Star Clippers

[disneygal]

I've been watching with some interest the new itineraries that Star Cippers is planning for French Polynesia. Have any of you sailed with them before? I've heard some good things - not as upscale as Windstar, but more of a real sailing experience. I've been to French Polynesia before, and I'd like to visit this area again. I would be interested in any experiences you may have had with this line. Thanks!

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Disneygal. Please tell more what you know about the ship. What is the passengar capacity? Do they just sail in French Polynesia? I am not a big cruise fan but would enjoy a small group (under 100 people). We did take the Temptress in Belize and Guatemala. It was wonderful. It is a 63 passengar boat and we only had 20 aboard. It was look a private sailing trip! Be interested in any other boats like that.

[disneygal]

Hi Bonniejoy03,

Here's the website for Star Clippers: http://www.starclippers.com

The Star Flyer is the ship slated for the French Polynesian itinerary. It has a capacity of 170, and appears that they will begin sailing the South Pacific later this year. I met a few people who had been on Star Clipper ships (both the Star Clipper and the Royal Clipper) in the Caribbean and had great things to say. Other than that, I only know what I've read on Cruise Critic and other web sites. But it sounds interesting.....

Isn't the Temptress the boat that was later sold to Cruise West and now is in Costa Rica? Hard to keep them all straight. I also like the small ships, so I'm always on the lookout for something new.

Since you're the Costa Rica gal, do you know anything about the Windstar cruise in Costa Rica? I'm not sure whether it would be worthwhile to do something like that, or if that's not long enough in each port. I like the idea of seeing a number of places without having to do the short flights. But I also like a the LL hotel offerings, and then you have a few days in each location. Sorry, I've changed topics.... just so much to consider!

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Disneygal. Yes, the Temptress has been sold. I think it was to Cruise West like you said. (The picture of the boat looks the same!). It was a great size boat though nothing luxurious. I would recommend it for out of the way places in Central America.



I really don't keep up to date with the cruises in Costa Rica. Most of the stops they make aren't places we typically visit. We try to go to more out of the way places. When you fly from San Jose to Punta Islita, you fly over Punteranas. This is a port for a lot of the cruise ships. I have heard that Windstar is a smaller, more luxurious cruise so that might be nice. I still like the idea of flying around thecountry. Natureair and Sansa have some relatively inexpensive flights. Also, I feel you can immerse yourself more in the country. Because we live on the East Coast, the flights are relatively easy and relatively inexpensive so, we can go a little more often. If it is more difficult for you to get there, I might recommend the cruise. Whichever option you choose, you will enjoy Costa Rica!!!!!!!!!!!!

[disneygal]

Hi Bonniejoy03 - thanks for the info!We did a Windstar cruise in the Mediterranean and enjoyed it very much. Thus my thought for a cruise in Costa Rica...but glad to hear the short flights are a good option. Looking atpossibilities for next year, so we have a little time to figure it out.