Star Clipper recalls the heady era of the clipper ships, vessels that were built for speed – the speedier the better.
DINING NOTHING SHORT OF GOURMET
The Clipper Dining Room presents a culinary adventure for the gourmand amidst sophisticated surroundings. Multiple courses are served, from appetizers, soup and salad to sorbet, entree and dessert, and present a choice of several entrees, including vegetarian: Carpaccio de Boeuf au Parmesan, Grilled salmon with caponata vegetables, broccoli mousse, provolone Carpaccio with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, chocolate flan with vanilla sauce.
Dining is open seating to encourage guests to get to know all their fellow travelers; conversation from table to table is lively – and in several languages. English, French, German, Swedish – the ships attract a multinational following and a crew that is equally diverse, with 29 nationalities represented aboard Star Clipper, including Russian captain Sergey Tunikov, who has a flair for theatrics. (During the rising of the masts, he will cajole passengers into pulling the ropes, jumping in to demonstrate, and even performing acrobatics on par with the best gymnasts.)
Buffet-style breakfast and lunch are served in the dining room and, up one deck in the Piano Bar, a continental spread is laid out for those seeking a quieter nook. At the Tropical Bar, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres are rolled out each evening to accompany a setting sun. The array of irresistible nibbles and artfully presented dishes are all the inspiration needed to clean your plate – and for Cruise Director Angela Oureshi to knowingly joke about not blaming Chef for the extra “10 kilo of weight” you may carry off the ship.
PORT VISITS PERSONALIZED
Ports visited are oftentimes those left off the itineraries of the larger cruise ships and a decided emphasis is on the personalized experience. While calling at unspoiled and densely forested Dominica, a Creole cooking demo is presided over by an island chef at the Cabrits Garrison – a military installation visited by tall ships of the 18th century. (Hint: a full luncheon is served so skip the one served aboard.)
On the very French island of Terre-de-Haut, passengers are free to roam the sherbet-colored fishing village of Le Bourg, dipping into the many boutiques and bistros and making a stop at the charming Church of the Virgin of the Assumption with its carved statuary.
In Guadalupe, the Star Clipper berths at one tiny fishing village and offers guests a chance to see another where a local boat captain pilots you into the heart of a mangrove. In Antigua you can join a race team aboard a yacht on the Caribbean racing circuit, take a canopy tour through the rain forest or go snorkeling at Cades Reef, rife with parrot fish, grunts and angelfish.
If You Go
A premier specialty cruise line, Star Clippers offers voyages aboard its three ships, including Star Clipper, throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, the Baltic and Costa Rica. Dress code runs toward resort casual with evening attire upgraded to just a tad dressier. Currency onboard is in Euros. www.StarClippers.com
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