October Barbados to Panama

[cruisingbarb]

Anyone sailing the 10/30/09 Barbados to Panama cruise on the Star Flyer? Did anyone do it last year? We're contemplating booking for 2010 and would like some information regarding islands visited, etc. Thanks.

[pralientje]

Cruisingbarb, as far as I know the Flyer will be in and around Tahiti till February 14, 2010. She will then start the repositioning cruise from Tahiti to Lisbon, Europe. The summer will be spend in Europe and in October she will do the Transatlantic and during the winter season she will sail in Costa Rica. So the Barbados to Panama cruise in 2010 will be her first, as far as I know. The first leg of the repositioning cruise will be from Tahiti to Panama (sold out), the second leg will be Panama - St. Maarten and from St. Maarten to Lisbon will be the 3rd leg.
From Panama to St. Maarten we will not go to Barbados, which I would love to do, since we could catch up with the Royal, and do a race, but no, not this time, pity.
Sorry I can't give you the requested info, but I am planning to write a cruise blog for my upcoming trip. Have to learn how in the meantime though.
Pralientje

[cruisingbarb]

You are right. I looked at the schedule wrong. Has the Star Flyer done the Barbados to Panama cruise in the past, and if so, has anyone done it and can share information?

[vtbobby]

You are right. I looked at the schedule wrong. Has the Star Flyer done the Barbados to Panama cruise in the past, and if so, has anyone done it and can share information?

Hi Barb...we did the Barbados to Panama (17 days) in 2007 aboard Star Flyer, and I continued on to Tahiti with 36 others on the "no-frills" portion of the repositioning. We stopped in the Grenadines; an island group off venezuela; Curacao; Cartegena, Colombia; Panama's San Blas Islands; and a night passage (better than day!) through the Canal to Balboa. We spent three days in Panama City.

There is an old thread about this trip.

I haven't seen any 2010 itinerary, but would assume that it would be similar. Our current plans only include a possible Athens-Venice voyage next year on the Clipper.

Cheers, :cool:

Bob & Beatrice

[vtbobby]

Has the Star Flyer done the Barbados to Panama cruise in the past, and if so, has anyone done it and can share information?

Barb, here is our posted review from the last time::D

The cruise was quite wonderful...and everything we expected. From Oistens Fish Fry in Barbados to the exciting transit of the canal...we had a great time. The sailing was magnificent...we were heeled over most days...one night off Panama the plates were flying, but that was our only rough weather. We had a total of 149 passengers...technically full since all cabins were occupied...from US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and Antigua. Fifty five, from all countries, were alumni of the old Antigua Regatta cruises on Star Clipper.

The ship was trying to use up all it's stores before the shipyard and French Polynesia. All heavier clothing was on sale at deep discounts. There was talk of mutiny when the ship ran out of Mt. Gay rum four days after Barbados.

The only negative was the extreme heat and humidity...both in the 90's. It was blisteringly hot at sea, after Curacao, with many canvas awnings set in an attempt at more shade. But ashore in Cartegena and San Blas was the worst. We were in Cartegena on Colombia's Independence Day...parades, bands, everyone out in their finery, and a photo of Star Flyer on the front page of the local paper. But even in the shade, sweat would be running off every extremity and into your socks. But what a party.

Evenings were cool and breezy, and we always sailed off the anchor. In fact, Capt. Brunon sailed as much as he could.

We spent a full day in Cristobal prepping for the transit; being inspected; and installing gps/epirb type gear so they could track us through the canal. At first we were disappointed to be making the transit at night...but the night passage was awesome, with the canal lit up like Las Vegas. Many signal lights guided the pilots, and our searchlights were used to scan the shoreline especially through the Gaillard Cut. The many passing ships were also all lit up for the transit. We were in company with a Malaysian sail training ship (a fully rigged brigantine), with a full complement of uniformed students.

Most passengers ate dinner while crossing Gatun Lake, then gathered again around the bridge for the remainder of the night. Beatrice and I lasted till about 3am, and went to bed while crossing the short Miraflores Lake. Star Flyer docked at Pier 6 in Balboa, disembarked passengers and contiued on to the shipyard at 10am.

We spent two more days in Panama City at the El Panama Hotel...ate well...and bought a stash of Fine Cuban Cigars for Christmas presents. The Panama Canal Museum, in the old city plaza was the highlight...we spent four hours there.

Back to Panama on Tuesday (12/3) for the next leg of the adventure...on to Tahiti with 37 passengers and 76 crew.

