The Treasure Islands on the Star Clipper
By:  Debbie

My husband and I sailed on the Star Clippers Cruise Line last month to the Treasure Islands (St. Martin, Anguilla, Jost Van Dyke/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 (ages 25-60), and surely the captain and crew will remember sailing with us for some time. We all enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. 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 Star Clippers 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 to Pusser'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. We went to Saline Beach. 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. 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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