ compact nautical cabins to Windstar’s modern all-suite vessels with private verandas.

Star Clippers’ cabins are compact and nautically themed. On Star Clipper and Star Flyer, standard cabins run approximately 120 to 150 square feet with portholes and maritime decor. Royal Clipper offers more variety — standard outside cabins, deluxe cabins with picture windows, and the Owner’s Suite with a private balcony. There are no lifts. The cabins are clean, well-maintained, and designed for the casual wardrobes tall-ship voyaging demands — but luxury is not their purpose.

Windstar’s accommodation varies by ship class. The sailing yachts Wind Star and Wind Spirit carry staterooms of approximately 188 square feet with portholes — modestly larger than Star Clippers but similarly compact. Wind Surf offers deluxe ocean-view suites at 376 square feet with two bathrooms. The Star Plus class motor yachts are all-suite vessels with entry-level suites from 277 square feet and Owner’s Suites at 820 square feet with separate living areas. Star Seeker introduces twelve suite categories with private verandas and floor-to-ceiling windows — modern accommodation that represents a different era of design from anything in the Star Clippers fleet.

The comparison depends on which Windstar ship is under consideration. On Windstar’s sailing yachts, the accommodation difference with Star Clippers is modest — slightly larger, slightly more polished, but similarly compact and porthole-equipped. On Windstar’s Star Plus class and Star Seeker, the gap is enormous — modern suites with private verandas, separate living areas, and contemporary design that Star Clippers’ heritage tall ships cannot approach. For travellers who prioritise cabin comfort and private outdoor space, Windstar’s newer motor yachts deliver. For those who view the cabin as a place to sleep between adventures on deck, Star Clippers’ compact quarters are entirely sufficient — and the money saved represents meaningful value.

Pricing and value

The pricing comparison reveals Star Clippers’ strongest advantage — accessible per-diems that make sailing adventure available to a broader audience.

Star Clippers’ per-diem runs approximately AUD $300 to $550 per person per night. Seven-night voyages start from approximately USD $1,500 to $2,500 per person with all meals included. Drinks and gratuities are additional but modestly priced. A couple spending a week aboard with wine at dinner, cocktails at the bar, and appropriate gratuities might add AUD $500 to $800 to the base fare.

Windstar’s per-diem with the All-In package typically falls in the AUD $500 to $750 range. Entry-level pricing on the sailing yachts starts from approximately USD $250 to $400 per person per night before the All-In package. Star Plus class and Star Seeker command premiums reflecting their modern suites and broader amenities. A seven-night Mediterranean sailing with All-In costs roughly AUD $4,500 to $6,500 per person.

For a direct sailing comparison — a seven-night Mediterranean voyage under sail — Star Clippers on Royal Clipper costs roughly AUD $2,500 to $3,500 per person including drinks and gratuities. Windstar on Wind Surf with All-In costs roughly AUD $4,500 to $6,000 per person. The premium of AUD $2,000 to $2,500 buys the James Beard culinary programme, included premium drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and a more refined hospitality experience. Star Clippers’ saving buys a more authentic sailing experience, hands-on participation, and the ability to book a second voyage in the same year.

For Australian travellers, flight costs add context. Star Clippers’ Southeast Asian sailings from Phuket are roughly seven hours from Sydney — adding perhaps AUD $800 to $1,500 for flights. Windstar’s Tahiti programme from Papeete is eight hours from Sydney via direct Air Tahiti Nui service — adding similar flight costs. Mediterranean sailings on both lines require 20-plus-hour journeys. Windstar’s seasonal Australian departures eliminate flight costs entirely for Star Breeze voyages from Sydney, Melbourne, or Cairns — a unique advantage in this pairing.

Spa and wellness

The spa and wellness comparison mirrors the broader distinction between adventure and refinement.

Star Clippers does not operate a conventional spa or fitness centre. The wellness proposition is the voyage itself — climbing the mast, hauling lines, swimming from the marina, and the physical engagement of life aboard a working tall ship. The bowsprit net is a form of ocean meditation unique to tall-ship sailing. Royal Clipper’s watersport marina provides kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and snorkelling.

Windstar’s spa offering varies by ship class. On Star Plus class ships, the World Spa features treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, heated loungers, and modern fitness equipment. The sailing yachts carry more compact spas with treatment rooms and basic fitness facilities. Star Seeker elevates the spa experience with a full-service facility and modern fitness centre. Windstar’s watersport marina provides kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling, sailing dinghies, and water skiing, with PADI-certified diving in tropical waters.