Here is a story that was on the wires this week: 11/20/07

USA: Star Clippers ship makes line's first transit of Panama Canal

Monday, 19 November 2007

"Star Flyer" made history for Star Clippers yesterday as the first ship
in the fleet to transit the Panama Canal. En route to its new homeport
in Tahiti, the tall ship first will undergo a three-week drydock in
Balboa, Panama to make the vessel ready for French Polynesia.
With the line's three vessels sailing in the Caribbean, Mediterranean
and Far East (by way of the Suez Canal), there had never before been a
need for Star Clippers' ships to transit the Panama Canal. Star
Flyer's move to year-round cruising in Tahiti enabled Star Clippers to
take advantage of the opportunity to sail a ship through the lakes and
locks of the man-made engineering marvel.
"Our guests tend to be on the more adventurous side, and we're always
thrilled when we can offer them an exhilarating experience such as
transiting the Panama Canal," said Jack Chatham, vice president of
sales and marketing for Star Clippers.

[DocH2O]

I just discovered this thread - am thrilled to discover info on the Panama Canal trip this fall, since my husband and I are booked on it. VTBobby - what were the dates of your trip? Looks like from the newspaper post it was early November, a few days later than our Oct. 31 departure from Barbados. I am not thrilled with the heat you are describing... do you know whether it was typical for the time of year, or an unusual heat wave?

I am going back to see if I can discover the old posts from 2007 for more info, but not being much of a pro using this forum, don't know if I can. but any info on the trip you can share, I would love to get.

CruisingBarb, did you decide to go?

[cruisingbarb]

Unfortuntely, we decided not to go. Have a great time.

Barbara

[DocH2O]

Too bad.:( Hope you have some other good cruisin lined up!

Hope I can find somemore folks on the Oct. 31 Star Flyer cruise.

[cruisingbarb]

We're taking a Mexican cruise 2/21 on RCCL and are planning on a Caribbean cruise next February. After that, I think we'll look at a riverboat cruise in Europe or Russia. Like the smaller boats but price also comes into play so may have to look at the bigger ships for awhile.

[grampylo]

Too bad.:( Hope you have some other good cruisin lined up!

Hope I can find somemore folks on the Oct. 31 Star Flyer cruise.
Hi DocH2O

My wife and I also will be on the Barbados to Balboa Star Flyer trip in Oct/Nov 2010. For us this will be following to the Flyer Transatlantic to Barbados leaving Cannes on October 2nd. This will be our third crossing, previously on the Clipper in 2004 and the Royal in 2008. Those were both wonderful experiences. We're really looking forward to being on the Flyer for about 6 weeks this time!! Sounds too good to be true. Prior to our 2004 crossing I had made contact with a fellow passenger via Cruise Critic. We enjoyed her company along with her husband during the cruise. It was fun to compare notes as the time approached.

[KathyA]

No one did it last year as the Star Flyer was in Tahiti last year. It's just now on it's way back via the Pacific crossing.

[grampylo]

We will be taking this cruise as a back to back with the transatlantic from Cannes to Barbados. Having done crossings on both the Royal and the Clipper we enjoyed the smaller ship and have been looking for an opportunity to do it again. Were booked on the last Flyer Atlantic crossing in 2007 but had to cancel at the last minute for medical reasons (48 hours before our flight)....huge disappointment!!

When the new itinerary came out last year we jumped at the chance to take the Flyer crossing followed by the Barbados to Panama leg and have been booked since last summer.

I see the ship is almost sold out so I'm glad we started early. Since our first time on the Clipper, about 2002, we have vowed never again to consider any other kind of cruising and we're so looking forward to 6 weeks.

Are you planning on being aboard?

[DocH2O]

Hi DocH2O

My wife and I also will be on the Barbados to Balboa Star Flyer trip in Oct/Nov 2010. For us this will be following to the Flyer Transatlantic to Barbados leaving Cannes on October 2nd. This will be our third crossing, previously on the Clipper in 2004 and the Royal in 2008. Those were both wonderful experiences. We're really looking forward to being on the Flyer for about 6 weeks this time!! Sounds too good to be true. Prior to our 2004 crossing I had made contact with a fellow passenger via Cruise Critic. We enjoyed her company along with her husband during the cruise. It was fun to compare notes as the time approached.

This is just our second Star Clipper trip - first was transatlantic on the Royal Clipper last fall. We loved it. I'm so jealous - 6 weeks sailing!

Where are you from? We are from Colorado - far from the sea!

[grampylo]

This is just our second Star Clipper trip - first was transatlantic on the Royal Clipper last fall. We loved it. I'm so jealous - 6 weeks sailing!

