Sitmar Fairstar cruise details

[Robert Bear]

We went on a Fairstar cruise in January 1977, and have the 'Welcome Gala Dinner" menu I just found, I had forgotten about this cruise because we also cruised the following year in January 14. My question is does anybody know how long this cruise was and where it sailed? definitely in the Pacific Islands.

[Kartgv]

We were on the Fairwind, but not the Fairstar You might try posting this question on the "Australia and New Zealand Cruisers" board, since that is where she did her trips in those days, according to Wikipedia. I think I have seen it mentioned occasionally on that board, so you might also try a search.

 

By the way, we also had an extensive menu collection from these early voyages - seems to have been the souvenir of choice!

Edited September 6, 2014 by Kartgv

[jmf123]

Robert Bear and Kartgv, I think you will both enjoy seeing this book titled 'The Sitmar Liners: Past and Present'. Fun to see the photos and read about these ships! You can scroll down to see a photo of Fairstar on page 101, followed by the original deck plan of Fairstar. And page 175 outlines the South Pacific itinerary- primarily Noumea, Suva, Lautoka, Nuku'abfa, and Port Vila. Does that sound familiar? Here's the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=PhGMcJw9THgC&pg=PA175&lpg=PA175&dq=sitmar+fairstar+pacific+isles+cruise+ports&source=bl&ots=dvNw-XK0C9&sig=ybhzYXmaL2ogceD5I1kq5ULsSbM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PHQKVMzSEIi7ogSrz4DYAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=sitmar%20fairstar%20pacific%20isles%20cruise%20ports&f=false. And this link as well: http://www.ssmaritime.com/fair1.htm. ;)

[dancinman66]

Fair star would have been 9-12 days generally

They did do an odd 7 day trip also

 

 

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[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[Grannycb]

We did the 19 day cruise on FairStar leaving from Sydney to Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Western Samoa, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and maybe some other islands. It was our first cruise experience.

[Robert Bear]

Robert Bear and Kartgv, I think you will both enjoy seeing this book titled 'The Sitmar Liners: Past and Present'. Fun to see the photos and read about these ships! You can scroll down to see a photo of Fairstar on page 101, followed by the original deck plan of Fairstar. And page 175 outlines the South Pacific itinerary- primarily Noumea, Suva, Lautoka, Nuku'abfa, and Port Vila. Does that sound familiar? Here's the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=PhGMcJw9THgC&pg=PA175&lpg=PA175&dq=sitmar+fairstar+pacific+isles+cruise+ports&source=bl&ots=dvNw-XK0C9&sig=ybhzYXmaL2ogceD5I1kq5ULsSbM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PHQKVMzSEIi7ogSrz4DYAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=sitmar%20fairstar%20pacific%20isles%20cruise%20ports&f=false. And this link as well: http://www.ssmaritime.com/fair1.htm. ;)

Thank you for that link it is excellent with a lot of information. We were originally booked on the Fairsky, but it hit a reef and I think it sank, so we had to change booking and that's how we finished up on the Fairstar cruise, out of Sydney.

[notentirelynormal]

Thank you for that link it is excellent with a lot of information. We were originally booked on the Fairsky, but it hit a reef and I think it sank, so we had to change booking and that's how we finished up on the Fairstar cruise, out of Sydney.

 

It didn't sink. We sailed on the Fairwind in April 1984 and Fairsky in April 1987 - both in the Caribbean.

[Grannycb]

The link was great! Thanks for posting it. It brought back lots of memories, like when the ship rocked, the pool would overflow onto the promenade. Those covers didn't really prevent a good drenching of those strolling on the deck below. We were caught more than once.

[jmf123]

Thank you for that link it is excellent with a lot of information. We were originally booked on the Fairsky, but it hit a reef and I think it sank, so we had to change booking and that's how we finished up on the Fairstar cruise, out of Sydney.

 

It didn't sink. We sailed on the Fairwind in April 1984 and Fairsky in April 1987 - both in the Caribbean.

 

The OP sailed in 1977, which was the year that Fairsky collided with an inter-island cargo ship wreckage (in June). The Captain decided to run her aground into a sandbar to prevent her from sinking. Sitmar decided the cost of repairs couldn't be justified and it was sold later that year. In '78 it served as a floating hotel & casino. In Nov. '79 the vessel was destroyed by fire- cased by faulty wiring. She was broken up in 1980. This incident is mentioned on pages 157-159 of the 'books' link.

 

Grannycb, that was quite a first cruise! I'm glad you and Robert Bear liked the link, and that it stirred some memories- I also liked it! Nice to see photos too. I really enjoy the history of ships, as well as info on new builds- and I sail when I can! I'm currently reading 'The Ship and the Storm' by Jim Carrier, about Hurricane Mitch and the loss of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises' Fantome in October 1998. :(