Cruise West

MV Yorktown Clipper

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Operator:Cruise West
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1988 / 1994
Length / Tonnage: 257 / 99
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 69 / 138
Officers / Crew: American / American
Operating Area: Year-round USA and Central America

Good things do come in small packages....so it follows that a good cruise can be had on a small ship....and I like to call Cruise West's vessels the Rolls Royces of the "explorer ship" class....that is, the kind of ship not suited to traveling the oceans, but designed for protected coastal waterways, rivers, canals and lakes. When it comes to service, accommodation and food, Clipper is the cream of the crop. Founded in 1982 by Barney A. Ebsworth, of St. Louis, Clipper quickly became known for taking 100 passengers at a time in style to some of the most remote and least visited ports in North America....places barred to any ship over 100 tons.

That's what sets Clipper apart from the others....their cruises offer a pace similar to a leisurely motor trip where you are in charge of your itinerary. Clipper always docks close in to the main attractions of any port. So without muss or fuss, wander ashore....enjoy the scenery at your pace.....and breath a sigh of relief that where ever your ship takes you, the local color won't be tainted by 6 or 700 other passengers destroying the mood.

No atrium, no casino, no techno colored cocktail lounge and no ballroom await you on the NANTUCKET CLIPPER or YORKTOWN CLIPPER. But then again, those things aren't available in your car, and since a Clipper Cruise is very similar to an ultra luxe motor trip, you wouldn't want to see them here anyway. But the one lounge on board is one of the finest living rooms you could ask for. Dubbed the Observation Lounge on both vessels, it is just that....with huge always clean windows with views to both sides and forward, I cannot think of a better location to enjoy the endless scenery you will enjoy on a Clipper cruise.

The sofas are comfortable and designed for you to linger a little longer, and there's plenty of room to accommodate everyone for a port lecture, cocktail party or folklore presentation. As Clipper Cruises says, "naturalists and historians replace variety shows and bingo." You will find that the decor is soothing, restful, and has been finished to a high quality.....a lot of thought went into the design of the room, and as it is the one indoor venue aboard (not counting the dining room), that thoughtfulness is much appreciated. Of course, there is a small bar off to the side, and it is well stocked with a full selection of wines, beers and spirits priced between $2 and $5 per drink but people like me who never developed an appreciation for the products of the distiller's, brewer's or vintner's arts will also be happy to know that the bar also serves coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks. There's no charge for these soft drinks....I think that's a real nice Clipper touch...

Ever mindful that many passengers will prefer to be outdoors on a Clipper Cruise, there is a narrow but useful wrap around promenade deck, where, during certain hours of the day, you are invited to work off some calories. So rest assured that while on board Clipper's ships, you needn't be resigned to a sedentary lifestyle. To that extent, these ships have no elevators.

With so few passengers carried, you can expect a high level of quality, and because the ship is in port more than not, freshness of ingredients is always assured. The cuisine is decidedly American in nature....no, not burgers and franks, but regional cuisine of the highest order, thoughtfully presented and always delicious. Clipper chefs are graduates of America's most prestigious cooking school, the Culinary Institute. You cannot expect a never ending menu with selection after selection, but if you are at all fussy about what you eat, or your doctor has put the red light on certain food groups, Clipper, with advance notice, will be happy to accommodate you in any way they can.....but please don't ask them for pickled hummingbird wings or chocolate covered ants. All meals are prepared to order and served a la carte.....there is never any skimping or cost cutting in these dining rooms. By the way, your meals are served in one sitting....and because Clipper attracts a fair number of singles and often sails with less than three persons booked into rooms that can serve as triples, couples who want to eat alone can often be served at a four top doing double duty as a table for two...

Since the line has an open seating policy, you might want to know that Breakfast is served at 8:00AM, Lunch at 12:30PM and dinner at 7:00...Since early-risers tend to predominate aboard these small beauties, catering crew sets up a buffet in the Lounge early every morning so anyone waking up before the dining room opens at 8:00AM can eat. A few hours later a soup and sandwich buffet in the lounge attracts any number of people who want only a light bite at midday and every fan of the grape will be glad to know that the ships' wine lists feature bottled wine priced between $15 and $30 per bottle.

Would you care for an inside cabin? Sorry.....Clipper Cruises wouldn't do that to you, especially on any of their scenic trips. So even in their least expensive digs, expect an outside view with two portholes. The cabins are cozy, beautifully fitted and comfortable.....but you'll prefer your cocktail party for a dozen people be held in the lounge....these cabins aren't designed for that. But they are designed for comfortable sightseeing...that is, most cabins have large windows so even if you cannot get out of bed at the crack of dawn, you can sightsee while you head rests on your pillow. All the cabins have showers in their admittedly tiny private bathrooms, all cabins have two lower beds (sorry, honeymooners), and all some have an upper pullman for a "fifth wheel".

