Fdale Explorer

On 1/20/2023 at 8:17 AM, elklemi said:

Since Star Clipper did not provide any information until 8 days before my cruise I decided to give a recap to help others sailing Costa Rica what I can offer.  Any questions ask and I will try and help out. Flying blind on info on where and when to board, transfers, excursions before and after until I was packing to leave.  Flew in 2 days before cruise and stayed at Doubletree by Hilton Cariari and could not have made a better choice. Free transfer from airport and this is a beautiful hotel with vegetation and buildings that made sure I was in Costa Rica. Nice bar and restaurant and everyone was nice and room was clean and large.  Loved this hotel. San Jose can get chilly when sun goes down and it is always windy so plan a jacket.

Checked numerous transfer companies and decided on Morpho tours as all were close in price and I paid $149 each way for 1-5 people and they were prompt to return my emails and answer any questions I had.  Both drivers were great and to port he took us over the mountain and back we took main road.  On that road traffice heading to port was backed up due to construction on side of road. We arrived little after 1 PM and they were taking our luggage and  took our paperwork and we were free until 4 pm when they took us to ship by groups. Usual check in on ship and got keys and left passport and were free to do whatever.  Ship is what I expected as have been on Star Flyer in past.  Heard there were 80-90 of us so no lines ever and dining room was quieter due to not being full. Stops were designed for excursions from ship and I was not planning on doing these and usually walk off ship and find enough to peak my interest but this trip was a challenge. Quepos was let off at a marina which was nice and visited restaurant/bar and overlooked the boats and water and had lunch.  Some others said there was a small town but I was not aware of such as cruise director did not supply much info which was helpful for any stop.  Golfito is very small and found one nice restaurant/bar (La Playa) on the water and had a fine time with some friends from the UK and Germany. Bahia Potrero we were let off on the beach and go to the right and there is a nice beach some went to and I went left to find a store to purchase some items needed and it was a long walk on black sand beaches of Costa Rica. Found the store and had lunch at Hemingway's which is on the beach and nice place with wifi. Isla Tortugas was fabulous and reminded me of the Caribbean and I really enjoyed the white sand and palm trees and little beach bar had umbrellas and chairs $14 for 2 and $7 for 1.  Beer was $3 and many had coconuts or Pineapples with rum I think were $7. Hated to leave but it was a great last stop.  Also on two stoops we had to take tender and near beach had to transfer to Zodiacs which can be dicey to be extra careful. As usual all crew were exceptional. Seas were calm and sailing was fine and usual climb the mast was a hit.  I admit I expected Costa Rica's pacific coast to be like the caribbean which was not the case except for last stop- but that did not make me enjoy my time any less.  Tennessee is not really freezing but nice to be in upper 80's and on the water.  Saw one whale and others saw porpoises around front of ship.  Guests were UK, Germany, and US and all were friendly and enjoyable to talk to and hear other's experiences.  Loved Costa Rica and best for land vacation and go to National Parks and rain forest for birds, etc.  Glad I went and Central America is one of my favorite places as I have been to Guatemala, Hondouras, and Columbia.  If those going on a future cruise to Costa Rica have any questions I can answer please let me know and I will try to be helpful.  Star Clippers needs to step up their game in this regard.  Also, review all your paperwork as I was supposed to get 4 hours free wifi when I booked and when I got on board it had changed to 1 hour.  Did not realize until after trip so check your paperwork.   Safe travels to all and the Clipper did carry Imperial, Costa Rican beer on board for those who enjoy beer, as the old saying goes "if you travel global--Drink Local".

 

Hi!  24 and we'll be cruising on Star Clipper Feb and I'm trying to book our own tour or way to go to Manuel Antonio for the day. I cannot find what time and where we get off the ship, and when we have to be back on board. Can you help? Thank you!

Hi, is there anyone who will be needing transfers to or from the Star Clipper Feb 24 and March 2 and wants to share a ride? We'll be coming from Liberia on the 24th and going to SJO on the 2nd.

On 2/6/2023 at 10:31 PM, Petoonya said:

Snorkeling is all we do when visiting Tahiti, and over the years and especially the last 5 years, have developed a favorite list- rather a "don't go snorkeling unless you use these guys!"

Number 1 not to be missed iis H2O Bora Bora- wow are they amazing. On our last cruise there were several in our group of friends who said they were the best snorkel trip they ever taken. One beauty of their tours is that they have only two boats that accommodate  either a group of four or six, so essentially your're getting a private tour for a price was actually less that those tours with 8-12 people. The result is that you have a captain who is dedicated to making sure that all have an opportunity to experience sea life. For instance in years past in the manta ray "nursery" we used to see 2-3 mantas- with H2O we saw 20-30. With a small group you have the time to do so much more. We went out 2x with them on our 18 day cruise in  2022 August. Do all day including the motu luncheon for a real treat.

Bora Bora's lagoon is my favorite spot in Tahiti

 

Moorea- treat yourself to a again to a private tour 2-4 people- Mermaid Private Boat Tours . More spendy than most, but especially worth it. Warm people who are dedicated to your snorkeling  experience. Also highly recommend are Alex Tours, and  Moorea Adventure Tours (marine biologist onboard). You can book the last two on Viator.

Fakarava- can't miss Fakarava Explorer, atolissant@hotmail.com   He's been doing it for 20 years and now his son has taken over. Fakarava is a pristine paradise and what a day we've always had. O2 Fakarava is a half day intense adventure, number 2 choice.

Tahaa/Raiatea is the place to go for jet ski snorkeling. Are Tours also quite  good. Coral Gardens- spectacular- forget the ship's tours.

Huahine- I'd choose Huahine Dream Tours.

Rangiroa- a few good ones  but we like The Six Passengers. Our last cruise people really seemed to like the ship's tour. The all do the same thing- the Aquarium (gorgeous) and/or drift snortkeling the Tiputa Pass.

Can you tell I love snorkeling, French Polynesia and Windstar? Sorry to be so wordy- been addicted for a long time, and love chatting about it.

Have a fantastic cruise!

 

 

Hi Petoonya, we chatted about snorkeling a long while ago.........I am bringing my Mom to Newport on Friday for the week.........I was hoping we could meet!  Please email me at bntcarteratyahoodotcom    I hope we can get together!~  Teri

Hi, My name is Carol. I'm in my 70's. I'm taking my first solo cruise Dec 1st on the Independence of the Seas. Been on many cruises with my late husband, but now I'm trying it on my own. Nervous but looking forward to it.

Hi, I am Lois, fit, energetic, 82! I have been om many cruises, and am looking for another woman to travel with. This Panama Canal cruise is my first choice.......anyone interested??!

I'm an experienced cruiser, but I'm now having second thoughts that I can go through with cruising alone. I would hope that I meet others on the cruise that I could dine with, etc. but that's no guarantee. Carnival's solo rates are very good and I need to be on a beach but I'm thinking about canceling and rescheduling for next year when someone else could go. Also, there will be a newer ship (the Liberty) doing the same itinerary next year.

 

I purchased the insurance so I would get 75% back as a credit. Any advice is appreciated.

I want to go on the Holland America Statendam through the Panama Canal, 15 days, Jan 30, 2014. I'm a spry 82 yr old woman with many cruising experiences. Would you be interested in joining me?