The World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line
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The main fine dining restaurant, Amphora, located on deck 3 received a complete new redesign. Dinner reservations are not necessary, the dining room manager seats guests wherever they like. There are no pre-assigned tables or first or second seatings. The elegant, yet contemporary room features mirror panels with Murano glass, soft lighting, and wall coverings. The menu offers three course dinners composed of local foods. Perhaps you might want to start with roasted eggplant and garlic soup, followed by grilled ahi tuna with Asian vegetables and a ginger pink peppercorn sauce.
Transfers / Pre & Post Cruise Services
The ships are relatively small, with the Wind Surf having a capacity for about 300 passengers, and the others about 150. Star Pride carries up to 212 passengers in 106 suites as well as sister ships Star Legend and Star Breeze. On the sailing ships, the top deck will always be packed if the sails are scheduled to be unfurled. The line does have a robust partnership with the James Beard Foundation, with culinary demonstrations on every sailing that give passengers access to chef secrets.
About Windstar Cruises
For the most part, WIndstar's lineup of Caribbean cruises is focused on round-trip, seven-night sailings out of St. Martin or Barbados. The trips begin and end in Reykjavik, Iceland's main city and capital. The ship will sail in a counterclockwise direction around the country with stops at some of Iceland's most remote areas. It's a chance to see the full range of Iceland's famously striking geothermal fields of geysers and fumaroles, mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls without having to navigate the ring road that circles the country.
Windstar Cruises to Add Two New Ships to Fleet - Cruiseline.com
Windstar Cruises to Add Two New Ships to Fleet.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:50:56 GMT [source]
Small Cruise Yachts
It typically has two of its six vessels operating such journeys in winter — one sailing ship and one motor ship. In addition to Caribbean trips, Windstar is known for a large number of sailings that begin in the Caribbean and end in the Pacific, or vice versa — voyages that involve a transit between the two regions via the Panama Canal. In addition, the line also sometimes offers Caribbean sailings out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with calls in St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin), Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and the Grenadines. For 2024, Windstar's two main vessels in the Caribbean will be the 312-passenger Star Pride, a motor-powered vessel, and the 342-passenger Wind Surf, a sailing vessel. One other Windstar sailing ship, the 148-passenger Wind Spirit, will also make an occasional appearance in the region. As is typical for French Polynesian trips, whether on land or water, days are spent exploring sandy tropical beaches, swimming and snorkeling in ridiculously clear water and visiting cultural attractions.
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The exceptional onboard cruise band performs nightly and covers a large repertoire of musical favorites from jazz, rock, top 40, to broadway hits. You’ll find them in the Lounge on deck 5 most nights or occasionally performing outside on deck 8. You may even find band members playing a game of corn hole with guests on the pool deck during the day. Three elevator locations set forward, midway, and aft—plus stairwells—offer quick access to decks.
Environmental operational upgrades to the ship include new efficient engines, generators and advanced wastewater treatment systems. The trips all are one-way, starting in either Aruba in the Caribbean or the port of Balboa on the Pacific side of Panama. The redeployment more than doubles Windstar's capacity in the region, a sign of just how popular these trips have become.
For many years, Windstar has used one of its sailing ships, the 148-passenger Wind Spirit, for its French Polynesia sailings. But in early 2024, it replaced that vessel in the region with one of its bigger motor-powered vessels, the 312-passenger Star Breeze. And while other cruise brands including Ponant and Scenic Luxury Cruises have since followed Windstar in offering voyages that take in every corner of Iceland, Windstar remains one of the biggest players in the market with regular summer sailings.
The general shipboard style is elegant, but relaxed including jeans and Bermuda/ walking shorts.In the evening - after 6 pm when dining in Amphora, Stella Bistro or Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, the dress code is country club-type clothing. For men - nice slacks, polo shirts, button down shirts, shoes other than athletic shoes. Designer denim jeans without rips or holes or are multi-colored are also acceptable. For women - nice pants, skirts, tops, casual dresses, sundresses, nice sandals or casual shoes and designer denim dress jeans not ripped or multi-colored or having holes. Blazers are optional.No assigned seating in Amphora or Veranda restaurants.
Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs
Windstar Cruises acquiring two Mystic Invest ships, one a newbuild - Seatrade Cruise News
Windstar Cruises acquiring two Mystic Invest ships, one a newbuild.
Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
In the evening, passengers will chat in the main lounge, and while a house band might play for a little while, most cruisers get to bed early to take advantage of a full day in port the next day. You can slip past the crowds to discover smaller ports and get to know the local culture on more intimate excursions. Windstar's 148 to 342-guest small ships and personalized approach bring you closer to each destination and every port, so you can see the world from new perspectives. We offer two different yacht styles — the iconic sailing Wind Class and all-suite Star Plus Class — with custom-crafted journeys that highlight their unique attributes, whether island-hopping in Tahiti or cruising the Norwegian fjords.
For those seeking a quiet evening, the Compass Rose on deck 6 offers nightly piano music after dinner. Or another option to consider is enjoying a “game night” in the Yacht Club Cafe and Library on deck 8. It’s a welcoming space with plenty of club seating with cocktail table settings lining the panoramic windows. Plus, there are separate areas set with large tables to work on puzzles, view the extensive map collection or play board or card games. The center area offers multiple shelves of books for readers to peruse from travel guides, novels to non-fiction titles. Star Pride can access places where other ships can’t from the sunny Mediterranean to Northern Europe’s glaciated waters.
To start, the 148-guest Wind Star has just completed its initial, phase-one refurbishment. Among its updates are an expanded lobby with more reception space, additional seating and extra room for retail. The daytime relaxation and evening entertainment lounge has also received a new layout that’s “meant to foster connections between people with a living room-like ambiance,” according to the line. (This includes fresh furnishings, lighting and other finishes). “Our sailing ships are beloved by Windstar guests,” said Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar. “Being on the ship under sail is unforgettable, and brings an element of freedom and romance to every voyage."
In the winter, at least two and sometimes three Windstar vessels will move to the warm waters of the Caribbean, another area of focus. In addition to classic Caribbean sailings, those vessels also often do sailings through the Panama Canal, another specialty of the line. Windstar also typically deploys at least one of its vessels year-round to Tahiti for sailings around the islands of French Polynesia. Among all the Windstar cruise destinations, Europe might be the most popular.
IF YOU COULD DESIGN THE PERFECT ISLAND itinerary it would look a lot like these. Ports of call would include tiny towns and hidden harbors known only to private yachts and small ships like ours. Schedules would allow for dropping the Watersports Platform in turquoise bays and raising sails on the way to your next island rendezvous. And the laid-back island vibe would continue on board with a mouthwatering Signature Onboard Barbecue by the pool. Best of all, on every cruise there would be one day that was even more special than the rest, when you land on a secluded beach for Windstar’s Signature Beach Party, elaborate buffet and watersports included. Windstar added more to its spa and fitness offerings during the renovation, expanding the space on deck 7.
And spend relaxing days on deserted islands, in Japanese gardens, or cruising stunning fjords and canals. It’s the kind of education and perspective you can only get from travel. And it’s the kind of travel you can only get from a private yacht-style cruise on Windstar.
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