Where are you from? We are from Colorado - far from the sea!
DocH2O - Home for us is Cape Cod in Massachusetts, very near the water. I am writing this from Florida where we've spent 3 months in the winter for many years to keep warm.... but not this year when it has been cool to cold (for Florida) most of the time we've been here.

I think I came across a place where you had posted a picture show of your crossing. I only looked for a short while and was very impressed. Can't remember where it is so perhaps you'd provide the site....I'd love to spend more time enjoying them.

You obviously enjoyed the Royal as did we. We decided that we prefer the smaller ships, mainly because they are a bit more intimate with fewer passengers. I expect you will also enjoy your time on the Flyer. It's been a while since our early SC cruises in the Carribbean and it will be fun this time to have some water/beach opportunities that are pretty much unavailable during a crossing.

[DocH2O]

Hello grampylo - I have been in Florida twice in the last month - just back from the second trip. At least it was sunny, but windy and cool. First trip in February was cold and rainy.

Guess we can be sure it won't be cold and rainy on the trip from Barbados to Panama!

I'll get you the link to my photoshows and post in a bit. I always have to search a bit to figure how to send old shows to folks.

[DocH2O]

OK - here is the link to one of the photoshows I did. This one coveres from Safi, Morroco, to Marakeesh and back and on to Tenerife
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Pv9js2TF

There is one more done - the beginning of the trip from Lisbon to Casablanca. The final one - of the transatlantic crossing - is not done although I do have many of the photos edited. but still more work to do on that one.

[DocH2O]

Here is the first one - Lisbon to Casablanca.
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/KG2Qe7Bn

Let me know if these links don't work, but I think they should be ok.

[grampylo]

Wow!! Your picture shows are wonderful....great photography and editing. We did the same crossing in 2008 so they brought back so many great memories. I really look forward to seeing the Crossing portion when you get it completed.

We particularly enjoyed hearing 'The Conquest of Paridise' in Lisbon. I have the recording and when I want to get into a Star Clipper mood I will listen to it. ...the sails rising on the smaller ships is also very impressive, in some ways even more so than the Royal because the sails seem more expansive as they go up.

Have you discovered any other passengers on the Flyer this fall.....either for the Barbados to Panama leg or perhaps the Atlantic crossing?

I will look into how I might share some of my Star Clipper pictures from our 2004 crossing. It won't be anywhere near as professional as what you've done, but they might help to get acquainted with the ship before you board.

[DocH2O]

It was really pretty difficult to get the "Conquest of Paradise" music into the show, but I knew it would make it so much better than without. It screwed up the continuity on some of the video clips, but overall was worth it.

I am not in contact with anyone else who is going on the trip, but I am sure there are more on this forum; I hope they make themselves known to us.

Do you know about Pralientje's blog? She is on the Flyer right now, on its way back from Tahiti. She hasn't posted for a while because they are mid-ocean (March 2 was the last post), but there are some pictures of the Flyer there, and it is interesting to read her commentary on life on the ship. http://pralientje.blogspot.com/

[DocH2O]

I lied when I said there is no one on the forum on the trip - I have been in contact with Rimau who is going, but that was in January and I haven't heard from him since and temporarily forgot about it. Sorry. Search on "Star Flyer" and you will find that thread - it starts with a post by me about only one cabin being left.

[rimau]

Rimau is still here. John and Zelma Baldwin. We will be traveling with two friends. It will be our second Star Flyer trip and their third.

[DocH2O]

We are Geoff Bruce and Harriet Hall, from Arvada, CO. So that is 8 in all so far.

Who else is out there?

Rimau, you are just back from a cruise I think. How was it?

[grampylo]

We are Geoff Bruce and Harriet Hall, from Arvada, CO. So that is 8 in all so far.

Who else is out there?

Rimau, you are just back from a cruise I think. How was it?
Hi All.....we are 'Lo' and Jan from Cape Cod and look forward to meeting you in Barbados. As I've reported in earlier posts, we will be boarding the Flyer in Cannes for a transatlantic crossing before arriving in Barbados. I may start a new thread looking for people on the crossing portion of our trip and will try to reference this thread in case anyone I find is also continuing on to Panama.

Harriet....you mentioned 'Pralientje' in an earlier posting. I'm pretty sure she was on board during our Star Clipper transatlantic in 2004.....we were all at the Captain's table for the final dinner....as I recall I think she is Dutch. I've attached a picture of that dinner. 'Pralientje' is sitting next to Captain Sergey on his right (Heidi is on his left)...we are in the foreground....She was an active passenger so I will check out her blog for the current transpacific trip.....her 66 days beats our 43 on the Flyer this fall and sounds really great.

