CruiseOpinion.com Ship Reviews

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Name: Julie Mabberley
Email: julie.mabberley@which.net
Age: 43
Occupation: Accountant
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: StarClipper-StarClipper
SailingDate: 23 July 2000
Itinerary: Caribbean Islands
Cabin: 406 Category C
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 
CruiseStaff: 75
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 60
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 
PrivateIsland: 
GoodForFamilies: 60
LoungeService: 
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff: 
EntertainmentLounges: 
WheelchairAccess: 0
ExerciseFacilities: 50
EntertShowLounge: 
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 
EntertainmentPoolside: 
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 
AirSeaProgram: 
MedicalFacilities: 
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 
DiscoNightclubs: 
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 70
ShopsOnBoard: 
SpaceRatio: 
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Dec 2000
Time: 11:58:21
Remote Name: 194.201.24.170
Remote User: 

Comments

I have now spent 6 weeks on this ship so must have enjoyed it. It is a relaxed and friendly ship with all the basic
facilities that you need when cruising round the Caribbean. I don't recommend this ship to anyone who has
difficulty in geting on and off tenders, walking around the decks and up or down stairs when the ship is rolling - it
is a sailing ship and hopefully does sail. Maximum tilt is about 18 degrees in each direction. So make sure that
you have secured everything in your cabin. This trip was probably the one where we sailed least and had least
opportunity to take good photographs of the ship, but every Captain is different and you may be luckier. I have
been in the past. Check out the photographs on my website if you don't believe me,
homepages.which.net/~julie.mabberley. The entertaining is mainly self-made by passengers or crew although
there is a resident pianist and a sports team. Food is plentiful and good but don't expect a large spread on the
midnight buffet. Most people are in bed by this time. The crew are all very friendly and will to help you with
anything you need. This includes climbing the mast and taking the wheel, as well as making special cocktails.
Although they aren't very good at finding lost luggage. I recommend that you look after your own! It is mainly a
cruise for couples, but I have always travelled on my own and met a great crowd of people. There are no special
facilities for children and I have not seen many on the ship.


Name: Debbie Russell
Email: debbie@traveland.net
Age: 41
Occupation: Travel Accounting Department
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: StarClipper-StarClipper
SailingDate: Feb 25-Mar 04, 2001
Itinerary: Treasure Islands
Cabin: Cat. 3/Cabin 115
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets: 
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 75
DeckService: 
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff: 
PrivateIsland: 
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff: 
EntertainmentLounges: 60
WheelchairAccess: 
ExerciseFacilities: 
EntertShowLounge: 
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 
EntertainmentPoolside: 
CruiseActivities: 60
Casino: 
AirSeaProgram: 
MedicalFacilities: 
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 60
ShopsOnBoard: 60
SpaceRatio: 75
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 21 Mar 2001
Time: 13:50:32
Remote Name: 207.190.217.201
Remote User: 

Comments

My husband and I sailed on the StarClippers last month to the Treasure Islands (St. Martin, Anguilla, Jost
VanDyke/Soper's Hole, Norman Island, Virgin Gorda, St. Kitt's, St. Barts) aboard the Star Clipper. All 165
passengers were from the Northeast and were all customers of the company that chartered this incentive
cruise. We were quite the group (age25-60), and surely the captain and crew will remember sailing with us for
some time. We all enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. Never had the captain seen the ship go through so much
liquor! 

This was truly a unique cruising experience; an alternative to the mass marketed cruises, which we have
traveled in the past. This was our third cruise having cruised on the Norwegian Crown and the Disney
Wonder. Cruising aboard the four masted, 360 ft. long, 170 sailing passenger vessel Star Clipper, you can
enjoy the sea in close proximity while sailing to unusual ports which only yachts have access to hence
avoiding the ports congested by tourists departing from the larger cruise ships,"stinkpots"as our captain I.
Hansson referred to them. This I believe is the most important advantage in choosing a StarClippers cruise. 

The Star Clipper is a replica of a 19th century clipper ship providing all the amenities and atmosphere of a
mega-yacht. Gliding along the waters silently under full sail - all 36, 000 sq. ft. of them, is such an impressive
sight not only to you as a passenger but also to all who come into view of the ship. 

