SailorJM

No, Star Clippers takes the fare in dollars. But anything we paid for onboard was in euros. You should always confirm that, tho.

I've sailed both WS and Star Clipper ships, and both are worth recommending. I also sailed via the now defunct Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, and I'd have to disagree with thought that Star Clipper is more like Windjammer Barefoot Cruises than like Wind Star.\

I consider Wind Star and Star Clipper ships/experience to be quite similar, altho if I had to put a "star" rating to them for ship, accommodations, service, food, I'd give WS a 5 star, and SC a 4.5-star. Neither is windjammer casual. Their dress is resort casual, and you'd never go to the dining room in flip flops, shorts or a swimsuit as you could/can with a windjammer ship (while WBC is defunct, there still are wonderful windjammer ships crusing the islands). As for passengers, we've found them to be fun, no matter if it's WS or SC. Solo passengers, couples, groups, families: everyone has fun.

There are a couple of main diffs between WS and SC ships (altho I've never been on the largest of the Star Clipper ships, I have sailed the small and large WS ships).

1. Star Clippers seem to be set up more like a working sailing ship. Sometimes you need to go up to go down, out to go around, etc. SC ships are gorgeous, yes, but there sometimes could be a few obstacles to navigate. WS ships are set up primarily for the comfort of the passengers. Our experience in sailing these ships: SC ships had the sails up more. And they let you climb the mast, should you wanna try it.

2. Star Clippers ships are European-based. As a result, shipboard costs are done in euros, and the passengers and crew tend to be more continental: French, German, British, Canadian, Australian, etc. That is what I have enjoyed the most with SC: getting to know people from all over. SC ships always have a passenger/crew talent night, and that is always a blast.

Enjoy, whichever you choose!

Well, youths and teens won't find any of the planned activities or activity areas they find on the big cruise ships. If they aren't into water sports and sailing and exploring new places, well......

Don't get me wrong: There IS lots of fun to be had for those who are adventuresome and willing to get out and about. Go online to windstar site and check out the tours and shore activities for your cruise and sign up, if that's available. Or when you first get aboard, go to the library where you'll most likely find the sign-up books. If not there, ask the ship's tour director when/where to find them. If you wait even a day or two, the tours do will fill up.

Whoohoo! How extra special!

When we sailed Windstar's small ships under previous owner, they had a casino, albeit very small. A few blackjack tables and some slot machines. The casino could only be operational when the ships were "at sea," at least in the Caribbean and off Costa Rica, so their use was quite limited.

Actually, I meant my comments in regards to all the smaller (but hardly lesser) cruise ships, absolutely.

But once they try it, most find they like being on a sailing ship, no crowds, no lines, more casual......that's what happened to me when we discovered tall ship cruising in 2000!

All good info put forth. I, too, love the sailing ships and have done nothing but them since 2000. I do want to say that on the Windstar ships/cruises I've sailed, the sails were up only as we left port and as we returned. It didn't seem to be a lack-of-wind issue. Of the other tall ships I've sailed/cruised on, Star Clippers put the sails up a bit more, and Island Windjammer's Diamant and Manhattan Yacht Club's Arabella have their sails up whenever these tall ships are out, unless there is absolutely no wind. Lots of true sailing. The latter two are much smaller tall ships than Windstar and Star Clipper ships, however. But all the above mentioned ships are spectacular!

We've booked through the ship on our Star Clipper sailings. But don't dally, because some of the excursions fill up quickly. The smart move is to go to "the library" and check for the excursion signup book/s soon after you board, or at least, that same day.

You're the type of person I love sailing with! with the attitude most tall-ship passengers tend to have.:)

Ahhhhh, tall ship sailing. It IS spectacular. We've left the big foo-foos far behind. Glad to hear Mandalay sailing was fabulous. With her brand new foremast, she should be gliding across the waves in full glory!

Correction: Vela is spending the next several months in St. Vincent to complete her refurb. Then she'll move to St. Lucia, which will be her home port, with cruising beginning in late Dec.

Island Windjammer's newest tall ship, Vela, has just completed her sail from the Panama shipyards to her new home port, St. Vincent.

The former Tole Mour, a teaching ship, will be ready for her first tall-ship lovin' passengers in late December. I'm already signed on, of course.

You can see IWJ's Island Girl #3 at islandwindjammers.com. Whoohoo!!:D

Ditto what milepig said!! We've met wonderful cruisemates, some who have become longtime friends!!

Vela, Island Windjammer's newest tall ship (the former Tole Mour), has finished her sail from the shipyard in Panama to her new port of St. Vincent!!

IWJ's beautiful Island Girl #3 arrives/ed this am and will be continuing her internal refurb from a teaching vessel to a sailing passenger vessal (gotta get rid of those dorm style accommodations!).

Ready for her first tall-ship lovin' cruisers in late December, and I'm gonna be one! :D:D:D Whoohoo! Check her out at islandwindjammers.com.

I can just about guarantee someone WILL have to pull you from that rail! But St. Maartin is a wonderful place to wind down, even if only for 4-5 hours.:)

As an FYI re Seaborne--We've flown it from Puerto Rico to British Virgins: 15 seats, and altho a smaller carrier, very nice planes, personnel.

What Strenz said: Absolutely!

As a point of reference, Holland House is not far past Royal Pasanggrahan Hotel I mentioned in my earlier post here. Both open onto the beach and on other side, to the street and all the shops. Both very nice.

Well, if you can't find them here, you can go to the ports of call forum here. Of course, that may not help you re tendering from smaller ships. But from my experience on Star Clippers and Windstar ships, the tenders are quality, but you will get some wet landings and some dry ones. If signing up for an excursion, it's always good to ask, if that matters to you.

Add re my previous reply: All was said presuming Wind Surf goes out of and comes into Philipsburg pier (Dutch side of island). If it uses north end of the island (French side), you'll need someone else's input!

I'm guessing you're leaving from Princess Julianna Airport in Philipsburg (sp?) at the south end of the island. The pier is probably 30 minutes from the airport by cab. The boardwalk along the beach is not that far BUT a rugged walk with luggage: narrow, busy roadway and no sidewalks. It's 5 minutes by cab. Ask to be dropped at the Greenhouse restaurant / ferry landing area and from there, a short easy walk around the bend to the left, to the boardwalk and the beach. On your right, at the bend: a big casino.

Lots of nice beach, lots of funky (and good) places to eat & drink, many beach toys to rent and sometimes some live entertainers, plus shops and ice cream spots.

Royal Pasanggrahan hotel's bar is one of the first really nice one you'll come to (about a block from ferry landing) and it is open-air, very tropical feel and great guavaberry coladas! The guavaberry is native on the island, and those coladas are fabulous...if you already like pina coladas, that is. Pasanggrahan might let you leave your luggage there for a small fee; woudn't hurt to ask. Especially if you use the hotel's bar!

Note: Greenhouse restaurant is an excellent place to eat, drink, people watch, just veg. Varied, large menu, good food and prices.

The ferry landing: It's a people ferry, and it may come from the pier. I don't know anything about it.

It has its moments.

If you're in the British Virgin Islands, a great one that meets all your criteria is St. John, according to our very good sailing friends. They always add a week there pre or post cruise out of Tortola. They go there for the reasons you have. A short ferry ride from Tortola (or a bit longer one, from St. Thomas).

I'm happy I was helpful.

Here are the websites:

arabellavacations.com (Arabella)--personal experience--SUPER

islandwindjammers.com (Diamant, Sagitta and soon: Vela)--personal experience--Diamant is my favorite

sailwindjammer.com (Mandalay)--I haven't sailed Mandalay with this ownership