Betty Ann

Left Lisbon Nov 14 for 14 day, non stop cruise to Barbados. Everything was great! Only 130 passengers (max 320), so lots of choice on deck chairs. In the middle of the Atlantic we came upon a woman from Scotland who was (still is) rowing from the Canary Islands to Barbados! This is not the woman who just arrived in Guadeloupe. The ship put out a tender and sent two canisters with fresh food, books, champagne, toilet paper etc., to her. All the Wind Surf passengers were on deck yelling and waving and taking pictures and videos of her. And she was doing the same to us! It was thrilling. She is expected to arrive in Barbados around Christmas. Her web site is oceanrowing.com. Sorry for the digression - if I can answer any specific questions on Wind Surf, I'll be happy to.

elaine

Betty Ann, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the great post!...think you may have replied to my Wind Surf questions earlier. Early March we are cruising Barbados/Barbados...are flying one day prior [staying at Accra]. Our cabin is #332. Our first Windstar cruise. We disembark early for 9am flight. <BR>How were those 40 steps on/off the ship? <BR>Do you have specific packing tips? <BR>Did you enjoy your cruise? <BR>Thanks in advance for any enlightenment! <BR>PS -- Is the gal from Scotland rowing solo?

Betty Ann

Hi Elaine, We LOVED the cruise! It was almost a reunion at the port in Lisbon. Several people who were on last year's cruise (Lisbon - St Thomas)were also on this one. We have met people who have done as many as 8 trans Atlantic crossings on one or another of the Windstar ships! <BR> <BR>On to specifics. The food, of course, is great. For breakfast and lunch we could go to the buffet and/or order from the menu. You can sit either inside or out on deck. Very early breakfast is also served in the Compass Rose lounge. My husband usually had coffe there while he and some other men solved the problems of the world and then he would meet me in the Veranda about eight o'clock for breakfast. Dinner is served in the Restaurant and in the Bistro. Depending on the passenger load, you may be restricted to eating in the Bistro only twice. Because we had less than 50% capacity, we were able to eat there any time. We ate there about half the time. You make a reservation at the reception area in the AM of the day you want to eat in the Bistro. You can check the menus for both dining rooms before you make your choice. As you would expect, it seemed that food was being served all day and evening! The service was excellent. (Keep in mind that we had 130 passengers and 190 crew!) <BR> <BR>The fitness center looked like it had a lot of decent equipment. You can tell I spent my time reading and eating, not working out. <BR> <BR>The spa was pretty good, not quite as luxurious as the brochure would have you believe. I had four massages. Alanna was very good and I heard excellent reports on Mats. Wendy was NOT good. If you want spa services, especially massages, try to make arrangements as soon as you can. Alanna told me that they were almost totally booked for the two weeks following our cruise! <BR> <BR>We had to deal with those 40 steps only at the beginning and at the end of our cruise. The steps are closer together than normal steps and they are at a comfortable angle so it wasn't a problem. <BR> <BR>The first few days of our cruise were cool, we left Lisbon on Nov 14th. When it warmed up I lived in a bathing suit and put on a pareo (sp?) to go to breakfast and lunch. Regardless of the time of year I travel, I am always more comfortable in long skirts and dresses. I find them more flexible than shorts/pants/jeans. In warm/hot weather they are cooler and you can throw on a lightweight blazer style jacket or scarf and go to dinner. <BR> <BR>You won't need a lot of clothes. We took less this year than last and would take even less on another trip. The ship has fast, excellent laundry service. There is a clothes line in the shower for things you want to hand wash. The hairdryer in the bathroom is fine if your hair is not long or thick. The cabin has more closet, drawer and cupboard space than you will ever need for a week's cruise. As soon as we board, I send my husband to tour the ship while I unpack (shove your empty suitcases under the bed). An advantage to unpacking right away is that if you need extra hangers, your steward will still have some. <BR> <BR>The lady rower is a 55 year old opthamologist from Scotland. Yes, she is alone. My understanding is that she and the other solo woman rower left the Canary Islands in the middle of Sept. I don't know why the woman we saw is taking longer. I can't even imagine an undertaking of this magnitude! <BR> <BR>If I've forgotten anything, let me know. Looking back on this, I may have given you more info than you ever wanted to know! <BR>

elaine

Betty Ann, <BR> <BR>What a great reply!...have printed it out. Think our sailing is full and I believe alternative dining only 'every other' evening. Thanks for the 'step' info, as someone mentioned this was unpleasant. <BR>Re: spa...do you suggest I book prior to sailing [and thanks for personal report on staff], as my husband and I do like message at least once. Delighted so much storage in cabin...hopefully we will not overpack and I also like long skirts/dresses which can be layered if necessary. <BR>Will pass on Fitness Center info...my husband will be pleased. <BR>While I know there are no verandahs on Wind Surf...wonder if we will miss this as we have had verandah on all past sailings. Good friends decided to joing us at last minute. <BR>Where did you stay in Barbados? <BR> <BR>How's the Scottish rower? Cannot believe taking on such a daunting trek! <BR> <BR>Happy Holidays and thanks for your personal observations re: Wind Surf!

Betty Ann

Hi Elaine, <BR> <BR>Massage - Contact either your travel agent or Windstar direct ASAP to make spa appointments. <BR> <BR>Barbados - Island Inn Hotel booked by our local travel agent. I don't know why I did that, I have always booked our own. Anyway, we checked in and checked OUT 15 minutes later. We remembered the name of a hotel where other passengers were staying so we moved there. VERY INEXPENSIVE. Asta Beach Hotel - I would never have made a reservation there if I didn't know other people who were staying there. From the price quoted on the phone I thought it must be a dump. Only $95 for a beach front "junior studio" (king bed, table and chairs and full kitchen, decent sized balcony with comfortable loungers overlooking the ocean). Granted it wasn't luxurious but it was fine. We checked in at 9AM Sun and out at noon on Mon so we wanted a location that was walkable. We took a tour of the island by taxi on Sun and really enjoyed it, especially the MUCH less inhabited east coast. <BR> <BR>Rower - Have discovered from her web site that she is from Norway not Scotland. When you're on a ship for 2 weeks the rumor mill runs amok! You can check her site at oceanrowing.com. Her name is Diana (don't remember/can't spell(?) last name). <BR> <BR>Ireland - Yes Ireland! Just saw your posting on Dunraven (hotel/castle?). I think 2000 is our year for the British Isles. Looking forward to chatting with you about it. <BR> <BR>Happy Holidays from North Carloina!

elaine

Betty Ann, <BR> <BR>Thanks for advising spa services to be made in advance. Very helpful advice. <BR>Appreciate Barbados accomodation info. We are currently booked at Accra for night prior to cruise. Am debating whether to keep or book something less expensive [however, it is my husband's birthday]. <BR>Re: Ireland! Oh my gosh, if you are serious about this, post on Fodor's Europe [or if you have aol...they have a wonderful Ireland board]. <BR>Hoping Diana from Norway reaches land prior to the New Year! <BR>Happy Holidays from Philadelphia!

Betty Ann

Elaine, <BR> <BR>Can I blame my typo/misspelling of North Carolina on the fact that we are newcomers? How embarrassing! <BR> <BR>Was that your post I read, about Dunraven, on the Europe forum? We are trying to decide between Thailand and the UK for next year. Thanks.

elaine

Betty Ann, <BR> <BR>Indeed...that was my post re: Dunraven Arms and Ireland on Fodors Europe. <BR>Have a 'ton' of info if you need for your research! One of our favorite vacations ever...and we plan on returning. Post on Fodors Europe...I read it frequently.