One of the many highlights of our voyage is when passengers are given the opportunity to embark on the
tender to see and take photos/video of the Star Clipper under full sail. It is just breathtaking! 

The itinerary on this particular sailing (Feb.25-Mar. 4, 2001) was departing from St. Martin to Anguilla (for a
beach day at Road or Crocus Bay) to Tortola/Jost Van Dyke (White Bay- beach barbecue) relocating same
day to Tortola/Soper's Hole (tendering toPusser's Landing Marina, Jolly Roger Restaurant), Tortola/Norman
Island (tendering to Billy Bones Bar, snorkeling excursion), Tortola/Virgin Gorda (scenic passage thru the
Francis Drake Channel anchoring off the North Sound, tendering to The Bitter End Yacht Club and Prickley
Pear's private beach, shore excursion to The Baths) Of special interest to us was the snorkeling. The ship
provides free use of equipment, which can be brought to all the islands you tender to in order to snorkel off
the coast. Here at The Baths I believe snorkeling was the best. Next on to St. Kitts (arriving in Basseterre,
shore excursions of beach horseback riding, golf and ocean kayaking and snorkeling, relocating to South
Friar's Bay for a beach day and to the Shipwreck Bar) and St. Barts/Gustavia (tender to visit Capital
Gustavia, or walk over to Shell Beach) Shore excursions are a Road Rally where you can rent a mini moke or
jeep for the day and split up into teams of four for a scavenger hunt touring the island of St. Barts, or an
Island Tour aboard an 8-seater mini van giving you an overview of the island. We chose the Road Rally with
another couple but didn't take part in the scavenger hunt. We toured the entire island in our mini jeep,
shopping for souvenirs, stopping at small markets for 30-cent Heinekens and bakeries for French bread and
éclairs. We also visited the St. Barts Beach Hotel and went to the beach where the entrance is all the way
down from their parking lot. This was quite the haul to the beach going up and down hilly, rocky terrain but
well worth it. It's on the Atlantic Ocean side and note that it is a nude beach. When we were shopping in an art
studio we asked the storekeeper where SHE would eat in town and she suggested we go to Eddie's where our
dinner was superb! Itinerary ended with sail back to St. Martin for departure from ship early morning on last
day. The rest of the day you can shop in Phillipsburg. We also visited Little Divi Beach Resort while we were
there. 

On-Board activities are minimal and consisted of a masseuse/manicurist, morning fitness exercise (no fitness
equipment onboard), nightly entertainment of some sort at the Tropical Bar i.e. Pirate Night/hermit crab
racing, talent show, fashion show from the Sloop Shop and trivia contests, a Captain's presentation, mast
climbing, 2 pools to dip in, vegetable carving, napkin folding and scuba certification done poolside. You will
have to be content with just one entertainer/pianist for the week onboard the ship. We had Bela, a Hungarian
piano player/singer. You can also lie on the bow nets that hang out on either side of the beam that extends
from the bow of the ship. Just like big hammocks, this was definitely the place to relax or sunbathe. Our
accommodations were comfortable. We were in a category 3 which consisted of a roomy double bed with
shower/bathroom. For the amount of time you will spend in your cabin this was more than sufficient. Our cabin
steward was exceptional at keeping our cabin tidy. The ship does use its engines during the night to get to its
destination by early morning so depending on where your cabin is situated you may find it noisy. Food was
plentiful but only 2 to 3 choices for a la carte dinner nights. Jumbo shrimp and caviar were the highlights and
so was the omelet/egg station in the morning! Unfortunately not any chocolate desserts that week! Dining
room seating was open and dress was casual. It was not unusual to find the crew and captain dining with the
passengers throughout each of the seatings. The crew was very knowledgeable in each of their tasks
onboard together with being very pleasant and genuinely wanting to make each day more enjoyable than the
next. 

In summary, we enjoyed our voyage, our visit to the Treasure Islands and the experiences gained while
sailing onboard the Star Clipper. We look forward to the possibility of cruising onboard the Royal Clipper one
day, which is the newer larger (439 ft.), five masted clipper ship. 



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