We hurried to the top deck, not wanting to miss a second of Star Clipper’s dramatic sail away. Staring up at the tall masts, we felt the breeze on our faces and heard music begin to swell – classical music, with strong, insistent bass notes.
Suddenly, the sails began to rise up the masts – seemingly miles of white canvas soaring toward the sky. One by one they unfurled and filled with wind as our beautiful ship surged into the waves.
Sail away is special on any cruise, but on a tall-masted ship like Star Clipper, it’s a moment to be remembered. You feel as if your heart has leapt forward with her and that your adventures together are truly beginning.
Our Star Clipper experience began in Athens, Greece, where we boarded and tucked ourselves into our compact but comfortable cabin. There are no balcony suites on a sailing vessel – instead, staterooms have a single porthole which, on stormy days, looks very much like the door of the washing machine with the water swirling endlessly outside. We were a wee bit seasick here and there, but mostly loved our cabin.
Each day, we sailed to a different Greek island. There are many, and each has its own individual character. Some we recognized from the popular movie “Mamma Mia,” and all share a couple of outstanding features, the most important of which is fabulous food.
Small tavernas with welcoming outdoor patios lined the streets of each port we visited.
If you go and find you can resist the smell of souvlaki, or the sight of plump rectangles of feta cheese topping the fresh Greek salads, you’re stronger than we are.
We gave in without a struggle at each spot, enjoying not only the delicious food but also the second outstanding feature of every port – the furry parade of friendly stray cats that wound through the tables, looking for pats and possibly the odd bit of souvlaki.
Not aggressive, these cats were simply ambassadors of welcome, adding to the ambiance of an already very friendly country.
Back on board, we worked off some of the pita bread we’d enjoyed with our salads by hooking ourselves into climbing gear and ascending the mast for a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea. The climb wasn’t mandatory, but many guests gave it a try and we were glad we did.
At mealtimes, we gathered in the elegant main dining room, where guests came together in groups to share their adventures and raise a few glasses. A mix of European, British and North American travellers made for interesting conversations in which politics was largely, and wisely, absent.
We were simply there to enjoy the sun, the sea and the sailing – a glorious adventure, and one we hope to repeat someday soon.
