Star breeze delivers on every promise of casual elegance

From the moment we boarded, we like we were returning family, this was our sixth cruise with WS, our first on one of their new motor launches, so we weren’t sure what to expect, but Star Breeze delivers in the same manner as the sail-ships. The check-in process went smoothly. Andre, the ships Bar Manager made it easy for us to choose the Beverage package. Then it was straight to our Balcony Suite and what a lovely surprise, so spacious and our Cabin Steward, Adul, was there to take care of our immediate laundry/pressing needs. The sail away is always so special and gets everyone to come together at the Star Bar or bow of the ship.

Our families have always been close to the sea and might be considered sailing enthusiasts, in various locations like, the Royal Sydney, Vancouver, St Lawrence and Waikiki Yacht clubs. So what do yacht clubs and Windstar have in common? “yachties”, people with a sense of adventure. Brands are sometimes difficult to define. If you look closely, the most synonymous with sailing are Ralph Lauren Polo, Docksiders, and Veuve Clicquot, they all dove-tail nicely to Windstar, casual yet stylish, even iconic. What you get on board a Windstar vessel, be it motor launch or motorized-sailer, is a guest list of diverse, successful people, from all around the world, united in one common goal, to relax, explore, dream and discover unique itineraries and ports of call, at the same time wanting for nothing.

For those reading this and other WS Cruise Critic reviews, you’ll already be on the ‘I get it page’ that a Windstar cruise, is for it’s first time and returning guests, you are rather like being a member of a yacht club, where you mingle with fellow guests, with tanned faces, white linens, popped collars, topsiders and an easy going way about them. You are not on a massive floating hotel or even an expedition cruise, you are here to take it easy and at the same time be pampered.

Having done many other WS cruises on WIND SURF (As reviewed in my article, ‘Jewels of the Caribbean’ on two weeks back to back: “All these islands in the sun hold unique memories and history from discoveries past that make them what they are - a flavor for each which makes the Caribbean dance in harmony and yet with such diversity. Our ship strung these jewels of the Caribbean together, clasped by the Wind Surf alone, a precious gem wherever she may sail.”) & WIND STAR, (As reviewed in my ‘Dreams of Tahiti - Tropical Romance’...“for Tahiti is a place unique unto herself, like an unspoiled child, precious in her innocence, like the blessing of true love newly discovered – do Tahiti, for you shall find, tropical beauty and romance in abundance, especially seen from the deck of Wind Star.”)

This was our first on STAR BREEZE (well actually, we experienced her when she was a former Seabourn ship). Seabourn it could be argued, were the first to introduce white-glove luxury to cruising. Luxury can take on many different levels; it can be a pretentious lifestyle of the rich and famous, or it can be simply, casual and elegant - a Windstar cruise is the graceful equivalent and as they are fond of saying, “180 degrees from ordinary”. So what does all this mean for the first time WS guest? Extraordinary service, as WS encourages, all you have to do is ask and I did - I like a Bloody Caesar made with Clamato juice, which they didn’t have, but after our next port call voila! Andre brought me one the next day at the appointed hour. Excellent cuisine - They say you eat with your eyes first, it was like eating in a Five Star restaurant.I can’t speak highly enough about the Chef’s presentations at dinner in the Amaphora restaurant ( the curry lamb-pops, the beef wellington, the mushroom stuffed vol-au-vents and the light creamy chocolate souffle - all mouth wateringly delicious) Our wine steward, Rod proved very knowledgeable and paired our wines well with each mouth watering course. And at the Veranda for breakfast and lunch the choices were many. Chef’s one-time Indian buffet one day was so delicious, the chic-i-chic chicken with the naan bread down to the Major Grey’s Mango chutney, well let's just say the flavors literally took you on an Indian journey, the only thing missing was Ravi Shankar’s sitar music. We like to think of our cruises with WS, as our own private yacht vacation, with a familiar ‘family-like’ crew, taking us places to escape the rat race in today’s ever fast paced world.

Think for a moment about small boutique hotels (eg: Villa Rolandi - Isla Mujeres, Carl Gustav - St Barts, Chateau Eze, France - Hotel Danieli, Venice). Now think of your own small luxury floating Windstar ship - boutique hotel, taking you to any number of these exotic destinations around the world in the space of week or two. Bathed in one-on-one service at every turn, introducing you to different cultures up close and personal.

Our STAR BREEZE, Secrets of the Southern Caribbean, was no less than sublime in all categories of new ports of call, although we didn’t do many excursions, passengers who did, came back with stories to tell and seem to have had a great time. We did do the old city tour by horse drawn carriage in Cartegena, which we thoroughly enjoyed - what fascinating history, We discovered new found friends, from the US, Canada, Great Britain some of which we definitely keep in touch with. In summary, perhaps like BMW, which is hailed as the Ultimate Driving Machine, so to can we say WS is our ultimate cruise line. There are some legendary figures in life I have related to, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Ernest Hemingway. One author who captures my sentiments most closely, Mark Twain, who said it best, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”.

We can only add, treat yourself, give yourself permission and join the Windstar yacht club. We’re thinking our our next WS sojourn, Singapore and Thai Treasures. Like so many like & before us, you’ll soon discover why WS considers themselves to be in the magic moments business - perhaps you might like to consider them, your cultural Ambassador to the world, leaving a softer foot print wherever your Windstar cruise sails.

