Sailing on the Royal Clipper on 12/10/11

Hello Everyone,

We are Suzanne and Terry and we just booked the Royal Clipper to the Windward Islands in December. We booked so early because the price was right. If anyone out there is sailing on the Royal we would love to hear how your cruise was and if there is anything we should know about the ship. We have cruised alot but never on a real sailing ship. I think this could be something special!!

Hello Everyone,

We are Suzanne and Terry and we just booked the Royal Clipper to the Windward Islands in December. We booked so early because the price was right. If anyone out there is sailing on the Royal we would love to hear how your cruise was and if there is anything we should know about the ship. We have cruised alot but never on a real sailing ship. I think this could be something special!!

Also sailing on Royal Clipper, but on November 25, 2011 for 2 weeks, ending on December 10. This is our second time on Star Clippers and we are looking forward to this cruise........anyone else on our dates......ronni and fred

Also sailing on Royal Clipper, but on November 25, 2011 for 2 weeks, ending on December 10. This is our second time on Star Clippers and we are looking forward to this cruise........anyone else on our dates......ronni and fred

I am glad to hear that you are on your second Clipper cruise, that must mean that you liked it. We have only cruised on big ships and are not sure what to expect. Any information you could give us would be great.

Thanks

Suzanne

The first time on Clippers was on Star Clipper, which is smaller than the Royal Clipper, sailing from Tahiti to the Atolls and back to Bora Bora, Moorea etc....We had a great time and did lots of snorkeling in the lagoons. The other thing that we enjoyed was the food....it all seemed fresh and was prepared really well. We are hoping to do lots of snorkeling on the Royal Clipper with this great island itinerary. Also looking forward to visiting some islands that we haven't been to before.

ronni and fred

Hello Everyone! Just made a reservation for this same sailing (Royal Clipper 10DEC11) and very excited about it. It will be our first time on this type of cruise and looking forward to it.

Counting the days.

Hello Everyone! Just made a reservation for this same sailing (Royal Clipper 10DEC11) and very excited about it. It will be our first time on this type of cruise and looking forward to it.

 

Counting the days.

Welcom Marvin79

I think we are in for a real adventure with all the small places we are going. We love to snorkle and hope that we can find some awsome spots.

Are you planning to go a day early to Barbados or are you going to fly-in and board? I think we will try to get in a day early because I don't trust the airlines. Have you been to Barbados?

Yes, planning on arriving to Barbados on 09DEC11, for the same reason, do not trust the airline schedule.

We were in Barbados like 5 years ago on a Carnival cruise.

when are you planning to arrive to Barbados? Have you been before?

Yes, planning on arriving to Barbados on 09DEC11, for the same reason, do not trust the airline schedule.

 

We were in Barbados like 5 years ago on a Carnival cruise.

 

when are you planning to arrive to Barbados? Have you been before?

We will arive on the 9th too unless we can get a lot better air fare traveling on Thursday. We were in Barbados on a Big Red boat about 10 years ago and I really don't remember the island at all. I think it would be neat to stay at an all inclusive and try some snorkling or one of the other water things and then have all the meals, but I would also like to be close to town. I thnk I have a lot of work to do before December

Hi All -

My wife and I are taking this cruise as well... I did this cruise last year by myself and loved it. I look forward to going with my wife!

Last year I arrived on a Friday, and used Travelocity "Top Secret" to find an inexpensive hotel. I ended up at Plum Tree Club, which is on a golf course. OK for the price ($90US) to spend the night.

I arranged with Johnson's Tours to pick me up on Sat. at 1100 and took me on a 4 hour tour around the island before dropping off at the pier at 1530. I am an airplane geek; so I really enjoyed the Concorde museum. I also visited Harrison's cave. It was interesting to learn the Barbados was NOT formed by volcanic activity.

I enjoyed the ship a LOT last year. I spent most of my time hanging out on the bridge watching the crew "do their thing" ...

Let me know if you have any questions!

Aloha,

John and Nivea

Hi John and Nieva,

Thanks for sharing your trip. A tour of the island is a great idea. Did you find Barbados expensive for food and stuff. I tried to look at some restraunts but only found ratings by stars.

In the past we have booked private shre excursions instead of using the ships. We have found them less expensive and in general better. Did you do any of that or did you use the ships. We love to snorkle. Did you use the ships snorkle program? It sounds really nice to be able to just go off the back of the ship.

We are so excited about "sailing" instead of crusing. I am going to start doing some research on the islands we are going to stop at later this summer, we have a family renunion in July that is taking up a lot of my computer time. I will share what I find and maybe we can set up some shore excursions.

Suzanne and Terry

S & T -

I only had 2 meals on Barbados; I had a fish sandwich at the golf club house next to my hotel for dinner ($20us?) and the next day I picked up a sandwich at a Chefette fast food restaurant. ($6us for hamburger, fries and a soda). Tour wise, I saw the Concorde and Harrison Cave. I'd recommend the cave to every one, and the Concorde to any one who always wanted to be able to sit down in one!

I only did 2 excursions all week long. The yacht sailing race in Antigua (Farr 65s!), and the St. Kitts railroad, which I thought was a great way to see the island. I walked around. In St. Lucia, I just walked around the marina. After the yacht race I walked over to English Harbor on Antigua. In Martinique I walked around the town for a while; there was quite a bit of cool architecture there.

I'm not much of a beach person, but I did do a little sailing in Dominica. Last year, they did all the water sports off the beach; the stern platform was utilized by those doing the scuba excursions.

