Fore Staysail, Inner
Jib, Mizzen Fisherman, Spanker
Do these words mean anything to you?
Well if not you are not alone, they didn’t mean anything to
me either until I took a cruise on an actual 4-mast clipper ship through the
British Virgin Islands. The ship harkens back to old time sailing and the tall
ships we have all seen in the movies and it is in fact an actual sailing
Clipper ship. But the ship is equipped with all the modern comforts of the
current larger cruise ship.
Seeing the pictures leading up to the cruise I knew this
would be a totally different kind of cruise and it did not disappoint.
As my transfer van brought me to the port in St Marten I
could see the masts of the ship standing well above the surrounding shops, the
pictures do not do this ship justice.
This particular ship, home for the next 7 days, accommodates
up to 150 passengers but on this particular sailing we were just 90 people from
all over the world. I knew from the moment I climbed aboard that this would be
a special trip.
The ports we would visit were all beautiful destinations but
my favorite part of the trip had to have been when we set sail the first night.
The sail away party was unique. We set sail at 10pm, under the stars of a clear
Caribbean night. Classical music playing on the deck as passengers sipped
champagne and the sails, all 16 of them were manually hoisted with each
illuminated from below. It is an amazing way to head out to sea and the ship
can be described as majestic as it slowly left the dock.
This ship was headed to ports in Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Tortola,
Jost Van Dyke, St Kitts and St Bart’s.
These are some of the most beautiful islands in the world.
The Baths on Virgin Gorda are spectacular. The centerpiece of this dramatic
area it is a geological wonder comprised of awe-inspiring granite boulders,
which form sheltered sea pools on the beach’s edge. The protected area also
includes Devil’s Bay, which can be reached from The Baths by a series of
ladders scaling the boulders. This is surely an experience that needs to be on
everyone’s bucket list.
The ship and
destinations were wonderful but probably the most memorable part of the
vacation was the interaction with fellow passengers from around the world and
in the ports.
The small ship and low passenger count lends itself to a
more personal experience with the crew and passengers, at the end of the 7 day
journey, you are just about guaranteed that you have met and engaged with
everyone on the ship and made new friends. An individual of some worldwide
notoriety was Foxy, he owns Foxy’s a restaurant bar on Jost Van Dyke, an island
that has apparently become popular with country music fans because it is
referenced in a Kenny Chesney song. Foxy has played and sung with many stars,
and has met and sat with many world dignitaries but is as down to earth,
friendly and welcoming as anyone you will ever meet. If you ever get the chance
to visit Jost Van Dyke, Foxy’s is an icon that can’t be missed.
If you are looking for a unique experience with friends, family
or your group contact me about Star Clippers, I’d love to tell you more about
it and special sailings they offer including yoga sailings which are said to be
spectacular. They sail in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Balearic Islands as
well as ocean crossings and the Panama Canal.
To
learn more about these fantastic voyages or to talk about vacation
destinations & to start planning your next adventure visit my website www.ShipAhoyCP.com
or reach me via e-mail Tony@ShipAhoyCP.com
