The Stad Amsterdam is a Clipper Ship built in Amsterdam starting 1997 and was christened in the year 2000 by Rita Kok, wife of former Amsterdam Prime Minister Wim Kok.
What makes the Stad Amsterdam unique is that it is considered to be the first true Clipper vessel built within the last 130 years in the entire world. It has followed all original measures and designs of the 19th century while adding he comfort and technology of the 21st century.
The Stad Amsterdam is normally chartered for weeks at a time, but for December 2008 the Clipper had a cancellation while it’s scheduled to be in St. Maarten waters. This has lead the vessel’s owners to open the Clipper to the residents and visitors of St. Maarten and offer two sunset cruises and elaborate dinner buffet on December 20th and 25th.
Although the Stad Amsterdam has visited St. Maarten before, it did not allow anyone on board. However, during last year’s visit, one of the ship’s co-owners fell ill and had to spend a couple of days recuperating at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The Clipper’s co-owner developed strong ties with the St. Maarten people and arranged for the possibility of opening the ship to locals.
Those that get the opportunity to book the sunset dinner cruise aboard the Stad Amsterdam will enjoy an assortment of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Entrées will include bruchetta, canapés and wraps of smoked duck and chicory. The main buffet will have salads, carpaccio, roasted duck, marinated salmon or pasta farfalle. Desserts will include Tiramisu and other sweet surprises.
Guests of the Stad Amsterdam will be able to choose between the 20th and 25th of December for an evening that will start at 5pm when a service boat will carry some 75 passengers from the dock at Simpson Bay to the Clipper Ship for a once in a lifetime experience.
