14 Night Cruise sailing from Balboa to Philipsburg aboard Star Flyer.

Star Flyer is as fleet as the wind and as graceful as swans. This is a true clipper ship, reflecting the proud heritage in every inch of polished brass and gleaming brightwork.

Step aboard this unique vessel and discover a new age of sail, where the traditions of the past are happily married to the comforts and amenities of the present. Star Flyer ia a modern cruise ship in every way, created for comfort-loving passengers who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships. Star Flyer is 360 feet long and carries just 170 guests in pampered comfort. Life aboard is blissfully relaxed, much like travelling on a private yacht. You'll never feel confined, as the ship offers pleasingly spacious accommodation and expansive teak decks with ample space for relaxing and play. In fact, you'll find that the ship offers more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships.

The décor of Star Flyer is reminiscent of the grand age of sail. Antique prints and paintings of famous sailing ships please the eye, while teak and gleaming mahogany rails are richly reminiscent of Star Flyer's proud nautical heritage.

Enjoy our convivial indoor-outdoor Tropical Bar and Piano Bar, and Edwardian style library where a Belle Époque fireplace glows with a warmth that reflects the friendliness and enthusiasm of Star Flyer's hospitable officers and crew.

Highlights of this cruise:

Balboa
Balboa is a pacific terminal port in central Panama, at the southern end of the Panama Canal. It lies between the canal docks and Ancón Hill, which separates it from Panama City. Founded in 1914 and named for Vasco Núñez de Balboa, European discoverer of the Pacific, it has extensive harbour installations, drydocks, marine and railroad repair shops, warehouses, and a coaling plant. Balboa is noted for its orchid gardens, with more than 400 orchid varieties.

Jost Van Dyke
The British Virgin Islands, about 60 (mostly uninhabited) islands and cays, are one of the Caribbean's most popular destinations. Jost Van Dyke is a casual island with protected anchorages, fine beaches and beachfront restaurants and bars. It is said to have been named after an early Dutch settler, a former pirate.

At Great Harbour, Little Harbour, and White Bay there are safe, protected anchorages and unspoilt beaches shaded with coconut palms and seagrape trees. Discover inviting restaurants, bars, and small shops selling local treasures.

Parties here are legendary, especially at Foxy's. This bar and its owner are known to travellers from around the world for the New Year's Eve and Halloween parties, when Great Harbour fills up with yachts.

Philipsburg
St. Maarten is one of the most rewarding stops for a cruise-ship passenger. The island is divided between French St. Martin in the north and Dutch St. Maarten in the south. Each side manages to retain its own distinct flavor. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is a lively destination of white sand beaches, casinos, historical sites, shopping venues and lot of nightlife. Most ships dock in Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten.

Philipsburg fills a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. Two main roads cut across the length of Philipsburg--Front Street and Back Street. Front Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with duty-free shops offering everything from Italian leather goods and Japanese cameras to native crafts. Narrow alleyways lead in either direction to arcades and courtyards filled with flowers. Visitors will also find examples of traditional West Indian architecture, including characteristic pastel-colored houses with second-story verandas looking out over the street. Front Street's most prominent landmark is the Courthouse, built in 1793. A grand white wooden structure topped with a cupola, it now serves as St. Maarten's courthouse. Also on Front Street is the Simartin Museum, which gives visitors an excellent introduction to local history.