[DocH2O]

In her pictures on the blog, Pralientje is wearing a mustache, goatee, and hook for pirates night, so it is a bit difficult to tell, but that looks like her. And that is Capt. Sergey who was the Royal Clipper captain on our transatlantic trip. I thought he was really wonderful. I have some nice pictures of him from our trip. If I knew how to post an individual picture I'd post one, but I don't know how. How do you do it?

I will follow your post about the transatlantic trip as well, with jealousy. Sometime I'll be retired and hopefully able to do longer trips. but not yet ;) I am really looking forward to the two weeks plus three days in Panama.

[rimau]

Yes, we were on Holland America in the Sea of Cortez. We like Holland fairly well. The food is good and it is a bit sedate compared to Carnival and Princess. We prefer Princess for big ship cruising but have cruised Holland America twice because of this itinerary.

[grampylo]

In her pictures on the blog, Pralientje is wearing a mustache, goatee, and hook for pirates night, so it is a bit difficult to tell, but that looks like her. And that is Capt. Sergey who was the Royal Clipper captain on our transatlantic trip. I thought he was really wonderful. I have some nice pictures of him from our trip. If I knew how to post an individual picture I'd post one, but I don't know how. How do you do it?

I will follow your post about the transatlantic trip as well, with jealousy. Sometime I'll be retired and hopefully able to do longer trips. but not yet ;) I am really looking forward to the two weeks plus three days in Panama.
Hi Harriet - I've started the promised new link for the October Flyer transatlantic and referenced this thread so others might choose to include you and John in their responses.

You asked about posting single pictures as I did recently. I discovered how somewhat by accident. Click on "Go Advanced" under the Quick Reply box. Under 'Additional Options' there is a button for 'Managing Attachments'. There are some size limits but with your picture editing skills that will be a breeze.

By the way, Captain Sergey was also our captain for both crossings, on the Clipper and later on the Royal. I agree that he was wonderful and would really enjoy being with him again. However, I don't expect we'll see him on the Flyer.

[DocH2O]

By the way, Captain Sergey was also our captain for both crossings, on the Clipper and later on the Royal. I agree that he was wonderful and would really enjoy being with him again. However, I don't expect we'll see him on the Flyer.

I believe Captain Sergey is on leave back home with his family now, and get the sense he will be returning to the Royal Clipper... but that isn't something I know for sure.

[pralientje]

Hi All.....we are 'Lo' and Jan from Cape Cod and look forward to meeting you in Barbados. As I've reported in earlier posts, we will be boarding the Flyer in Cannes for a transatlantic crossing before arriving in Barbados. I may start a new thread looking for people on the crossing portion of our trip and will try to reference this thread in case anyone I find is also continuing on to Panama.

Harriet....you mentioned 'Pralientje' in an earlier posting. I'm pretty sure she was on board during our Star Clipper transatlantic in 2004.....we were all at the Captain's table for the final dinner....as I recall I think she is Dutch. I've attached a picture of that dinner. 'Pralientje' is sitting next to Captain Sergey on his right (Heidi is on his left)...we are in the foreground....She was an active passenger so I will check out her blog for the current transpacific trip.....her 66 days beats our 43 on the Flyer this fall and sounds really great.
Today I am in Cartagene, have plenty of internettime, and yes, it is me at the Captain's table. I have just updated my blog, since we were out of satellite reach since March 4. Thank you for reading my blog. Any comments/messages are welcome.
Take care.
Pralientje (indeed Dutch):D

[DocH2O]

Today I am in Cartagene, have plenty of internettime, and yes, it is me at the Captain's table. I have just updated my blog, since we were out of satellite reach since March 4. Thank you for reading my blog. Any comments/messages are welcome.
Take care.
Pralientje (indeed Dutch):D

I love your blog, and thank you so much for posting it. But I can't get my comments to show. Do I have to join it, or is there some other trick?

[rimau]

We have made our other reservations. Will go into Barbados early and stay 3 nights at the Pirate Inn. How could you pass up a place with that name!

[DocH2O]

We have made our other reservations. Will go into Barbados early and stay 3 nights at the Pirate Inn. How could you pass up a place with that name!

We are only coming in a day early; get in Friday night the 29th. We are staying at the Silver Point Hotel on Silver Sands Beach in Christchurch. We stayed there for one night after our transatlantic crossing on the Royal Clipper last fall and loved it. It is off the beaten track, beautiful beach, and a very relaxing place to be. A little closer to the airport and further from the Star Flyer......

