Star Clippers is owned by its founder, Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, who remains the company owner and president today.
Unlike nearly every other major cruise brand, Star Clippers has never been sold to a larger cruise conglomerate or private equity firm.
Star Clippers itself is a specialty line known for operating genuine tall ships, fully rigged sailing vessels rather than motor powered cruise ships.
Its three ships recreate the look and feel of nineteenth century clipper ships while offering modern cabins and dining onboard.
Krafft launched the company in 1989 out of a personal passion for recreating the golden age of sail, and it remains privately and independently run from Miami, Florida.
The company small size and independent ownership set it apart from every major cruise brand covered elsewhere in this series.
Have you ever wondered how a single entrepreneur ability to build and keep an entire tall ship cruise line for over three decades, without ever selling to a bigger company?
In this guide we will cover who owns Star Clippers, how founder Mikael Krafft built the company, its small fleet, and how it compares with other small ship sailing lines.
Lets take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Star Clippers?
Star Clippers is a specialty cruise line built around genuine tall ship sailing vessels.
The company was founded in 1989 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, who wanted to recreate the golden age of sailing ships with a modern mega yacht style experience.
Its first ship, Star Flyer, entered service in 1991, followed by sister ship Star Clipper in 1992 and the larger Royal Clipper in 2000.
The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and operates a small, tightly focused fleet compared with mainstream cruise lines.
Who Owns Star Clippers?
Star Clippers is owned by its founder, Mikael Krafft, who remains the company owner and president.
This makes Star Clippers unusual among major cruise brands, since nearly every other line covered in this series belongs to a large public company or private equity firm.
Because Krafft owns the company privately, Star Clippers does not publish detailed public financial results the way listed competitors must.
Founder, owner, and president since 1989
Independently owned tall ship cruise line
Is Star Clippers Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Star Clippers is privately owned, not publicly traded.
The company has no shares listed on any stock exchange, and founder Mikael Krafft has kept it independently owned since its founding in 1989.
This differs sharply from most of its larger competitors, many of which trade on the New York Stock Exchange or other major exchanges.
Who Founded Star Clippers?
Star Clippers was founded in 1989 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft.
Krafft had a personal passion for tall ship sailing and set out to recreate that experience with modern comforts aboard genuinely wind powered vessels.
He designed the ships to be some of the tallest and largest true sailing vessels built since the nineteenth century clipper ship era.
Star Clippers Fleet
Star Clippers operates three tall ships.
Star Flyer and Star Clipper, both launched in 1991 and 1992, carry around 170 guests each aboard fully rigged sailing vessels.
The larger flagship Royal Clipper, launched in 2000, carries up to 227 guests and is recognized as one of the largest true sailing ships in the world.
Where Does Star Clippers Sail?
Star Clippers ships split their time between different regions depending on the season.
Royal Clipper sails the Caribbean during winter and spring before repositioning to the Mediterranean for summer and fall.
Star Clipper and Star Flyer alternate between Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal region across the year.
What Is Star Clippers Known For?
Star Clippers is best known for operating genuine tall ships rather than motor powered vessels styled to look historic.
Guests can often help raise sails and climb the rigging, offering a hands on sailing experience unavailable on any mainstream cruise line.
The brand pairs this adventurous sailing experience with a single unhurried dining seating and a relaxed, casually elegant onboard atmosphere.
How Does Star Clippers Compare With Windstar Cruises?
Star Clippers and Windstar are the two best known operators of sailing style cruise ships.
Compared with Windstar, which mixes traditional sailing yachts with modern motor yachts, Star Clippers focuses exclusively on true wind powered tall ships.
Windstar is owned by a large private travel company, Xanterra Travel Collection, while Star Clippers remains owned directly by its founder.
Star Clippers has kept its head office at 760 NW 107th Avenue in Miami, Florida for decades, reflecting the company stable, founder led management style.
That long term stability has helped the brand maintain a loyal following among repeat sailors who specifically seek out true sailing ship voyages.
Customer Service And Official Contact Information
Guests with booking questions or onboard concerns should start with Star Clippers official channels rather than third party booking sites.
The official website is starclippers.com, which lists current phone support and travel agent resources.
For background on other small ship and sailing cruise lines, see WhoMakeThis guide to who owns Windstar Cruises and the related breakdown of who owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Star Clippers
Who owns Star Clippers?
Star Clippers is owned by its founder, Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, who has remained the company owner and president since 1989.
Is Star Clippers a publicly traded company?
No. Star Clippers is privately owned and does not have shares listed on any stock exchange.
Cruise industry standards are tracked by the Cruise Lines International Association at cruising.org.
How many ships does Star Clippers have?
Star Clippers operates three tall ships, Star Flyer, Star Clipper, and flagship Royal Clipper.
Is Star Clippers owned by a larger cruise company?
No. Unlike most major cruise brands, Star Clippers has never been sold to a larger cruise conglomerate or private equity firm.
Additional company history is available on the official Star Clippers corporate profile.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.