Our party of three had a great cruise aboard the Royal Clipper and took over 1,000 pictures. It was a great adventure (my second, Med. in 2007) and lots of fun the second time around. We highly recommend cruising with Star Clippers. Nancy is the one at the wheel and going up the mast in the photos. Thanks for a wonderful cruise, only on small boat cruises would you steer and go up the mast. – Tom Simmonds, Ellice Simmonds Smart and Nancy Simmonds Gorman

On board Royal Clipper, Laura will host lectures on marine wildlife, operate a daily whale and dolphin watch, lead beach walks and join Star Clippers guests on dives. She will continue her marine biology studies in the Caribbean this upcoming year, uncovering the mysteries of marine life, one port call at a time.

Marine Biologist Laura Del Rio Torres.

Chalk Cliffs of Rügen Island in the Jasmund National Park.

The island of Rügen is located just off the northeastern coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea. The island’s largest town, Sassnitz, is a major tourist attraction for those who love the sight of luxury yachts, passenger ferries and pleasure boats. The island has more than 40 museums covering everything from local history to underwater archaeology. There are also countless monuments, churches, palaces and majestic homes, including graves and burial mounds from the island’s historic past, and the Ralswiek Palace and Granitz hunting lodge from the 19th century.

Rügen is famous for its romantic seaside resorts and spas, which date back to the 18th century and breathtaking landscapes. On the coast, there are mile-long beaches and in the heart of the island, you can follow the scenic drive “Alleenstrasse” along cobble-stoned avenues lined with century old trees.

Little Sassnitz is the site of several gingerbread-trimmed hotels where outdoor lovers like to vacation, and it is also the jumping off place for Jasmund National Park, where hikers may walk through forests of beech and larch to view the spectacular chalk cliffs that tower in white majesty over the breaking sea below. The snow-white cliff “Königsstuhl” on the Jasmund peninsula rises 118 meters out of the Baltic Sea; for best views of the majestic cliff,guests can take a boat tour around the peninsula and enjoy the scenery from the water.

Before you board the ship for the next port call, be sure to try some of Rügen’s local culinary treats: Sanddorn (sea-buckthorns), little orange berries that grow on shrubs all over the dunes of the island.

Star Flyer heads to the Baltic in summer 2012 and will sail a variety of itineraries ranging from three-night samplers to 11-night explorations. To view a complete list of Star Flyer’s 2012 Northern Europe/ Baltic itineraries, click here. Bookings are now open!