The Biergarten

We departed on the Star Clipper just after the New Year, to check out the facilities at sea of the cruise ship we will use for our Tahiti Bike & Sail program. The Star Clipper, based here in Thailand, is an identical sister ship to the Star Flyer in Tahiti.

The ship is a true sailing vessel, traveling with wind power 95% of the time. During the week sail around the islands of the Andaman Sea, we used sails throughout except when coming into some tight channels and harbors. Each evening, the theme from the movie 1492 from Vangelis started drifting from the ship’s pa system, and guests would head to the upper deck to assist with raising the sails. As the four masts of the Barquentine filled with billowing sails, the Captain would turn the ships bow to the open sea and she would sail off into the sunset.

The Star Clipper is a small ship, with about 80 cabins for a maximum of 175 guests. It is more like a big family outing then the monstrous resort atmosphere of most modern cruises. Cabins are comfortably furnished, though a bit small in size … but what the heck, we’re here to bike and enjoy the scenery not lounge in our cabins watching videos. Our bikes get their own quarters during the sailing, either in an extra cabin or stored with the sporting equipment the ship carries.

Food is quite good, contrary to some reviews you see posted on websites. Breakfast is a hearty buffet with lots of choices of both cooked and continental foods (breads, fruits, cheese, etc). Lunch is likewise a buffet, but that is not something we will see much during our tour in French Polynesia since we will be out cycling during lunch. A decent sized happy hour buffet is set up at 5 in the deck bar and then a full on dinner starting at 7. Dinners are a multi-course affair, with numerous choices for many of the seven courses offered. Most items are European fare, with at least one selection of local cuisine.

The ship is remarkably stable even in choppy seas.

As mentioned sailing the high seas with the Star Clipper is like a family gathering, and the crew helps make it so. Everyone is friendly and cheerful, from the Captain to the deck hands. Guests can take part in most all of the deckside sailing chores, hoisting sails, storing the numerous lines and ropes. You can even climb up to the Crows Nest to enjoy the view and spectacular photo ops. Want to know about the bridge … just knock on the door and the Captain will show you around.

The cruise fits our style of tour … low key, laid back, friendly and unique. Its an adventure not available from any other tour operator and one I am sure everyone will treasure for a long time to come.