I looked up the Pirate Inn and it looks great as well.

I can't remember - are you getting off at Panama, or going on to Costa Rica?

Sure am looking forward to this trip!

[rimau]

We are only going to Panama.

[rimau]

We are really looking forward to this trip. DH just got a new video camera that does not use tape so can take movies. The old one hated the tropics.

[grampylo]

We are really looking forward to this trip. DH just got a new video camera that does not use tape so can take movies. The old one hated the tropics.
We too are really looking forward to the trip. Lots of preparation before being away 6 weeks. We start in about a month when we board the Flyer in France.

Look forward to meeting you and your friends as well as Harriet and Geoff in Barbados. We will also see Pralientje who is booked from France on the transatlantic section. She plans to return home from Barbados.

I already have lots of pictures and some video from previous trips....but one can never have enough so I have borrowed a newer camera from my son and am now practicing with great results......of course Harriet is the 'queen' of photography as evidenced by her published shows so I look forward to some expert coaching.

[DocH2O]

of course Harriet is the 'queen' of photography as evidenced by her published shows so I look forward to some expert coaching.

My trick is to take hundreds of pictures, then pick the best ones. :) And then I edit them on the computer as well. So my expert coaching is, bring lots of storage space for a whole lot of digital pics!! And if you don't have a good editing program, get one. Then the only other problem is...... getting the time to get them done! My last show from the transatlantic trip is still not officially published (but it is really close!)

[grampylo]

Thanks for the coaching. I plan to bring my little netbook computer for the explcit purpose of providing storage space for pictures. The camera I borrowed creates large files for each shot, not to mention the video so I can't imagine how many SD cards I would need. I probably won't try editing with the netbook, it doesn't really have the computing power for that......so maybe when we get home.....in spare time..??!!

We leave in 2 weeks and are really excited....see you in Barbados.

[cluso]

I bet you all are excited--almost time. I will be on the same trip in January on the Star Clipper. Please update us when you return--any highs or lows of the trip. Did you need any Visas-Columbia was the only one I wasn't real clear on after reading the state department site.
Have a WONDERFUL time!:D

[cruisingbarb]

I started this thread back in August 2009 because we were contemplating booking this cruise. We changed our mind and are now sailing in February from Florida through the Canal on Princess. I know it won't be the same as sailing on the Star Flyer but it made more sense to us economically plus we are traveling with another couple. But a part of me will be on the SF as you cruise through the Canal. So would also love to hear all about it when you return. Have a great time.

[Barnacle Bob]

Hi Barb How are you doing?
Lesley and I are doing Star Clipper BVI in Feb. Hope we can sail with you again someday. Any of the group going with you on the canal trip? PM us and we can catch up
Bob

[cruisingbarb]

Bob:

Nice to hear from you. I'll try and PM you but I tried several times months ago and never got a reply so assume it got caught up somewhere in Spam. I'll try again but if you don't hear from me, PM me.

Barbara

[rimau]

Mostly packed packed and ready to go.

[DocH2O]

Mostly packed packed and ready to go.

Just getting started packing..... but getting really excited!!!:D

[rimau]

We're spending a couple of days in Barbados so we're leaving tomorrow, THURSDAY.

[DocH2O]

We're spending a couple of days in Barbados so we're leaving tomorrow, THURSDAY.

We're leaving Friday - early. (but arriving late....:() See you in Barbados maybe... we are at the Silver Point Hotel on Silver Sands Beach.

:):):)

[cruisingbarb]

I note Barbados was hit by a hurricane on Friday/Saturday, the day the Star Flyer was due to sail. Anyone know the status of the cruise?

[cruisingbarb]

It appears a hurricane hit Barbados on Friday/Saturday. The Star Flyer was supposed to sail on Saturday, 10/30. Anyone know the status?

