The Future of big sailing cruise ship - What does Windstar think?

[dandee2]

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

and is it seaworthy?

It was in October. But when you look at it, it must be quite difficult to handle.

 

[Strenz]

Huge mystery. I hope it is WS, saw the article 30 minutes ago and this posting.

i read Star Clipper put down 70 million, cost $110. Seems low to me. Was supposed to be completed in 17, then 18. Fingers crossed. Happy dreaming and Sailing.

[Chipshot from Michigan]

On 12/27/2019 at 11:45 PM, dandee2 said:

It was in October. But when you look at it, it must be quite difficult to handle.

 

She's quite a sight.  However, I can't tell how difficult she is to handle just by watching a video clip.

[Chipshot from Michigan]

On 12/27/2019 at 9:11 PM, dandee2 said:

Funny now that the Brodosplit shipyard will announce shortly who the new owner of the Flying Clipper will be. Star Clipper did not want to pay extra cost on the ship and removed any information about this ship on their website. It has been sold but to whom?

At least they still have the Royal Clipper.

[Chipshot from Michigan]

On 8/18/2019 at 8:20 PM, bplazo said:

We have done Star Clippers and it was 100 passengers.  

Passenger capacity is listed as 170, though that may include the aft owner's cabin, which I don't remember as being occupied.  That number seems much higher density than Windstar's small sailing ships.  100 passenger is more like it for me.  Friends just sailed on the Flyer.  I'll ask them how many were aboard.

 

https://www.starclippers.com/us-dom/our-fleet/star-clipper.html

[Chipshot from Michigan]

On 8/19/2019 at 6:32 PM, bplazo said:

What amenities are you talking about?  I don't need a spa, the little casino that has a couple slot machines.  I just need a good book, a chair and the waves.  I actually liked the star clipper ship better than windstar, however, the service was much better on windstar.  Apple was the best bartender and the room steward was also terrific.

At least the Star Clipper ships sail.  The bridge officers on the Wind Surf admitted the sails are now largely decorative.  The computer controls are no longer functional, and there seems to be no little or interest in adjusting the sails manually.

[Chipshot from Michigan]

On 8/19/2019 at 1:32 PM, ridethetide said:

It is difficult to place Star Clipper in the same category as Windstar. It is a very different experience and lacks the amenities of Windstar.

We enjoyed our Star Clipper cruise and never felt any amenities were missing.  It was actually a step closer to barefoot sailing, which appeals to us.  We're giving serious consideration to trying Lindblad's Sea Cloud.  Has anyone here sailed on her?

[dandee2]

Update about Silentseas and its sail-equipped cruise ship.

According to an article in meretmarine.com, MSC came to an agreement with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St-Nazaire (France) concerning the exclusive right for the Silentsails technology until 2028. Apparently, St-Nazaire pushed the concept to many cruise line and only one was interested, MSC. Ponant tested the concept in 2019 but was not willing to contract another ship at this time.

So, it looks like WS will not get Silentsails at all.

https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/paquebots-voiles-sauf-msc-saint-nazaire-ne-pourra-rien-vendre-avant-des-annees