For Stars and Stripes, a first class, air-conditioned aluminum motor sailing catamaran that has been offering sunset dinner cruise and other sightseeing and sailing services for the past five years, the effort to combat the economic crisis is not an easy battle, but Stars and Stripes owner and president Sam Markos said they are doing their best to continue giving tourists and locals the best of what the island has to offer.
“Everybody has been affected with the economic crunch, including us but as long as we give tourists a reason to come and keep coming back, we are here to serve them,” Markos said.
Sailing in the waters around Managaha and the Saipan coast has never been made more pleasant and comfortable than being aboard the luxurious Stars and Stripes, Markos said.
A “hands-on boss,” Markos and his wife Jenny are on board the boat everyday personally welcoming and pampering passengers who come for an unforgettable hour and a half of cruising and enjoying the fabulous view of this island paradise.
Markos said he accompanies the guests on the dinner sunset cruises everyday and mingles with them.
“It’s different when you make the guests feel at home and at ease, and I feel happy and satisfied to see that my guests are enjoying the dinner cruises,” Markos said.
A sunset cruise aboard Stars and Stripes includes a sumptuous dinner buffet with a variety of dishes prepared by one of the island’s famous hotels. Guests can party the night away, sip cocktails and enjoy spectacular sunsets or and dance and listen to the musical entertainment provided by Roger Cadua, the boat’s “Elvis Presley.”
Stars and Stripes, measuring 72ft x 40ft in size, was built in Singapore in 1988. It is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry up to 149 passengers.
Markos said Stars and Stripes’ edge is a fully air-conditioned main saloon which can seat up to 100 people in total comfort. Guests onboard Stars and Stripes usually take their meals in the dining saloon and then go out on deck to enjoy spectacular sunsets and breathe in the ocean breeze.
“We can go out sailing even if it rains and we can still entertain our guests in our main saloon,” Markos said. He said this is an important factor because rain should not be a hindrance to the guests’ itinerary and enjoyment.
Stars and Stripes’ main saloon can be converted into a dance floor where guests can party the night away to the latest beats.
Passengers can go up on the upper deck of Stars and Stripes to join boat Capt. Rick Seidler for a photo session or take your drinks from the full bar and stroll on the front deck area.
“We would like to make our guests feel free to go around feeling safe and secure in our boat,” he added.
Stars and Stripes’ main pride is its huge mast which rises over 100 feet in the air. Markos said it is the only catamaran with a sail that carries the U.S. flag. It is also the biggest catamaran in Micronesia.
When the mast is unfurled, Stars and Stripes is a sight to behold —l ike a huge eagle sprawled out in the middle of a tranquil bay. Markos said Stars and Stripes had been used as backdrop for several commercial advertising shots and album covers.
Markos said like the other companies offering dinner sunset cruises, they get only a very little percentage of locals for clients, but they are encouraging more people from here to try their services.
“Our main clientele are tourists but we offer special discounts for locals, and we are urging everybody to come and avail of our special rates to experience things you may have taken for granted,” he said.
Marcos purchased Stars & Stripes in Nov. 2002 and began offering sunset dinner cruises in 2005.
“Saipan’s main industry is tourism, and we have to give tourists a taste of what our islands have to offer,” he said.
Working with Markos in each cruise are his wife Jenny and son David, captain Seidler, entertainer Roger and crewmembers Chato Cadua, Bobby Torio and Jiao, Li.
Aside from the world-class facilities, Markos said offering the guests excellent service is one way to keep them happy and give them a reason to come back to the islands.
Stars and Stripes departs from the Outer Smiling Cove for sunset cocktail cruise at 5:30 p.m. and returns at 7 p.m. daily.
Stars and Stripes also offers other services such as morning sightseeing cruise where a minimum of 10 guests, can take in the breathtaking scenery of Saipan coast from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. You can also avail of an afternoon sightseeing cruise from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., or customize your own private charter cruise.
With Stars and Stripes, you can fashion your own cruise to make it an unforgettable one — be it for an hour, half a day, or whole day. Make a special occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, wedding receptions, sailing adventure, or any other event more momentous within your budget range.
For reservations or inquries, call 234-7266, fax number 234-7265, email [email protected] or visit www.starsandstripessaipan.com.
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