russandcheryl Posted February 1, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Anyone been on the Windstar in the last couple weeks? The reviews from Dec. said the sails were not working for their entire cruise ? That would be a real bummer ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBQ Lover Posted February 1, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 1, 2017 We were on the week before Christmas (16th to 23rd) and the sails worked just fine Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russandcheryl Posted February 1, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted February 1, 2017 We were on the week before Christmas (16th to 23rd) and the sails worked just fine Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk mmm. the review was from a December Christmas sailing and they said the large sail had been broken for 2 weeks? Maybe not all sails were affected but the large one was not working - he inserted a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBQ Lover Posted February 1, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 1, 2017 All sails worked just fine on our cruise Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted February 1, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) I was on the same cruise as BBB Lover. I didn't notice any broken sails. This reviewer is a real whiner! "The back flag was frayed". Who cares? I never smelled "cat pee". That's really strange. Edited February 2, 2017 by 6rugrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted February 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Those sails were brand new back in Dec. 2012 when I took the first sailing out of St-Martin after the ownership changeover (Wind Surf). The are in need of either being cleaned-up or changed. I just saw a post on FB showing Wind Surf in Barbados. Lots of soot on the sail. But, this is real expensive. 69,000 sq. ft. of hand-crafted sails for all three ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangeman1968 Posted February 2, 2017 #7 Share Posted February 2, 2017 The sails worked great 1/21-28/2017- beautiful picture taking from tenders back to ship Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted February 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted February 2, 2017 The sails are dependent on: 1. wind conditions, and 2. Captain's interest in using them. We've seem everything from the ship being totally under sail for hours at a time to "one sail put out for sailaway and then put right back in". I chatted with one captain who saw them as a necessary for marketing evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orangeman68 Posted February 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted February 2, 2017 You are absolutely right. We were probably lucky because we had them up almost every night . Good picture taking. I found the Bridge tour very interesting and crew was terrific . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrkdive1 Posted February 7, 2017 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I was on the ship last week and the large aft sail was still broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russandcheryl Posted February 7, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I was on the ship last week and the large aft sail was still broken. oh man, does that mean no "sailing" only by engine? For the entire week? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrkdive1 Posted February 7, 2017 #12 Share Posted February 7, 2017 In our experience last week we had good wind and could have "sailed" but the captain chose to use the motor during all crossings. On most days the sails were unfurled less than 50%. I think he put the sails up only for show. Some passengers were unhappy that the sails were not used exclusively on the sail from St Lucia to Grenada since we motored to Grenada very quickly and just circled the island to burn time as this was supposed to be a sea day. I didn't care as I knew from previous posters that the ship does not often "sail" but other passengers felt misled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russandcheryl Posted February 7, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted February 7, 2017 In our experience last week we had good wind and could have "sailed" but the captain chose to use the motor during all crossings. On most days the sails were unfurled less than 50%. I think he put the sails up only for show. Some passengers were unhappy that the sails were not used exclusively on the sail from St Lucia to Grenada since we motored to Grenada very quickly and just circled the island to burn time as this was supposed to be a sea day. I didn't care as I knew from previous posters that the ship does not often "sail" but other passengers felt misled. exactly... we would feel mislead also... at least "sail" for a portion of the time. otherwise why book the sailing experience? I hope we get a bit of sailing on our week in March... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted February 7, 2017 #14 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Maybe there is a technical reason they did not extend the sail. They will not use the sail if the wind comes from the back or the front. Those ships will not tack. It has been done but are not made for this.. The ship can roll up to 8 degree. Very uncomfortable for many people who are not used to sail ship - you want happy guest. Anyway, past 8 degrees, the sails are retracted automatically Accidents do happen. They could have used the sails between Barbados and St-Lucia or St-Lucia Grenada but it only add about 2-3 knts. You can view wind direction on this site: https://www.windytv.com/?13.406,-60.790,8 They were out most of the time in 2014 when doing the same voyage. You can read more about the design of the ship by reading the following book: https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Star-Building-Joseph-Novitski/dp/0025908308 I"m no sailor just repeating what I read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMNYCruise Posted February 7, 2017 #15 Share Posted February 7, 2017 We were under sail for 9 hours yesterday. For several of the hours there were 3 whales circling the boat. Wonderful day and wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted February 8, 2017 #16 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I just remember back in 2012, on the Wind Surf, along the coast off Montserrat, the Captain (Alan McCary) feathered the prop. and cruised along at a brisk 2-3 kts :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted February 8, 2017 #17 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I've never booked Windstar because the ships had sails. That's really not the reason that makes this cruiseline special. On our last cruise, I never paid any attention to the sails at all. I do know they were out and I never noticed a "broken one". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strenz Posted February 8, 2017 #18 Share Posted February 8, 2017 We are all different I love the sails and they are the reason we started cruising with WS. Coming out of beautiful harbors and ports under sail is the alure for us. We love WS and enjoyed the motor yachts but the sails are in our dreams. Happy Sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marama Posted February 8, 2017 #19 Share Posted February 8, 2017 We were under sail for 9 hours yesterday. For several of the hours there were 3 whales circling the boat. Wonderful day and wonderful cruise! Oh no - we are also on the ship, but we missed this somehow. The sails are just fine by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russandcheryl Posted February 8, 2017 Author #20 Share Posted February 8, 2017 We were under sail for 9 hours yesterday. For several of the hours there were 3 whales circling the boat. Wonderful day and wonderful cruise! Good to hear 😎😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Communik8r Posted February 8, 2017 #21 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Awesome on the whales! Do you know what kind? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMNYCruise Posted February 8, 2017 #22 Share Posted February 8, 2017 They were Minke whales. Today we had a dolphin swim by while we were on the float off the back of the boat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Communik8r Posted February 9, 2017 #23 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Very cool. Thanks for the report! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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