Royal Clipper - Bare Necessities Cruise - 03/05/2004 02:00 PM
We have just returned from a two week vacation to Barbados including a week on Bare Necessities - Royal Clipper Cruise.
Bare Necessities and the Royal Clipper Crew did a great job of making this a great vacation. After leaving Barbados you could be nude for virtually the whole of the trip while on the ship. The only exception was for meals in the main dining room of the ship where casual attire was required. The food on the ship was first class with great dinners in the main dining room and buffet lunches and breakfasts on deck.
The ship itself is a beautiful inside with all cabins and public areas done in rich woods, brass and marble. Entertainment could best be described as low key with the exception of a Mardis Gras night and a Pirates night.
With only 200 passengers on the ship, it is a much more intimate trip than on a mega liner. We really got to know the other passengers and crew a lot better than on any other cruise that we have been on.My only complaint about the ship is that one or two of its small swimming pools should be converted to hot tubs.
The ship is magnificent while under sail which we were for about 3/4 of the time. While travelling in open seas the ship will rock more tthan a regular cruise ship, so take your motions sickness remedies if you need them.
Ports included in the trip were St Barts, St. Martin, Ile des Saintes (two stops) and Union Island. At Union we had a whole beach to ourselves and the ship's crew did a beach picnic. There were several opportunities to use the ships spoting facilities and Marine platform for snorkelling, waterskiing and banana boat rides.
While in Barbados, we stayed at Casuarina Resort. This is a beautful moderatelly priced resort with a great beach. It has won several environmental awards and is within walking distance of about thirty restaurants. All rooms also have fully equipped kitchens.
D&H
Bare Necessities and the Royal Clipper Crew did a great job of making this a great vacation. After leaving Barbados you could be nude for virtually the whole of the trip while on the ship. The only exception was for meals in the main dining room of the ship where casual attire was required. The food on the ship was first class with great dinners in the main dining room and buffet lunches and breakfasts on deck.
The ship itself is a beautiful inside with all cabins and public areas done in rich woods, brass and marble. Entertainment could best be described as low key with the exception of a Mardis Gras night and a Pirates night.
With only 200 passengers on the ship, it is a much more intimate trip than on a mega liner. We really got to know the other passengers and crew a lot better than on any other cruise that we have been on.My only complaint about the ship is that one or two of its small swimming pools should be converted to hot tubs.
The ship is magnificent while under sail which we were for about 3/4 of the time. While travelling in open seas the ship will rock more tthan a regular cruise ship, so take your motions sickness remedies if you need them.
Ports included in the trip were St Barts, St. Martin, Ile des Saintes (two stops) and Union Island. At Union we had a whole beach to ourselves and the ship's crew did a beach picnic. There were several opportunities to use the ships spoting facilities and Marine platform for snorkelling, waterskiing and banana boat rides.
While in Barbados, we stayed at Casuarina Resort. This is a beautful moderatelly priced resort with a great beach. It has won several environmental awards and is within walking distance of about thirty restaurants. All rooms also have fully equipped kitchens.
D&H