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THE BEST CRUISE SHIP COMPANY

THE BEST CRUISE SHIP COMPANY, it is actually a big private yacht. The people are treated well, the food is absolutly extraordinary good. The people who work on the ship are truly AMAZING and if a 10 PLUS was POSSIBLE TO PUT HERE instead of 5 stars Windstarcruises absolutly should get it. Thank you very much for the amazing trip in the carabian.

Date of experience : January 04, 2024

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Princess Cruises

  • Exclusive discovery at sea activities
  • 24-hour dining
  • Offers excursions for almost every activity, appetite, and interest
  • Personal online check-in and cruise planning available
  • Up to 18 cruise ships available
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Windstar Cruises Review

The following companies are our partners in Cruise Lines: Carnival , Celebrity Cruises , Cunard , Disney , Holland America , Princess , and Royal Caribbean .

We sometimes offer premium or additional placements on our website and in our marketing materials to our advertising partners. Partners may influence their position on our website, including the order in which they appear on a Top 10 list.

The analyses and opinions on our site are our own and our editors and staff writers are instructed to maintain editorial integrity. Our brand, ConsumersAdvocate.org, stands for accuracy and helpful information. We know we can only be successful if we take your trust in us seriously!

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Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships that offers a private yacht experience and on-board entertainment. This includes local performances from different regions of the world. The company travels to 155 ports throughout the South Pacific, Caribbean, Central America, and Europe. It gives vacationers a variety of activities such as kayaking, swimming, and water skiing.

Windstar Experience

Food and Dining

Windstar offers delectable cuisine and inspired wine pairing that let their guests enjoy quality culinary experience while their on vacation. Guests can choose where to dine and when without reservation required or even have their food delivered directly in their room with Windstar’s 24-hour room service. The cruise line provides on-board dining that features a broad range of seasonal and fresh ingredients which are sourced from each port along the voyage. New dishes are served each night that highlights the flavours of the regional cuisine.

Dining Choices:

  • Stella Bistro

Staterooms and Suites

Each of Windstar’s yachts offers different staterooms where guests can relax. Windstar’s yachts provide spacious staterooms with luxurious touches for the pleasure of their guests. Below are the available staterooms and its features available in each yacht.

  • Wind Spirit
  • Star Breeze
  • Star Legend

All Accommodations Includes:

  • Direct Dial Phone
  • Fully-Stoked Mini Bar/Refrigerator
  • Fresh fruits and flowers
  • Mirrored closet with ample drawer space
  • Bathroom with granite countertop and shower

On-Board Activities

Windstar has a variety of activities and entertainment offered on-board for passengers to choose from. Guests are provided with a relaxing massage at the yacht’s WindSpa, lively workout in their fitness center, and splash from Watersports Platform. Other activities that travellers can enjoy on-board are casino and live music in their lounge.

Cruise Ships and Itineraries

Destinations

  • Mediterranean
  • Northern Europe
  • Greek Isles and Turkey
  • Costa Rica and Panama Canal

Excursions Offered

The company allows their guests to enhance their cruise vacation through the shore excursions that they offer. They let travellers embrace the culture, history and cuisine of each destination they visit giving options of hotel and land packages for them to experience. Travellers can find a cruise and book their excursion online at Windstar’s website or call their customer service hotline for detailed information about their shore excursions.

Windstar Cruises - Summary

Windstar is highly recommended for vacationers searching for a more intimate vacation. It brings its own brand of fun and recreation with its water sports platforms that includes kayaking, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, diving, and floating. A great getaway for people searching for an alternative to traditional cruise line services.

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Culture Discovery Cruises

Windstar Cruises Reviews

Summary of our windstar cruises reviews results.

Sifting through reviews can be exhausting, especially when it is so hard to separate a subjective negative experience from many positive experiences.  That is why we have scoured the Internet for all sorts of Windstar Cruises reviews, and created this article that attempts to compile the general consensus of opinion with regard to different topics related to a Windstar Cruise.

While below we will go into a great deal of detail, we wanted to start with a basic summary of the key points we found in Windstar Cruises reviews . 

After analyzing numerous Windstar Cruises reviews, several key takeaways can be highlighted. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the Windstar Cruises experience and can help potential travelers decide if this luxury cruise line is the right fit for them.

One of the most significant aspects mentioned in the reviews is the intimate atmosphere aboard Windstar Cruises ships. With a smaller guest capacity compared to other luxury cruise lines, the ships maintain a yacht-like ambiance that many passengers appreciate. This intimate setting allows for personalized service and an exclusive experience that larger ships may struggle to replicate.

The cabins on Windstar Cruises ships, particularly on the sailing vessels, can be somewhat smaller compared to other luxury cruise lines. However, the Star-class ships offer spacious suites with generous living areas, ensuring that guests can still enjoy a comfortable stay. It’s important to consider the type of ship when booking to ensure that your accommodation preferences are met.

Dining options on Windstar Cruises are a major highlight, with reviews frequently praising the variety and quality of food available. The main restaurant, AmphorA, serves a range of international dishes in an elegant setting. Candles, an onboard steakhouse, provides a romantic dining experience, while Veranda offers a more casual buffet-style venue for breakfast and lunch. Passengers can expect diverse and delicious meals during their time on board.

A unique feature of Windstar Cruises ships is the watersports platform, which offers easy access to various water-based activities like kayaking and snorkeling. This amenity sets Windstar Cruises apart from other luxury cruise lines and provides guests with an exciting range of recreational options.

The service on Windstar Cruises is often described as exceptional. With a favorable passenger to crew ratio of approximately 1.5:1, guests can expect attentive and personalized service from the crew members. This dedication to guest satisfaction is a key aspect of the Windstar Cruises experience.

When it comes to itineraries, Windstar Cruises distinguishes itself by offering unique routes that often include smaller, less-crowded ports and longer port stays. This allows passengers to explore destinations that larger ships cannot access, providing a more immersive and authentic travel experience.

Entertainment options on Windstar Cruises ships might not be as varied as those on other luxury cruise lines, with some passengers wishing for larger-scale productions. However, live music and enrichment programs are available, offering passengers entertainment and learning opportunities during their cruise.

Windstar Cruises visits unique destinations across the globe, including smaller ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti, South Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East. This variety of destinations caters to a wide range of traveler interests and preferences.

In summary, Windstar Cruises reviews consistently highlight the intimate atmosphere, exceptional service, and unique itineraries offered by this luxury cruise line. The smaller ship sizes, diverse dining options, and access to less-crowded ports provide a distinct and memorable experience for passengers. While entertainment options may not be as extensive as on other luxury cruise lines, the overall Windstar Cruises experience is highly praised by many satisfied guests. If you are considering a Windstar Cruise, booking through a specialized travel agency like Culture Discovery Cruises can help ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey.

Table of Contents

Be careful with review websites.

It’s important to note that individual reviews are subjective and might not accurately represent the overall experience. Some reviews from 2021 and 2022 may have reflected supply and staff shortages that resulted from the Covid pandemic. More information about Covid and cruising can be found on the CDC website .  So, always keep this in mind when browsing through reviews.

Overview of Windstar Cruises Reviews

  • Intimate, yacht-like atmosphere
  • Exceptional service
  • Unique itineraries
  • Limited onboard activities
  • Smaller cabins

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Ships

Most passengers praise Wind Surf for its luxurious and intimate atmosphere. However, some mention that the cabins could be larger.

Wind Spirit & Wind Star

Wind Spirit and Wind Star receive rave reviews for their beautiful design and cozy feel, but some travelers wish for more variety in onboard activities.

Star Breeze, Star Pride & Star Legend

The Star-class ships are praised for their spacious suites and updated amenities, although some guests feel the decor is a bit dated.

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Food

AmphorA is often praised for its delicious cuisine and attentive service, with diners enjoying the variety of dishes available.

Guests love the romantic atmosphere of Candles, the onboard steakhouse, and rave about the excellent food and service.

Travelers enjoy the casual setting of Veranda for breakfast and lunch, with some mentioning that the buffet could use more options.

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Amenities

Watersports platform.

Passengers appreciate the unique watersports platform, offering access to water-based activities like kayaking and snorkeling.

Travelers love the Yacht Club’s relaxed atmosphere and the excellent selection of snacks and beverages available throughout the day.

Fitness Center & Spa

While the fitness center and spa receive positive reviews, some guests feel that they could be larger and offer more services.

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Service

Personalized attention.

Windstar Cruises is often praised for its personalized service, with crew members going above and beyond to cater to guests’ needs.

Suite Stewards

Suite stewards receive high marks for their attention to detail and friendly demeanor, ensuring passengers feel well cared for during their cruise.

Dining Staff

Dining staff are commended for their excellent service and ability to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Itineraries

Unique destinations.

Travelers love Windstar’s unique itineraries, which often include smaller, less-crowded ports that larger ships cannot access.

Longer Port Stays

Windstar Cruises is praised for its longer port stays, allowing passengers to fully explore each destination.

Themed Cruises

Guests appreciate the themed cruises offered by Windstar, which cater to interests like food, wine, and history.

Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Entertainment

Passengers enjoy the live music on board, which provides a pleasant ambiance throughout the cruise.

Enrichment Programs

Travelers appreciate the enrichment programs offered, including informative lectures and cooking demonstrations.

Evening Events

Evening events receive mixed reviews, with some passengers wishing for more variety and others enjoying the intimate gatherings.

A Few Windstar Cruises Reviews

  • Cruise Critic User Review : “Found many familiar faces from past crossings – some come back every year. Staff just as welcoming and helpful as always. After a brief muster drill (no need to bring lifejackets) we went up to the Captain’s reception – lots of champagne, and an introduction to the department heads.”
  • CruiseLine.com User Review : “Room was comfortable, clean and all the amenities required for a wonderful stay. We celebrated our anniversary and received some special attention and acknowledgment from the staff.”
  • Cruise Critic User Review : “From the moment we boarded, we knew we made a good choice. Every interaction with the crew was superb…they really know how to treat the passengers. I can’t say enough about how great everyone was, including the many passengers we met during our 7-day trip. “
  • Cruise Critic User Review : “The Wind Spirit is a beautiful ship with great staff, amazing food, and a fantastic itinerary.”
  • Cruise Critic User Review : “I think a highlight for me was the setting sail ceremony every night as we left port. “Conquest of Paradise” by Vangelis (1492) was the perfect song providing just the right drama and crescendos as the sails unfolded. Very dramatic! I loved it!”

Windstar Cruises Reviews Compared to Other Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises reviews are generally more positive than those of other competing premium and luxury cruise lines like Oceania Cruises, Azamara, and Regent Seven Seas. Passengers appreciate Windstar’s intimate atmosphere, personalized service, and unique itineraries.

