Luxury cruise ships aren’t usually known for budget-friendly bar tabs. On most ships, a cocktail will cost upwards of $15, with $20 or $25 being the norm for many drinks. And that’s before they add on an automatic 18% gratuity.
So when I took a Star Clippers cruise, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the drinks were even cheaper than my local pub! I have no idea why they price the drinks so cheaply, but I’m not complaining!
If you are the kind of cruiser who enjoys a cocktail at sunset, a glass of wine with dinner and maybe a nightcap under the stars, then you’re sure to love the drinks menus on Star Clippers.
What makes Star Clippers different
Star Clippers operates traditional tall sailing ships rather than floating resorts. These are elegant, old-world style vessels with polished wood, billowing sails and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. There are no casinos, no waterslides and no loud bars. Instead, you get quiet lounges, open decks, live music and a level of service that feels genuinely personal.
Suggested read: Star Clippers Vs Regular Cruise Ships
This style of cruising carries through to the bar experience too. Drinks are well made, served properly and never rushed. The friendly bar tenders remember your name, your room number and whether you like ice or not.
The drinks are just as good as they are on the big ships, but a whole lot cheaper.
Take a look at the menu…
Star Clippers keeps things simple with just one drinks menu. The prices are in Euros and includes service charge.
On Star Clippers a glass of wine costs €4, a beer is €4.50 and a cocktail is just €8. (Euros and US dollars are usually roughly equivalent)
Wines By The Bottle
The house wine is very nice, especially for only €4 per glass! However, for those of you who like to enjoy a nice bottle of wine with dinner, there is a large list of wines to choose from. Bottles of wine start at just €16!
When you consider that most cruise lines will charge you $15 corkage for a bottle of wine that you bring yourself, the wine prices on Star Clippers sound too good to be true. But it is true – take a look at the wine list…
Special Offers
Each day, there is a cocktail of the day. It will be a little cheaper than usual and a great excuse to try something that you might not usually order. And save a bit of money too.
Depending on your itinerary, there may also be regional drinks for you to enjoy. For example on our Caribbean itinerary, you could get bottles of Carib Caribbean lager for €4.50.
Star Clippers does not offer drink packages
That might sound like a negative if you are used to cruising on lines where you feel safer pre-paying, but on Star Clippers it works in your favour. The prices are so low that most people end up spending far less than they would on a package elsewhere.
There is also something refreshing about not having to think about whether you are “getting your money’s worth.” You simply order what you want, when you want, and pay a fair price for it.
Where you can get drinks onboard
The Tropical Bar and Piano Bar are the social heart of the ship. It’s actually one bar, with half of it on the inside of the ship and half outside.
Royal Clipper also has another bar on the Sun Deck. She’s a little larger than the other ships, with a few extra features. There is also table service in the dining room.
Some itineraries include a beach barbeque. Here, they crew members will set up a bar on the beach so you can enjoy many of the same drinks you would on the ship, for the same price.
Complimentary drinks
There are some occasions where drinks are complimentary.
You’ll be welcomed onboard with a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. If it’s your second cruise or more, you’ll also get an invite to the ‘Repeaters Party’, where the complimentary champagne will be flowing.
You can help yourself to a selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate at any time of the day or night.
There’s a water dispenser where you can help yourself to cold, filtered water, which is great! I hate it when cruise ships make it hard for you to refill your bottle and want you to buy plastic bottles of water instead.
At breakfast time, you can also enjoy a selection of fruit juices and flavoured water at no cost.
Final thoughts
Star Clippers proves that luxury does not have to mean expensive drinks. With bar prices that feel more than fair, generous pours and a beautiful setting to enjoy them in, it is one of the best cruise lines at sea for anyone who likes to enjoy a drink without running up a huge bill.
If you love the idea of sipping a cocktail on a quiet deck, watching the sails fill with wind as the sun sets, Star Clippers might just be your perfect match.
To see what its like onboard, I recommend that you take a look at my video…
Related Posts:
- Star Clippers Ships Compared – Which One Should You Choose?
- 10 Reasons to Cruise with Star Clippers
- I Tried a Totally Different Caribbean Cruise – and I Liked It More Than a Mega Ship
