Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers (0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk), who offer fully-crewed, sailing cruises on board magnificent head-turning tall ships, will bring the 170-passenger square rigger, Star Flyer, to the UK in 2012 for the first time since the vessel’s launch in 1991, as part of the company’s first ever season sailing the Baltic.

For the first time Great Rail Journeys (01904 521 980, www.GreatRail.com) is offering new rail and sail cruise itineraries that combines first and premium class rail travel, 4* hotel accommodation in some of the world’s most famous cities and a 10 day cruise on board the world’s largest, fully crewed tall ship, Royal Clipper (www.starclippers.co.uk), plus the option of a return from Venice to Paris on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express.

Cruise guests from niche tall ship operator Star Clippers have removed 1,700 pounds of rubbish from North Friar’s Beach and Keys Beach in St. Kitts in a beach clean-op operation organised by on-board marine biologist, Mariano Peruzzo. This is the third time Star Clippers guests have take part in beach clean-ups, on this occasion joining volunteers from a local charity to rid the island’s beaches of plastics and other litter.

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers (0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk) will offer its first ever season sailing the Baltic in 2012, a unique chance to sail into some of the world’s greatest seafaring ports on a magnificent, fully-crewed square rigger, the 170-passenger Star Flyer.