Praise for Cruise Director Peter Kissner
Julie | July 28, 2010

We received this nice comment from a guest who sailed aboard Star Clipper:

Kissner250Safely back on board, I decide to head for the ship’s library where a talk on the earliest sailing voyages of mankind is being offered up before dinner. Now I’ve attended many such presentations on other cruises and frankly, they can be boring. The library is comfortable, rich, and beautifully appointed. The stock of literature, predominantly in English and German, isn’t something to sneeze at either.

I arrive late and passengers are already comfortably assembled around the perimeter of the room. At the front with a world map affixed to the wall is Peter Kissner, a tall, tanned Bavarian with tousled blonde hair drawn back in a pony tail. He is Star Clipper’s Cruise Director. My expectations for the talk aren’t very high.

When he wrapped up at eight o’clock, and even with hunger pangs whispering, I was prepared to sit there all night, riveted by this man. I’m not the betting sort, but I’d wager that Peter has more knowledge about maritime history than academics in this field. Not only that, his storytelling ability is unmatched. We heard about Ferdinand Magellan, the first to circumnavigate the world. We heard all about the political intrigue surrounding his historic voyage, and Peter magically teleported me to the deck of Magellan’s ship where I became one of this famous navigator’s men.

I promised myself not to be presumptuous about on-board talks again.

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Star Clippers’ 2011 Med and Transatlantic Brochure Available
Julie | July 23, 2010

Star Clippers just released their hot-off-the-press 2011 brochure highlighting the line’s Mediterranean season and transatlantic voyages. The 68-page brochure is filled with stunning photos, detailed maps, port descriptions and land tour options.

To get your copy, call 1-800-442-0556 or e-mail brochures@starclippers.com.

SC_brochure2011

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Cappadocia’s Captivating Land Excursion
Nicole | July 21, 2010
Cappadocia, Turkey.

Cappadocia, Turkey.

Sailing the Med aboard Star Clippers tall ships just got a lot more legendary. During the 2011-12 Mediterranean sailing season guests will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, during a pre- or post-cruise land excursion.

This magical two-night tour takes you to the underground cave cities of Cappadocia, where discreet entrances give way to elaborate subterranean worlds. Learn the art of pottery making before setting off to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and Uchisar Castle where you’ll discover the fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches from the early days of Christianity.

Hike in the dramatic Red and Pigeon valleys; explore Kaymakli, the widest underground city; travel to Cavusin — one of the oldest Greek villages, and marvel at Ortahisar Castle. More adventurous guest can take to the skies and drift over the spectacular Cappadocia landscape with an optional hot air balloon tour.

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Sailing Lingo: Lubber’s Lines
Nicole | July 19, 2010

On Friday we asked, what does “Lubber’s Lines” mean and where did the term originate?

According to Origins of Sea Terms, by John G. Rogers, Lubber’s Lines are marks in the bowl of a ship’s compass, aligned for dead ahead, astern, and abeam. The origin of the term may be that an experienced helmsman did not need these aids to ascertain the ship’s heading, and to use them was considered lubberly.

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Sailing Lingo: Lubber’s Lines
Nicole | July 16, 2010

Today’s challenge is: Lubber’s Lines. Do you know what this phrase means and how it originated?

Sailing Lingo aims to test your knowledge of the peculiar and sometimes indecipherable language of sailing. We pose a question and see who can answer it most accurately in the comments section of the post. Be sure to check the blog for the correct answer the following day. Good Luck!

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