We received this nice note from a guest who recently sailed aboard Star Clipper.

Dear Star Clippers people,

Enclosed is our evaluation form for our voyage on the Star Clipper from Singapore via Phuket to Athens, in March and April of this year. I apologize for not getting this to you earlier, but my husband and I wanted to say more that the form allows room for.

This was not our first Star Clipper experience. We have sailed in the Caribbean three times (one on the Royal Clipper) and we sailed on the Star Flyer’s crossing from Athens to Panama City in the fall of 2007, so we are very familiar with the Star Clipper/Flyer and with the Star Clipper trip protocols.

This wan an absolutely unique and unforgettable voyage, in the best sense of these adjectives. First, we thoroughly enjoyed all the sea days. In facts, that’s what attracted us to this itinerary in the first place, after our enjoyment of the 11 or so straight sea days on the Star Flyer Atlantic crossing. Second, this particular itinerary was fascinating. We had been to Thailand and to Greece, but not to any of the other countries along the way.

There were, however, two things which made this trip uniquely special for us. The first was, of course, the six or so days from Goa to Bab al Mandab at the south end of the Red Sea transiting the Gulf of Aden. Six days on high alert (“code red”) in the pirate area was quite an experience. The precautions taken by the Star Clipper’s crew (razor and electrified wires, plywood panels around the aft sun deck, complete blackout at night, portholes blocked 24 hours a day, emergency drill) were reassuring. Particularly reassuring was the presence of our escort ship, “Delta Mike,” cruising alongside 24/7, complete with three machine guns set up on deck. As an English friend once said years ago, “That’s a story you can dine on for ages!”

The second and even more impressive thing which made this trip special for us was Peter Kissner, the cruise director. In fact, Peter was much more than just a “cruise director.” His planning, his daily talks and “little stories,” and his interaction with us passengers and with the crew were highlights of our time on board. Thanks to Peter’s planning awe got to do some things that no ordinary cruise ship would include” stopping to go swimming in the Indian Ocean (twice) and the Red Sea (once), and visiting Brothers Island and lighthouse in the Red Sea. We especially appreciated Peter’s absolutely encyclopedic knowledge of the history, geography, personalities, customs and cultures of all the places we visited and even those we just passed by. We learned so much from Peter’s talks, and we had not expected this trip to include so much fascinating information. I cannot even being to recall right now all I learned from Peter’s talks on such topics as the history of explorations from Europe across the Indian Ocean to Asia, why dealing with pirates and piracy is not a simple matter logistically or legally, how sailing ship design developed and why sailing ships may still have a future in international shipping, and tips on each of the places we were going to be docking for the day. He even had “human interest” items about various historical persons, such as Prince Henry the Navigator and Magellan. (However, luckily I took notes!) Having Peter as a travel companion was an invaluable addition to our voyage.

Currently we are booked on the Star Flyer for the Pacific Ocean crossing. Tahiti to Panama, next February and March. We are looking forward to another lengthy time at sea. The only thing missing will be Peter and his daily informative talks (unless, of course, he just happens to be places on that voyage.)

Sincerely,
Gretchen Morris