PS: A personal“Thank You” to crew who went above & beyond in making us feel extra special, Rod, Afrin, One, Noel, Abdul, F&B Mngr, Hubert & Executive Chef, Holvin

So eloquently and accurately written. We are anxiously awaiting our seventh WS cruise in March 2017. Each return is a homecoming.

In summary, perhaps like BMW, which is hailed as the Ultimate Driving Machine, so to can we say WS is our ultimate cruise line.

 

PS: A personal“Thank You” to crew who went above & beyond in making us feel extra special, Rod, Afrin, One, Noel, Abdul, F&B Mngr, Hubert & Executive Chef, Holvin

Wow - haunting lines, cpbw!

We had the same experience on the Star Breeze in September. Hubert and all the members of his team (service and cuisine) did an outstanding job - after this cruise, Windstar is our favourite cruise line, too! :)

PS: As a German, I particularly enjoyed reading the comparison with the BMW-engine ... ;)

Thank you, lovely to read. We were on the Breeze last year it was a terrific experience as well. We would pick and choose sail over motor for us the Caribbean screams sails and fulfilling dream in May to come out of Venice by sail but there are many motor yacht itineraries we look forward to. Thanks and Happy Sailing.

We were on the same sailing, and while we aren't part of the "popped collars and topsiders" set, we had a wonderful experience. We found many like-minded travelers who were on the ship because of the ports we were visiting, rather than the "Windstar experience." Some had been on Windstar before, but most of us were newbies. We all fell in love with the staff - they are all super friendly and seem happy to be aboard. You do get spoiled by the attention... our friend mentioned the first night that she really liked the lavash (a type of bread) with dinner, and they made sure it was on the table for her every night. We also really liked the small ship's ability to visit unusual ports like Bonaire (wonderful snorkeling) and Santa Marta (beautiful beaches in the national park).

Thanks Ridethetide - all the best on your next 7th WS cruise - its the only way to go;-)

Thanks Strenz - may you 2017 be filled with another WS adventure.

Thanks Jenhec - yes a WS cruise is our exclusive way to see the world - may you enjoy your next cruise with them.

Hello cpbw, Thank you for your very thoughtful review. Since you say you experienced the Star Breeze while it was Seabourn, could you comment of any differences you noticed in the type of product they deliver. I'm currently considering a cruise on the Star Legend (do you know if its similar to the Breeze?), and not having been previously been in Windstar I'm trying to assess if it would be something I would like. The smallest ship we've been on is the Seabourn Sojourn, followed by the Regent ships. None are as small as the Star ships. Thanks for any additional comments you may provide!

Hi Cruiseluv - Happy New Year. Yes the Star Pride Legend & Breeze are all former Seabourn ships built in 1989. WS as I eluded to in my review are more casual than Seabourn, but elegant t the same time. The ships have had multi-million $$$ up-grades, but perhaps more importantly, it's the crew that makes up for any old age issues. If you want, floor shows and the 'white-glove' treatment, you might find WS lacking, but if you enjoy a casual elegance with a warm friendly family-like service together with great food presentations amoung similar minded and a small number of cruisers on board, you will enjoy Windstar. Although we haven't done Sea Dream ships, you might do some research on them as well - either way BON VOYAGE!

We were on the same sailing, and while we aren't part of the "popped collars and topsiders" set, we had a wonderful experience. We found many like-minded travelers who were on the ship because of the ports we were visiting, rather than the "Windstar experience." Some had been on Windstar before, but most of us were newbies. We all fell in love with the staff - they are all super friendly and seem happy to be aboard. You do get spoiled by the attention... our friend mentioned the first night that she really liked the lavash (a type of bread) with dinner, and they made sure it was on the table for her every night. We also really liked the small ship's ability to visit unusual ports like Bonaire (wonderful snorkeling) and Santa Marta (beautiful beaches in the national park).

Also not of the "popped collars and topsiders" crowd. We thoroughly enjoyed our Rome to Barcelona sailing this past summer aboard the Breeze and thankfully found most passengers to be just regular folks. Hoping to encounter a similar clientele in a few months aboard the Legend.

BTW, the snorkeling you mention in Bonaire, was it at Klein Island? We found the coral and variety of sea critters to be spectacular but did encounter many jelly fish jolts/stings (but never saw one)!

Great info. I'm considering booking a transatlantic on the Breeze. Can you tell us more about the entertainment on board? I'm sure there's no big spectacle show as on the larger ships, but what can I expect to do after dinner in the evenings? Comedy? Singers? Musicians? DJs/dancing? Thank you.

Can't say about the Breeze, but just got off the Legend which had duo, called JS2 (Julie and Andy) in the evenings at the Star Bar who were nothing short of amazing really. Andy looks like Eric Clapton and plays as well, not joking. They had the place dancing every night as there was a group of say 20 of us in our 40's and 50's who were up on deck until midnight wanting encores from Andy ( can you believe they played a full blown rock version of Sweet Child of Mine by Gun's & Roses or Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd... on Windstar). The place was rocking. The crew had never seen this and they were dancing along with the guests. I guess they had the right crowd on this particular sailing.

They will be on the Legend til the crossing in April then I believe they go to Princess cruise in the summer on a previously booked contract but they are back on the Legend for the repositioning and Asian section and Alaska I think. If you can, don,t miss them. They go from jazz to ballads to rock and roll and blues and have a very wide repertoire. You ask and they play.

Have fun, we surely did

We will be on the star breeze in April

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Thank you, Misty. Turns out I'm now booked on Legend, not Breeze. I'm really looking forward to it.