Windstar Cruises Ship Sizes, Passenger Capacity, and Passenger to Crew Ratio

  • Size: 14,745 GT
  • Passenger Capacity: 342
  • Passenger to Crew Ratio: 1.5:1
  • Size: 5,736 GT (each)
  • Passenger Capacity: 148 (each)
  • Size: 9,975 GT (each)
  • Passenger Capacity: 312 (each)

Windstar Cruises Destinations and Departure Ports

Caribbean itineraries.

  • Departure Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mediterranean Itineraries

  • Departure Ports: Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy

Tahiti & South Pacific Itineraries

  • Departure Port: Papeete, Tahiti

Asia & Middle East Itineraries

  • Departure Ports: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Singapore

Final Thoughts on Windstar Cruises Reviews

Overall, Windstar Cruises reviews reflect the cruise line’s commitment to providing a luxurious, intimate, and personalized experience for its guests. With unique itineraries and exceptional service, Windstar Cruises is an excellent choice for those looking to explore the world in style.

How to Book a Windstar Cruise

If you’re interested in booking a Windstar cruise, we at Culture Discovery Cruises can help! Visit our website to learn more, or search and book online by visiting our cruise search engine at https://book.cdvcruises.com .

Frequently Asked Questions Answered in Windstar Cruises Reviews

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by citing that the atmosphere is intimate, yacht-like, and luxurious, with a focus on personalized service and a smaller guest capacity compared to other luxury cruise lines.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that cabins on Windstar Cruises ships, particularly on the sailing vessels, can be smaller compared to other luxury cruise lines. However, the Star-class ships offer spacious suites with a more generous living area.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by mentioning that Windstar Cruises offers a variety of dining options, including the main restaurant, AmphorA, which serves a range of international dishes; Candles, a romantic onboard steakhouse; and Veranda, a casual buffet-style venue for breakfast and lunch.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have said that the cruise line offers a unique watersports platform, providing easy access to water-based activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that the service on Windstar Cruises is exceptional, with personalized attention from the crew and a strong focus on catering to guests’ needs.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by mentioning that Windstar Cruises offers unique itineraries that often include smaller, less-crowded ports, and longer port stays, which larger ships cannot access.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by writing that while Windstar Cruises offers live music and enrichment programs, some passengers wish for more variety and larger-scale productions like those found on other luxury cruise lines.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have said that Windstar Cruises visits unique destinations such as smaller ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti, and the South Pacific, as well as Asia and the Middle East.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by stating that Windstar Cruises ships have a smaller passenger capacity, creating a more intimate atmosphere, and a favorable passenger to crew ratio of approximately 1.5:1, ensuring attentive service.

People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that while you can book a Windstar Cruise through directly with the cruise line, a travel specialist can often get you significantly better service, specials, and price protection that you cannot get by booking direct. One such travel agency specializing in booking Windstar Cruises is Culture Discovery Cruises .

windstar cruises reviews complaints

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The special and exclusive CDV offers can almost always be combined all with current qualifying national promotions offered by the cruise line, as well as full credit toward cruise line status.

We believe in the concept of Luxury of experience.  This means that our guests are not just looking for bucket list places, but life-changing experiences.  Our passion is making that happen, and to do so, we need to think of each person we deal with as friends and family.  We are not just planning a trip or event or you, but rather a life experience you will talk about long into the future.

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Review: Star Pride

cruise ship at sea

Reviewed by Jessica Puckett

What is the line?  Windstar

Name of ship?   Star Pride

Passenger occupancy?  312

Itinerary?  A Piece of Greece and a Slice of Sicily

A Windstar cruise is for travelers who like their vacations to be luxurious, low-key, and exclusive. Their fleet of yachts, many of which have been getting refurbished in recent years, offer the chance to see popular ports and lesser known destinations. They make a cozy home base for an adventurous journey.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?  Windstar is known for its sailing ships, but it also has a fleet of well-appointed motor ships, too, including  Star Pride . The line sets itself apart by offering small-ship voyages that take cruisers to the more intimate corners of popular destinations that larger ships can’t access. In fact, its ships are small enough to call yachts. Imagine sailing through Greece’s Corinth Canal—usually reserved for those with private yachts—or docking in pocket-size ports like the French seaside village of Sanary-sur-Mer.  

Tell us about the ship in general In 2022,  Star Pride  completed an extensive renovation and extension. The project added two new restaurants, a new spa, a pool, and exercise area. Each stateroom on the all-suite yacht also got refurbished bathrooms. There’s also a new suite category—called Star Suite—with a new design. The renovated yacht has a cozy feel, but is still large enough to give you enough breathing room in public spaces like the pool deck or cocktail lounge without encroaching on other passengers.

Who is onboard?  Mostly retired couples who are active and have an interest in history and culture. There are a few younger couples, too, including some honeymooners. There may be a few well-behaved kids on board as well. Windstar allows children age eight and up, but it’s not a cruise line that’s geared toward children, so there are few little ones on their sailings. 

Describe the cabins Every cabin aboard  Star Pride is a suite, meaning they come with a sizable seating area in addition to the bedroom space. I was in a redesigned Star Suite, which opens into a seating area with the bed toward the back of the room. It also comes with a small French balcony to step out for fresh air and ocean views (it’s large enough for just one person standing at a time). While every room on board is a suite, not all rooms have outdoor space: 10 suites have portholes, 79 have picture windows, 60 have French balconies, and six have private verandas with furniture. The redesigned bathrooms feel fresh and modern, and offer plenty of secured storage space, so your toiletries won’t go flying in choppy seas.Each room also offers creature comforts like a fully stocked minibar, a waffle-weave bathrobe, and L'Occitane bath products. 

Tell us about the crew.  The crew are upbeat and friendly, and know how to deliver five-star service. My suite was always refreshed and turned down with minimal intrusion and servers in the restaurant strike the perfect balance between talkative and helpful without hovering. Truthfully, I would’ve liked more information from the destination team for things to do outside of the cruise line’s excursions, but I found good information on each port on the destinations menu on the TV in my suite.

What food and drink options are available on board?   The standout restaurant is Cuadro, the ship’s new tapas restaurant. The menu offers classic—and delicious!—tapas dishes like charred octopus, patatas bravas, paella croquetas, and grilled chorizo. For a truly authentic tapas experience, there’s even a bar area that looks onto the kitchen, so you can watch the chefs prepare your plates and then pass them directly from the grill to you. I had two meals here on our seven-day voyage—and would’ve eaten more if it weren’t always full. Be sure to make reservations.

Elsewhere on board is the Star Grill, overlooking the pool deck; the Veranda, a breakfast and lunch buffet with some plates prepared a la carte; Amphora, the main restaurant featuring dishes from James Beard Award-winning chefs; and Candles, an outdoor steakhouse on the ship’s aft deck. There’s also coffee and grab-and-go snacks in the Yacht Club, and cocktails in Compass Rose.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?  Yes and yes! The spa also got a refresh and an extension in the renovation, making it well worth a visit. I had a facial, and my esthetician was so knowledgeable that I ended up buying several of the products she used to incorporate into my daily skincare routine. 

Activities and entertainment  As far as onboard entertainment,  Star Pride has a pool deck as well as a hot tub on the bow. In true yacht fashion, there’s also a swim platform that is unfurled at certain offshore dockings, where guests can go for a dip or engage in water sports like paddle boarding. There’s also a lounge with entertainment at night, like music and a crew show. Each voyage also has a few theme nights, like dancing under the stars with cocktails and a live salsa band. 

How was the experience for families?  There are no special services for families or kids. But it would be a good cruise for teenagers, families with adult children, or multi-gen trips.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?  Our voyage departed from Athens and visited Argostoli and Corfu in Greece, then continued on to Sicily with stops in Messina and Trapani, followed Cagliari, Sardinia, and finished in Barcelona. The stand-out excursion was Windstar’s Shop with the Chef experience, in which a small group of travelers is led by the culinary staff to local markets to pick out special provisions for that night’s dinner. Our group went to a Sicilian fish market for fresh-caught dorado, as well as a dry goods store for cheeses and olives. It was a slice of local culture I wouldn’t have otherwise gotten, and it was thrilling to see the fish we picked that day on our plates later the same evening.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.  If you want the perks of both a private yacht and a meticulously planned cruise, look no further than a voyage on  Star Pride . From the refreshed spaces to the cuisine, crew, and excursions, you’ll be in vacation mode from the minute you step on board until it’s time to leave.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best New Cruises in the World: 2023 Hot List

By CNT Editors

Windstar Cruises

Windstar cruises reviews ( 8 ).

Business response taken over the phone Spoke with Ashley at [redacted] ***(12/19/at 12:33pm) She states that they will offer the Guest a future cruise voucher, to be paid in cashWe will contact the guest tomorrow, 12/20/