Aloha,

John

Hello Everyone,

We are Suzanne and Terry and we just booked the Royal Clipper to the Windward Islands in December. We booked so early because the price was right. If anyone out there is sailing on the Royal we would love to hear how your cruise was and if there is anything we should know about the ship. We have cruised alot but never on a real sailing ship. I think this could be something special!!

Just back from sailing on the Royal Clipper out of Rome. This was our 6th cruise. Everyone has been great. Love hearing the theme from 1492 at each sailing. The food portions are getting smaller at dinner which is probably a good thing, and our passengers drank the draft beer dry with two days to go. The figurehead was removed while on this cruise, so she should look as good as new by December. Just a reminder the Cat 5 rooms are the worst, very tiny, and no storage. There was one couple that were in 102 that were in tears when they saw how small their cabin was.

Hello Everyone,

We are Suzanne and Terry and we just booked the Royal Clipper to the Windward Islands in December. We booked so early because the price was right. If anyone out there is sailing on the Royal we would love to hear how your cruise was and if there is anything we should know about the ship. We have cruised alot but never on a real sailing ship. I think this could be something special!!

I am glad to hear that you are on your second Clipper cruise, that must mean that you liked it. We have only cruised on big ships and are not sure what to expect. Any information you could give us would be great.

Thanks

Suzanne

We did this itinerary aboard Royal a couple years ago. We had a great time and will sail again with Star Clippers.

Since your previous cruise experience has been on big ships, it is important to know that Royal does not have all the activities designed to keep you "entertained". No casino, no broadway shows, no hairy chest contests poolside. Your cruise is about quiet relaxation with great food and personal service.

Port arrival times are kinda soft ... hey it's a sailing ship. Actual port destinations (where they anchor) are often well away from those cities where big cruise ships normally stop. I only bring this up because it is not easy take advantage of extablished tourist activities on your own. (i.e.: not sure when you will arrive and often well away from established tourist activities).

Do some research on the island destinations. Be prepared to use the ship's port activities/excursions, explore on your own or book a local guide to show you the island that has flexible time management.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the input. It is good to know that ports can change as I was looking into local guides. Now we wil probably do what you said and either use the ships tours or just explore on our own. we are excited to not be on the "Big Ship" and I think that the quiet will be really nice. From what I have found so far we are going to see some magnificant scenery.

We got the confirmation that our cruise is paid in full! We are flying in a day early, and spending the night at the Amaryllis hotel.

I checked out the cruise ship schedule for the 10th.... There are five other cruise ships in port on the 10th!

They are the P&O Azura, the Wind Spirit, Seven Seas Mariner, Celebrity Constellation, and the Norwegian Dawn. Most of these appear to be day stops, so there will be lots of people running around the island on Saturday.

I'm getting psyched about the trip; I can't wait.

Aloha,

John

We are going to get to Barbados the day before too and are staying at the Sunbay Hotel. I am looking for a tour of the island for Sat because we don't get on the ship until 4:00 and I think we have to check out by 11. I am e-mailing Johnson Tours about a pick up at the hotel and a drop off at the port. I will let everyone know what I find out.

It is getting exciting...isn't it!!!!

Suzanne

We are going to get to Barbados the day before too and are staying at the Sunbay Hotel. I am looking for a tour of the island for Sat because we don't get on the ship until 4:00 and I think we have to check out by 11. I am e-mailing Johnson Tours about a pick up at the hotel and a drop off at the port. I will let everyone know what I find out.

It is getting exciting...isn't it!!!!

Suzanne

Hi Everyone,

I heard back from Johnson Tours. They offer two options a regular tour that picks up from the hotel and drops off at the port that leaves at about 9:00 AM The one I liked is Caves and Critters. It goes to Harrison Cave and the Nature Preserve to see the "green monkeys" it is $70.00/pp and last about 41/2 hrs. Entrance fees are included.

The other option is to hire a car and driver who will pick us up whenever and take us to any place we want to see. The cost is $40/hr for the car and driver. If there were 4 of us it would be only $10/hr.

Is anyone interested in either option? Let me know

The other option is to hire a car and driver who will pick us up whenever and take us to any place we want to see. The cost is $40/hr for the car and driver. If there were 4 of us it would be only $10/hr.

Is anyone interested in either option? Let me know

Hi S&T -

Sorry we can't join you.... Nivea and I are being joined by my mother and sister. The four of us have already set up our ground transportation for Barbados.

We are getting excited!

Aloha,

John

Hi dixiedo, might be intrested i n tpur and then to ship on the 10th

let me know thanks

roy & gigi

Hi Roy and Gigi,

Where are you staying? we are at the Silver Point Villa, tho I have no idea where that is. If we can arrange for you to be picked up we would love the company. I will get some more information andlet you know.

Hi Dixiedoo, We are staying at the Hilton and touring in a private car sounds great. I think a 3-4 hour tour for the 4 of us and ending at the ship works fine. We are really looking forward to being on the Royal Clipper. We would really appreciate if you could make the arrangements.

Thanks,

Roy & Gigi

Hi,

The car can pick us up about 11:00 and take us tothe port around 4:00 if that works for you. I will go ahead and make the reservation and let you know where and when you will be picked up. We want to go to the Harrison Cave and the Nature Preserve. If you want to see anything else we can probably work it in.

In case you want to send me a regular e-mail it is suzannelane@att.net

Suzanne and Terry