The success of Star Clippers with travel professionals remains strong.
Exception Voyages, for instance, will charter a portion of the fleet next year to run cruises with guest speakers.
Kuoni will offer on May 8, 2027 an exclusive departure aboard the Royal Clipper, Star Clippers’ five-masted ship capable of accommodating up to 227 guests.
This eight-day, seven-night voyage, reserved for Kuoni’s clients only, will depart from Nice and call at Portofino, Portoferraio on Elba, Bonifacio, Alghero, Ajaccio and Monaco, then return to Nice.
Two speakers and a Kuoni ambassador will accompany the travelers.
The price starts at €2,490 per person, based on two occupants per cabin, with a 10% discount included for bookings made before 31 October 2026.
Exception Voyages, for instance, will charter a portion of the fleet next year to run cruises with guest speakers.
Kuoni will offer on May 8, 2027 an exclusive departure aboard the Royal Clipper, Star Clippers’ five-masted ship capable of accommodating up to 227 guests.
This eight-day, seven-night voyage, reserved for Kuoni’s clients only, will depart from Nice and call at Portofino, Portoferraio on Elba, Bonifacio, Alghero, Ajaccio and Monaco, then return to Nice.
Two speakers and a Kuoni ambassador will accompany the travelers.
The price starts at €2,490 per person, based on two occupants per cabin, with a 10% discount included for bookings made before 31 October 2026.
A distribution that is largely intermediated
The company relies on a distribution that is predominantly mediated through intermediaries.
More than 80% of its activity goes through travel professionals. “This is not a mass-market product that you buy in the evening from your couch by clicking a link. It is a genuine travel project that takes preparation.” insists Eliana Bouvet, the France representative of Star Clippers, whom we met at IFTM 2026.
For this reason, Star Clippers is increasing its training, webinars, workshops and roadshows. “We are ready to welcome everyone, but the product is not for everyone either. We mustn’t get it wrong.”, acknowledges the France representative.
More than 80% of its activity goes through travel professionals. “This is not a mass-market product that you buy in the evening from your couch by clicking a link. It is a genuine travel project that takes preparation.” insists Eliana Bouvet, the France representative of Star Clippers, whom we met at IFTM 2026.
For this reason, Star Clippers is increasing its training, webinars, workshops and roadshows. “We are ready to welcome everyone, but the product is not for everyone either. We mustn’t get it wrong.”, acknowledges the France representative.
Taking clients to destinations others don’t go to
Star Clippers does not plan to expand its fleet for the time being, but the company makes up for it by renewing its itineraries and pushing its positioning at lesser-known ports, relying on its three sailing ships that accommodate between 166 and 227 passengers.
Nearly 30 new destinations will thus appear in the Mediterranean program for the summer of 2027. Most of them will be carried forward into 2028, with sales expected to open soon.
Greece accounts for a large share of the novelties. Star Clippers announces more than ten new calls, including Milos, Astypaléa, Andros, Kastellorizo, Parga, Karpathos, Pythagoreio, Samos, Skyros and Symi. A cruise along the Athos Peninsula is also planned.
The Eastern Mediterranean will also welcome a new home port in Antalya, in addition to Athens and Istanbul. New calls are planned on the Turkish coast at Çeşme, Datça, Fethiye and Kaş, as well as off the island of Kekova.
To the west, the sailing ships will notably call at Peñíscola, Ceuta and Roses in Spain. In Italy, the company schedules Agropoli, the gateway to the Paestum archaeological site, as well as Palermo, Termini Imerese, Trapani, Carloforte on Sardinia and Vibo Marina, which provides access to Tropea.
Nearly 30 new destinations will thus appear in the Mediterranean program for the summer of 2027. Most of them will be carried forward into 2028, with sales expected to open soon.
Greece accounts for a large share of the novelties. Star Clippers announces more than ten new calls, including Milos, Astypaléa, Andros, Kastellorizo, Parga, Karpathos, Pythagoreio, Samos, Skyros and Symi. A cruise along the Athos Peninsula is also planned.
The Eastern Mediterranean will also welcome a new home port in Antalya, in addition to Athens and Istanbul. New calls are planned on the Turkish coast at Çeşme, Datça, Fethiye and Kaş, as well as off the island of Kekova.
To the west, the sailing ships will notably call at Peñíscola, Ceuta and Roses in Spain. In Italy, the company schedules Agropoli, the gateway to the Paestum archaeological site, as well as Palermo, Termini Imerese, Trapani, Carloforte on Sardinia and Vibo Marina, which provides access to Tropea.
A loyalty rate above 60%
Beyond the ports of call, the small size of the ships, open access to the bridge, the opportunity to take part in the maneuvers and the absence of a strict dress code all contribute to the customer experience.
“Meeting people is also part of the journey. The landscapes may sometimes look similar, but the people you meet aboard are also what leaves a lasting impression on travelers.” observes Eliana Bouvet.
The company summarizes this promise with an English motto: “Sailing brings people together.”
Notably, sailing naturally contributes to the brand’s positioning.
In the Caribbean, where trade winds are more reliable, sailing can account for up to 60% of travel time, an ecological advantage that helps persuade clients to try the cruise product.
“Meeting people is also part of the journey. The landscapes may sometimes look similar, but the people you meet aboard are also what leaves a lasting impression on travelers.” observes Eliana Bouvet.
The company summarizes this promise with an English motto: “Sailing brings people together.”
Notably, sailing naturally contributes to the brand’s positioning.
In the Caribbean, where trade winds are more reliable, sailing can account for up to 60% of travel time, an ecological advantage that helps persuade clients to try the cruise product.
Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com See all articles by Laurent Guéna
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