Considering Windstar for our 50th anniversary - a few questions

All good info put forth. I, too, love the sailing ships and have done nothing but them since 2000. I do want to say that on the Windstar ships/cruises I've sailed, the sails were up only as we left port and as we returned. It didn't seem to be a lack-of-wind issue. Of the other tall ships I've sailed/cruised on, Star Clippers put the sails up a bit more, and Island Windjammer's Diamant and Manhattan Yacht Club's Arabella have their sails up whenever these tall ships are out, unless there is absolutely no wind. Lots of true sailing. The latter two are much smaller tall ships than Windstar and Star Clipper ships, however. But all the above mentioned ships are spectacular!

Thanks for taking the time to post a response. It sounds like you have done a lot of cruising so your comments are appreciated. We love the idea of cruising on a ship with sails, even if they are only used occasionally.

Happy Sailing!

JimAOK,

The lunch that they packed was at no cost to us. Another thing I love about this ship is the coffee drinks. I am a huge fan of lattes and cappuccinos and it always annoyed me on Princess that I had to pay for those. On Windstar those are included.

I made a mistake in my previous post on the sailing - I meant to say that the motor assisted sailing was about 60%, pure sailing 30% and motor only 10%. Our last cruise in Barbados had more motoring/motor assist but I don't recall the exact percentage. It was rougher seas on the last night.

As far as Carribbean cruises, we have taken 2 out of St. Maarten on the Windsurf and most recently, a cruise out of Barbados on the smaller Windstar. I probably liked the itinerary on the Barbados sailing the best, but I liked the Windsurf ship better for the Caribbean as I mentioned. I have to say that I have liked all of the sailings. One of the reasons that I liked the Barbados sailing is that I liked going to the very small islands with beautiful beaches. It really felt like you were on a private yacht. I have been on Classic Caribbean out of St. Maarten twice (islands changed a bit) and Jewels of the Windward Islands out Barbados.

Enjoy your planning!

acruisefan,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question about the lunch and provide more information about the ships and itineraries you have had.

I'm glad you mentioned that you have cruised on Princess and RCCL in the past. Your comparisons to those cruise lines, which we have sailed on as well, is very helpful to us.

Did you stay at a hotel prior to any of your cruises?

Yes we always we always fly in a day or two in advance and book a hotel. Flying to the islands, I would not trust trying to make it there in time to catch the ship - too many possibilities of flight or weather issues.

One tip - I always make my own hotel reservations and do not use the Windstar deal. I can always find a better rate, even at the same hotel. Also, I do not use the transfers. I always have the hotel arrange a taxi to the dock, much cheaper than the transfer and more convenient too.

In going from the ship to the airport I do use the transfer if I have a very early flight.

We love Windstar and have sailed with them three times with another trip scheduled for this July. We are in our late 60s and have always been comfortable with folks on board. We have not though done the caribbean with them. Only European cruises. Last year one of the best trips was the Baltic including 3 days in St. Petersburg. Now that WAS amazing!

You need to know that on small ships there are no big "shows" or other types of entertainment you might be used to on the larger ships. No bingo, trivia, etc. I remember if there there is a casino. Since we are not gamblers we didn't pay attention. There are also not the crowds, lines, noise, waiting for elevatiors, etc. And dining is just that. It is not a cattle call and noisy. You can sit at a table for just the two of you or you can join others. It is so nice that way.

And, of course, there are the sails... as someone else posted, how often they are up depends on the winds and the captain. They are alway up as you leave a port and the music is playing. A magical time to be out on board with a drink in your hand.

People are warm and unassuming. It is a casual ship - no dressy evenings. I would highly recommend it for a 50th anniversary.

Do note that if you need a hair blower bring one... the ones in the cabins hardly blow.

We love Windstar and have sailed with them three times with another trip scheduled for this July. We are in our late 60s and have always been comfortable with folks on board. We have not though done the caribbean with them. Only European cruises. Last year one of the best trips was the Baltic including 3 days in St. Petersburg. Now that WAS amazing!

 

You need to know that on small ships there are no big "shows" or other types of entertainment you might be used to on the larger ships. No bingo, trivia, etc. I remember if there there is a casino. Since we are not gamblers we didn't pay attention. There are also not the crowds, lines, noise, waiting for elevatiors, etc. And dining is just that. It is not a cattle call and noisy. You can sit at a table for just the two of you or you can join others. It is so nice that way.

 

And, of course, there are the sails... as someone else posted, how often they are up depends on the winds and the captain. They are alway up as you leave a port and the music is playing. A magical time to be out on board with a drink in your hand.

 

People are warm and unassuming. It is a casual ship - no dressy evenings. I would highly recommend it for a 50th anniversary.

 

Do note that if you need a hair blower bring one... the ones in the cabins hardly blow.

Now THAT is a valuable piece of information! Thank you! :)

When we sailed Windstar's small ships under previous owner, they had a casino, albeit very small. A few blackjack tables and some slot machines. The casino could only be operational when the ships were "at sea," at least in the Caribbean and off Costa Rica, so their use was quite limited.

We love Windstar and have sailed with them three times with another trip scheduled for this July. We are in our late 60s and have always been comfortable with folks on board. We have not though done the caribbean with them. Only European cruises. Last year one of the best trips was the Baltic including 3 days in St. Petersburg. Now that WAS amazing!

 

You need to know that on small ships there are no big "shows" or other types of entertainment you might be used to on the larger ships. No bingo, trivia, etc. I remember if there there is a casino. Since we are not gamblers we didn't pay attention. There are also not the crowds, lines, noise, waiting for elevatiors, etc. And dining is just that. It is not a cattle call and noisy. You can sit at a table for just the two of you or you can join others. It is so nice that way.

