Royal Clipper to Caribbean

Royal Clipper is truly unique; the largest purpose built sailing ship in the world. With five masts and something like forty two sails, the Royal Clipper is a vast, sea going cathedral on the ocean that just happens to carry over two hundred passengers on cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

You can forget the five storey show rooms, rock climbing walls and flow riders of the mega ships. Royal Clipper is devoted to the experience of sailing, for sailing's sake.  If you have a head for heights (and I didn't) you can strap on a harness and safety gear, and climb those towering masts.

Inside, a dramatic, three storey staircase descends down to the main dining room, which serves up all main meals. It offers pretty much international fare on an open sitting bases for all meals, but caters mainly to Americans. That said, the food throughout my week on board was first class.

At the top of that lobby is a large, lavishly decorated lounge that spills out onto a partially covered well deck. This space is the scene of what little nightly entertainment there is on board. With a smart causal dress code throughout, the Royal Clipper really is very much the entertainment in herself.

There is a trio of small plunge pools on the upper decks, and a marina ramp at the stern to allow you to go swimming or snorkelling in the Caribbean.  Cabins are compact, beautifully decorated little havens, awash with wood and brass trimmings. A handful of verandah cabins straddle the middle of the ship.

Being long, tall and quite narrow, the Royal Clipper tends to pitch and roll in almost any sea (there are no stabilisers). The gangways, especially at tender ports, can be steep, and subject to motion. There are no dedicated children's facilities on board as such.

But the Royal Clipper is, above all, an authentic maritime experience; a ship that takes you on a truly remarkable voyage of discovery. She stands apart and, beyond all that, she's also a jaw dropping beauty.