Leisure Travel Counselor Jean Riekers sailed aboard the Yorktown Clipper on October 1-6, 2004 from Vancouver, British Columbia to Victoria, British Columbia, Friday Harbor, the San Juan Islands, and Sucia and Matia Islands, Washington. Here are her insider tips and observations:

 
Embarkation: 
Embarkation in Vancouver is effortless. Guests are personally escorted to their cabin by one of the Yorktown Clippers's staff who gives a brief, thorough explanation of cabin features.

Cabins/Staterooms:
There are 69 outside cabins, which are spotless. An interesting piece of information: Promenade deck and Sun deck cabins require passengers to enter the cabin from the outside. This is a wonderful feature for passengers who are used to having a balcony or who enjoy sunrises or sunsets without the obstruction of glass. Since the itineraries of small ships typically offer abundant wildlife sightings, passengers can simply walk out of their cabin door and have a full view. 

Public Rooms:
There are two public rooms: the Dining Room and Observation Lounge. Both rooms feature large picture windows for viewing scenery and wildlife. 

The Dining Room is quite lovely. Tables along the windows offer great views and seat six; tables in the center of the dining room seat four or six.  With open seating dining, guests may choose with whom they wish to dine.

The Observation Lounge is used for everything. Continental breakfast and soup and sandwiches at lunch are served here. Coffee, juice and hot chocolate are available here all day.  Homemade, right-out-of-the-oven cookies are served at 4:30 every afternoon.  Evening cocktail parties are held here, too, as well as orientations and briefings from the staff and the onboard naturalist. This is THE meeting place - a warm, friendly environment where guests return from a day of sightseeing or hiking.  There are large windows around the entire room offering beautiful views.  This room also houses the only bar onboard, as well as a supply of board games and books for use by the guests.

Food/Dining:
The food is fabulous and the service is great.  Each day we were treated with a "Soup of the Day," as well as a different pie. On day one, I proclaimed it as the best pie I ever had.  I also did that for day two, three, four….etc…. You get the idea! The breads are fantastic, as well. For those who choose to forgo the cookies, pies, pastries, and breads, there is an abundance of fresh fruit, and the vegetables and salads are excellent.  The food is the best I've had on a cruise.  It is freshly prepared, and each individual meal is served with special care and attention to detail.

Recreation/Fitness: 
You get your exercise on your daily shore excursions and nature hikes.  Since the Yorktown Clipper is a small ship, she is able to dock right in the center of town at each port.  Once off the ship, you can safely walk around and explore without needing taxis.  

Entertainment: 
The days are full, so evenings are a time for unwinding and relaxing. On a typical evening onboard, guests gather in the Observation Lounge to chat with shipmates about the wonderful day they had.  Some gather to play a board game, or perhaps one of the guests plays the piano. Or, perhaps the crew meets to tell about themselves, or maybe the onboard naturalist talks with guests about the next day's destination. Some guests head outside for a glimpse at the stars (it is not unusual to see a shooting star or two!). 

Staff/Service:
Superb!!  Every effort is made by the small American staff of 37 to make sure every guest is treated with individuality.  By day two, the cruise director greets every passenger by name and with a warm smile. She and the entire staff work together to assure each guest enjoys their cruise to the fullest. 

Disembarkation:
Getting off is as easy as getting on the ship. Once you place your luggage outstide your cabin door, you don't handle it until you reach the airport.  Simple.

Tidbits:
There is a galley tour and a bridge tour on every sailing.

The Captain keeps watch for whale and other wildlife and will slow down, speed up or change course to catch a glimpse.

Summing it all up:
A small ship cruise is a fantastic way to discover the Pacific Northwest; the views are absolutely incredible. The Clipper  experience is completely uncomplicated and simply wonderful. There is no stress: it's a REAL vacation.