by Heidi Sarna.
In April, I took a 7-night Star Clippers Thailand cruise round-trip from Phuket aboard the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper. We tootled around the gorgeous rocky islands of the Andaman Sea in search of beaches and snorkeling sites. It was my fifth Star Clippers cruise — and it won’t be my last.
Here are 10 great reasons to take a Star Clippers cruise in Thailand. Full feature article coming soon!
The Rocks.
The peaks of craggy ancient mountains poke out of the Andaman Sea like clusters of wild mushrooms, the result of tectonic activity eons ago. Scenic and very photographable, cruising among them on a tall ship is wonderous.
The rocky islands and formations of the Andaman Sea. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Beaches.
Beach bums will love this itinerary. The region’s islands, most of which are part of Thai national parks, are rimmed with arcs of white sand framed by picturesque rock formations and shaded by lush tropical foliage.
A gorgeous beach on Koh Surin. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Sunsets.
There’s just something about watching the sun set through the rigging of a sailing ship. Just about every night on this itinerary, a moody orange sunset slowly melted into the horizon to the delight of passengers gathered up on deck to watch the show.
Stunning sunsets are a daily affair in the Andaman Sea. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Ship.
The four-masted Star Clipper, like her two fleetmates, was built in the image of a 19th-century clipper, the fast kind that used to race across the ocean by sail power alone to transport tea and opium between China, India and England. The Star Clipper is a beauty from stem to stern, and her sails, rigging and teak are constant reminders you’re on a classic tall ship.
Star Clipper in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Snorkeling & Diving.
We snorkelled around shallow reefs and saw giant clams with purple lips, black spiny sea urchins and huge brain corals. Schools of fish, some cheeky enough to swim within inches of my mask, provided a constant stream of marine TV with their neon stripes and spots. All guests are issued free snorkeling equipment and a dive master is on board to take divers on optional excursions daily, to reefs further afield and around submerged black volcanic lava.
Snorkeling off the side of a tender near Koh Surin. * Photo: Sheila Healey
The Watersports.
The Star Clipper carries along paddle boards, kayaks, windsurfers and sail boats, and offers them for use right off the side of the ship when anchored in the right conditions and also sets up the equipment on the beach.
Paddleboarding is offered on every beach. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Massages.
Marietta the masseuse was excellent; she had just the right firm touch, working out the knots and kinks in a very relaxing and soothing way. The jury-rigged massage cabana is up on a sequestered section of deck near the dive tanks and tender boats.
The humble cabana where excellent massages were performed. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The Other Passengers.
Star Clippers attracts an international mix of folks from mostly Europe, the UK and North America who appreciate traditional sailing, offbeat itineraries and good old-fashioned socializing.
On route to the next great beach! * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Thailand.
Thailand is a cool, historic, quirky place, there’s no two ways about it. Many passengers spend a few days in Phuket, nearby Krabi, and/or Bangkok, before or after the cruise, to enjoy the country’s delectable cuisine, famous friendly hospitality, and stunning gilded temples.
Bangkok’s gilded temples and stupas. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Singapore.
Ok, maybe this one’s cheating, but I love the fact that this cruise could happen after just a short 1.5-hour flight to Phuket from Singapore where I live! From North America, on the other hand, it’s a full-day’s schlep to get to Thailand, but it’s worth it, trust me.
Through 2019, Star Clipper is doing weeklong Andaman Sea cruises between October and April starting at $1,360 per person and spending the other half of the year cruising in the Indonesia archipelago round-trip from Bali.
A Star Clippers cruise in Thailand is one photo op after another. * Photo: Mark Brompton
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