For structured spa treatments and modern fitness facilities, Windstar is the clear choice. For wellness defined as active sailing engagement and physical adventure, Star Clippers delivers an experience no spa can replicate. Both lines share the watersport marina — a genuine common strength that distinguishes both from conventional cruise lines.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines reject conventional cruise entertainment — but the alternatives they provide reflect very different relationships with the ship.

Star Clippers’ enrichment is the sailing. Mast climbing sessions, knot-tying workshops, celestial navigation lessons, and the daily spectacle of watching crew hand-set thousands of square feet of canvas. Local musicians might board at port. The Captain’s presentation on navigation and seamanship generates genuine interest. Evening entertainment is conversation on deck, the sound of the rigging, and the stars above an unlit ocean.

Windstar’s enrichment is destination-focused and more structured. The James Beard Foundation culinary sailings feature cooking demonstrations, market tours, and chef-hosted dinners. The sail-away ceremony — computer-controlled sails unfurling to music as the ship departs — is theatrical and iconic. Acoustic musicians, cultural performers, and the signature deck barbecue provide evening atmosphere. There is no casino and no formal nights. The cultural enrichment exceeds Star Clippers’ offering in breadth and structure.

Star Clippers makes the sailing the show — the wind, the canvas, the crew, the guest participation. Windstar makes the sail-away the moment and the culinary programme the narrative. For travellers who want active engagement with the ship, Star Clippers. For those who want curated enrichment around food and culture, Windstar.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals Windstar’s most decisive advantage — a seven-ship operation covering a dozen regions versus Star Clippers’ three-ship fleet in three regions.

Star Clippers operates three tall ships covering the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. Star Clipper and Star Flyer alternate between regions seasonally. Royal Clipper deploys primarily in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. The ships access small harbours through their shallow draft and sailing rig. The fleet is focused and consistent — every voyage is aboard a working tall ship under genuine sail power.

Windstar operates seven ships across three classes (growing to eight with Star Explorer in December 2026). The Wind Class sailing yachts — Wind Surf (342 guests), Wind Star (148 guests), Wind Spirit (148 guests) — carry the sailing heritage. The Star Plus class motor yachts — Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride (312 guests each) — deliver all-suite modern cruising. Star Seeker (224 guests) brings an ice-strengthened hull for expedition destinations. The fleet covers the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti year-round, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, Costa Rica, Canada, and seasonally Australia and New Zealand — visiting over 330 ports worldwide.

For Australian travellers, Windstar’s breadth is compelling. Wind Spirit sails Tahiti year-round from Papeete — eight hours from Sydney on a direct Air Tahiti Nui flight. Star Breeze deploys seasonally from Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. Star Seeker reaches Alaska and Japan. Star Clippers offers Southeast Asian access from Phuket at seven hours from Sydney, plus the Mediterranean and Caribbean. If destination variety and Australian accessibility matter, Windstar’s fleet advantage is decisive. If every voyage must be on a genuine sailing ship under hand-set canvas, Star Clippers is the only option — Windstar’s motor yachts, however excellent, do not sail.

Where each line excels

Star Clippers excels in:

• Authentic hands-on sailing. The only cruise line where guests actively participate — hauling lines, climbing masts, learning celestial navigation. Up to 80 per cent of travel under genuine wind power with hand-set sails.
• Per-diem value. Roughly 30 to 40 per cent less expensive than comparable Windstar sailings, with full-board meals included. The accessible pricing makes sailing adventure achievable for a broader audience.
• Sailing purity. Every ship in the fleet carries sails. Every voyage involves genuine wind-powered travel. There is no confusion about what Star Clippers is — it is a sailing line, full stop.
• Bowsprit net experience. Lying suspended over the open ocean at the prow of a tall ship, watching dolphins and flying fish — an experience unique to Star Clippers and unavailable on any Windstar vessel.
• Cosmopolitan sailing community. A passenger mix drawn from the global sailing community — people who understand the sea, who may crew their own boats, and who bring genuine enthusiasm to the shared sailing experience.

