Windstar propels onward — with or without sails
While there’s been lots of buzz about big cruise ships as of late, it’s not just the gargantuan floating palaces of the sea that offer a wonderful cruise experience. In fact, I’d argue that most of the cruisers I meet (myself included) count small ships among their favourite cruise experiences. And one of my favourite small-ship lines is Windstar Cruises (cruise. center/windstar).
Based out of Seattle, Windstar has a fleet of three unique ships. Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf are all known as “motor-shipyachts” thanks to their masts of billowing white sails, but decidedly cruise-like on-board amenities. Of the three, Wind Surf is the biggest, with a capacity for 310 guests. Wind Star and Wind Spirit are smaller; these identical sisterships carry just 148 guests apiece.
Windstar also has three “power yachts” — small, luxury cruise ships that the line recently acquired from Seabourn. Known as Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride, these ships have just 212 guests and no sails — but what they lack in sail power, they make up for in terms of lavish accommodations. Suites are, on average, larger aboard these power yachts, which longtime cruisers might remember better under their former names of Seabourn Legend, Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Spirit.
Cruising with Windstar is a very special experience. I’ve done voyages now through the Baltic and the Mediterranean on the company’s sailing ships, and to the Panama Canal aboard Star Breeze, and I’ve found plenty of things to like about the line — most notably, their superb service, excellent food and interesting itineraries.
There’s one other thing that I love about Windstar Cruises: the sail-away ceremony.
Upon departure from every port, the Vangelis theme to the movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise is played over the ship’s public address speakers. As this dramatic music reaches its crescendo, the sails on the sailing ships are raised up, left to billow in the breeze and, frequently, reflect the amber hues of the setting sun.
On the sail-less power yachts like Star Breeze, a dramatic flagraising ceremony above the pool deck is featured, along with the familiar soundtrack. I’ve seen many a guest tear up on the last departure as this music is played, and it makes for a truly memorable on-board experience.
Right now, Windstar offers cruises to the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltics, Tahiti, and special transoceanic crossings that can be a lot of fun. Next year, Windstar is going even further by offering itineraries throughout Asia and Arabia, with power yacht Star Legend offering several itineraries that explore China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines, among others.
Personally, I can’t tell which Windstar ships I like the best. Wind Star and Wind Spirit are gorgeous sailing ships, with nautically designed cabins (all of which are oceanview) and warm, intimate public lounges that will make you feel like you’re on your own personal yacht. They’re also so spacious that you’re likely to wonder where everyone else is.
The power yachts are a bit of a step up. Though they lack sails, they offer more of a “big ship feel,” if you can say that about a ship that barely holds more than 200 guests. These ships have multiple bars and lounges, more open deck space, and a soaring atrium that rises throughout the ship, topped by a skylight on the pool deck. What they lack in sail power, they make up for in amenities: some staterooms and suites aboard these ships feature French balconies, and all staterooms are large enough to include a separate sitting area, walk-in closets, and marble-clad bathrooms.
Windstar also offers a selection of complimentary Private Events in certain ports of call that are exclusive to the line’s guests.
“We are excited to continue expanding our curated Private Events program in 2017 with over-the-top cultural and culinary events offered complimentary on every cruise. We also have more overnights and late-night stays giving guests more time in Bora Bora, Bordeaux, Monte Carlo, Portofino, and St. Petersburg to name a few,” said Joe Duckett, Windstar Cruises vice-president of sales and marketing.