 

And, of course, there are the sails... as someone else posted, how often they are up depends on the winds and the captain. They are alway up as you leave a port and the music is playing. A magical time to be out on board with a drink in your hand.

 

People are warm and unassuming. It is a casual ship - no dressy evenings. I would highly recommend it for a 50th anniversary.

 

Do note that if you need a hair blower bring one... the ones in the cabins hardly blow.

Thanks so much for your wonderful overview. I appreciate your taking the time to go over so many aspects of the cruise that my wife and I have been discussing and wondering about.

The tip about the hair blower is a good one! My wife says "thanks" for mentioning it.

Yes we always we always fly in a day or two in advance and book a hotel. Flying to the islands, I would not trust trying to make it there in time to catch the ship - too many possibilities of flight or weather issues.

 

One tip - I always make my own hotel reservations and do not use the Windstar deal. I can always find a better rate, even at the same hotel. Also, I do not use the transfers. I always have the hotel arrange a taxi to the dock, much cheaper than the transfer and more convenient too.

 

In going from the ship to the airport I do use the transfer if I have a very early flight.

Thanks again for the valuable information. I think you are right that flying in day or two prior to the cruise is a good idea.

Also thanks for the tip on making hotel reservations and arrangements for taxi and transfer. It's very helpful to know these things!

When we sailed Windstar's small ships under previous owner, they had a casino, albeit very small. A few blackjack tables and some slot machines. The casino could only be operational when the ships were "at sea," at least in the Caribbean and off Costa Rica, so their use was quite limited.

Still there. On the Pride this spring we learned that they aren't run by WS but are contracted. In our case to a Polish company. I believe the spa may be as well?

Spa by Steiner Leisure Ltd.

http://www.steinerleisure.com/main/Page.aspx?PageID=4050

Casino by Century Casino

http://cruiseships.cnty.com/windstar-cruises/

dandee2

Spa by Steiner Leisure Ltd.

http://www.steinerleisure.com/main/Page.aspx?PageID=4050

 

Casino by Century Casino

http://cruiseships.cnty.com/windstar-cruises/

 

dandee2

This is good information. Thanks for the links!

Thank you all for the information on Windstar cruising and the ships; fascinating comments. We are seriously looking at a Med cruise with Windstar next year (as a follow on to an Azamara cruise from Istanbul to Athens this year).

Since we are not "beach people," I am not sure that a Caribbean or Tahiti cruise with Windstar would be our cup of tea!

Thanks again for all the positive feedback you have provided.

I'm also part of the early morning coffee crowd and it can be great. I'm first up while Mrs. Milepig snoozes, and is just stirring when I leave the cabin. Instead of dealing with coffee myself I go up on deck and chat with the other coffee dudes - they're always men. Or, if no on else shows up I do the crossword. You learn that the coffee they have in the urn is dreck but the steward will make you whatever you want and by day 2 will just bring it to you with a "good morning milepig". Quite often the ship will be entering the harbor and that's when I've taken my best pictures. There are only ever a handful of people up, and you feel like you almost have the ship to yourself. In about an hour Mrs. Milepig comes to find me and we're off to breakfast. The time I miss the balcony is afternoon, but even then we can bring a glass or bottle of wine up on deck - put it in a tote, no one cares - and find a secluded spot, or just as good we go to the bar and make some friends. We can have drinks on our own balcony at home.

This may be one of my favorite posts ever. You've captured that wonderful combination of solitude and camaraderie that defines Windstar for me. Bravo.

First, you are NOT too old for Windstar. We just returned from our 10th Windstar cruise and the age range went from 30 - 80. As far as the sails go, they are raised as often as possible. When the wind kicks up, the sails go up!

First, you are NOT too old for Windstar. We just returned from our 10th Windstar cruise and the age range went from 30 - 80. As far as the sails go, they are raised as often as possible. When the wind kicks up, the sails go up!

Thanks for your reply. It is very encouraging to know we will not be out of place or in the way somehow. Not everyone appreciates being around seniors. :cool:

First, you are NOT too old for Windstar. We just returned from our 10th Windstar cruise and the age range went from 30 - 80. As far as the sails go, they are raised as often as possible. When the wind kicks up, the sails go up!

We are sure glad to hear that from you. I just hit the infamous MRD year (for 401k/IRA) and we are really excited about trying a Windstar cruise (with sails)!

We are sure glad to hear that from you. I just hit the infamous MRD year (for 401k/IRA) and we are really excited about trying a Windstar cruise (with sails)!

Can't think of a better use for your MRD. However have you figured a way to avoid the tax on the distribution?

OP here with another question.

If any of you have cruised with those who are 65+, can you tell me what type of activities (if any) you observed them participating in?

The reason I'm asking is because this cruise line seems to be geared more toward people who are very active rather than those who prefer doing nothing but relaxing.

I really appreciate all the helpful tips and friendly encouragement. Thanks!

OP here with another question.

 

If any of you have cruised with those who are 65+, can you tell me what type of activities (if any) you observed them participating in?

 

The reason I'm asking is because this cruise line seems to be geared more toward people who are very active rather than those who prefer doing nothing but relaxing.

 

I really appreciate all the helpful tips and friendly encouragement. Thanks!

Not in my 60's yet, but I can assure you that a couple 65+ will definitely not feel out of place. Lots of opportunity for relaxing - either in port or on deck. Same thing with activities; you can do as much or as little as you want in port or on an excursion.

Not in my 60's yet, but I can assure you that a couple 65+ will definitely not feel out of place. Lots of opportunity for relaxing - either in port or on deck. Same thing with activities; you can do as much or as little as you want in port or on an excursion.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It's great to know we can enjoy the ship and ports and just relax. :D