The world's largest fleet of tall ships evolved from a modest beginning -- a single 19-foot sloop, The Hangover, on which legendary company founder Mike Burke sailed his friends from South Florida to the Bahamas. Each Windjammer ship is unique and has a distinctive pedigree. Rescued from the scrappers when no one else recognized their potential, each vessel has been carefully renovated to sail the far reaches of the Caribbean and anchor in pristine waters where traditional cruise ships can't go.

Windjammer offers as much a state of mind as a cruise. Jammers, as passengers are called, view themselves as cut from the same cloth as the infamous Cap'n' Mike Burke -- adventurous and irreverent. As soon as you are on board, you are a Jammer. You may find your heart swelling with the buccaneer spirit in the time it takes the wind to fill the sails of you tall ship.

Not quite as wild and crazy as in years past, Windjammer cruises are still about as unconventional as you can get and still be cruising. Instead of a cruise director and social staff, an activities mate is on hand to assist you with things to do ashore and to lead the merriment on board. Even the ships' captains wear shorts and go barefoot. You might also find that your itinerary is relatively flexible depending on the wind and weather.

Barefoot cruising days officially begin with Bloody Marys on deck during story time, when the captain holds a briefing to share island information, lore, and tall tales laced with good-natured humor. From that point on, you're on your own and free to do what you please at any time (and within reason), both on board and ashore.

Many passengers join the crew to work the sails and for some laid-back nautical games like crab-racing contests and masquerading as pirates. Swizzle time comes late every afternoon when passengers need no encouragement to show up for their daily complimentary ration of grog and finger food. Don't be surprised if that pretty woman at the costume party turns out to be your ship's captain in drag.

Local bands come on board in some ports for dancing to island music. Unfortunately, they often have to pack up early when the ships are ready to sail. If your ship happens to stay late or overnight in port, you're free to dine ashore or join crew members in one of their favorite watering holes.

SV Legacy is the only ship in the fleet that has passed the stringent United States Coast Guard inspection and, as a result, is the only Windjammer ship that schedules cruises from the U.S. mainland. All ships comply with international safety standards; only SV Legacy also complies with 1966 fire-safety standards.

Food

Plentiful and filling, food is acceptable and sometimes excellent, but the easy camaraderie is the focus of meal times. Pastries and coffee are available on deck at sunrise before breakfast is served in the dining salon. Buffet lunches are set up on deck, weather permitting, and sit-down dinners consist of salads, a choice between two entrées, side dishes, desserts, and free-flowing white and red table wines at no charge. Vegetarian and health-conscious meals are available upon request. When the weather cooperates, there's usually one dinner barbeque on deck, and afternoon beach picnics are held on certain islands.

There is no room service on any of the ships, but if you are feeling under the weather, the cook might take pity on you and send a bowl of soup to you cabin.

Fitness & Recreation

These are not frou-frou ships (translation: big, white, conventional cruise liners) and have no gyms, spas, or salons. Serious exercise is stair-climbing (translation: don't expect elevators, either) and swimming, either at the beaches or sometimes right from the ship (translation: no swimming pools or hot tubs). For more vigorous workouts, soft-adventure shore excursions feature activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Leave your own gear at home -- a mask, snorkel, and fins can be rented for $25 a week.

Your Shipmates

Active, unpretentious, adventurous singles, couples, and families of all ages are likely to be your mates on a Windjammer tall ship. Singles-only theme cruises guarantee a balance between the sexes, but you have to arrange your own romance.

These are not ships for physically challenged travelers; there are no elevators, ramps, cabins, or bathrooms with wheelchair accessibility. Shore launches can be difficult to navigate.

Dress Code

Dress is always casual, all the time. Shorts and T-shirts are the order of the day and night. Barefooting is taken seriously, and anyone dressing to impress just might be forced to walk the plank. According to Windjammer regulars, "If you have to check a bag at the airport, you've packed too much." You may want to get a pedicure before leaving home, but leave your flip-flops behind. Bare feet are preferred on board for safety reasons. Plan appropriately for activities such as hiking, when you will need sturdy shoes, or dinner ashore when men should respectfully wear long pants and women usually wear sundresses or slacks and top. Save your clean T-shirt for the captain's party. That's as close as you'll get to a formal night on board a Windjammer ship.

Junior Cruisers

In summer months there are water-sports programs for children and teens sailing on Legacy and Polynesia (a maximum of 20 children per ship). Counselors keep an eye on kids from ages 6 through 12 in the Junior Jammers program as they learn to snorkel (providing they can swim) and participate in games, skits, scavenger hunts, and even take a turn at the ship's helm.

In the Cadet Sailing program for teens 13 through 17, activities include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and hiking, as well as Caribbean cultural experiences and tall ship sailing instructions.

Service

Service is easy-going, friendly, and carried out in the warm "no problem, mon" air of the Caribbean islands that most crew members call home. You'll likely feel as if you are a member of the extended family by the end of the cruise.

Tipping

Gratuities are optional, but you may extend them the last day of the cruise, either in cash, which should be placed in an envelope and deposited in a designated box, or by charging them to your account. The recommended amount is $75 per passenger, per week. All tips are pooled and shared by the entire crew, with the exception of officers.

Past Passengers

For a $25 membership fee, past passengers receive the Windjammer Barefoot Cruises newsletter, notice of special discounts, and a $25 discount for booking two sailings back-to-back.

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. Box 190120 Miami, FL 33119-0120
Phone: 305/672-6453 or 800/327-2601
www.windjammer.com