[pralientje]

Just got back from the Cannes to Barbados trip on the Flyer. We did get into Barbados on October 31st (Sunday), right on schedule. The last three days we did have heavy rain for 24 hours a day, we had to slow down because we would have been getting to close to Tomas. Did the most sailing in many, many years. Airport was closed on Sunday and when checking in my flight to London was cancelled, but was put on an earlier flight. The ship is in very good condition. Captain Mariusz and his crew did a wonderful job. About 70 passengers, good mix of all nationalities. Ship will have 146 passengers on next trip from Barbados to Panama. Too many to my taste. Not sure how many of those 140 passengers (6 were staying on), who were supposed to arrive, did make it. I heard there were plans of staying over one night in Barbados. Have no idea yet if this happened. When I have finished my blog will let you know where to find it. For all of you who are going, enjoy it to the max. Take care, Pralientje

[DocH2O]

Just got back from the Cannes to Barbados trip on the Flyer. We did get into Barbados on October 31st (Sunday), right on schedule. The last three days we did have heavy rain for 24 hours a day, we had to slow down because we would have been getting to close to Tomas. Did the most sailing in many, many years. Airport was closed on Sunday and when checking in my flight to London was cancelled, but was put on an earlier flight. The ship is in very good condition. Captain Mariusz and his crew did a wonderful job. About 70 passengers, good mix of all nationalities. Ship will have 146 passengers on next trip from Barbados to Panama. Too many to my taste. Not sure how many of those 140 passengers (6 were staying on), who were supposed to arrive, did make it. I heard there were plans of staying over one night in Barbados. Have no idea yet if this happened. When I have finished my blog will let you know where to find it. For all of you who are going, enjoy it to the max. Take care, Pralientje

All passengers did make it, although some boarded late, and one poor couple never got their luggage. The trip, overall, was great. Transit through the canal was wonderful. More details later. I am still in Panama, returning to the US tomorrow.

Going through the hurricane in Barbados was - I must admit - an adventure I didn't expect!

[DocH2O]

I bet you all are excited--almost time. I will be on the same trip in January on the Star Clipper. Please update us when you return--any highs or lows of the trip. Did you need any Visas-Columbia was the only one I wasn't real clear on after reading the state department site.
Have a WONDERFUL time!:D

No visas required in Cartegena. It is a beautiful city.

[cruisingbarb]

Can't wait to get your trip report.

[cluso]

Hi,
Hopefully you will have a few words for us about your Panama Canal adventure--we head to Barbados in a month (no pressure--it's only the holiday season, LOL). I have met about 3 other couples doing this trip too. Enjoy the season--and your memories from the sailing! :D

[DocH2O]

Hi,
Hopefully you will have a few words for us about your Panama Canal adventure--we head to Barbados in a month (no pressure--it's only the holiday season, LOL). I have met about 3 other couples doing this trip too. Enjoy the season--and your memories from the sailing! :D


:)I am jealous.... wish I were going again in a month! Here are some highlights.

First, your trip won't start like ours did... with a hurricane! My husband and I were on the last plane into Barbados before they closed the airport because of Hurricane Tomas. We spent Saturday, our Barbados sightseeing day, in our hotel with no electricity, no food until noon, lots of wind, rain, etc. Exciting.

Sunday things were a bit better. Sightseeing was still impossible, so we made our way without incident to the terminal, where we ate, drank, and wandered for a few hours, then boarded and set sail on time - of course to the strains of Vangelis Conquest of Paradise.

Our first stop was "Captains choice" in the Grenadines. We went to Carriacou Island and had a nice wander around - not a toursty place at all. Next day was Grenada, where the smell of spices in the market was fantastic. We bought necklaces of fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and other whole spices and wore them around for the day, then they perfumed our cabin for the whole trip, and now hang in my bathroom where I continue to enjoy them and the memories they bring back.

We went to two different Venezuelan islands, Isla Margarita, and Los Roques, substituted for Blanquilla by order of the Venezuelan government. (We never did find out why.) We took the bus tour around Isla Margarita. I enjoyed it; my husband was pretty bored. It's an attractive island, but not stunningly beautiful. It is known for its pearls, and I am still kicking myself for not buying a necklace at the stand at the roadside overlook we stopped at. Prices there were very reasonable, not so true at the shop we stopped at later.

Los Roques was a disappointment. Because the crew had not known we were going there, they had no information about where the good snorkeling was.... and only a few passengers found it (not us). The beach was pretty though and the folks who went to the small town quite enjoyed it.

One of the most interesting little quirks of the trip was the Venezuelan pilot, who joined the ship at Isla Margarita, and didn't leave until Curacao. He seemed to have gotten himself a nice little mini-vacation that extended far beyond Venezuelan waters!

I was only going to hit a few highlights, but I am finding that impossible, and I need to sign off now. I'll be back soon and go on from there.

[cluso]

Thanks for the info!
Hmmmm--Blanquilla still is on our intinerary, but the cruise DOC includes Los Roques--so I guess that is what it will be. No tours offered, just a desciption.

Any more info--Cartagena, Panama?? Eleven days til we leave!