I’ve reviewed the complaint, and am happy to offer a response to the guest’s issues at hand Consumer’s Original Complaint:Windstar did not fulfill advertised guaranties:• Lowest price• Shipboard creditwww.windstarcruises.com/specials/“Customer service is truly degrees from ordinary – it was extraordinarily poor for meAs soon as Windstar received my payment, all of the advertised promises are not honored.” Windstar Response: Windstar Cruises offers a variety of promotions throughout the yearWhen you book early, you can take advantage of early booking discountsAs time goes on and we get closer to the departure date, the promotions change; early-booking discounts are gone, and standard cruise fare comes in to playLater, the price may go up again, but will now include amenities, like a complimentary alcoholic beverage package, or a free hotel accommodationThen, sometimes we have short, “one-week sales” or a “flash sale”, in which no amenities are offered, and the price is vastly reducedJust like any other company selling a product, we have a standard fare, and occasionally, we have special salesIf a guest does not book their cruise during a special sale, they cannot be guaranteed the special rateAdditionally, shipboard credit (sbc) is never a regular amenity when booking a Windstar cruiseSometimes, sbc is offered from a travel agent, or as a special offer for booking now, but it should never be expectedHowever, looking at the reservation, I see a goodwill gesture of a shipboard credit in the amount of $was added to her booking on November 29th, As a courtesy to our guests who are already booked on a cruise with us, we do allow them the opportunity to reprice their already purchased vacation package, should a sale come outHowever, there are terms and conditions to this good will gestureYou may reprice your cruise with us, as long as you are not in the cancellation/penalty windowPlease see below for information on the “cancellation window” CANCELLATION POLICY Each booking cancelled before days prior to travel will be subject to a $per person cancellation feeA full refund (except for the amounts paid for a Cancellation Protection Plan and the $per person fee) will be made for written cancellations received by Windstar Cruises at least days prior to the date on which you are to commence travel by any mode of transportation booked through Windstar Cruises (air, sea, or land)Guests who cancel after that date for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation schedule:120-days before commencing travel – 15% of gross fare (deposit)89-days before commencing travel – 35% of gross fare59-days before commencing travel – 50% of gross fare29-days before commencing travel – 100% of gross fareGiven that the resale of canceled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell the space, these fees are due regardless of resale This information is on all cruise invoices guests receive when booking their vacation or making any change to their reservation, on the windstar website (link here), it’s in our passage contract, which is online (link here) and also sent in their final passenger cruising documents, which are sent 30-days before embarkation Windstar Cruises recently implemented a new policy and extenuating good will gesture to our guests: If you have paid in full for your cruise, AND are in the cancellation window, we can still reprice the vacation for you, but the savings you would have received will go back to you in either a future cruise credit, a complimentary upgrade, shipboard credit, or other possible amenity; no monetary refunds will be given, though, for this type of rate protection On another note, in reviewing the guest’s reservation, I see Ms [redacted] travelled as a single guestPlease be advised that all fares are established at double occupancyWhen guests travel solo, we do not require them to pay 200% of the fare, as would normally be the case in a double occupancy stateroom, but instead we offer the fare at 175% I’m currently reviewing the rate Ms [redacted] paid, versus the last sale that ran for her cruise (sailed on Star Breeze, January 14th – 21st, 2017)I can see that there was no change in fare the cruise and suite she boughtShe might have been confused about the single supplementThe last minute special fares for this voyage read “$1599pp @ double occupancy” (on the windstar website); that would have been $2,for a single occupantMs [redacted] actually paid a reduced special single fare, of only $ Further on this investigation of pricing, I reviewed the booking notes from one of the Vacation Planning Supervisors who spoke with the guest, and can see their conversation is in line with my assumption that she was confused about the single supplementPlease see notes here from conversation with Supervisor, Ashley K [redacted] December 29th, – days from departure: “TOOK [supervisor] CALL FROM ADAM [voyage service agent]SPOKE WITH [redacted] AND ADVISED THAT THE SINGLE SUPP RATE SHE IS BOOKED AT IS BETTER THAN ANY OF THE GOING RATES CURRENTLY BEING OFFEREDSTAR PERK IS MORE AND NAUTICAL BUT NICE BASE FARE IS SHE WAS NOT HAPPY AND TOLD ME SHE WANTED TO CANCELI ADV SHE WOULD BE IN FULL PENALTY.” We do apologize that our Voyage Service Agent, or our Supervisor could not explain this in a way the guest could understandThere was not a lower price available we could switch to, nor was there anything she was deniedShe had the best possible fare: one she took advantage of in November when she booked the cruise Consumer’s Desired Resolution:At a minimum:• Refund the difference with lowest advertised price for my itinerary• Move me to a mid-ship as it was advertised for the same “lowest” price• $shipboard credit Windstar Response: As the price only increased, and did not decrease at all from what she paid, there was never an existence of the lower fare she is hoping for The guest already cruised, and thus we cannot move her to a midship cabin This complaint does not warrant any recompense, as the guest already had a lower fare than what was currently being offered in December Kind Regards, Jillian MW [redacted] - [redacted]

This message is in response to the guest's rejection letter We regret Ms [redacted] is dissatisfied with her Vacation Planning experience As previously advised, the letters from the Revdex.com were not received due to the messages being quarantined and unable to be openedOnce an employee of the Revdex.com called Windstar's Guest Relations, we worked to get the message received, and responded to within hours The information provided by Windstar Cruises both before the cruise, and now, remains correctThe guest was not over charged, she paid the correct amount, and had the best price possibleWhile multiple people, on separate occasions have attempted to calmly explain this the pricing, promotions, and value Ms [redacted] was receiving when booking her cruise, it appears we are still having a communication barrier It should also be noted that the guest held a courtesy option on the reservation on November 28th, 2016, received an invoice with all the financial information that matched the conversation she had with the agent who assisted her, and the next day on November 29th, agreed to the pricing and paid in full for her cruiseMore invoices were sent showing the booking now in confirmed status, and the payment made in full, for the correct, low, special pricing offerA month later, there was a sale that came out, but it was not as good as the price Ms [redacted] had booked in the previous monthTherefore, she had the best price possible Furthermore, Ms [redacted] was in the cancellation window (days from departure: January 14th, 2017) when she booked her cruiseWhile there was no lower price ever in existence for her personal booking, had there been, we still could not have repriced and given her the cash back differenceBecause she was in the penalty window, we could extend a good will gesture and offer her the price difference between the fare paid and the new sale price in the form of a future cruise credit (if there was a lower price for her)As the facts show, though, this was never a possibility, so there was never anything Windstar could offer as a gesture to her We truly understand that our guests are always looking for the lowest fare possible, and are happy to extend courtesies to help accomplish this and offer our guests the best valueHad there ever been that opportunity available for Ms***, we surely would have honored it

Complaint: ***I am rejecting this response because: I want to get my full refund because my friend and I got sick due to the heavy painting and heavy cleaningThe boat should not be doing this heavy cleaning and painting work while there are people on boardI also complaint because someone was hammering early in the morning and I could not sleep until late because so much noiseSometimes I try to call for hour service food and they told me it was too lateI had renitis, cough and red eyesThe person who sold me this trip told me that your company should not be doing this heavy work and project with people on boardThe last night could not sleep because they were making so much noise all nightSome parts of the boat were closed because they were doing this heavy cleaning and paintingSome other people in this trip were going to complaint about this issuesI could not get out of the boatThe air conditions vents were bringing all that paint smellI was not happy with the serviceI do not want to go on another cruise with windstar due to the poor experienceThere were not good showsThe kitchen and the dining room were closed to earlyI need help with this claimThis heavy painting of varnish, paint and fixing the flooring were not the right thing to do in the middle of the ocean with people on boardThe toilet was not clean when I got on boardThere was not hot water in the showerThe toilets also did not work properlyMany more issues were brought up to their attentionSomething needs to be done about this issues This heavy paint could poison the food and guests could have been killed or get ill by food poisoning.Sincerely,*** ***

Complaint: ***I am rejecting this response because: I also regret my dealings with Windstar and as previously stated (not only by me) Windstar representatives will find an excuse not to honor promises published in Windstar solicitation e-mails and/or website WINDSTAR FARE PRICE ASSURANCE POLICY: Guests who purchase a cruise on Windstar will be eligible for reimbursement upon request if the fare published by Windstar for their specific departure and cabin class is reduced after they have made a booking and deposit, and if the request is received by Windstar at least seven (7) days prior to sailingThe reimbursement will be provided in the form of a shipboard credit, upgrade, fare reduction, or a future cruise creditWindstar will determine the form of reimbursement, and the amount of reimbursement will be the difference between the fare actually paid by the guest and the published fare on WindstarCruises.com the day the request is receivedGuests who select reimbursement will be eligible for any complimentary inclusive features (e.g., hotels, air, tours) associated with the new fare and will forfeit any complimentary inclusive features associated with the original fareAll requests for reimbursement must be made directly to Windstar Cruises at *** (during regular reservations hours) at least seven (7) days prior to sailingWindstar’s new fare price assurance policy took effect with new bookings made on or after June 27, Windstar reserves the right to modify or terminate this policy at any time for bookings not yet made I also am attempting calmly explain advertisement, pricing, promotions, and values while attempting to overcome perceived communication barriersWait, Windstar builds communication barriers as soon as I paid in full for my cruiseMy attempts to directly communicate with the company failed after Windstar charged my credit card even though I fulfilled underlined above requirements for WINDSTAR FARE PRICE ASSURANCE POLICYIt is absolutely correct, I held a “courtesy option” on my reservation for hrs in order to find the best possible airfare, and yes I paid in full for my cruiseA month later, I called, talked and wrote to Windstar representatives expecting as a minimum a courtesy call or note from Windstar… should I be hoping? Furthermore, I am very disappointed to hear you “still could not have repriced and given her the cash back difference” (I did not ask for cash back, but because I already returned from the cruise, cash would be preferable) I assume, as there was never anything Windstar could offer as a gesture to me, Windstar will not be disappointed to see me or anyone who relies on my opinions about traveling as a guest of their cruises under current management… unless you will start honoring your promises Good day Sincerely,*** ***

Business response taken over the phone.    Spoke with Ashley at 206 [redacted]. (12/19/2016 at 12:33pm)  She states that they will offer the Guest a future cruise voucher, to be paid in cash. We will contact the guest tomorrow, 12/20/2016.

I’ve reviewed the complaint, and am happy to offer a response to the guest’s issues at hand.   Consumer’s Original Complaint:Windstar did not fulfill advertised guaranties:• Lowest price• Shipboard creditwww.windstarcruises.com/specials/“Customer service is truly 180 degrees from ordinary –... it was extraordinarily poor for me. As soon as Windstar received my payment, all of the advertised promises are not honored.”   Windstar Response: Windstar Cruises offers a variety of promotions throughout the year. When you book early, you can take advantage of early booking discounts. As time goes on and we get closer to the departure date, the promotions change; early-booking discounts are gone, and standard cruise fare comes in to play. Later, the price may go up again, but will now include amenities, like a complimentary alcoholic beverage package, or a free hotel accommodation. Then, sometimes we have short, “one-week sales” or a “flash sale”, in which no amenities are offered, and the price is vastly reduced. Just like any other company selling a product, we have a standard fare, and occasionally, we have special sales. If a guest does not book their cruise during a special sale, they cannot be guaranteed the special rate. Additionally, shipboard credit (sbc) is never a regular amenity when booking a Windstar cruise. Sometimes, sbc is offered from a travel agent, or as a special offer for booking now, but it should never be expected. However, looking at the reservation, I see a goodwill gesture of a shipboard credit in the amount of $100 was added to her booking on November 29th, 2016.   As a courtesy to our guests who are already booked on a cruise with us, we do allow them the opportunity to reprice their already purchased vacation package, should a sale come out. However, there are terms and conditions to this good will gesture. You may reprice your cruise with us, as long as you are not in the cancellation/penalty window. Please see below for information on the “cancellation window”.   CANCELLATION POLICY   Each booking cancelled before 120 days prior to travel will be subject to a $50 per person cancellation fee. A full refund (except for the amounts paid for a Cancellation Protection Plan and the $50 per person fee) will be made for written cancellations received by Windstar Cruises at least 121 days prior to the date on which you are to commence travel by any mode of transportation booked through Windstar Cruises (air, sea, or land). Guests who cancel after that date for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation schedule:120-90 days before commencing travel – 15% of gross fare (deposit)89-60 days before commencing travel – 35% of gross fare59-30 days before commencing travel – 50% of gross fare29-0 days before commencing travel – 100% of gross fareGiven that the resale of canceled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell the space, these fees are due regardless of resale.    This information is on all cruise invoices guests receive when booking their vacation or making any change to their reservation, on the windstar website (link here), it’s in our passage contract, which is online (link here) and also sent in their final passenger cruising documents, which are sent 30-60 days before embarkation.   Windstar Cruises recently implemented a new policy and extenuating good will gesture to our guests: If you have paid in full for your cruise, AND are in the cancellation window, we can still reprice the vacation for you, but the savings you would have received will go back to you in either a future cruise credit, a complimentary upgrade, shipboard credit, or other possible amenity; no monetary refunds will be given, though, for this type of rate protection.   On another note, in reviewing the guest’s reservation, I see Ms. [redacted] travelled as a single guest. Please be advised that all fares are established at double occupancy. When guests travel solo, we do not require them to pay 200% of the fare, as would normally be the case in a double occupancy stateroom, but instead we offer the fare at 175%.   I’m currently reviewing the rate Ms. [redacted] paid, versus the last sale that ran for her cruise (sailed on Star Breeze, January 14th – 21st, 2017). I can see that there was no change in fare the cruise and suite she bought. She might have been confused about the single supplement. The last minute special fares for this voyage read “$1599pp @ double occupancy” (on the windstar website); that would have been $2,798.25 for a single occupant. Ms. [redacted] actually paid a reduced special single fare, of only $1998.00.   Further on this investigation of pricing, I reviewed the booking notes from one of the Vacation Planning Supervisors who spoke with the guest, and can see their conversation is in line with my assumption that she was confused about the single supplement. Please see notes here from conversation with Supervisor, Ashley K[redacted].   December 29th, 2016 – 16 days from departure: “TOOK [supervisor] CALL FROM ADAM [voyage service agent]. SPOKE WITH [redacted] AND ADVISED THAT THE SINGLE SUPP RATE SHE IS BOOKED AT IS BETTER THAN ANY OF THE GOING RATES CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED. STAR PERK IS 800.00 MORE AND NAUTICAL BUT NICE BASE FARE IS 1730.75   SHE WAS NOT HAPPY AND TOLD ME SHE WANTED TO CANCEL. I ADV SHE WOULD BE IN FULL PENALTY.”   We do apologize that our Voyage Service Agent, or our Supervisor could not explain this in a way the guest could understand. There was not a lower price available we could switch to, nor was there anything she was denied. She had the best possible fare: one she took advantage of in November 2016 when she booked the cruise.   Consumer’s Desired Resolution:At a minimum:• Refund the difference with lowest advertised price for my itinerary• Move me to a mid-ship as it was advertised for the same “lowest” price• $400 shipboard credit   Windstar Response: As the price only increased, and did not decrease at all from what she paid, there was never an existence of the lower fare she is hoping for. The guest already cruised, and thus we cannot move her to a midship cabin This complaint does not warrant any recompense, as the guest already had a lower fare than what was currently being offered in December.     Kind Regards,   Jillian M. W[redacted] [redacted] - [redacted]