Windstar excels in:

• Fleet breadth and destinations. Seven ships (growing to eight) across a dozen regions — Tahiti year-round, Alaska, Japan, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and seasonally Australia. Star Clippers covers three regions with three ships.
• Australian accessibility. Star Breeze from Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. Wind Spirit from Papeete via direct eight-hour flight. No Star Clippers vessel sails in Australian waters or the Pacific.
• The James Beard culinary programme. Rotating award-winning chefs, Signature Recipes on every sailing, and Candles dining under the stars — the strongest culinary programme in small-ship sailing.
• Modern accommodation. Star Plus class and Star Seeker offer suites with private verandas up to 796 square feet — modern design that Star Clippers’ heritage tall ships cannot match.
• The sail-away ceremony. Computer-controlled sails unfurling to music as the ship departs — a moment of genuine maritime theatre visible from anywhere on deck.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Star Clippers

Star Clipper or Star Flyer: Southeast Asia (7 nights, roundtrip Phuket or Singapore) — The most accessible Star Clippers itinerary from Australia, with Phuket roughly seven hours from Sydney. Tall-ship sailing through the Andaman Sea, visiting islands and fishing villages. The combination of hand-set canvas and Southeast Asian scenery is unique in cruising.

Royal Clipper: Mediterranean (7 nights, various departures) — The world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship under five masts of hand-set canvas through the Italian coast, Greek islands, or Dalmatian coast. The stern watersport marina deploys in warm Mediterranean waters.

Windstar

Wind Spirit: Tahiti and French Polynesia (7 nights, year-round, roundtrip Papeete) — The signature Windstar experience for Australian travellers. Sailing under canvas through Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Huahine. Direct eight-hour Air Tahiti Nui flight from Sydney. Star Clippers has no Pacific presence.

Star Breeze: Australia and New Zealand (various lengths, seasonal deployment) — The all-suite Star Plus class yacht from Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. The only yacht-category domestic departure option in this pairing. Suites from 277 square feet with modern amenities. No international flight required.

Star Seeker: Alaska (7-12 nights, May-August 2026, from Vancouver) — The new-build vessel with ice-strengthened hull and expedition leaders exploring glaciers and wildlife. A destination Star Clippers has never visited.

Wind Surf: Mediterranean (7 nights, various departures) — The world’s largest motor-sailing yacht with five masts of computer-controlled sails. Candles dining under the stars. A more refined sailing experience than Star Clippers, though less hands-on.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Star Clippers

Star Clipper or Star Flyer (170 guests each) — The purest tall-ship experience. Choose for Southeast Asia and for the most intimate sailing in the fleet. At 170 guests, the crew-to-guest dynamic is closest to Windstar’s 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit.

Royal Clipper (277 guests) — The flagship with five masts, stern watersport marina, and more cabin variety. Choose for the Mediterranean when more space matters alongside the full-rigged sailing experience.

Windstar

Wind Spirit (148 guests) — The year-round Tahiti yacht and the purest Windstar sailing experience. Four masts of computer-controlled sails, 148 guests, and the watersport marina in Polynesian lagoons. The most direct comparison to Star Clippers’ smaller vessels in terms of intimacy and sailing character.

Wind Surf (342 guests) — The flagship sailing yacht and the world’s largest motor-sailing vessel. Five masts, broader deck spaces, and the full Candles dining experience. Choose for the Mediterranean when the sailing ambiance of masted rigging matters alongside more spacious accommodation.

Star Breeze, Star Legend, or Star Pride (312 guests each) — The all-suite motor yachts with modern accommodation. No sails, but the Windstar service and culinary philosophy. Star Breeze is the vessel deployed to Australian waters. Choose for Australian departures and the most spacious suites in the fleet.

Star Seeker (224 guests, December 2025) — The purpose-built vessel with ice-strengthened hull and twelve suite categories. Choose for Alaska and Japan — destinations no Star Clippers vessel has visited.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian accessibility comparison is one of the most meaningful distinctions in this pairing.

Star Clippers’ most accessible option for Australians is Southeast Asia — Phuket or Singapore embarkation at seven to nine hours from the east coast. Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings require 20-plus-hour journeys. Star Clippers does not maintain a dedicated Australian office, and no vessel has ever sailed in Australian or Pacific waters.

