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You can choose to take part in the short list of daily activities; borrow a book, game, or DVD from the library; or do nothing at all. There’s never pressure to join in or participate if you simply prefer relaxing. The best show in town is watching the ship leave port from the large aft deck. Almost the entire contingent gathers to watch and be watched by envious onlookers agape at the ship strutting her full sails. The Wind Surf lounge, featuring a small combo and dancing, may be pretty well deserted most nights.
Sundeck aboard Wind Surf
In the spa and hair salon, a 15 percent gratuity is added to the bill. Outdoor public spaces include a swimming pool, pool bar, two whirlpools and a Watersports Platform, weather permitting. This was the third trans-Atlantic cruise we have taken on Windsurf. She remains our favorite ship - she's not young but elegant, graceful, and really just about perfect. Embarkation in Sint Maarten was seamless and we quickly got checked in. Found many familiar faces from past crossings - some come back every year.
A Portrait of India
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. 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 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.
Special Events
Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Revamp for Windstar on the Books - Recommend Magazine
Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Revamp for Windstar on the Books.
Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Continue below to learn more about each of Windstar’s destinations or contact one of our expert cruise consultants to start planning your unique small-ship voyage with Windstar. The yacht's design is based on smaller 5,350-ton motor sailing yachts constructed by the French shipbuilding company "Societe Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre". Among those are the Windstar sail ships Wind Spirit and Wind Star and also Club Med 2. The 310-passenger ship Wind Surf was built as "Club Med I" and served as a "motor sailing yacht" alternative for the French resort company.
Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Review
The specialty restaurant has been transformed into an elegant French Bistro. Extensive nightlife, dressing up at night; children’s programs; two seating dining; a formal atmosphere; balcony cabins. Degrees is an alternative dining venue with no additional service charge.
Deck Three
Entertainment on the stunning Wind Surf is low-key, with a small dance combo or singing duo. While small, the casino, located just off the lounge, still offers fun and excitement. Formerly called the Foremast Club, the program was revamped in November 2013 with improved benefits that start following the first sailing. 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.
At one time, passengers were allowed to walk into the bridge whenever you pleased, and the officer on board typically would give you a long lesson on charts and compasses. That privilege has been modified to the point where it is now best to seek permission to enter the bridge before you go there. Windstar has already completed the new initiative called Degrees of Difference on Wind Surf. Upgrades to dining, accommodations, service, destinations and activities were introduced in stages. Staterooms received upgraded soft goods, Shea Butter bathroom amenities from L’Occitane, flat screen TVs and DVD/CD players, and Bose SoundDocks for use with iPods, which can be borrowed at no charge from reception. Wireless connectivity in public areas is promised for all three ships.
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. 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.
Windstar Cruises begins initiative to update sailing yachts - Cruise and Ferry
Windstar Cruises begins initiative to update sailing yachts.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
For instance, you can depart from some of the world’s most distinguished cities like Athens, Dubai, Singapore, London, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Rome and Venice. You’ll also find smaller or more exotic departure ports, such as Papeete, Bridgetown, Philipsburg and Colon. But no matter where your cruise embarks, you’ll always know what you’re sailing towards – an unforgettable and totally unique small-ship experience. The speciality restaurant on Wind Surf was transformed into an elegant French Bistro.
The 1989-built (as "Club Med 1") cruise ship Wind Surf is the last of the three Windstar sailing yachts, together with the fleetmates Wind Spirit and Wind Star. These cruise ships are 4-masted schooners, uniquely designed for tall sailing cruises. Despite Wind Surf's recent refresh and overall upmarket feel, the ship's corridors and stairwells -- areas that first greet embarking passengers -- and the spa could benefit from a cosmetic update. The older ship is also not an ideal choice for anyone with mobility issues, as there are numerous yacht-like raised doorways.
Relax into the destinations you’re visiting at the new World Spa by Windstar, which will offer regional spa treatments, including massage styles like Swedish, Japanese Shiatsu and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi. An Officer’s Suite, which might be the only one of its kind, provides you with the chance to stay in the heart of the officer quarters tucked right behind the Bridge. A hotel service charge of $11 per passenger per day is automatically added to your shipboard account. A 15% bar service charge is added to all bar orders and dining room wine purchases. The Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch. Guests were allowed to bring aboard wine and Champagne; bottles consumed in the restaurants or bars were subject to a $15 corkage fee.
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. Though not large, the bathroom had an unusual layout that worked well for us, and had a handsome, polished teak floor.
Single, open seating allows you to dine when and with whom you please, except that the maitre ‘d will select a table for you, and if you do not like the company it may be too late to say so. Invite your tablemates to join you before you arrive at his station, or tell him in advance if you prefer to dine alone. Breakfast and luncheon are also served in the Bistro, but the Veranda buffet is a cozy, glass-enclosed room serving table-service dinners and buffet at lunch is where you will want to be. There is an awning covered food station poolside with burgers, hot dogs.
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. 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.
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.