This message is in response to the guest's rejection letter. We regret Ms. [redacted] is dissatisfied with her Vacation Planning experience. As previously advised, the letters from the Revdex.com were not received due to the messages being quarantined and unable to be opened. Once an employee of the Revdex.com called Windstar's Guest Relations, we worked to get the message received, and responded to within 48 hours. The information provided by Windstar Cruises both before the cruise, and now, remains correct. The guest was not over charged, she paid the correct amount, and had the best price possible. While multiple people, on separate occasions have attempted to calmly explain this the pricing, promotions, and value Ms. [redacted] was receiving when booking her cruise, it appears we are still having a communication barrier. It should also be noted that the guest held a courtesy option on the reservation on November 28th, 2016, received an invoice with all the financial information that matched the conversation she had with the agent who assisted her, and the next day on November 29th, agreed to the pricing and paid in full for her cruise. More invoices were sent showing the booking now in confirmed status, and the payment made in full, for the correct, low, special pricing offer. A month later, there was a sale that came out, but it was not as good as the price Ms. [redacted] had booked in the previous month. Therefore, she had the best price possible. Furthermore, Ms. [redacted] was in the cancellation window (120 days from departure: January 14th, 2017) when she booked her cruise. While there was no lower price ever in existence for her personal booking, had there been, we still could not have repriced and given her the cash back difference. Because she was in the penalty window, we could extend a good will gesture and offer her the price difference between the fare paid and the new sale price in the form of a future cruise credit (if there was a lower price for her). As the facts show, though, this was never a possibility, so there was never anything Windstar could offer as a gesture to her.   We truly understand that our guests are always looking for the lowest fare possible, and are happy to extend courtesies to help accomplish this and offer our guests the best value. Had there ever been that opportunity available for Ms. [redacted], we surely would have honored it.

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Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Review

The romance and allure of the seven seas are alive and well aboard this five-masted sailing yacht..

Anonymous Cruise Editor

Updated February 20, 2016

On any horizon, Wind Surf cuts a fetching profile. With bright white sheets enveloping more than a half-acre of surface across five masts, a trim hull that slices gamely through the sea, and a bow that looks sharp enough to parry with an iceberg, this elegant motor-sail yacht slinks into the smaller ports of the Caribbean and Europe that bigger cruise ships can only dream about. It’s not a cruise for everyone, and our journey wasn’t perfect, but—spoiler alert—we fell in love with Wind Surf.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

About Our Cruise

Down below deck, our cabin: oceanview, cabin amenities, other cabins, amphora restaurant, the veranda, stella bistro, candles grill, barbecue dinner, in-room dining, compass rose, terrace bar, wind spa & fitness center, other recreation, shows & entertainment, other venues, kids programs, ship communications, internet facilities, dress codes, laundry facilities, general health & safety, accessibility, smoking policy, tipping and service charges, alcohol policies, loyalty program.

Originally launched in 1984, Windstar Cruises has been owned by various entities, including at one time Holland America Line/Carnival Corp. In 2011, Windstar’s three-ship fleet was acquired by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a company that manages several storied National Park Service properties. Privately held by Denver-based billionaire Philip Anschutz, Xanterra may have been an ideal match for Windstar. The company set about refurbishing the fleet—$18 million for the three vessels—and in 2013 Xanterra announced it was expanding Windstar by acquiring the three 208-passenger luxury power yachts of Seabourn Cruises, to be phased into the fleet in 2014-15. Suddenly, Windstar Cruises has become a major player in the boutique ship category.

Built in 1990, Wind Surf is the largest and youngest member of the Windstar fleet of tall ships, offering a unique cruising experience for just 312 passengers. In fact, with its twin, Club Med 2 (owned by the Club Méditerranée all-inclusive resort chain), Wind Surf is the largest sailing cruiser at sea. The ship offers Caribbean voyages out of St. Maarten in the winter and spends the balance of the year in the Mediterranean and northern Europe.

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Obviously, a cruise aboard Wind Surf is not exactly comparable to one on today’s modern cruise ships that carry 10 times as many guests. There are a number of things you won’t find: no showroom productions, no Bingo sessions, no children’s facilities, and onboard activities are limited. Though there are elevators, the ship is not very wheelchair-accessible. There’s not even a cruise director—how would we manage?

But there were more similarities than we initially expected. There’s a pool, a gym, a spa and a casino. We had multiple dining options, a DVD library, and bikes were available for rent—perfect for exploring smaller ports. Uniquely, there’s even a marina that unfolds from the stern with kayaks, a Zodiac and windsurf equipment. (On our cruise the marina emerged at one tender port but not at two others, perhaps restricted by local regulations.)

None of Wind Surf’s cabins have balconies, though all have an ocean view. Our quarters were comfortable, with a fresh and contemporary veneer following a December 2012 renovation of the ship. Similarly, the restaurants got a facelift and we found dining to be solid, both better and more diversified than we expected. Entertainment, though limited, was fine for the size of the ship—we particularly enjoyed the vocal/guitar duo with a serious affinity for Mark Knopfler that kept us entertained at the convivial Compass Rose bar.

Alas, there were some areas of our cruise that should have been better. Repairs were conducted on one top deck area during lunch, meaning loud sawing sounds and dust were inescapable for anyone dining at the Veranda (the only restaurant available for lunch). We were disappointed that non-smoking areas were not always enforced. The port side of the pool deck was a designated smoking area, but when several smokers congregated the starboard side was also usually flooded with cigarette smells.

Although service overall was very good, and we appreciate a staff that can recall names and preferences, sometimes it was a bit too informal. This would be a deal-breaker for anyone expecting white-glove coddling. Inappropriate presumptuousness was particularly a problem for one crewmember.

Now almost a quarter-century old, Wind Surf is getting up in her years. Fortunately, most areas of the ship did not appear in bad shape, though the teak decks up top definitely show their age.

Overall, our cruise aboard Wind Surf was a delight, stirring romantic seafaring notions and delivering us to choice, small ports. True yachties may scoff at Wind Surf’s sea cred—the sails aren’t hoisted by hand, and itineraries are port intensive (sea days are rare, except for trans-Atlantic crossings). But we loved the abundant teak decks, were pleasantly surprised by the dining, and we appreciated the easy-going ambience and attitude of fellow guests. Although it’s not suited for most families with young kids, we’re hard-pressed to think of a better cruise option for a honeymooning couple.

Windstar Cruises is overpromising a bit when they position their line as “the leader in small ship luxury cruising.” Both Seabourn Cruises and Silversea Cruises—for starters—offer a more refined (albeit much more expensive) product. The standard cabins aboard Wind Surf were fine relative to oceanview cabins on mainstream cruise lines, but the accommodations didn’t compare to the entry-level cabins on true luxury ships. It will be interesting to watch how Seabourn’s three smaller ships fare as they are integrated into the Windstar fleet in 2014-15.

But marketing quibbles aside, our Wind Surf journey offered a refreshing change of pace from typical cruises. While some of the service issues we encountered should be addressed, we wouldn’t want stiff, formal ministrations in place of the personalized attention we received from a crew that has been with this line for many years.

We look forward to our next Windstar experience with pleasure, perhaps aboard one of the fleet’s smaller, four-masted ships, Wind Spirit and Wind Star.

Lead photo credit: Danita Delimont/Alamy Of the 158 cabins aboard Wind Surf, 79 percent are Oceanview , which is what we stayed in (described below). All are identical in size and view, the only difference in pricing is based on location (Deck 1 forward and aft being cheapest, Deck 3 being most expensive). There are no Inside or Balcony cabins.

There are 31 Suites located on Deck 3 (except for once unit located on the Bridge Deck). All of the suites were created by combining two standard cabins, and each has two bathrooms. There are also two Bridge Suites located on the Bridge Deck. None of these units have balconies; the units on the Bridge Deck are fronted by public walkways.

Bright white and gleaming like Wind Surf’s sails, we were fairly happy with our cabin, which benefited through the the ship’s December 2012 renovation. We had a pair of porthole-style windows, each 15 inches wide, and fronting the windows was a sheer, which provided adequate privacy when pulled (when we were docked), and there was a curtain that blocked out all light. Our cabin was located on Deck 1, and our cabin floor was even with the outside water level—we felt very close to the sea.

We measured our cabin at about 178 square feet, slightly smaller than the 188 square feet shown on Windstar’s website. With a swank, padded headboard, our bed was a very comfortable mattress, or rather—two mattresses joined together. The seam was concealed by a pillowtop. There were adjustable pillow-level reading lights on either side of the bed—these were like spotlights, perfect for reading when a partner is sleeping. Atop the reading lights were lamps, and additional lighting included fluorescent fixtures above the windows, and recessed ceiling lights—in all, plenty of illumination.

