Following the success of the Star Clippers debut Art Afloat cruise in 2011 we are thrilled to be able to offer you additional art themed sailings for 2012.
Richard Nichols on one of the three exclusive 'art afloat' holidays offering you a choice of the stunning sun drenched Greek Islands, Mystical Morocco or the Tropical Breezes of the Caribbean Windward Isles. With an accomplished artist on-board to help you build your creative talent and techniques, these special sailings will be an enchanting experience to behold.
So select the sailing that suits you and we look forward to seeing you on- board with some stunning scenery included!
- 5th May 2012- Northern Cyclades for 7 nights on board Star Clipper
- 6th October 2012 - Spain and Morocco for 7 nights on board Star Flyer
- 7th December 2012 - The Windward Islands for 7 nights on board Royal Clipper.
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Your daily art tuition and workshops with Richard Nichols are included in the price along with return flights, all shared transfers (non UK) and 7 nights full board cruise including port taxes and water sports.
Don't forget we are also including an amazing selection of art materials inside a special lightweight backpack that converts into a handy seat for location work.
So you will have everything you need, all that's left is to simply pick up the phone and call Star Clipper holidays on 01954 232802.
They say that the River Douro is Europe's hidden gem and we at Ponders agree, having recommended this cruise and actively been on it ourselves a number of times, we feel that it is something everyone should experience at least once.
With people looking to get more for their money when booking a holiday we think we have come up trumps! Not only are we able to offer you something completely different from your standard beach holiday but included in the amazing price is (take a deep breath and que the list..) return flights, transfers, 7 night river cruise full board, luggage transfers from quay side to cabin, full off shore excursion programme (selected dates), coffee and tea after dinner, welcome and farewell cocktail, Captains Dinner, participation in the on board events programme and last but not least a Portuguese folklore concert on board. Phew if thats not value for money what is?
So how do you fancy meandering along the River Douro with stunning scenery and encountering unspoilt rural villages and towns and even visiting the historic cities of Salamanca and Porto. Sound like something you would like to know more about or just want to book. Well we are happy to answer any queries you may have and we can even offer you a pre/post cruise and stay option from Liverpool.
With our experience on the Douro we are able to offer you some top tips that we have found have enhanced our journey when we visited.
With the Douro Cruiser only accommodating 130 passenger you will need to be quick as we are selling out fast due to our EXCLUSIVE price from £999pp.
Valentines Day Alert.
For all of those wanting to book something romantic for a partner this Valentines have you seen our Venice 4 night Sailing on board Star Clipper. Look in our special offers section for more details, but it certainly exceeds flowers and chocolates and is something you can both look forward too. DONT FORGET book by the 10th of Feb and you will recieve an M&S Champagne hamper in time for Valentines day. So no need to visit the shops either!!
Just imagine my excitement when I was asked if I would like to go on a trip to the Caribbean, starting in Barbados and then to join the amazing Star Clipper Ship - Royal Clipper. The trip was to introduce me to the delightful Island of Barbados and the cruise visited St Kitts, Iles des Saintes and Martinique. I truly couldn’t have wished for more.
They were places I had never been before and the Royal Clipper has long been on my list since I fell in love with the Star Clipper.
Our trip started (as many of our Star Clipper Caribbean Holidays do) when we flew from Gatwick to Barbados with British Airways, everything ran smoothly and I got the chance to catch up on the latest films whilst relaxing with a glass of wine and a meal.
I love that feeling when you get off a plane and the heat hits you, all of a sudden that long flight was all worthwhile. Our transfers throughout the trip were all on time and with very informative drivers who were brilliant at telling us all about sights we passed on route to our hotel. It wasn’t long before I reached my first port of call, The Colony Club, Barbados. The welcome was very warm and the Rum cocktail was the first of many I had the pleasure of tasting during my trip. This is a lovely hotel, great food and as always in Barbados the staff are friendly and do everything they can to make your stay perfect. The hotel has a wide range of rooms, lovely large decking to relax on and a private beach, a beach as you can imagine, pure white sand and crystal blue sea! Perfection.
I enjoyed the fact that although we were heading for an exciting cruise, the opportunity to spend the night in a fabulous hotel in a super location really was the icing on the cake.
The following day we flew to Antigua where we joined the Magnificent Royal Clipper, she was everything I thought she would be and a whole lot more. As usual I found the moment the ship sails out of the port so emotional, it is such a moving experience, glass of champagne, Vangelis playing throughout the top deck whilst the 5 sails are being raised by the crew, the captain and his team also on deck at the ships wheel, along with the sound of the wind blowing through the sails, this is definitely a cruise to do if you want to experience something different. During the next 4 days on the cruise we visited St Kitts, Iles des Saintes and Martinique. In St Kitts we had a half day island tour in an open bus with a great local tour guide, he was colourful, informative and lots of fun, he even had his own Rum selection for our refreshments during the morning, this is well worth doing. We saw volcanos, lush countryside, stopped at a local market and watched children playing at school. In the afternoon I sampled the white sand and aqua sea and as I had imagined it was all to my liking.
