STAR FLYER What To Know

Sailing on Star Flyer is different that sailing on mega-ships

• Cabins:  Average about 156 feet, similar layout to most ships. Private shower and port hole or two. Beds can be together or separate. A very few can accommodate a 3rd guest in an upper bunk.

• Meals: Fabulous cuisine. All meals are open seating within a time period. Snacks are available throughout the day. Hors d'oeuvres are available on deck at the Tropical Bar during Happy Hour.

• Drinks: Grown up drinks, soft drinks & bottled water are at a cost. I paid $4 per 16 oz draught beer, $7 for Rum & Coke & the Drink of The Day, and tipping is not added to the bill - it is voluntary. Ice and water are available free of charge. Fill up your reusable.

• Gratuities: $11 per day, per person. Mega-ships are around $17 pp per day. This staff is excellent!

• Excursions: There are very few available or needed. You ferry into town and the beach. I did one to the Baths in Virgin Gorda and will do it again.  We pretty much go where you need to be anyway.

• Wi-Fi: This is a tough one. Onboard Wi-Fi is expensive. We used our existing carrier plan daily. It did disappear at night soon after we pulled out of port. That was plenty enough.

• Port Landings: In almost all cases the ship stays a bit off island and uses ferries to shuttle back & forth. Most are dry landings but some require ankle or calf deep water. Really pretty easy and run regularly.

• Entertainment: Very limited but not necessary. No shows. There is a very talented musician onboard who plays popular music most of the afternoon and evenings. There is a night where those with a talent are encouraged to perform in front of the passengers and crew. Crew was good. Guests, not so much,

• Dress Code: No formal nights (Thank goodness!!). As you wish during the day. Only requirement for dinner is for men to wear long slacks. Nobody kicked me out and most of you know I am pretty casual. 

• Sailing Life:  This is a small ship. The first deck of cabins is at water line. The port hole is just above. So you will feel some gentle rolling, which is great to go to sleep to. Because we are mostly in the Virgin islands we are not on open sea, so the water is usually calm. The only time I really noticed anything remotely rough was the one night we left the Virgin Islands for St. Barts and they picked up speed. Still nothing bad. Very stable.

• Spa: I highly recommend at least one Spa treatment. It is only $60 for about 45-50 minutes. There is only one masseuse so sign up early. Ours were head to toe, front and back - Literally.