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Next to the bed was a wall cabinet that had a shelf for an alarm clock, and additional empty enclosed shelves for storing small items like books. To the left was another set of shelves that included a phone (out of reach from the bed), a Pioneer DVD player, and a Bose docking station and speaker for an iPod or other compatible accessories (an iPod Nano could be borrowed front the front desk, pre-loaded with a customized playlist). Below was a stocked minibar and fridge; there was an ice bucket, sporadically refilled by our cabin attendant. Left of the cabinet was the closet, which was two compartments, each 22 inches wide. There were 18 wood clothes hangers, two of which had robes for our use; there were also pairs of slippers. While not as large as the closets on most cruise ships, combined with various drawers and shelves it was adequate for two (especially considering the ship’s relaxed dress code). Another pair of cabinets ran along the ceiling facing the bed.

On the opposite wall next to the cabin entry was another built-in feature, a desk with a large mirror above; there were two comfy leather chairs for sitting. There were six drawers, a couple more shelves above, and the TV—a 22-inch Samsung—was mounted here (an array of DVDs was available from the Library to play on the cabin DVD player). There was a single 110-volt (U.S. style) outlet and two 220-volt (European) outlets, all at the desk area (below the TV). On the second day of the cruise we noticed that the U.S. outlet was dead—we reported this to the front desk and it was fixed within a couple hours.

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Though not large, the bathroom had an unusual layout that worked well for us, and had a handsome, polished teak floor. There was a round chamber for the toilet, and facing it was a matching compartment for the shower. Between these chambers was the vanity, a sink set into a granite counter and shelving units on either side of the mirror; there was also an illuminated makeup mirror. An outlet for shavers was above the sink, convertible to 115-volt or 230-volt. The floor of the round shower was 35 inches across, larger than many we’ve encountered on mainstream cruise lines; there was a synthetic fabric curtain fronting the shower and there was a retractable clothesline. There were two Hansgrohe showerheads, one in a fixed position, the other a handheld—both had adjustable sprays.

Our bathroom was stocked with fine L’Occitane amenities—soap bars, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion. A hair dryer was found in one of the desk drawers (where the outlet was located). There were two pair of slippers and a couple bathrobes in the closet. At embarkation, a bowl of fresh fruit was set on the desk—replenished at least once during our cruise—as well as a vase with a tulip. Chocolates were delivered each evening at turn-down.

Our cabin had a Pioneer DVD player and a Bose docking station and speaker for an iPod or similar accessories. The cabin safe was actually two—stacked, old-school Futura units. Both were too small for anything like a laptop or midsized camera (actual dimensions of the opening for each was 4 by 6 inches). The all-beverage minibar was stocked within the mini-fridge, with nip bottles of spirits on a pullout rack. The selection included sodas, beer (alas, no more provocative than Heineken), wine, and a good range of spirits including Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Jack Daniel’s bourbon, Kahlua, etc.

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We did not stay in these other cabin options, but we have summaries here provided by Windstar Cruises. Note that any photos below have been provided by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

Suites All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player and Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods. Suites include an extra bath and TV along with sitting area and his-and-her bathrooms. 376 square feet.

Bridge Suites All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player and Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods. Bridge Suites offer the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa. 495 square feet.

Considering the size of Wind Surf, we expected certain limitations with the scope of meal service, and yet this never posed a problem on our seven-night voyage. Wind Surf did an excellent job with the dining—it was as good or better than what we receive on most of the mainstream lines. Even the room service menu was more extensive and varied than what most ships offer.

Breakfast and lunch are limited to room service and The Veranda , which offers both a modest buffet spread and a menu. Alternately, continental breakfast and sandwiches are available in the Yacht Club . For dinner, AmphorA served as the ship’s main dining room, while Stella Bistro offered an alternative, somewhat more intimate environment. Candles Grill was the ship’s steakhouse, located on the pool deck under the stars (weather permitting). For Stella Bistro and—especially—Candles, reservations are strongly advised. On one night of the cruise all of these venues were closed and a deck-top Barbecue Buffet Dinner was organized.

At all of Wind Surf’s restaurants there are plenty of two-seat tables, which meant we were never forced to share with other guests.

Wind Surf’s main dining room is an elegant venue that was completely revamped during the December 2012 renovation. Located on the Main Deck, forward, AmphorA is named for the tall, two-handled ancient Greek/Roman jars (there’s one displayed at the entry). Open only for dinner, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there are no set seating times. But since AmphorA can seat 216 guests—roughly two-thirds of Wind Surf’s capacity—there is almost never a wait for seating (including the ship’s two other restaurants virtually every guest can be seated at one venue or another at the same time). Further, there are 26 two-top tables, so we never had to share.

Amid sophisticated décor AmphorA has well-spaced tables, beautifully set with handsome gold glass chargers. Alas, the chargers had an uneven surface and they remained on the table for the starter course, which meant our appetizer dishes rocked and rattled as we ate. But the chargers were removed for other courses, so this is a minor quibble.

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The menu changes nightly, offering eight starters and six or seven entrées. Mains that were always available were grilled or broiled sirloin steak, chicken breast, salmon and penne marinara. Appetizers we enjoyed included fried calamari served with a garlic-lemon aioli; an antipasto platter with meats and grilled vegetables; a Portobello mushroom gratin stuffed with crab; the pear and goat cheese salad with a slice of prosciutto; a “tunatini”—raw ahi tuna marinated and served in a martini glass; and a hearty lobster bisque with a good amount of flesh poking through. On the other hand, we found salads to be fairly rudimentary.

For entrées we like the sautéed pork tenderloin and we thought the prime rib was a good, juicy cut. The wild forest mushroom and truffle risotto was excellent, perfectly cooked, while the surf and turf one night included a small, succulent lobster tail and petite filet mignon, also nicely done. The chicken piccata was in an egg batter, heavier than we are accustomed to, but it was satisfying. Among the standout desserts was the After Eight Surprise, a mint mousse atop chocolate sponge cake, and a scrumptious banana cream pie. The chocolate lava cake and a warm pear Tatin were unsurprising but delicious.

Located on the Star Deck with tables both inside and out, this was Wind Surf’s main breakfast and lunch option. There was both a modest buffet selection and a menu available, with much of the food cooked to order at an outdoor grill right at midship. We found most of our meals here to be just fine, and we enjoyed eating here except for the afternoon when construction immediately below carried on until multiple guest complaints brought a senior crewmember to stop it.

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At breakfast, the buffet selection included bagels with smoked salmon and fixings, Greek yogurt and honey, packaged cereals, a nice selection of sliced fruit plus stewed (compote) fruits such as pear and peaches. Hot buffet offerings included scrambled eggs, bacon (soft or crispy), oatmeal and cream of wheat, sausage (chicken or pork), fried potatoes, etc. But we were happier ordering off the menu, which included a variety of eggs Benedict-style preparations (California, Spanish, Messina), plus poached eggs over corned beef hash or salmon hash, a breakfast burrito, or omelets to order with hash browns.

The lunch selection changed daily and would include cold choices from the buffet such as seafood, curried chicken or pasta salad, cold cuts, cheese and fruit, marinated vegetables. There was a hot and cold soup of the day—it might be papaya bisque or gazpacho for cold, Portuguese bean or corn chowder for hot. Among the hot buffet items were pork schnitzel, salmon escalopes, baklava spiced lamb, fish and chips, or chicken satay with spicy peanut sauce. But the menu also offered a half-dozen entrées cooked to order, such as Black Forest sandwich, leg of lamb, fontina and mushroom burger, a pasta of the day such as fettuccini carbonara or bami goring with pork and veggies, and a Caesar salad with a topping of the day like seafood or roasted chorizo.

The main alternative to AmphorA for the evening meal was this equally attractive dining room located on the Star Deck, just forward of the Veranda. Open only for dinner, there was no surcharge for dining here. Whereas AmphorA offered Continental fare, Stella Bistro has a French menu—actually two, which alternated. Although reservations were suggested, with 82 seats for Wind Surf’s 312 passengers, there were ample tables for all guests to dine here at least once. Like AmphorA, the fixed tables were nicely spaced—the smaller room was quite comfortable and well appointed.

Among the starters we tried, the Napoleon of portobello mushroom was a treat, a goat cheese soufflé was satisfying, and escargots bourguignon was done in classic style. The salads here were more to our liking than what we had at AmphorA—a simple arugula salad with marinated boiled potatoes and a wedge of goat cheese, and frisée with shredded duck breast. There were also soups: bouillabaisse, lobster bisque, classic French onion soup.

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For entrées we tried the roasted chicken “grand mère,” a succulent and crisp quarter bird with rosemary, lemon and a red wine sauce—wonderful. The coquille St. Jacque Provençale offered a quartet of scallops on the half shell with a dollop of eggplant mousse; the dish was fine, but somewhat small for a main course. By contrast, the slow braised osso bucco appeared in a bowl like a yin and yang of polenta wrapped around the meat—a decadent and hearty dish.

The dessert menu trotted out predictable but welcome standards such as tarte tatin, crepes Suzette and chocolate fondue. We enjoyed these, but the cheese plate was our favorite, selected from a cheese trolly with accompaniments such as dried apricots, cashews and walnuts.

We so wanted to love Candles Grill, an al fresco steakhouse sitting next to the pool, on the aft deck. We arrived just before sundown and the open-air setting was unique—one can certainly take in the fresh air and sunset colors, with the waves lapping gently at the boat. But there’s no kitchen here, just the grill, and so most of the food (if not everything) that is not grilled is pre-prepared; alas, this constrains the results. That said, if we were lucky to be dining with a friend on their personal yacht and this was the meal they offered, we wouldn’t have any complaints. But compared to what Wind Surf does at its other dining venues, Candles doesn’t seem to aim very high.

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The seafood cocktail, served in a martini glass, was fine, as was the Caprese salad (what could go wrong?). The Caesar salad was garnished with a healthy anchovy specimen. We ordered the lamb chops, which were serviceable, while the New York strip was not the best cut. Other entrée options included filet mignon and marinated sea bass (both of which looked better than what we had). Despite the food being our least interesting meal aboard Wind Surf, the setting was magical—we’d still rate this venue as a don’t-miss, but don’t forget to bring a jacket or wrap.

We were seated at a small table set against one of the Jacuzzi tubs. There are four of these, and we’d recommend requesting a table along the outer railings. But don’t be too choosy: On a seven-day cruise there are barely enough tables (23) available for all guests to dine here once, and not enough if inclement weather shuts the venue down for a night. Reservations are strongly recommended on embarkation day, and for a night early in the cruise (in case of weather). Select the day and time of your seating carefully. It’s nice to be dining at Candles while under sail, but the tables are all exposed to the wind; an evening with a late departure from port might be better.

