Sunday, April 21, 2024

Windstar Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Windstar Cruises

windstar cruise reviews

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. 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.

About Windstar Cruises

windstar cruise reviews

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. 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.

Star Breeze

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. All dining venues and soft drinks are included in the cost of a Windstar cruise.

What’s The Cost of Drinks on Windstar Cruises?

But with all-suite accommodations and more amenities, the three larger “Star Plus” ships – Star Pride, Star Legend and Star Breeze – offer an enhanced level of luxury for port-hopping Windstar guests. Shore excursions will take them to the locks for an up-close view of the lock chambers that their ship will navigate the next day (or passed through the previous day). Like Paul Gauguin Cruises, Windstar offers French Polynesia sailings year-round out of Papeete, Tahiti, the main hub for the region.

Ship Overview

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. Windstar has yet to announce details of Star Explorer's additional specialty restaurant, which will be included in the fare.

Windstar Star Breeze Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Windstar Star Breeze - Cruise Critic

Windstar Star Breeze Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Windstar Star Breeze.

Posted: Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:37:07 GMT [source]

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. Alas, there were some areas of our cruise that should have been better.

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And it includes stops in some of Iceland's smallest and quirkiest towns. Windstar also typically deploys at least one of its vessels year-round to Tahiti for sailings around the islands of French Polynesia. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. The ship is scheduled to start sailing for Windstar in early 2027.

Where does Windstar Wind Surf sail to?

Windstar recommends purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect against unexpected events and medical expenses. In addition, all Windstar ships are set up with state-of-the-art HEPA (high-efficiency particulate) filters with UV-C irradiation; EvaClean Electrostatic Sprayer and PurTab Disinfectant to sanitize surfaces. Windstar requests to be notified at the time of booking if a guest has any special medical, physical or other requirements.

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. For those seeking a quiet evening, the Compass Rose on deck 6 offers nightly piano music after dinner. Or another option to consider is enjoying a “game night” in the Yacht Club Cafe and Library on deck 8. It’s a welcoming space with plenty of club seating with cocktail table settings lining the panoramic windows.

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. 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. Overall, our cruise aboard Wind Surf was a delight, stirring romantic seafaring notions and delivering us to choice, small ports.

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 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. 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.

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.

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