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As we all know how important first
impressions are in our business. With that in mind let me share
with you some of the comments made by six fellow passengers on our
transfer to join the Star Clipper this August in Barbados:
"She's Magnificent", "Awesome",
"I didn't realize that she was this big", "Wow look at all of
those lights."
As we arrived at the ship at around
9 pm the ship was dressed and all lit up waiting for us at the
dock. Little did we know that within only an hour or so it would
only get better!
If you have never been on an
authentic sailing ship as she leaves harbor and sets full sail,
then you have truly missed one of the most beautiful sights at
sea! With the theme song of 1442 on the p.a. system the crew of
the Star Clipper, NOT the computer, hoisted over 20 sails as we
quietly left Barbados for St Lucia. Without exception our guests
and the other passengers just watched in awe as the four masts
came to life filled with canvas and the wind.
So what about the final impression
you might ask?
One of our participants summed it
up in an e-mail: "My soul is aglow and I can't seem to wipe the
mile from my face. In fact, I cannot wait to watch MY group
disembark for the American flight with that very same glow".
So what really makes a Star Clipper
Cruise so very special besides the white sails and the blue seas?
There are many factors: the ship, the crew, the destinations,
the water sports, the meals and just an overall relaxing
ambience. Let me briefly describe our Star Clipper cruise.
The Star Clipper carries a total of
only 170 passengers. For incentive charter purposes figure on
having 150 guests plus your staff, so you don't have to use inside
cabins and some smaller outside cabins. Of the total of 85
cabins, 79 are outside cabins, with the following breakdown:
1 x owners suite
8 x 150 square foot deck cabins
70 x 120 square foot outside cabins
But please, don't let the size fool
you!! These ships have been designed by avid yachtsmen who have
known for years how to get the most efficient use out of small
spaces. Your cabin will feel more like 140 to 150 sq ft. Most
cabins have convertible twins to doubles or fixed queen size bed,
marble bathrooms with great showers, top of the line bath room
amenities, direct dial satellite phone, radio, remote control TV
with in room movies, more than ample closet and storage space,
individual a/c control and at least one port hole. The decor is
bright with just the right amount of wood and brass to remind you
that you are on a yacht not a ship.
It seems most people really don't
spend much time in their cabins, as during the day you are either
exploring a new island or taking part in water sports
activities. The Star Clipper water sports program is as active
as you can get. Water skiing, snorkeling, snorkeling safaris,
scuba diving for both experienced and non experienced divers, hot
dogging, and wind surfing. Too active? Pick your spot at one of
the two on deck swimming pools. Too boring? Climb the mast and
watch the world go by from the crows nest, which is not for the
faint at heart. Or how about just laying in the netting
suspended from the bow sprint several deck levels above the open
ocean while under sail? Last, but far from least, you can always
go to the bridge and talk with the Captain about how he sails the
ship or go down below with engineer for a tour of the engine room.
Keep in mind, for those who have
"been there and done that", Star Clippers can take you to those
off the beaten track ports in the Caribbean, Med or Southeast
Asia. Our beach BBQ was on our own private island with a perfect
beach on the Leeward side and a pristine reef for snorkeling for
even a novice on the Windward side. It couldn't get much better
than this! The quaint island of Bequia is another gem in the
Caribbean that you just have to visit to appreciate. In Grenada
we stocked our spice cabinets and drove through a rain forest
where it was all right there just for the taking. Whether
it be in the Caribbean or the Med, Star Clipper can take you to
unique ports that simply are too small for most cruise ships.
Dining on the Star Clipper is open
seating. Breakfast is an extensive buffet with an egg and omelet
station. Catering to both the American and European markets means
a great selection of cereals, fresh fruit, bakery items and
assorted cold cuts and cheese. Lunch is a buffet as well with
rotating themes. The Asian Lunch in particular was great!
Each lunch features a meat carvery
station, numerous hot dishes and an interesting selection of
salads with the mandatory dessert and cheese buffet. Dinners are
ala carte served between 7:30 and 10 pm. Again the multi-national
make-up of the passengers means some interesting choices such as
an outstanding Venison entree. One shorting coming however was
that there are only two entrees to select from. The Hotel
Manager told me that currently a fleet wide change is taking place
which will expand the nightly selections.
Each evening hot and cold canapés
are served on deck during the cocktail hour as well as a late
night snack. Coffee, tea and fresh fruit are always available as
well. Room service is not available.
The Piano Bar located on the Main
Deck is a popular meeting place before dinner. If you look over
head you might notice one of your fellow passenger in the swimming
pool. The bottom of the pool features glass viewing ports that
make up part of the ceiling in this room. At the aft end of this
room is the inside part of the Tropical Bar which serves both the
inside and outside portion of the ship. The exterior Tropical
Bar is really the main meeting and gathering point on the ship
with great panoramic ocean views.
The Gift Shop located on the main
deck has a good selection of logo items at surprisingly reasonably
price. THE BEST BARGAIN ON THE SHIP IS A $28.00 MASSAGE.
If you're looking for casino action
and late night discos you're out of luck. Nightly entertainment
is limited to one night of local entertainment brought from shore,
several evenings of dancing on deck, a fun crew and passenger
talent show and of course crab races. The piano player does duty
as late night host and DJ. One of the best entertainers on the
ship is Murphy. Murphy is the ship's Parrot who entertains day
and night for pretzels and coca-cola. This bird is great! You
can have all of the photos you want with a Parrot on your
shoulder, on your arm or on your head without charge! They must
have hired him away from Barcardi because this seems to be one of
his favorite words, or maybe its because he hangs around a bar all
day.
The 68 multi-national crew members
are attentive and eager to please. Your cabin steward provides
fresh beach towels daily and nightly turndown service. The
three-member sports team was a real favorite with divers and
snorkelers alike. The Captain and officers are readily available
and accessible to answer any questions or just talk about their
unique personal backgrounds.
Some people thought that beverage
service should be available on the decks by the swimming pools,
but then again this ship is only 360 feet long so you're never
that far from the mid ship Tropical Bar.
A Star Clipper cruise is not for
everyone, but what ship is? If you have an active group this is
a great ship. If you have a group that thinks that they have seen
all of the Caribbean, the Star Clipper will prove them wrong by
being able to take them to some of the most unique and charming
islands in the Caribbean that the big ships can't overrun with
tourists. The same unique itineraries hold true in the Med and
of course in Southeast Asia. The on board experience is relaxed
and casual with a no jacket required policy, which is becoming
very appealing.
For a group of 150 would we
recommend you take a serious look at chartering the Star Clipper
or her twin sister, the Star Flyer.
And, don't forget about the brand
new 228-passenger Royal Clipper, who also sails the Caribbean and
Mediterranean. First reports are that this ship is really
stunning. You will be surprised at how truly affordable these
products are for your incentive clients. |