One night of our cruise was dedicated to the top-deck Barbecue Dinner. A tasty buffet was set out at dusk and Wind Surf nuzzled up to the base of the erupting volcano Stromboli. The skies darkened and we were mesmerized by incandescent lava sparking from the summit like a Roman candle.

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The spread included salads and appetizers such as roasted marinated vegetables, poached shrimp, hearts of palm salad, grilled eggplant and chipotle corn salad, avocado stuffed with seafood, and various breads. Hot dishes included moussaka, spanakopita, pineapple fritters, baked potatoes, paella, and an Asian style suckling pig with applesauce. At the grill we could order jerk chicken drumsticks, wahoo fillet, baby pork ribs, lamb loin chops and lobster tails.

No one went away hungry—in fact, overall the food was better than what we experienced at Candles. The tables were covered and napkins were linen, and there was live music. All other venues were closed on this evening, and in the event of rain, the event is moved indoors.

In addition to serving coffee, the Yacht Club is an alternative buffet option for quick meals, though most of it is served cold. Although only a small percentage of Wind Surf's guests seemed to use this spot, there are only just a handful of tables, and we found them full for periods during breakfast and, especially, lunch. Fortunately, few tend to linger long, so finding an open seat wasn’t too difficult the times we were here.

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At breakfast the selection included individual plates of fruits, cereals including muesli and low-fat granola, yogurt and berries served parfait-style, and a nice selection of rolls, such as organic tomato and basil or organic carrot and sultanas, served with mango-lime or apricot-nectarine jam. At lunch there were nine different sandwiches, along with a soup of the day. We took our sandwich ashore with us one day and made our own island picnic.

We were pleasantly surprised by the breadth of Wind Surf’s 24-hour room service selection. The only drawback is that there was no real table for dining on in our cabin, just the built-in desk, at which only one person could eat at a time.

The breakfast menu, available from 6 a.m. till noon, included hot items such as eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, French toast, and pancakes, all of which could be ordered with sides of sausage, bacon, ham or hash browns. Cold fare included a fruit plate, various juices, bread, rolls and pastry, and a smoked salmon and bagel feast.

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We called to request breakfast one morning and the order was delivered just 19 minutes later. Food arrived topped with plastic lids or with plastic wrap. Our order included eggs Hollandaise with sides of hash browns, and an omelet that was folded with peppers, onions, tomato, cheese and bacon. Both arrived hot, and the taste was just fine.

There are two menus for the rest of the day—the main one being available from noon to 10 p.m. On it, we found everything from crudités with ranch dressing and vegetable samosas, to burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and Cobb salad. Entrées included grilled New York strip, sesame-crusted tuna, Thai chicken curry and vegetable lasagna. The short list of desserts featured apple pie, chocolate cake and a cheese plate. The late night menu, available from 10 p.m. till 6 p.m., was streamlined and included a few sandwiches, salads, Bircher muesli and popcorn, along with the same dessert selection. Wind Surf had a full cocktail selection, a decent wine list and five bars spread around the ship. Unlike most of the mainstream lines, bottled water, soft drinks, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, iced tea, juices and milk were all included in the cruise fare. However, unlike most of the luxury cruise lines, alcoholic drinks were additional.

Cocktail prices ranged $7.75 for Cosmopolitans and Margaritas to $10.75 for martinis made with Grey Goose vodka. A beverage package was available, for $108 per cabin, per day, plus 15-percent service charge. The package covered unlimited alcoholic drinks (except top shelf spirits such as Remy Martin and Hennessy x.o. cognac), beer and wine priced under $12 per glass. Guests were asked to sign up for the package by the end of the first day onboard.

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Wines by the glass started at $6.50 for an “early muscat” from an unidentified Oregon winery or merlot from Round Hill vineyard. Other options for a dollar or two more included Rutherford Ranch chardonnay, Firestone sauvignon blanc, Seghesio pinot grigio, La Valentina from Montepulciano d’Abruzo, Barnard Griffin syrah; Veuve Clicquot Champagne was $18. The list had a selection of modestly priced (under $30) wines by the bottle—mostly European wineries we weren’t familiar with—plus such offerings as Frog’s Leap sauvignon blanc ($37), Rodney Strong chardonnay, Chalk Hill ($47), Artesa merlot reserve ($45), King Estate signature pinot noir ($41), and Scott Harvey old vine zinfandel ($49); Champagne started at $70 for Mumm Cordon Rouge brut.

The constrained selection of beers included the usual American name brands for $5.45, or $6.45 for imports—Grolsch was the most exotic label we encountered.

As the ship’s de facto coffee bar, the Yacht Club was open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily serving standard espresso and cappuccino drinks. The bar opened onto the Library, where there was seating, but most days we didn’t see many gathered here.

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This was our favorite watering hole aboard Wind Surf, and it had the longest operating hours of any venue on the ship. Located on the Bridge Deck, overlooking the aft, Compass Rose had a decent amount of tables outside with faux wicker chairs and a few umbrellas (it was one of the few outdoor areas that had much shade, another plus). The bar itself was indoors, and there was a good amount of seating here as well. At night a vocal-guitar duo performed here, and on a couple nights engaged us in a very competitive pop music trivia contest.

The full cocktail menu was available. Each morning, coffee, tea and a light continental breakfast was set out here, along with cookies and tea from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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Located on the Main Deck, aft, the Pool Bar faced the ship’s small pool, naturally, and it was a good spot for afternoon cocktails, whether we were swimming or not. One caveat: The port side of the seating area was designated for smokers, and when several congregated, the whole area was plagued with cigarette smells. This bar closed each evening at 6 p.m. as the space was converted into Candles Grill.

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This was the ship’s largest bar, open only in the evening. The full cocktail menu was available, and there was seating on chars and couches. Most nights this was also Wind Surf’s primary entertainment venue, with a stage barely raised a couple inches above the floor. A group called Top Society played here, a set the promoted light dancing. The Lounge was also used for check-in during embarkation, various presentations (shore excursions, captain’s cocktail reception), a wine tasting program, etc.

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Located on the Star Deck, this little cubbyhole, with seating for about a half-dozen, was the ship’s one interior space where smoking was allowed. While the door was always open, it was inconsistently staffed—it seemed to open sometimes when a guest requested service from elsewhere on the ship. We were told that the ship’s full bar menu was available here, but we suspect some drinks would be procured from another bar. The Terrace Bar counter extended outside, and at night this area was called “Cigars Under the Stars,” with a few leather chairs, a table and Oriental rug put out for effect. Cigars were available for sale.

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The ship’s spa facilities on Deck 2 aft are operated by Steiner Leisure, the dominant player in spa services for the cruise industry. There were just three treatment rooms (each appeared to be converted from a former cabin), but appointments didn’t seem particularly hard to come by on short notice. Prices were in line with Steiner services on other ships, which are somewhat higher than at most quality resorts. But there were specials each day, announced in the ship’s daily newsletter.

With a somewhat reduced staff the list of services was a bit shorter than we find on most ships, but they included a variety of massages, starting at $79 for the 25-minute deep tissue massage ($129 for a 50-minute treatment). Facials started at $119 for a 50-minute treatment. Also available were acupuncture and salon services for men and women.

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The Fitness Center was beautifully located up on the Star Deck, offering sea views port and starboard. There were 8 cardio machines by Technogym, along with various machines for weightlifting and resistance. The gym was never crowded when we visited, though with just three treadmills and two bikes, it wasn’t hard for the specific equipment we wanted to be in use at peak hours. Complimentary morning stretch, abs training, Pilates and Yoga sessions were available (one in the morning, one in the late afternoon), but the ship’s one trainer was more than 10 minutes late for the stretch session we attended. Personal training was offered at $85 for a one-hour session. The Fitness Center was open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Located on Deck 2 aft, Wind Surf has just one, square swimming facility, and it's not much more than a plunge pool, but it is appealingly positioned, and adequately sized for a small ship. The pool was flanked by two Jacuzzi tubs. The relatively few loungers surrounding the pool were often at a premium. Swimming hours were 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (Candles Grill opened at 7 p.m. nightly, preventing evening access for bathers).

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Wind Surf offered a few unusual recreational opportunities outside the Fitness Center. Accessed from Deck 2, a small Watersports Marina unfolded from the back of the ship. From the watersports platform, kayaks, small sailboats, windsurfers and snorkel gear were available for guest use, along with an inflatable water trampoline island. The platform is opened when the ship is at anchor (presumably never at docks), but it did not emerge at two of our tender ports (due either to sea conditions or local regulations). The equipment didn’t get much use by guests that we saw (the water wasn’t exactly warm), but by afternoon a few crewmembers were enjoying it.

Jogging was possible on the Star Deck (five-and-half laps equaled a mile), but one did need to content with diners at the Veranda Restaurant as well as sun loungers. Just above the marina was also a collection of bikes that could be rented for exploring ports. The rate was $15 for four hours, $25 for 8 hours.

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One of our favorite things about Wind Surf was all of the teak exterior decks. For a small ship there seemed to be lots to explore. The lowest exterior deck was the Main Deck , or Deck 4. This was where the lifeboats were located (preventing much of a view) and, to the aft, the pool. The forward section of this deck culminated in stairs that lead up to the Bridge.

The Bridge Deck , Deck 5, was more open, a great place for strolling and taking in the nautical experience. The actual bridge was open to visitors, there was various nautical equipment to peruse, and a few loungers were available at midship. Just above, the Star Deck was a wonderful space. This is where the barbecue dinner was conducted, it’s where The Veranda restaurant is located, along with the Fitness Center and a couple dozen loungers with a towel station. A small sign said five-and-a-half laps equaled a mile, but during breakfast and lunch hours this wasn’t necessarily the best place for a jog. One additional level, Deck 7 , is a flying bridge that has its own steering station—it was great for photos.

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Located midship on the Main Deck, The Lounge served as the ship’s primary entertainment venue. The stage—such as it was—was a platform raised a couple inches above the rest of the space. But it was big enough for a quartet, and the group Top Society played here most nights of our cruise. There was also a guest vocalist who performed on a couple evenings. The entertainment was okay, but so was gazing out at the stars. There was also a talented guitar-vocal due that performed in the Compass Rose bar nightly.

The ship’s DVD library was located next on the Main Deck next to the (book) Library. We found about 1300 titles available—a pretty eclectic collection that ranged from “Smokey and the Bandit” to “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.” Something for everyone, you might say.

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A galley tour was offered on one afternoon, and it was fairly interesting to see how our satisfying meals were prepared under Wind Surf’s constrained conditions (much smaller than what most cruise ships work with). The chef also organized a visit to a local market at one port, where he stocked up on fresh fruit, produce and other goods for the evening meal. There was no charge to join the short tour.

