2LoveToTravel

Well said Milepig. They are like an "old shoe" to all that love Windstar. The ships are older, but familiar and comfortable....not a luxury line, but never claimed to be. What we love and keeps us coming back are the crew, always smiling and helpful, the warm and inviting casual atmosphere and the low number of guests. Every cruise line will have people aboard who can never be satisfied, and no cruise experience is perfect, but the large number of returnees to Windstar indicates that they are doing fine. We are booked for voyage #22 in January, and can't wait!

Still hopeful that there will be another sailing yacht!

Congratulations to Captain Belinda! Have not traveled with her yet, but hope to in the future!

Heard a while ago from one of the captains that they were going to build a new Wind Surf, and stretch the motor yachts. But from this new information it sounds like they are purchasing an existing ship??? Hope it is the Club Med ship!

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Ha! We are currently one a back2back2back. 25 days at sea and I would say it’s about a 5 day rotation with hardly any variation. I have had some dishes 4 times and I still have 6 nights to go. I think they need to switch to a 10-14 day menu on all cruises.

 

 

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Agreed. Since it appears that WINDSTAR is moving towards longer cruises.

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Just read that Windstar will be changing the Wind Surf Caribbean itineraries from alternating 2 itineraries to a 56 day Grand Caribbean Cruise with multiple destinations. Sounds interesting!

https://blog.windstarcruises.com/behind-the-scenes-windstar-cruises-caribbean-cruise/

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Go for it! If you are able to do both cruises, you will not regret your time on WINDSTAR. We are veterans of over 20 Windstar voyages ( I dislike the word cruise when referring to WINDSTAR) on the motor yachts as well as the sailing ships. I agree with the others that in the Caribbean we prefer the Wind Surf, but we have been on the motor yachts in the Caribbean and in Europe. Same wonderful service by smiling staff and crew who can never do enough for you!

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We have many of those zipper bags with trip docs and luggage tags after many Windstar Cruises.. Love receiving them instead of Emailed docs. You now have to ask for them. Otherwise everything is Emailed.

Very convenient and lovely terminal. We were there in September boarding HAL Rotterdam for last minute trip. There are a number of hotels close by. We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites in Old Montreal and walked down the hill to the terminal to board.

We love the Windsurf. She is by far our favorite ship, and truly unique. Her condition is fine, and the openness and spaciousness of the decks create a casual ambiance that no other ship can duplicate. Add to that the fabulous crew and their tireless service with a smile and the vacation begins. We were last aboard in February, our 21st Wind Star voyage. Anticipating the next!

We were in St Maarten last week and rented a car to see conditions anticipating our annual Wind Surf trip this coming winter. Airport open with numerous flights, didn't see any tent but construction still apparent. Most importantly, the Sunset Bar at the end of th runway is open and doing well. Cruise port also open with new retail buildings. Ferry service operating between cruise port and front street. Hotels....Divi appears to be in rough shape and both Sonestas appear to be closed. Having said that, Front St was bustling with activity. French side....Grand Case devastated and Marigot in poor shape. It is obvious that the lovely people of St Maarten are feverishly working to restore their island. It appears that the island will be ready for the upcoming season and Wind Surf will be there!

Well said Strenz. We are right there with you at 20+ cruises with Windstar. We love Windstar, and have been very loyal. I don't think they even have an alumni program. I know the company is small, and they probably can't duplicate the loyalty programs of the big companies, but some recognition would be great. It does appear that the Special Events on the European cruises are gone. Big loss! They were a highlight of every cruise. Will the deck barbecue be gone as well? Hope not.

As to price. Everything is more expensive. The cruise prices are higher, (even on their weekly "specials") excursions very pricey and more. By the way, there is a cancellation charge now ($50 pp) not much, but indicative of nickel diming, something they did not do in the past.

We are still Windstar fans, and will continue to sail with them, but as you do, will watch the prices carefully. We are hopeful that Windstar will have a better guest return program in the future. They are very special, and we have enjoyed every cruise taken with them.

Thank you so much for your review. One of the best I have seen. We will be boarding Summit on April 21, 2018 for the same trip. Your information was very helpful.

We never get the internet on Windstar because it is so slow, and expensive. But at each port the crew will always tell you where you can get free wifi. They go there as well. I think Windstar is just too small a company to provide it.

Thank you Keith. Interesting article. Encouraging news. WindSurf will be back next year, and as usual we will be aboard for a few weeks.

We will be there for a day in a few weeks and will probably rent a car and have a look.

You are right. On the B2B last month on the Surf out of Barbados, one week the beach party was in Mayreau (fabulous beach) and we visited Pigeon Island another day, and the other week the beach party was at Pigeon Island. Back to St Maarten next year, we will be at Prickly Pear Beach on Virgin Gorda. Hope the beach party will be there. A beautiful beach! Love the Windsurf!

ride the tide, I just emailed Windstar who verified that the 2 menus I attached are current. They attached the same ones I was sent in November as well as the new beverage package. So here you go.

Sample Bar Menu (1).pdf

Sample Wine list.pdf

You really don't need a tour, as the day is full with beaching....water toys....walk to the fort, and fabulous BBQ. It is one of our favorite days.

I am posting this as a new thread because the other goes back to 2009. While non alcoholic beverages are included, and alcoholic beverages packages are offered for an upcharge, I called Windstar for updated prices of drinks in November.

Attached are the Bar Menu and Wine List. Hope this is helpful

Wine List Windstar.pdf

Bar Menu Windstar.pdf

Thank you for your review. It is always refreshing to hear from folks who have cruised for the first time on the Windstar ships. We have loved Windstar for over 20 cruises since 2000, both sailing and motor yachts. They only get better. The food is probably the best in the industry, especially since their affiliation with the James Beard Foundation. The crew are exceptional in their attention to customer needs and wants. They are probably the main reason people return again and again. And you do meet lots of wonderful guests aboard. Hope to meet you on a future cruise.

I agree. The prices are very high. But then, all of a sudden they are reduced. Patience is in order here. We will keep watching. We only book good value. WINDSTAR is our favorite line having been on 21 voyages since 2000.

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Welcome back Strenz! We board tomorrow and can't wait. Like you, we have been on Windstar 20 times. We love everything about Wind Surf. She is a lovely Old lady, and the crew make each and every cruise special.

Welcome back.So glad you enjoyed Wind Surf. The itinerary is new this year, and we will be on Jan 27 for 2 weeks....our 20th voyage. Was wondering about Anse Mitan as well in Martinique. Did you do any tours?

Your travel agent should be able to take care of this. Even though it is close to your departure date, they should at least give you some shipboard credit. Sb44 is right. If you can't get help from your travel agent, change the travel agent and persist with WINDSTAR direct.

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With so few pax aboard, does Windstar upgrade on the transatlantic voyages?