Sunday, April 21, 2024

Windstar Wind Surf Cruise: Expert Review 2023

windstar cruise reviews

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.

Star Breeze

The voyages offer a large amount of time in each of the islands that are visited, thanks to the short distances between them. In most cases, the ship travels between the islands overnight and ties up or anchors in a new stunning bay each morning. Of all the places that Windstar ships sail, none gets as much focus from the line as the Mediterranean. As of the publishing of this story, a whopping 212 of the 534 voyages on the line's schedule for the coming year included calls in the region. In the winter, at least two and sometimes three Windstar vessels will move to the warm waters of the Caribbean, another area of focus. In addition to classic Caribbean sailings, those vessels also often do sailings through the Panama Canal, another specialty of the line.

The Windstar “Star Plus” ships

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. Personal training was offered at $85 for a one-hour session. 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.

Windstar Luxury Cruises Reviews

Ranging from seven to 18 nights, the trips take in such iconic French Polynesian islands as Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahaa and Huahine. They appeal heavily to couples looking for a romantic getaway. The Mediterranean trips offer a wide range of port stops and vary greatly in length. 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.

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FAQs For Windstar Cruises

On sea days, the ship’s breezy outdoor atmosphere is conducive for light fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk. 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 relatively few loungers surrounding the pool were often at a premium. Daily (Candles Grill opened at 7 p.m. nightly, preventing evening access for bathers). Also available were acupuncture and salon services for men and women.

The bathrooms in these cabins have a single sink, shower with a small lip, and a portable ramp. The Star Breeze is an all-suite ship with no interior cabins. The Star Balcony, Balcony, Star Ocean View, Ocean View, and Star Porthole suites are 277 square feet allowing for a sitting room and sleeping area. Outfitted with Egyptian cotton linens, most cabins have either one queen-sized bed or two twin beds that have been pushed together. There are also several triple-occupancy cabins, and select voyages offer reduced single supplements.

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. The company suggests wearing a “casually elegant” dress for dinners and evenings.

windstar cruise reviews

It’s great fun to see what the creative ship crew will present to guests. This talent show will amaze with innovate and quirky routines. Another fun evening is the poolside BBQ where guests and crew enjoy a dance party. The Ocean View suites include some of the brand new cabins which offer a new layout but remain the same in all other respects. The new build, the Star Ocean View suites, feature the bed next to the window, whereas the existing Ocean View suites feature the sitting area next to the window.

10 of 116 Windstar Wind Star Cruise Reviews

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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. I’ve been told that Windstar caters to a more active group of travelers. The website boasts 2,500 one-of-a-kind tours, and that is mind-boggling.

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.

The age range skews toward 60-plus, though you'll find families and couples of all ages onboard. (Windstar makes it clear that its fleet is not geared toward children.) Expect to meet repeat passengers who are loyal to Windstar. There's no pressure to dress formally for dinner (most passengers keep it on the elegantly smart side), nor is there a jam-packed entertainment program. Instead, Wind Surf's atmosphere is low-key, with passengers free to do as they please -- spending leisurely time onshore and on deck -- without fear of missing out or being overscheduled. Gratuities are not included unless you purchase the All-Inclusive Fare package. Windstar automatically charges $12/per person per day, and 15% is added to all bar tabs.

Every request is promptly taken care of from crew that ensure guests feel welcome and well cared for 24/7. If smiles were worth $100 dollars, by the end of the cruise every passenger would leave a very rich person. As of June 1, 2023 Windstar no longer requires guests to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Environmental operational upgrades to the ship include new efficient engines, generators and advanced wastewater treatment systems. Children eight and older are welcome on board, though Star Breeze has no kids club, specific programming, or activities geared towards kids. All guests under 21 must share a stateroom with a parent or guardian.

Expect small numbers of European and Australian passengers, too. Depending on the ship's itinerary, you might find a higher percentage of passengers from certain countries. On our sailing in Southern Spain, we noticed a handful of Spanish passengers onboard, for example. The stunning five-mast, seven-sail Wind Surf takes the prize of largest vessel in the Windstar fleet.

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