 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Malta[1] | |
| Name | Royal Clipper |
| Owner | Star Clippers |
| Port of registry | Valletta |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 4,425 GT |
| Length | 439 ft (134.8 m) |
| Beam | 54 ft (16.5 m) |
| Draft | 18.5 ft (5.6 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Capacity | 227 passengers (Max) |
| Crew | 106 |
Royal Clipper is a steel-hulled five-mastedfully riggedtall ship used as acruise ship. She was redesigned by Robert McFarlane of McFarlane ShipDesign, for Star Clippers Ltd. ofSweden, the same designer behind the cruise company's first two vesselsStar Clipper andStar Flyer.
This third one was built using an existing steel hull designed byZygmunt Choreń that was modified by theGdańsk Shipyard, where 24 metres (79 ft) was added to its length. Originally built by Polish communist authorities as "Gwarek" she was intended as a floating vacation home for miners[citation needed] . This hull was sold because of financial problems[citation needed]. TheMerwede shipyard completed the ship's interior in July 2000, whilst visiting thePool of London, for its pre-launch to the travel industry. The renovations includedfrescography murals byRainer Maria Latzke completing the ship's Mediterranean interior.[2] Her design was based onPreussen, a famousGerman five-mastFlying P-Linerwindjammer built in 1902.
Star Clippers claims that she is the largest "true sailing ship" built sincePreussen. She is listed inGuinness World Records as the largestsquare-rigged ship in service, with 5,202 square metres (55,990 sq ft) of sail. Her sails can be handled with a crew as small as twenty using powered controls.[3]
Royal Clipper cruises theMediterranean during the summer. During the winter she offersCaribbean trips through the southern parts of theLesser Antilles area. Because of her size, she can visit smaller ports that larger (motor) cruise ships can't reach.Transatlantic crossings are available between seasons.[4]