Windstar’s Australian presence is the strongest of any sailing line. Travel the World Group has served as Australian GSA for over thirty-eight years. Windstar operates an Australian website with AUD pricing. Star Breeze deploys seasonally from Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. Wind Spirit sails year-round from Papeete, reachable by direct eight-hour flight. The Australian deployment and Tahiti programme make Windstar the most accessible sailing-heritage line for Australian travellers.

The sailing enthusiast’s dilemma is real. Star Clippers offers the more authentic sailing experience — hands-on, wind-powered, participatory. Windstar offers the more accessible sailing experience — domestic departures, short-haul Tahiti, modern accommodation. For Australian sailors who want the purest possible sailing experience, Star Clippers from Phuket is the answer. For Australian travellers who want the romance of sail combined with convenient access and broader destinations, Windstar’s local presence is unmatched. Many Australian sailing enthusiasts resolve this by experiencing both — Star Clippers for the adventure, Windstar for the convenience — and becoming loyal to the sailing community across both lines.

The onboard atmosphere

Both lines attract travellers who value sailing, informality, and the ocean — but the textures of the onboard experience differ in ways that matter to the traveller choosing between them.

Star Clippers’ atmosphere is the sailing expedition. Life revolves around the wind and the canvas. When the Captain calls for a sail change, guests line the deck to watch or participate. The bowsprit net fills at sunset. The passenger mix is cosmopolitan — Europeans, Americans, Australians, many recreational sailors — and the shared physical experience of the voyage bonds guests rapidly. The dress code is genuinely relaxed: shorts, sailing shoes, sundresses. Evening ends with the sound of the rigging and the gentle heel of the ship. The atmosphere is active, engaged, and adventurous — more sailing club than cruise ship.

Windstar’s atmosphere is the sailing romance. The sail-away ceremony sets the emotional tone — sails unfurling against the sky, sometimes to music, creating a shared moment of beauty. Staff know your name by the second day, your wine preference by the third. The passenger mix is couples in their late 40s to early 60s — slightly more refined than Star Clippers, slightly less adventurous, drawn to romance and elegance. The dress code is “Yacht Casual” — sundresses, collared shirts, no formality but an air of quiet sophistication. Evening is a cocktail watching the sails catch the last light, dinner at Candles under the stars, acoustic music in the lounge.

The choice between these atmospheres is about how you relate to sailing itself. Star Clippers guests want to feel the wind, haul the lines, and be part of the sailing. Windstar guests want to see the sails, hear the wind, and be moved by the romance of it. Both are genuine responses to the beauty of wind-powered travel. Both are valid. They are simply different ways of loving the same thing.

The bottom line

Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises are the only cruise lines operating under sail — and the choice between them is the most consequential decision a sailing enthusiast can make when booking a cruise. Both put canvas above the deck. Both offer the primal satisfaction of wind-powered travel. Both reject mainstream cruising. And yet they interpret sailing so differently that choosing correctly matters enormously.

Choose Star Clippers for the most authentic sailing experience available to passengers. Choose it for hand-set canvas, mast climbing, the bowsprit net, line hauling, and genuine wind power up to 80 per cent of the time. Choose it for the cosmopolitan company of fellow sailors, the accessible per-diem pricing, and the Southeast Asian itineraries reachable from Australian gateways in seven hours. Accept that cabins are compact, there are no lifts or stabilisers, the ship heels under sail, and the culinary programme — while surprisingly good — does not carry the prestige of a James Beard partnership.

Choose Windstar for the romance of sailing combined with refined hospitality. Choose it for the sail-away ceremony, the James Beard Foundation culinary programme, Candles dining under the stars, and the broadest destination range of any small-ship line — Tahiti year-round, Alaska, Japan, Australia, and beyond. Choose it for Australian accessibility — Star Breeze from Sydney and Cairns, Wind Spirit from Papeete via direct flight. Choose it for modern suites with private verandas on newer vessels. Accept that the sails are computer-controlled, that guest participation in sailing is observational, that the motor yachts in the fleet carry no sails at all, and that the larger ships carry up to 342 guests — intimate by any standard but not 170.

For Australian sailing enthusiasts, both lines deserve a place on the wish list. Star Clippers from Phuket for the hands-on tall-ship adventure. Windstar from Papeete or Sydney for the romantic sailing heritage with home-port convenience. The traveller who experiences both will understand that hand-set canvas and computer-controlled sails create different but equally valid forms of magic — and that the ocean under sail, in any form, is one of travel’s most enduring pleasures.