Whilst on board the Royal Clipper – each night on-board there was something different for guests to enjoy, Pirate Night, Talent Show, Captains night and so much more.
During the day you could enjoy one of two swimming pools, laze in the sun on a comfy deck chair or why not experience the difference of sun bathing in the nets? The ship has a gym, massage room and sauna so you are able to enjoy all these facilities too. Don’t forget all your water sports are included, and you get taken on the ships zodiacs to the most stunning beaches to enjoy all the water sports each and every day.
On the second day of our cruise we arrived in Iles des Saintes, I had a little wander around in the port and then spent the afternoon on the beach trying out the water sports that the Royal Clipper sports team had to offer, I’ve decided me and canoeing are not a very good mix.
The town of Martinique does not have too much to offer so I would definitely suggest taking one of the ships organised excursions which will ensure you make more of this destination.
Before I knew it it was our last night on-board the cruise, one of my favourites as the whole team of staff sing traditional songs in the restaurant, a good chance to get some photographs for the album. We disembarked in Barbados and headed off for what was my highlight of the trip, 5 hours on a Catamaran with a Bajan lunch and an all-inclusive bar and my first chance ever to try and snorkel. And snorkel I did and to make it more amazing I did it with the Turtles, it was fantastic and something I would encourage you to all do at least once in your life.
Our cruise ended in Barbados, but we did not have to fly home as we were lucky enough to spend our final night at the Tamarind Hotel, again a lovely hotel, large beach with lots of water sports and an adults only pool for all those couples who want to enjoy some chill time. If you are wanting something special Daphne’s Restaurant is next door, the ideal place to have an intimate meal for 2 on the beach or a luxury meal for a group of friends whilst sitting on the decking.
Well before you know it we are having our last few hours on the beach and trying to put off the inevitable, leaving for the airport. Once again all our transfers and flights were faultless and I was pleased that we had pre booked them all and did not have the hassle of having to sort anything out locally.
So as you have read, all in all this was a fantastic trip and if I can pass in any first-hand experience to help you make you mind up then please let me know.
Troy Welham
Manager
Well it has been some time since I last posted on here, we have just been so busy. What a year to look forward to, 2012 already is shaping up to be filled with great new offers and sailings that venture to destinations galore!
I must tell you about two huge announcements.
First the new brochure for 2012/13 from Ponders Travel is out now and we have a fabulous offer featured so why not download your own personal copy now by clicking on this link
Brochure Download
A really unforgettable voyage is on offer to Costa Rica, however as always if you fancy somewhere different then contact the lovely ladies at Star Clipper holidays for more sailings available. with the Star Clippers fleet.
Our 2nd piece of big news is that we are featured also on the new website from Ponders Travel, it is call
www.celebratewithtravel.co.uk so maybe 2012 holds a very special occasion for you this year, maybe you proposed at Christmas
(Just like the managing director of Ponders Travel did to her man this Christmas - Huge Congratulations Clare!) and are now looking to plan your wedding and honeymoon, or you are turning the big
?0 this year and would like to celebrate with style! Well then you need to check out this new website as it has loads of different ideas and with some perfect planning from the team at Celebrate with Travel your celebration will be that extra special! Look for Star Clippers under luxury holidays!
Talking of luxury and why not! With every penny counting this year why not guarantee your holiday will be exceptional, as that's what we do here at Star Clipper Holidays. Generally we all only have one overseas holiday a year that we work so hard for so why not combine everything that you would like, some adventure, activities, relaxation, culture and various destinations all in one holiday. Star Clippers offers you all that and more so why not this year treat yourself to something different, take a browse through our special offer section for some ideas on the types of holidays on offer. Add this site to your favourites as offers are being added all the time, and the January sales does not just mean in the high street! Maybe you have some destinations in mind from our ideas/destinations section but are not sure about an itinerary or have you seen something that you like but would like to extend the holiday or add on an additional destination. With all these ideas the Star Clippers team are happy to offer advice on what best suits you, and don't forget they have all been on board and travelled around the world so can offer you a true insight into your perfect holiday for 2012.
At the Star Clipper holidays office they have got some sensational offers to shout about, so as it is fireworks night soon, I could not resist saying lets shout about them with a bang.
For those of you who fear you may not have the sea legs for a Star Clipper experience we have got just the holidays for you. We have got the whole fleet together to offer a selection of short break mini cruises. Choose from the selection below just click on each one for more information.
These truly are the perfect way to enjoy a mini cruise, see breathtaking destinations, have a taste of the tall ship sailing experience including our great on-board atmosphere and test your sea legs.
So don't wait as remember Star Clipper Fleet has a limited number of passengers on-board as they are a much more unique style of ship.
Have you travelled on one of our ships before? Did you know that if you recommend a friend and they make a booking they will receive 30 euros on-board credit. If you decide you just cant get enough of the Star Clipper adventures and you book your next holiday on-board (maybe one of the above?) before December the 29th then you will receive 50 euros on-board credit also. So why wait we would love to see you again so call the Star Clipper holidays team now.
So have a great fireworks night, I hope to see a few displays from on deck of the Star Clipper.