Up on deck, a couple watch the sun drop slowly into the sea as gulls circle one last time in the sky.

Friends gather round the Piano Bar and join in singing a few favorites. And in the Tropical Bar, the bartender shakes a pitcher full of some delicious cooling concoction. Now, is there anything more relaxing than this?

Clearly this is not a cruise ship in the ordinary sense. On Star Clippers, you will find that there are no rigid schedules. You are free to do as you wish with your days - and evenings. To entertain you, we bring local performers on board to give passengers an authentic taste of the local music and arts.

So rather than enduring another Broadway revue, you can enjoy the conviviality of fellow shipmates while a live band plays tropical tunes from a real paradise. The Captain and crew are superb improvisers of the kind of light-hearted fun you'll only find on Star Clippers. The Captain's daily briefing on deck is wonderfully informative and a chance to hear some great story-telling as well. And there are other events and activities, such as knot tying and navigation classes, that have evolved from Star Clippers sailing heritage. In fact, our passengers tell us that it's the easy-going informality of Star Clippers that makes a cruise with us so enjoyable.