Star Clippers is offering free round-trip air and savings of up to $800 per person off brochure fares on select Panama Canal sailings during the upcoming 2011-12 winter season.
The November 2011 through March 2012 departures are 14 or 20 nights, and take Star Clipper and Star Flyer through the lakes and locks of the man-made marvel. Eleven gateways qualify for free air either to or from San Jose, Costa Rica; Balboa, Panama; Barbados or St. Maarten, while several West Coast gateways feature reduced round-trip rates as low as $145.
The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails back-to-back 14-night transits from St. Maarten to Balboa and back to St. Maarten, departing Jan. 7 and 21, 2012. On the St. Maarten departure, the ship calls at the Caribbean islands of Iles de Saintes and St. Vincent, in addition to calling at all three “ABC” islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The ship also makes calls at Venezuela, Colombia and Panama. The return transit takes the ship to Panama, Colombia, Aruba and Curaçao, as well as Jost van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and St. Bart’s in the Caribbean.
Star Flyer, twin to Star Clipper, repositions from the Mediterranean to Costa Rica for its winter season via a Nov. 6, 2011, 14-night transit of the canal. Departing from Bridgetown, Barbados, the ship calls at the Grenadines and Grenada, Venezuela, the three “ABC” islands, Colombia and Panama before the transit. In March, the ship repositions back to the Med via the Panama Canal with a 20-night itinerary that combines a six-night Costa Rica to Panama cruise with a 14-night transit. Guests with less time can opt for the 14-night transit only.
The March 18 sailing departs Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, and calls at Quepos, Drake Bay and Golfito, Costa Rica, and Isla Gamez and Isla Iguana, Panama, before concluding at Balboa. Guests continuing or joining for the March 24 transit sail from Balboa to St. Maarten with calls at Panama, Colombia, Aruba and Curaçao, Jost van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and St. Bart’s.
When sailing in the region guests can take advantage of the line’s complimentary water-sports program and go sunfish sailing, snorkeling, waterskiing and windsurfing. For guests wanting to explore on dry land, Star Clippers features an array of shore excursions, and the complimentary beach barbecue continues to be a guest favorite.
Cruise fares for the Panama Canal sailings begin at $3,940 per person, double occupancy, which includes the free air, up to $800 off the brochure rates and port charges. Air tax and transfers are additional to the cruise fare.
For more information on the specific sailing dates and qualifying air gateways or to make a reservation, contact a travel professional. For additional information, call Star Clippers at 800-442-0551 or visit www.starclippers.com to view a video about the line or take a virtual tour of the Star Clippers tall ships. To request a brochure, call toll-free 800-442-0556 or e-mail brochures.
