In all honesty, I didn’t know what to anticipate once I fortunately accepted an invite to sail on Star Clipper, one in every of three true Crusing Ships in Star Clippers’ fleet. The Star Clipper expertise promised to be not like any of the over 30 cruises I had taken. For one factor, Star Clipper is a modern, four-masted schooner, the dream of proprietor Mikael Krafft, a Swedish yachtsman bent on recreating the fantastic age of clipper ships. I had grown used to ships as lodges, superb carriers that take passengers from place to put with hardly a ripple in my wine glass. However, I questioned, if the wind was our propeller, how would I take to being tossed about ought to we encounter stormy seas? For that matter, would my wardrobe and I match into my cabin simply above the waterline and marketed as being all of 118 sq. toes? May I navigate the steps required to journey between Star Clipper’s 4 decks and clamber over the ropes because the crew raised and lowered its 16 sails. Would I slot in with a world crowd of German, French, Belgian, American and Swedish passengers? To say nothing of a crew of Filipinos, Indonesians, Indians presided over by a Polish Captain and officers from Germany and Spain? The reply to all these questions was a convincing, Sure!
STAR CLIPPER IS A TRUE CLIPPER SHIP
At 379 toes lengthy, with a beam of 49 toes, this gleaming white vessel is sort of a sight to behold. Even when its sails are stowed every time the ship anchors, Star Clipper impresses. As we boarded our cruise of the Costa Rican coast, the distinction between Princess Cruise’s Emerald Princess and our superb crusing ship couldn’t have been extra obvious. Carrying simply 166 visitors and 74 crew, Star Clipper is probably going the closest I’ll ever get to crusing in an infinite personal yacht. Gleaming brass and polished woods dominate each its interiors and exteriors.
Its interiors are reminders of a gilded age, of grand passages taken by bygone crusing ships.
My Cabin #110 on Commodore deck was a nice shock. Sure, it was cosy. But at 118 sq. toes, it was masterfully designed. Actually, there was a spot for every thing. Loads of closet house, nice studying lamps by the mattress, and a beautiful porthole so near the water that the ocean usually splashed proper over the glass. There was a small flatscreen TV with a DVR for in-cabin motion pictures and security drills, a hair dryer, a radio, a phone and a protected. The toilet was minute and but it had every thing wanted and extra toiletries than one individual might ever use. The cabin service was exceptional. “Sonny,” my Filipino steward, made up the room the second I left it within the morning and turndown service got here proper on the Cocktail Hour. The ship is completely air-conditioned, which within the tropical warmth of our itinerary was a godsend.
IT TOOK ME ALL OF ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO FALL IN LOVE WITH STAR CLIPPER
Now I’m the primary to confess that any qualms I had about keeling over within the breeze have been rapidly dispersed as a result of, in all honesty, ours was a really calm cruise. The ship’s motors have been used way over her sails. And for these of us involved about clear power, Star Clipper makes use of pure low-sulphur gasoline oil and even garnered an award for it: The Worldwide Air Air pollution Prevention Certificates. Other than easy crusing, I used to be captivated by the journey of Star Clipper. Granted, I didn’t clamber as much as the Crow’s Nest as lots of my fellow passengers did. However I used to be put to disgrace by an 86-year-old passenger who did every thing from kayaking to scuba diving.
I cherished the open-seating eating room and the six (!) meal “events” starting from a very worldwide buffet breakfast by a buffet lunch, cocktail hour choices that modified day-after-day and at last dinner served course by course in a splendid setting that serves all visitors at a single seating. There was even a conventional Baked Alaska evening!
STAR CLIPPER IS REALLY ABOUT FUN, FUN, FUN
From the second I boarded and found that effectively over half the visitors are previous passengers, I knew the Star Clipper expertise is all about having a good time. This can be a trip! It’s all about solar, enjoyable and exploring nature—particularly on our Costa Rican itinerary. This excellent nation is stuffed with nice individuals who greet you with the Nationwide Motto, “Pura Vida” –the pure life. Costa Rica is among the most biodiverse international locations on earth. Practically a half million species populate its lush tropical forests. Our itinerary sailed the coast of the nation from one finish to the opposite. Different sailings will dip into Panama and its pure treasures. The shore excursions on provide are nearly all about nature—kayaking by mangrove forests, cover forest excursions unspoiled coves and seashores. One instance: Star Clipper drops anchor near Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, thought of the jewel of Costa Rica’s Nationwide Parks the place wildlife and tropical birds could be noticed firsthand.
