Advice - Windstar Wind Surf Classic Caribbean or Yachtsman Caribbean

Hi there,

My fiance and I are looking to take a cruise on a Windstar cruise in Jan 2015 as our honeymoon. I've cruised before (about 10 times, all on big ships) and he's never been to the caribbean. Does anyone have any advice on the Classic Caribbean Itinerary (Philipsburg, Barbuda, Roseau, Pigeon Island, Les Saints, Basseterre, Nevis, St. Barths) vs. the Yachtsman Caribbean itinerary (Philipsburg, Falmouth Harbor, Soper's Hole, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Gustavia, Philipsburg)? I've only been to Philipsburg so all of these places are new for me.

Any opinions/advice are greatly appreciated.

Also, does the Wind Surf have a casino?

Lastly, I tend to get sea sick sometimes, any suggestions on where on the ship we should book our room?

Thanks in advance!

I have done both and each is great. What you have to appreciate is that Windsurf is totally different from the big ships. Don't bother with excursions unless you need a snorkel trip, plan on spending days at the beach, wandering a town briefly and just relaxing. Plan on spending time swimming off the swim deck. No need to rush to meals, or book meals. And buffets are civilized, not food jamming experiences like on the big ships. No big shopping experiences and the ship isn't interested in duty free ports, art auctions, photo nights, etc. All very adult. Plan on walking or taking a cab to a beach and that is the life on Windsurf. Our favourites--Des Saints, Jost van Dyke for beaches. We took a day room at the Marriott in Bass Terre, and you can do the same at the Westin in St. Maarten. Took a cab to Turner beach in Falmouth. The Baths in Virgin Gorda was the only tour we took because it is not easily accessible. Like I say, and it is hard to understand after the big ships but slow down. No need to grab cots on the deck, get it lines, endure loud music at the pool, etc. As for sea sick, take a kid's Gravol to settle yourself if you really feel the need but the only time it affected my wife was one sea day when it was rocking a bit. Otherwise, no problem. Yes there is a casino--small but it will give you a fix if you need it. Enjoy it and if you do one this year, you will do the other next time. You will be back.

If you get seasick I would book Yachtsman's Caribbean. We did both cruises back to back last year, and it was significantly smoother than the other one.

We just did Yachtsman's Caribbean last week. First night was rocky because of bad weather. Even on big ship you could not escape it. Deck one seems to be a favorite for people subject to seasickness but I am not sure about this. I do not think that 10 feet will make a difference. On deck 1, in case of heavy seas, wave goes above the porthole (washing machine effect:D). Deck 2 middle would be my choice.

On our first night we both had a Gravol but none for the rest of the week. What is nice about Yachtman's Caribbean is that the ship is anchored on 3 nights so you can go out and enjoy yourself ashore. Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke and Bitter End Yacht club come to mind. Great fun and you will see many crew members enjoying themself after working long hours. (and you have free wifi :))

I never been on the bigger ship ship so my observation are personnal.

Get wrist bands and go to the Soggy Dollar!

We just did Yachtsman's Caribbean last week. First night was rocky because of bad weather. Even on big ship you could not escape it. Deck one seems to be a favorite for people subject to seasickness but I am not sure about this. I do not think that 10 feet will make a difference. On deck 1, in case of heavy seas, wave goes above the porthole (washing machine effect:D). Deck 2 middle would be my choice.

 

On our first night we both had a Gravol but none for the rest of the week. What is nice about Yachtman's Caribbean is that the ship is anchored on 3 nights so you can go out and enjoy yourself ashore. Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke and Bitter End Yacht club come to mind. Great fun and you will see many crew members enjoying themself after working long hours. (and you have free wifi :))

 

I never been on the bigger ship ship so my observation are personnal.

Is Captain Alan McAry still at the helm? Looking forward to a review of the cruise if you are planning to post one!

Yes ,for now , but he's going to the Pride.

Going to the Pride this year but going home for awhile before taking the helm. Great guy!

Going to the Pride this year but going home for awhile before taking the helm. Great guy!

Does anyone know who will be Captain when we are aboard the Surf January 4th?

We just did Yachtsman's Caribbean last week. First night was rocky because of bad weather. Even on big ship you could not escape it. Deck one seems to be a favorite for people subject to seasickness but I am not sure about this. I do not think that 10 feet will make a difference. On deck 1, in case of heavy seas, wave goes above the porthole (washing machine effect:D). Deck 2 middle would be my choice.

 

On our first night we both had a Gravol but none for the rest of the week. What is nice about Yachtman's Caribbean is that the ship is anchored on 3 nights so you can go out and enjoy yourself ashore. Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke and Bitter End Yacht club come to mind. Great fun and you will see many crew members enjoying themself after working long hours. (and you have free wifi :))

 

I never been on the bigger ship ship so my observation are personnal.

Dandee-did you overnight on ST Maarten? Just wondering what sort of adaptors we will need. Also-we need to kill the better part of a day before our flight home saturday at the end of the cruise. Do you know of anyone who did the post-cruise excursion with transfer to the airport?

Dandee-did you overnight on ST Maarten? Just wondering what sort of adaptors we will need. Also-we need to kill the better part of a day before our flight home saturday at the end of the cruise. Do you know of anyone who did the post-cruise excursion with transfer to the airport?

We stayed 2 nights pre-cruise at Holland House ( we loved it!). American style outlet in the room. On the Wind Surf there were the american and European style outlet in the cabin. No need for converter.

I do not know of anyone who used the post-cruise excursion. What time does your plane leave? This year we stayed 2 nights post-cruise at the Sonesta Maho. Last year our plane left on the Saturday so we spent the morning at the Sunset Bar & Grill near the airport to watch the plane land. Great fun if you are in that sort of thing (and we brought our luggage to the bar-many people do).

we took a day room at the Westin. Quick cab from the port and easy from there to the airport. Very civilized-pool, lunch by the ocear, good shower and off to the airport.