There is sufficient drawer and closet space, but don't overpack....besides, the onboard atmosphere stresses comfort, not formality, so a sport coat or cocktail dress is suggested only during the Welcome Aboard and Farewell parties. Though there is no laundry on board, the cruise director will bend over backwards to get your emergency cleaning done by a shoreside laundry, time permitting of course. So back to the cabins, for a moment. What's the best one to reserve? Well, some cabins have their doors opening out to the promenade deck....others are accessed by an inside corridor. Some have views onto the deck, with others right against the ship's side. The three least expensive cabin types have beds parallel to one another, while the three highest graded cabin types offer beds in an "L" shape.

My problem in deciding which cabin to select comes from the fact that all of them are good. There's no such thing as a bad location, and you are never far from anything on a Clipper. Be it my imagination or not, there seems to be a sense of extra space in the cabins fitted with the "L" shape beds. But because the most important feature to me on any ship is having a view, I'd be happy in any cabin here. And any of you who share my passion for collecting those nifty miniature toiletries..you know...the distinctly packaged soaps and shampoos will be pleased to find that Clipper has not forgotten to accommodate your hobby...the bathrooms are stocked with these little items and replenished as needed...Forgot your razors or other sundry item and need something while the ship is underway? No problem..the cruise director is able to help out and provide you with it.

These Clipper ships are perfect extensions of a country club...ideal for people who love to golf (some Clipper cruises are themed as golf cruises and passengers always get good tee times at a nearby course when a Clipper is in port.) Anyone who ever answered to the name "preppy" ought to love a Clipper cruise. Most passengers are over 40, couples predominate....though cerebral 20 or 30 somethings might feel at home here too. A BIG HINT...if you choose Clipper, you might do well to leave the kids at home because the ships have no facilities to amuse them, and Clipper passengers tend not to coo over a stranger's infant. If you like bright lights, big show lounges, great production numbers, constant amusement and entertainment, these boats are not for you. A perfect Clipper passenger? ME!!! And maybe YOU...but there is one CAVEAT....because these vessels which only draw about eight feet, and during their rare traversals of patches of open sea might bounce in uncertain weather....keep in mind that these except when sailing in waters out of reach of United States or Canadian ports, these two ships do not have a doctor aboard (unless one happens to be a passenger), so people with physical limitations (there IS an elevator, though) and health problems might do better elsewhere...though for simple medical events like a slight headache there is a supply of analgesics as well as bonine for that traveler with the queasy stomach...

In a few words.....Clipper itineraries are the greatest!!! Designed for the "been there, done that" travel set, each itinerary offers ports or in some cases stops where nature's wonders are the highlight. In the winter, cruises either seven or eleven nights will deliver you to some of the Caribbean and Central America's most exotic and off the beaten path ports. As the ship has no on board pool, passengers are invited to take a dip in the warm ocean, stepping right into the drink from the side of the ship. Snorkel gear is provided, so don't forget a swim suit. Other voyages offer days of exploration on the Orinoco River of Venezuela. The eight night Costa Rica itinerary takes all the headaches out of visiting that scenically stunning country.

During the spring, summer and fall, one of the Clipper ships pokes around the Sea of Cortez, makes Alaska cruises that will fulfill the naturalists among you, or visits in depth the San Juan Islands and out of the way ports in British Columbia. Pleasing choo choo enthusiasts, Clipper has come up with some fun rail/cruise adventures, which include destinations as far inland as Santa Fe, New Mexico! For east coast denizens, do not despair! In a variety of cruise lengths and seasons, Clipper comprehensively visits every worth while port from Jacksonville, Florida to the Great Lakes. Whichever Clipper itinerary you select, be assured that you will given plenty of time to really get to know a region. Only on a handful of Clipper trips does the ship remain "at sea" all day, and when it does, the passing scenery will be fascinating. Do you have to be physically fit to get the most out of your Clipper Cruise? Well, it doesn't hurt, but even couch potatoes like me can have a fantastic time. But to get the most out of the trip, you should be prepared for a fair amount of walking.....but always at your pace.

Cruise West is a nonsmoking world now. You are invited to puff away outdoors, but that's the only place on board where you can do so. We love the well scrubbed all American crew, young, eager, and thoroughly capable...You didn't ask but I'll tell you anyway...tips are pooled and shared among crew (not officers) and the Line recommends an amount of $9 per person per day...Give more if you like...these people really do work hard and sure do appreciate it! A Clipper cruise is not recommended for first timers or anyone in search of anonymity....crew and fellow passengers get to know everyone by name in no time....most people love that. Similarly, newcomers to travel might not be able to fully appreciate the point purpose and experience of a Clipper cruise, but anyone culturally aware and thirsty for knowledge ought to really enjoy it. The brochure rates don't look cheap, but tally up the costs for a air or motor trip to some of these places...making sure you've put into your budget first or deluxe class accommodations and fine dining every meal...suddenly, a cruise on Clipper looks pretty affordable, for what you get.