Happy New Year

[DocH2O]

Thanks for the info!
Hmmmm--Blanquilla still is on our intinerary, but the cruise DOC includes Los Roques--so I guess that is what it will be. No tours offered, just a desciption.

Any more info--Cartagena, Panama?? Eleven days til we leave!

Happy New Year

So sorry to take so long to get back to this. Let's see how far I can get tonight.

After Los Roques came the ABC Islands, starting with B - Bonaire. It was a quiet, unassuming little place. We enjoyed our wander around the town of Karlendijk although it was blindingly hot (should be better in January), and found a very funky museum that had staff who spoke English (and no signs in English) but were very friendly. There were lots of excursions that we didn't take, and I can't remember which ones people liked. I think I'd take one next time though, as the town really doesn't offer much.

Next stop stop Willemstad, Curacao. We made the right choice not to take an excursion here, as the town is wonderful. It was definitely one of my favorite places on the whole trip. It is charming to wander around, great markets, beautiful old buildings. I highly recommend the Kura Hulauda Museum, it was a wonderful look at the slave trade but also oh so much more, and in a wonderfully restored old part of the city. We ended the day sitting in a harbor-side bar, watching the swinging bridge go back and forth and the people walking by as the sun set - truly a beautiful scene.

Next day was Aruba. I hope you don't go there on a Sunday,as it was dead! The best part was sailing into the harbor - quite a tricky maneuver that you will want to be on deck for. The most sought-after excursion, the submarine, was so murky from a nearby storm that they came back up before going all the way down, and eventually (after a bit of resistance) refunded the money for all who booked it. We found a cafe with free wireless and hung out there for quite a while, then took a taxi around part of the island... not nearly as scenic as I had imagined.

We had two days at sea after Aruba, so a good time to say a bit about the on board experiences. The Flyer was lower-key with less organized activities and entertainment than the Royal Clipper had on the transAtlantic trip we did a year ago. I wondered if that was because our trip wasn't transAtlantic, but it appears instead to be a difference between the two ships and their crews. The crew on the Royal were very entertaining and usually hysterically funny, with activities and entertainment almost every night. We had very little evening activity and entertainment on the Flyer. One big issue when we did was smoking. Although the Tropical Bar was supposed to have a smoking and a non-smoking side, the rules were not well enforced, and the smoke tended to stray to the other side even when they were. I think that smoking should be banned during entertainment, personally.

The Flyer sails a lot more than the Royal Clipper, because of the configuration of the sails. That part of the trip was absolutely glorious, and I loved the days at sea. There were not as many sailing related activites as on a transAtlantic trip, but mast climbing was certainly popular.

Next stop was Cartagena, Columbia. It is a fantastic city, beautifully restored, and felt totally safe. THey were gearing up for a festival, and some of the folks actually saw one of the many parades (we didn't). The walking tour was very popular, with earphones and a number of guides assigned to small groups of passengers. What I learned later talking to other passengers was that the quality of the guides varied considerably with some describing the tour as brilliant, and others finding it not helpful at all. We went on our own with friends, hired a cab driver who took us to several sites, then dropped us with a pre-arranged time to pick us up. This worked fine. After wandering for an hour or two, my husband decided that he really wanted to eat paella (I think because the city reminded us so much of being in Spain). We got directions to a small restaurant from a police officer. Not a soul in the restaurant spoke English, but my rusty Spanish sufficed and it was a wonderful experience. We ended the day while still in dock with a music and dance performance by local performers in the Tropical Bar that was fantastic (only marred by a passenger smoking a cigar right on the edge between the smoking and non-smoking sides of the ship.) I would go back to Cartagena in a minute.... it is a truly wonderful city. Oh, one other bit of useful info - the shop in the port that you walk through to get to and from the ship is excellent, with a great assortment of items, many at reasonable prices.

After another at sea day, we headed for the San Blas Archipelago. We anchored off of three small, heavily inhabited islands and took the tender to one of them - I never did know its name. What an experience! The Kuna Indians who inhabit them were granted self-governing authority by Panama, and still live very much as they always have, fishing and selling the beautiful embroidery and other crafts they make to tourists who visit the islands and in Panama City. I have read reviews of the visit to San Blas that found the poverty overwhelming, but I did not see that... the people seemed well fed and happy, the children dressed in school uniforms and happy to chat in Spanish (their official language is a native indian tongue) with the tourists, although they expect a dollar to have their picture taken. No swimming beaches on these islands... the surrounding water is their sewer system so swimming is not a good idea. A tender took folks out for snorkeling and diving in a different direction from the inhabited islands, but the trip to the islands was enough for me. Take lots of one and five dollar bills so you can buy as many beautiful molas as you want. They are gorgeous - I have given many as presents and they are well appreciated.