Of course, Wind Surf’s casino was smaller than we usually see on cruise ships, but it was bigger than we expected it to be, with 27 slot machines, 3 card tables and a Roulette table. There were different themes each night—the first night was Straight Night, then Blackjack Attack, etc. While the slots were open soon after leaving each port, the tables opened as late as 8:30 p.m. on a couple nights. Overall, the casino didn’t see a lot of traffic on our cruise.

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The size and layout of Wind Surf created a number of unique spaces. The Reception Desk was found on the Main Deck (aka Deck 4), and was staffed 24 hours a day. Around the corner was the Library , which was shared by the Yacht Club (the ship’s café). Although there were a couple hundred books here—many of them reference-oriented—there were a lot of empty shelves soon after embarkation (we’re not sure they were quite full before casting off). This area had comfy couches and handsome Scandinavian chairs, some mismatched, along with a large TV monitor that was usually tuned to news or sports. We also found Backgammon and Chess sets, and there were two pairs of headphones to listen to music, though our fellow guests weren’t good about hanging them up properly on the charging stations.

Deck 5 was the Bridge Deck and the Bridge was open to visitors pretty much any time, except during sailaway. There were always at least two officers present, happy to answer questions about the ship. One venue on this deck that got little use during our cruise was the Nautilus Room , a conference room with chairs to seat about 50. The facility was perfunctory, but included a rear-projection TV screen for presentations.

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There are no children’s facilities aboard Wind Surf. More specifically, the Windstar website states: “Children, especially infants and toddlers, are not encouraged aboard Windstar cruises. The intimate ship size and unregimented atmosphere are adult in orientation and do not provide for the care, supervision or entertainment of children.”

While we think a sailing-oriented teen might find a Wind Surf cruise pretty cool, pre-teens would largely be left to their own devices and might be miserable for the lack of playmates.

The Signature Shop was Wind Surf’s one and only boutique, but it was packed with merchandize, more eclectic than what we typically see on cruise ships. We found Wallaroo and Tilley hats, Gretchen Scott cover-ups, ladies Gittex swimwear, Patagonia clothing, watches by Fossil, Citizen and Michael Kors, blown glass ornaments, neoprene laptop sleeves, flip-flops, jewelry from Roman Glass and Antica Murrina. Captain’s uniforms for toddlers were charmers.

In addition to Windsurf logo items such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, sunglasses, visors and key chains, there was a small selection of sundries—sun block, pain relievers, batteries, memory cards, etc. CDs of the Wind Surf’s sail-away theme song by Vangelis (aka the “1492: Conquest of Paradise” soundtrack) were also available.

Wind Surf had a photographer with a Photo Gallery . Prints were priced $15 for 6x8 or $20 for 8x10, with discounts for orders or five or more (or all photos on CD for $200). On one afternoon, the Bowsprit—that pointy thing at the front of the ship—was opened for photos, a pretty unique cruise photo op, we’d say.

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Most of the service we received aboard Wind Surf was excellent, friendly. Many of the crewmembers had been with Windstar for a number of years and they were proud of the ship. However, we found one crewmember to be overly familiar and forward—to the point that we deliberately avoided his stations during meals. We also noted, in contrast to most cruise lines, that we almost never saw our cabin steward, who breezed in and out of our quarters quickly each day. While we can’t say there was anything unattended to, we were surprised to not meet him until the third day of our cruise.

Wind Surf’s normal compliment of crew is 191 and the number of guests at full occupancy is 310. This equates to a ratio of 1.6 guests for each crewmember, a relatively high level of staffing for the industry.

The ship’s daily one-page newsletter arrived in our room each evening, revealing the schedule of activities and hours of operation for the following day. Passports were collected from guests during embarkation and returned at the end of our cruise.

Located on the Main Deck next to the Yacht Club, there were just two PCs available for guests to check email or websites. The basic rate for internet access—using the ship’s computers or our own laptop anywhere on the ship—was $50 for 75 megabytes of data, or $100 for 160 megabytes. There was a usage meter (in a second browser) that indicated how many megs had been consumed. The internet station was not staffed.

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The attire on Wind Surf was comfortably relaxed. Windstar recommends that guests dress as they would at an elegant resort, but we’d say the dress was a little less refined than that. On sea days, the ship’s breezy outdoor atmosphere is conducive for light fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk.

The strictest dress was for dinner, when a casual-elegant dress code takes effect; the requirements were no shorts, jeans, T-shirts, hats and tennis shoes. There are no formal nights. The Windstar website also specifically states: “No suits or ties.”

There was no laundry room for guests to do their laundry, but basic laundry and pressing service was available (no dry cleaning). Items received before 9 a.m. were to be returned within 24 hours. Prices ranged from $1.80 for underwear to $3.30 for a blouse or sports shirt, and $3.80 for a sweater or sweatshirt to $6.45 for a suit or dress skirt. Most pressing was priced under $1; a suit or dress was $1.70.

An unlimited laundry package was available for $109 per cabin for the week ($54.50 for single-occupant cabins). Guests were asked to sign up for the package by the afternoon following embarkation.

The mandatory safety drill was conducted prior to embarkation and guests were required to bring life jackets from their room for the demonstration. Hand sanitizers were present in the dining areas, though we observed no special emphasis on using them.

Although the smaller Wind Star and Wind Spirit ships operated by Windstar Cruises do not have elevators, Wind Surf has two—one forward, one aft. However, no cabins or bathrooms are considered wheelchair-accessible, and the ship does not have elevator access for boarding. Guests with limited mobility should be aware that a number of doorways have raised thresholds to step over.

There was an infirmary on Deck 1, staffed by a doctor. The facility was open 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. daily. A charge was applied to the cabin account for any services rendered or medications provided. Meclizine tablets for seasickness were available from the infirmary at no charge.

Designated smoking areas were the port side of the Compass Rose and Pool bars, and indoors at the Terrace Bar (the latter was also the location for cigar and pipe smoking). Smoking was otherwise not permitted inside the ship, including cabins and the casino. However, we observed guests smoking in other, non-smoking exterior areas of the ship in front of the crew, including the outdoor dining area of the Veranda restaurant. We were disappointed that the policy was not enforced while we were dining outdoors.

A $12 per day, per guest gratuity was added to our checkout bill, to cover wait staff, our cabin steward as well as behind-the-scenes crewmembers. Additionally, a 15-percent service charge was added to all bar charges and wine purchases.

Guests were allowed to bring aboard wine and Champagne; bottles consumed in the restaurants or bars were subject to a $15 corkage fee. Other spirits were not allowed in cabins; Windstar offered to stow them until the last day of the voyage.

The minimum drinking age was 21.

Windstar Yacht Club is the frequent-cruiser program for guests. Formerly called the Foremast Club, the program was revamped in November 2013 with improved benefits that start following the first sailing.

Among them: A 5-percent discount on standard cruise fares for most voyages; upgrades to the next highest cabin category (or an upgrade from a standard cabin to a premium suite starting at $500 per person based on availability during onboard check-in); private member cocktail party; dining with the Captain or other ship officers; a Welcome Aboard gift; and savings of 10 percent on gift shop purchases. Additionally, a $100 shipboard credit is provided for each confirmed booking members refer to Windstar Cruises.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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' class=

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

' class=

Hattie...it is an incredible nice looking kind of sail boat...they sail out of Puntarenas...and go along our Pacific coast...you can see the boat in Manuel Anotnio,, around Corcovado...sailing around Guanacaste beaches...

I will said casual clothes...nothing fancy...

roadadvsior

Hattie why you are always correct?

And it is a nice ship...we sail it last summer...

roadadvisor

Apologies if I offended...

go to www.cruisecritic.com a forum just for cruisers...

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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windstar cruises reviews complaints

Windstar Cruises is growing again with 2 new ships

Gene Sloan

Small-ship specialist Windstar Cruises is finally back in growth mode.

Windstar President Chris Prelog on Wednesday said the brand would add two new vessels by the end of 2026 — a 33% expansion of its fleet that would end a decadelong drought in new ship additions.

"This is going to allow Windstar not only to grow but to go back to favorite destinations where we have been before and explore new destinations," Prelog told cruise writers at a press conference in Miami Beach, Florida.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Prelog called the acquisition of the two vessels from another company "an amazing opportunity" that would allow Windstar to double the number of ships it operates in French Polynesia, one of its core markets.

The press conference took place at Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry's annual meetup at the Miami Beach Convention Center. More than 10,000 executives from cruise lines, shipyards, suppliers and destinations attend the event.

2 new all-suite ships

windstar cruises reviews complaints

Windstar is acquiring the two new vessels from Portugal-based Mystic Invest Holdings, the parent company of small-ship operator Atlas Ocean Voyages , Germany-based Nicko Cruises and several other brands.

The first of the vessels, to be called Star Seeker, is a still-under-construction, 224-passenger vessel that Mystic was originally building for its Atlas Ocean Voyages brand to operate under the name World Seeker.

The ship was to be a sister vessel to the three Atlas Ocean Voyages vessels currently in operation: World Navigator , World Traveller and World Voyager .

Mystic was building the ship for Atlas Ocean Voyages at a shipyard in Portugal that it also owns.

The second vessel Windstar is acquiring is a 4-year-old ship in the same series that Mystic has been chartering to expedition cruise specialist Quark Expeditions. Currently operating for Quark as World Explorer, it'll be renamed Star Explorer and also have room for 224 passengers.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The two vessels will join the Windstar fleet in December 2025 and December 2026, respectively, after the addition of several signature Windstar elements to each of them.

For example, both of the vessels will get water sports platforms, something that isn't currently part of their design. Water sports platforms are a signature feature of Windstar vessels.

Other changes to the current design of each of the vessels will include adding a new pool and a two-story spa. Windstar will also add a whirlpool to the bow of the ships.

A helipad that is currently part of the design of each of the ships will become a large Owner's Suite, with a wraparound balcony.

Like the three ships of similar design currently sailing for Atlas Ocean Voyages, the new Windstar ships will be all-suite ships where most rooms come with either a private balcony or a window wall that slides open to create a balcony-like space.

Windstar said each of the ships would have an Amphora dining room, a Windstar signature, and a more casual Star Grill. Each of the vessels will have a no-extra-charge specialty restaurant and offer 24-hour room service, too.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Windstar ship

As is the case for all of the vessels in the series that have operated for Atlas Ocean Voyages and Quark, the ships will have ice-strengthened hulls that allow them to operate in icy polar destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic's Svalbard Archipelago. But in response to a question from The Points Guy, Prelog suggested the line didn't have plans to deploy the ships to the most remote parts of the polar regions.

That said, the ice-strengthened capabilities of the ships could be of value when sailing to places such as Greenland and Alaska, Prelog said.

First new Windstar ships since 2015

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Windstar last expanded its fleet in 2014 and 2015, when it added three small motor vessels that were formerly operated by Seabourn.

Windstar currently operates six ships — the three former Seabourn vessels, all of which have been significantly renovated and lengthened over the years to have more cabins and venues, as well as three sailing ships.

