We chose Star Clipper on recommendation of our independent travel agent as being a great ship to go on for a first voyage. It surpassed our expectations and we shall certainly do another one. We chose this route because we wanted to sample the Borneo wildlife and we saw orangutans, sun bears, many monkeys and crocodiles. The ship exuded class and comfort, the service was excellent and the staff both above and below deck were personable and helpful. The Captain and officers were professional and friendly and we always felt safe. Our cabin was 330 and was really comfortable with a shower room and toilet , air conditioning and lots of well-planned storage space. There was just the hum of the engine all the time which was needed for the generators even when we were under sail which was most of the time. It did not keep us awake and after a day or two we didn't even notice it. This was Star Clippers maiden voyage from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu and it took 10 days with several stops, mainly in ports but also at anchor and using the safety boats to disembark. There was no formal entertainment but there was no need for it. Several evenings resulted in impromptu events such as a crew/customer talent show which was great fun. There were lots of informal talks from the crew and also star-gazing and engine room and bridge visits as well as making cocktails etc This was not a ship for those wanting to be entertained. Go to a big cruise ship for that! Dress was smart casual in the evenings but men were required to wear long trousers and shirts in the restaurant. Most ladies dressed up in a casual way and wore cocktail dresses or smart trousers etc. Certainly there was no pressure at all. This was not a ship for children as there were no facilities and people enjoyed an adult-only experience. Excursions to Kuching, Brunei and Sepilok were really great and well-organised. We booked once on board and there was plenty of opportunity to learn more and no pressure. We absolutely loved it and can't wait to go again. Read Less

We're experienced small ship cruisers, but this was our first time on this type of ship. In brief, we had a really enjoyable time, and would highly recommend the experience. Being under sail is, as my wife put it, absolutely magical. First the positives. We were in cabin 505, on the main deck, port side, forward. The cabin is compact, but very comfortable, and well thought out in terms of layout, style and facilities. There is plenty of stowage space for two people. The bathroom is similarly well designed, with a large tub/shower, a single handbasin and secure stowage for all those small bottles. The staff overall were very good, pleasant and helpful. The deck Officers were approachable, and happy to answer questions, and the Captains enthusiasm for his job was infectious! Other Officers - the Engineers and the "hotel" staff were similarly pleasant, with the Hotel Manager - Arnold - in particular being especially charming. Barmen and waiters similarly were all pleasant to interact with. Food is perfectly acceptable. The breakfast and lunch buffets were very good, while the a la carte dinners were for the most part enjoyable. More vegetables would help. The Italian house red at $16 a bottle is a good option. Being under sail as frequently as we were (probably 50-60% of the time) was unexpected, and a real plus. One had the impression that the Captain was just as eager to get the sails up, just for the fun of it! The overall informality is wonderful. Access to an iron would have been useful, but really wasn't a huge issue - take drip-dry non-iron clothes! (Pressing service is available at a reasonable price, but requires an overnight before return). Now the negatives. Our main grouse was noise related, in two ways. Firstly, it turned out that our cabin (and all the forward '5' series premium cabins) was located directly beneath some mechanical winches and other equipment used to raise/set/and adjust the sails. This was not a problem in daylight hours, but at night time it was. We had interrupted sleep on 6 out of 7 nights aboard due to the sails being adjusted at various times during the night, on a couple of nights up to three/four times. This was irritating to say the least, and we felt that the possibility of this happening should have been made clear by Star Clippers on booking, especially as our cabin was graded as 'premium'. However, by the end of the trip we were becoming used to the disturbance and it concerned us a little less than it had at the start. Secondly, there were several small children on this segment, and they often monopolised the aft (larger) swimming pool, playing games and shrieking loudly. This effectively drove away anyone seeking peace and quiet, which we believe is what a cruise of this type is about. A little more consideration and control by parents and ships staff would have helped ensure everyones' enjoyment of the ship. Finally, embarkation at the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal in Singapore could have been more efficiently handled. Most of the joining passengers were already present in the terminal well before the official embarkation time of 4 pm, and it would have improved the check-in process if the required forms to be completed had been given to passengers along with a 'queue number' ticket as they arrived in the terminal and handed over their baggage.The actual procedure of announcing embarkation at 4 pm and only then handing out forms for completion led to a somewhat disorganised surge of passengers around the check-in desks. Would we use Star Clippers again? Absolutely, given the right itinerary - and a good set of earplugs to use at night under sail! Read Less

Chose this cruise because we wanted a proper sailing adventure and did not want a large floating hotel, - and It was just fabulous ! We enjoyed every single minute of this voyage. Yes - the cabins are quite "cosy" , but they have everything you need. The crew were all very friendly and professional. The food on board was superb, and we met some lovely people from all over the world. Some of the trips were a bit disappointing, eg: Malacca is a place I wouldn't rush back to, and the Similian islands were more crowded than Maya bay, but life on board ship was always the highlight. Prices on board were very reasonable -especially when compared to Singapore ! Always felt very safe when leaving the ship by tender, but you do need to be fairly fit as there are a lot of stairways involved on a cruise like this. To sum up - loved it, loved it, loved it ! Can't wait for the next one - probably in the Med. Read Less