Gotta go again, but I'll try to get back in the next day or two to finish off the saga. In case I don't, going through the canal was wonderful!

[cluso]

Wow, thank you for the info--a lot of good stuff there. We actually like the Clipper and the Flyer better than the Royal, but it does come down to the intinerary. Yes, the smaller ships do sail better and more. And you are right about the activities offered on the TA--they are trying to keep the guests from getting bored on all those sea days. When the trip is port intensive, they back off on a lot of the activities.

[DocH2O]

I find I'm not sure what to say about the canal passage - it was wonderful. We started through around dawn, and it was worth being up on deck very early..... but I know the timing of each passage depends on factors specific to that trip. They brought a guide on board who was very knowledgable - but it was difficult to get close enough to hear him and see all that you wanted to see at the same time. I hope they figure out how to make his commentary more audible. THe biggest challenges are the heat (at least we had cloud cover or I am not sure how I would have tolerated it) and when to go down below to eat without missing too much!

Are you staying in Panama City for a while? If so, I'll try to send you some info on my favorite spots there.

[cluso]

Yes, we are staying several days. Last time I was there was @ 1992 or so, when I was in the Air Force. I know things have changed a lot!

[cruisingbarb]

DocH20: Having been on both the Star Flyer and the Royal Clipper, how do you compare them? We're looking to book a European cruise in 2012 but not sure until they come out with their itinerary which one we want to do. We've been on the Star Clipper and that would be fine with me, but if we like the itinerary better on the Royal Clipper, may have to go that way so just wondering about the differences?

[grampylo]

Hi CruisinBarb and DocH20

It's been quite a while since I've posted on these boards for which I appologize. It has been an interesting time since we left the Flyer at Panama in November with some health challenges. Fortunately we are now beyond them.

We shared the Barbados to Panama trip with DocH2O last fall and really enjoyed her's and Jeff's company. Her posts about the trip in December and also in January are very accurate and done far better than I could do. We had been on the transatlantic section prior to meeting them in Barbados and experiened the hurricane on the Flyer as we approached Barbados.....other than the intense rain my wife and I really enjoyed the experience.

Regarding your question comparing the Flyer and Royal, we definately prefer the smaller ships (Star Flyer or Star Clipper which are essentially the same). We crossed on the Royal in October 2008 and had a wonderful cruise. We crossed on the Clipper in 2006 and on the Flyer in 2010. However we much prefer the intimacy offered on the Clipper or Flyer, mainly because of fewer passengers. The sailing flexability is also a positive consideration because of the rigging of the smaller vessals.

On the other hand, the Royal is larger and has very luxiourious features. This comment comes down to personal preference.

[cruisingbarb]

Thanks for the reply. Although we haven't been on the Royal Clipper, I agree with you that I'm sure we would prefer the smaller, more intimate ship. That being said, it's probably going to come down to itinerary. I hope the 2012 summer/fall schedule comes out soon.

[DocH2O]

Cruisingbarb - apologies for not responding, but I haven't been on the site since March... various reasons meant a cruise is not in the immediate future for us, so I have spent my on-line time on other things. I agree with Grampylo that it is personal preference regarding which ship to choose. Itinerary and dates that don't conflict with vital things on my work schedule really will drive our choice on future trips. The one thing that was important to me on the Royal that I missed on the Flyer was the gym... I really did use it - mainly the treadmill - on our transatlantic trip. It was not a huge problem on the Flyer because we generally put into port most days and I could get some walking exercise then, although I wasn't as regular about it as I was on the Royal. I have arthritis and can't do the on-board walks because taking the stairs repeatedly and at speed is just too much on my knees.

Grampylo - I am so happy to hear that your health problems are behind you. I have thought of you and Jan often. Geoff has been having some pretty major problems with his knees and almost had a knee replacement, but instead is going to be doing some new sort of injections. I still haven't done anything with my photos from our trip... still plan to but who knows when. Are you planning another trip at some point? I am getting to that point where I want to get something planned, but don't have anything definite in mind yet. Sounds like some changes coming in the various areas visited.

[cruisingbarb]

DocH2O: Thanks for your reply. We don't care for Star Clipper/Flyer Western Europe itinerary so will be doing a Princess cruise in 2012. Still considering their Barbados to Panama cruise in the future. Haven't given up on SC but it's price and itinerary that we look at.