At one other anchorage, we climbed aboard a catamaran for an additional sort of cruise up the coast to snorkel, swim and sunbathe! One other day we took benefit of the younger Sports activities employees’s choices: Water toys, kayaks, diving and snorkeling gear. Then we headed again to Star Clipper to lollygag round one in every of two swimming pools, in sunshine or in shade. Early night leisure enlivens the Cocktail and Hors d’oeuvres hour on the Tropical Bar. Keep on for probably the most magnificent sunsets. Right here you’ll uncover how, no matter the place you’re from, you’ve got so much in frequent with the worldwide crowd Star Clipper attracts. Then on to dinner with whomever you select. And after dinner, there’s star gazing on deck—that’s when there’s not a light-weight present illuminating the sails and disco dancing. Or keep up till 10 pm the place there’s extra leisure on the Tropical Bar. There’s Pirate Evening on each itinerary so gown appropriately. There’s the Crew Expertise Present (visitor participation inspired), which was adopted by a really giant group performing the Macarena with varied levels of success and hoots of laughter. All-in-all, Star Clipper is one occasion I hope to be invited to once more.
GETTING TO COSTA RICA IS AMAZINGLY EASY
San José (SJO) has the nation’s largest airport and it’s 2 hours from Puntarenas the place Star Clipper sails from. (Be aware: San José is the capital and largest metropolis of Costa Rica and the capital of the province of the identical identify. It’s within the middle of the nation.) No fewer than 11 US cities have direct flights to the capital. I used to be astonished to find San José is simply 4:25 from New York – far nearer and faster to get to than California. And it’s on USA Central time so jet lag presents no issues. Canadians can fly direct from each Montreal and Toronto and Europeans have 6 direct-to-San José airports to select from.
PRACTICAL MATTERS
Alas, paradise comes with a value. And it’s in Euros (which at this writing are about $1.per Euro.) Star Clipper fares will not be ‘all-inclusive.’. You’ll discover a welcome plate of cookies and fruit and a bottle of water in your stateroom, and also you received’t be ‘nickeled and dimed.’ And consider me you’ll not go hungry. However you’ll have to shell out on your drinks. Nevertheless, these signify a discount. There’s a “Day by day Drink Particular”, leaning closely on Umbrella drinks, for five Euros. Wines are really a discount. I ordered bottles of nice Rose time and again for 16 Euros. Shore excursions too are affordable if extra. Gratuities aren’t included. It’s really useful that you simply tip 5 Euros per individual per day for the waitstaff and three Euros per individual per day for the cabin steward. If you happen to’re not carrying Euros, you may add these to your remaining invoice utilizing a US bank card. Star Clipper swimming pools tricks to cabin stewards and waitstaff so that they encourage you to make use of the offered envelopes for each. For shore excursions, tour guides and drivers’ ideas are at your discretion…however please do! Lastly, there’s the matter of the Web. Star Clippers sells packages for 1 hour or 4 hours of WiFi use. The 4-hour bundle makes good sense however provided that you bear in mind to sign off each time you’ve checked your e-mail or posted on Instagram. In any other case, the meter retains ticking. Massages are additionally extra however extremely really useful and the payment for identical is affordable by American requirements.
STOP THE PRESSES, WAVE SEASON BARGAINS HAVE JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED!
Friends who e book by February 15, 2023, for sailings by November 2024 will obtain a $230 onboard credit score. That will effectively cowl your bar invoice, therapeutic massage, WiFi bundle or a few of the irresistible clothes within the Sloop Store. And with fares beginning at simply $1560 (my cabin will set you again $2130) your Star Clipper Costa Rican journey is value each penny. This provide isn’t simply confined to Central America. Choose sailings within the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands, the Riviera, Spain and the Balearic Islands by November 2024 are on provide too. Or keep nearer to residence on Star Clipper’s similar twin, Star Flyer, as she plies the Caribbean’s least-visited islands from easy-to-reach St. Maarten.