View from crow's nest.

The luxury clipper ship Star Flyer will return to the Baltic next year with several new itineraries after a bumper inaugural season in 2012.

One of the most popular, the 10 and 11 nights sailings from Stockholm with St Petersburg as a highlight which sold out early, will be increased from three to six.

Star Clippers’ owner Mikael Krafft said guests loved the idea of sailing into some of the world’s most famous ports on a graceful tall ship.

“St Petersburg is the jewel in the crown and there is no better way to approach this magnificent city than on Star Flyer, with all guests on deck,” he said.

The Stockholm sailings on the 170-passenger Star Flyer in 2013 are May 25, June 4 and 15 (a charter) and June 25, July 6 and 16.

To enable guests to try out the tall ship experience in the Baltic, more ‘taster’ cruises have been added, with four-night break breaks from Amsterdam to Hamburg in May, and Hamburg to Ostend in August. There are also two opportunities to join the famous sailing parades of Germany’s Hanseatic League ports: a three-night stay in Hamburg, and an eight-night round-trip from Travemunde, during which Star Flyer participates in the Rostock Sailing Parade, a magnificent procession of tall ships from all over the world.

Because Star Flyer is much smaller than conventional cruise ships, itineraries include charming, out-of-the-way ports like Karlskrona and Sandhamm in Sweden, where big ships will never go, creating a real feeling of immersion in the destination.

“The Swedes are sailing-mad for a reason,” said Mikael Krafft. “The sailing conditions here are fantastic, with reliable wind and stunning scenery, and the sun barely sets for much of the summer.”

Star Clippers operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels visiting ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht, The two other ships in the Star Clippers fleet are Star Clipper (170 passengers) and the flagship Royal Clipper (227).