Related: Don't miss these loyalty perks when booking a Windstar cruise

During Wednesday's announcement, Prelog said the addition of the two Mystic vessels would allow Windstar to send one of its sailing ships, the 148-passenger Wind Star, back to French Polynesia starting in 2027. Wind Star will join the 312-passenger Star Breeze in sailing year-round in French Polynesia, a major expansion for Windstar in the region.

Prelog on Wednesday did not say where the new Star Seeker and Star Explorer would sail. But he said itineraries and pricing for the first of vessels scheduled to debut, Star Seeker, would be announced in June.

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Travel and Cruise Showcase 2023 scam?

By Cruise till you drop , June 6, 2023 in Ask a Cruise Question

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Cool Cruiser

Cruise till you drop

Did anyone else get a mailer that gives you complimentary cruise and airfare if you attend this event?

It sounds like a scam but wanted to get others thoughts or experiences 

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Meander Ingwa

Meander Ingwa

check out Scam Pulse it shows up there.  

53 minutes ago, Meander Ingwa said: check out Scam Pulse it shows up there.  

Thanks but I’ve looked at all the categories and can’t find a thread called Scam Pulse

Can you direct me a little closer

5,000+ Club

9 minutes ago, Cruise till you drop said: Thanks but I’ve looked at all the categories and can’t find a thread called Scam Pulse   Can you direct me a little closer

It's a website. Type scam pulse into Google and it comes right up.

1 hour ago, mom says said: It's a website. Type scam pulse into Google and it comes right up.

Actually I’d rather hear from Cruise Critic people.  I’m sure there are many things on cruise critic that can be found on other sites.

Like

I googled scam pulse and read their reviews on trustpilot (which I have used before).  Personally, I think I'd take whet I read on scampulse with a grain of salt

3,000+ Club

edinburgher

Did anyone else get a mailer that gives you complimentary cruise and airfare if you attend this event   sounds like a scam but wanted to get others thoughts or experiences 

Absolutely no need to google or look at any other sites, as that age old saying springs to mind.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT USUALLY IS.

10,000+ Club

19 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said: Did anyone else get a mailer that gives you complimentary cruise and airfare if you attend this event?   It sounds like a scam but wanted to get others thoughts or experiences 

I would also be skeptical (and was hoping you would get a response).  What was the event they wanted you to attend?  Are they still doing the time share stuff I wonder? 

SeaSickCecil

SeaSickCecil

I'll help you out.  IT'S A SCAM!  I refer you to the top Google search from Talk of the Villages January 2023 ( retirement residences in Florida) where the exact same question was posted (was that you as well?) and responses were provided from people who had called the number, friends of theirs who had called/gone to the event etc.  It is a travel club and/or timeshare.  You will get no bargains out of it.  The 'free' tickets come with many many conditions including extra fees.  I would also suggest you go to Elliott.org or Christopher Elliott's social media pages where he has many articles on travel scams and timeshare scams.

If you're still thinking about this then the adage 'a fool and his money are soon parted' comes to mind.

Throw this flyer in the trash...do not pass go, do not collect anything....

You're welcome.

Thanks

1 hour ago, SeaSickCecil said: I'll help you out.  IT'S A SCAM!  I refer you to the top Google search from Talk of the Villages January 2023 ( retirement residences in Florida) where the exact same question was posted (was that you as well?) and responses were provided from people who had called the number, friends of theirs who had called/gone to the event etc.  It is a travel club and/or timeshare.  You will get no bargains out of it.  The 'free' tickets come with many many conditions including extra fees.  I would also suggest you go to Elliott.org or Christopher Elliott's social media pages where he has many articles on travel scams and timeshare scams. If you're still thinking about this then the adage 'a fool and his money are soon parted' comes to mind. Throw this flyer in the trash...do not pass go, do not collect anything.... You're welcome.

Thank you and no, I have never posted about this before.

3 hours ago, ldubs said:   I would also be skeptical (and was hoping you would get a response).  What was the event they wanted you to attend?  Are they still doing the time share stuff I wonder? 

The details of the event were vague.  It indicated a local Marriott that would be hosting the event and a number to call for the event details all masked as Travel and Cruise Showcase 2023

Holiday Sharing

Sounds fishy at best.

SPacificbound

SPacificbound

They do them at Marriott locations here also, waste of time.

  • 4 weeks later...

baybeach11

Here is it again in 2023. Does anyone have any new information about this Travel and Cruise offer yet?  

If something sounds too good to be true, it is.

the nurse

I got the postcard in the mail today!  I'm considering going to the show to see what is offered just out of curiosity.  Original poster:  did you go to the show?

5 hours ago, the nurse said: I got the postcard in the mail today!  I'm considering going to the show to see what is offered just out of curiosity.  Original poster:  did you go to the show?

I did not as I’ve made it my life’s work to avoid these types of scams.  Please report back after you go to the show and tell us about it

Well, we decided to attend the Next Travel Destination show.  It was held in the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida.  16 of us were in attendance.  The Vice President of Marketing did the presentation.  It's a members only travel agency.  He claims that there are 3 million members.  The presentation lasted about an hour and then a salesperson came to each couple's table.  The cost of the Platinum Lifetime Membership started at $9,995 with annual dues of $199.  Our salesman, offered us multiple discounts with the final price being $3,500.  We didn't accept the offer, but at least two other couples did sign up.  This was truly a "no pressure to sign up" presentation.  We were in and out in less than 90 minutes with a handshake from the salesperson.

We were given a certificate for a 5 day Carnival cruise, or options for other vacation offers.

This needs to be filled out and sent to Customer Choice Rewards, in Tarpon Springs, FL, along with a self addressed stamped envelope.  

I'll keep you posted with the outcome!  I don't have high expectations for this working out, but I felt like it would be a good experiment.  Being retired, we have the time and we found out where the free bicycle rental place is in Punta Gorda!  This was a nice diversion from dealing with Hurricane Ian repairs at our home.  

2 hours ago, the nurse said: Well, we decided to attend the Next Travel Destination show.  It was held in the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida.  16 of us were in attendance.  The Vice President of Marketing did the presentation.  It's a members only travel agency.  He claims that there are 3 million members.  The presentation lasted about an hour and then a salesperson came to each couple's table.  The cost of the Platinum Lifetime Membership started at $9,995 with annual dues of $199.  Our salesman, offered us multiple discounts with the final price being $3,500.  We didn't accept the offer, but at least two other couples did sign up.  This was truly a "no pressure to sign up" presentation.  We were in and out in less than 90 minutes with a handshake from the salesperson. We were given a certificate for a 5 day Carnival cruise, or options for other vacation offers. This needs to be filled out and sent to Customer Choice Rewards, in Tarpon Springs, FL, along with a self addressed stamped envelope.   I'll keep you posted with the outcome!  I don't have high expectations for this working out, but I felt like it would be a good experiment.  Being retired, we have the time and we found out where the free bicycle rental place is in Punta Gorda!  This was a nice diversion from dealing with Hurricane Ian repairs at our home.      

Glad to hear it was no pressure and your invested time was minimal.  Not what I expected to hear.  Thanks for reporting back 

Woodfaerie

I received this invite in today's mail. My initial thought was that they got my name from some cruise data base, if such a data base even exists. The clincher for me was that both my last and first name were spelled incorrectly (in addition to my name or "current resident" invited)  so I know they didn't get it from some legit information that the cruise lines might sell.  Oh well, I was excited for at least a moment!

Aquahound

On 7/28/2023 at 12:27 PM, the nurse said:   We were given a certificate for a 5 day Carnival cruise, or options for other vacation offers .  

In this case, I think I would choose the latter.  

Haha

Reply to "The Nurse". We also attended a "presentation" and decided (barely) to pass. We were told our vouchers would come by email ("as it is not safe for us to carry them anymore"). Have yet to see anything. Did you get your vouchers at the presentation? Have you had a response yet?

Many years ago I did something similar and after paying a fee of @ $400 I did get a vacation as advertised and even got my money refundad after completing the trip!

1 hour ago, Dougm141 said: Reply to "The Nurse". We also attended a "presentation" and decided (barely) to pass. We were told our vouchers would come by email ("as it is not safe for us to carry them anymore"). Have yet to see anything. Did you get your vouchers at the presentation? Have you had a response yet? Many years ago I did something similar and after paying a fee of @ $400 I did get a vacation as advertised and even got my money refundad after completing the trip!

We mailed our certificate to Customer Choice Rewards, in Tarpon Springs, FL, along with a self addressed stamped envelope about 10 days ago.  No voucher yet.  🙂

Just got another one.  They are persistent 

IMG_2666.jpeg

When I read "....you will receive (2) two complimentary round trip airline vouchers" (Yea on what airline? AND "....valid for travel from most major international airports" Yea what airports? AND (In addition you will receive (2) two nights at one of over 1,000 Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt Hotels)......I said NO! We don't need to dilly dally on the phone with with these "MORONS" we have better things to do.

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Visby, Sweden

Anyone have any insight on what to do or see in Visby? Going on a cruise and will be there for the day.

I've never been, but Rick has a section on Visby in his Scandinavia book (since you're on a cruise, you will be seeing lots of other places covered by this book, so it will be very useful). Here's the Visby port review on Cruise Critic. Note their opening sentence, "To be honest, there's not a great deal to do in Visby. But then, that's kind of the point of the place." http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=477

Old Town City wall Begun in the late 13th century, Visby's city wall stretches almost 3 and a half kilometers and stands 11 meters high. Today, 36 towers and three main gates remain. DBW's Botanical Gardens Enter through the "Door of Love" to this picturesque garden of trees and ruins. Klinten Once the workers' quarter and now a popular spot to take in the view over the lower town, Klinten is an attractive maze of small, rose covered, homes. St. Maria Church Built in the early 13th century Church ruins in the Old Town St. Clemens ruins St. Gerturde ruins St. Hans ruins St. Karin ruins St. Nicolaus ruins St. Olof ruins (located in the Botanical Gardens) St. Per ruins Art and Museums Gotlands Museum , Strandgatan 14, Open 10 AM-6 PM, Entrance: 80-100 SEK. Museum of local history (Fornsalen), plus a science museum for children (Fenomenalen). Gotlands Konstmuseum , S:t Hansgatan 21, Open Tu-Su 12 PM-4 PM. Entrance: 40-50 SEK, or it's included in the fee for Gotlands Museum above. Art museum.

Thank you Harold and Brendan. Great info! I really appreciate it.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

InterContinental Resort Tahiti

View over Moorea and the lagoon

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windstar cruises reviews complaints

" Avoid this place, there are better to choose from. "

windstar cruises reviews complaints

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" Use the hotel shuttle to Papeete- a lot cheaper than a taxi. Drop and pick up is in the same spot. Go for breakfast early, it gets crazy! "

windstar cruises reviews complaints

" The concierge at the hotel was very helpful in helping us book a private tour on the island of Moorea. Use them as they are very good. "

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" An oceanfront room is worth the cost "

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