Cruise line's fourth ship will be built in Croatia and is due to debut in late 2017
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is to add a fourth ship to its fleet, which last welcomed Royal Clipper as a newbuild in July 2000.
Modelled on the largest square-rigger ever built, France II, the newbuild will be a five-masted, square-rigged barque and will largely be powered by more than 6,350sqm of sails. When she launches in the second half of 2017, the 8,770gt ship will replace her sister ship Royal Clipper as the largest vessel of her kind in the world.
“We have already built the five-masted full ship Royal Clipper, which is very much influenced by the German sailing ship Preussen,” said Mikael Krafft, founder and owner of Star Clippers. “This time, we intend to build a ship inspired by France II, an ambition I have had for a long time. The ship’s rig will be identical to France II and dimensions will be very similar, although we have added various features that will make this the most magnificent passenger sailing ship afloat.”
To be built at Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia, the ship will accommodate 300 passengers in 150 cabins, which include 34 suites with balconies and four owner’s cabins.
The vessel will also offer three pools, including one the funnels sunlight through the ship’s atrium into the dining room; an area for massage and beauty treatments; a library; a function room; a piano bar; a deck bar; a sports bar; and an alfresco Tropical Bar, which offers evening entertainment. Guests will dine in a restaurant in the atrium.
Following her 2017 delivery, the newbuild will initially sail the company’s most popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Sales are expected to open in 2016.
Star Clippers currently operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels – the 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper, and the 227-passenger Royal Clipper.