Thank you- great tip!

Hi there,

 

My fiance and I are looking to take a cruise on a Windstar cruise in Jan 2015 as our honeymoon. I've cruised before (about 10 times, all on big ships) and he's never been to the caribbean. Does anyone have any advice on the Classic Caribbean Itinerary (Philipsburg, Barbuda, Roseau, Pigeon Island, Les Saints, Basseterre, Nevis, St. Barths) vs. the Yachtsman Caribbean itinerary (Philipsburg, Falmouth Harbor, Soper's Hole, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Gustavia, Philipsburg)? I've only been to Philipsburg so all of these places are new for me.

 

Any opinions/advice are greatly appreciated.

Also, does the Wind Surf have a casino?

 

Lastly, I tend to get sea sick sometimes, any suggestions on where on the ship we should book our room?

 

Thanks in advance!

Go with Yachtsman. We sailed on the Wind Spirit through the BVI and just got back from Wind Star Barbados and the sailing through the BVI was not as rocky. The Wind Surf is larger and will handle rough seas better. Go to Jost Van Dyke and the Soggy Dollar or Ivan's and have a Painkiller. It solves all sea sickness.

Does anyone know who will be Captain when we are aboard the Surf January 4th?

Peter Harris is the Captain on the Surf until March.

Just off the Surf and got to know the Captain-he is great! Very personable and a big American Football Fan(49ers)! He did a great job of mixing and mingling with passengers whenever he could. We also had the pleasure of having dinner with him for my husband's 60th birthday and it was lovely.

Thank you everyone for all your advice, even the hotels where to stay. We are definitely thinking the Yachtsman. When do you advise booking for a Jan 2015 sailing?

Happy Cruising!

We dropped our luggage off at the airport at 10:30 in SXM and spent the rest of the time at the Sunset Bar and Grill too, and went back to airport around 2p for our 3:45 flight.

Rented 2 loungers and umbrella and had lunch before returning to airport. Wonderful!

So I know it's been a year since this post but I was wondering if the author went and which cruise they chose? We are looking at both of these for January 2016 and am leaning towards the Classic Caribbean since it goes to islands that seem to have just a wee bit more to do. I love the beach but love to sight see as well.

So I know it's been a year since this post but I was wondering if the author went and which cruise they chose? We are looking at both of these for January 2016 and am leaning towards the Classic Caribbean since it goes to islands that seem to have just a wee bit more to do. I love the beach but love to sight see as well.

Yeaaaaaahhhhhh.... just got off the boat (litterally) yesterday from this cruise.

Although it was my very first cruise of any kind, I have traveled the world extensively and have lived overseas in various countries about 1/2 of my adult life, so I've been around a little.

The cruise itself was fantastic! Boat is clean and orderly, food is absolutely over the top and there are no lines; more like fine dining even in the most casual of their settings. There is a breakfast buffet, but you can also order from a breakfast menu, or even ask for just about anything you want. When you board make a reservation at the Stella Bistro and don't forget to make more later on as there is no restriction after everyone has a chance to sign up. Even the AmphorA is really on par with fine restaurants.

Don't bother with the alcohol plan - to make it worth your while you'd have to stay drunk all the time - just not for us as beer & wine are very reasonably priced even with gratuities included (15%).

Do get the laundry plan and travel lightly!

The on board gift store has all necessary items such that you might as far as hair care, tooth paste, etc. There is shampoo, rinse, soap, hand cream provided.

Didn't use the casino. On board entertainment is basically talent night from the crew; not Vegas, but not bad.

Anyhow, the crew is great, the guest list is small (Wind Surf was 300) and we were amazed that at any one time we only saw about 30-40 people in one place at a time - you'll really feel exclusive!

BUT!!! The ports and excursions basically blew. I'm sorry. We stopped the first morning at a sand bar for beach going and were sandblasted so badly we tendered back to to boat. Remaining days ports made you feel like you were conducting third world refugee care. Unfortunately very depressed areas. However, the last port on St. Barts was so far the other direction you felt like you were on the French Riviera! Opulent and over the top! Huge yatchs, dining, shopping, lovely beaches adorned with European bathers.

Anyhow, that's my take. Would I do that cruise again = NO, would I cruise Windstar again = Absolutely!!!!!

Did I mention there were only 4 kids on the boat?

Get wrist bands and go to the Soggy Dollar!

One of the reasons we booked on the Jan 16, 2016 Yachtsman's Caribbean was to get back to the Soggy Dollar. Last time we were there was on an excursion from a big ship, but as a sailor (27' Newport, nothing special), I've always wanted to go there. As we boarded the catamaran for return, a woman on the beach was crying because she had too many painkillers to swim back to the sailboat. We jumped back in and dragged her out. It was great fun! Can't wait to get back!

All great answers and we would agree having done both. Without question our favorite beach is soggy dollar and it never gets old. We have gone at least a half a dozen times over the past 10 years and find that the crowds only get heavier and would recommend that you go as early as you can 10ish. We were just at soggy dollar in March and wow was the place packed. We got onto the beach early and enjoyed about an hour and a half of pure beach bliss before it was wall to wall people.

We just booked the Yachtsmen cruise for 1/2/16, since we wanted a beachy cruise.

At JVD, on our last cruise, we bypassed the Soggy Dollar and walked down to the One Love Beach Bar, which was less crowded at that time. By early afternoon, the beach was really crowded, and all the anchor ropes from the private boats, made it difficult to even wade on the beach. Said, I would never go back there in January- but now I am.