As to cruise ships, I like small
 

We have done the Windstar several times and loved the cosy feeling, the superb service, exquisite cusine, etc., and now we are booked on the Windsurf. Do any of you Windstar types care to share your observations, comparisons regarding the two ship. Will the Windsurt feel too big? Will we meet folks just the same? Will we feel like we are truly sailing?

Aurelia-<BR>The WINDSURF is FABULOUS!!! only 330 passengers--2 restaurants- a larger casino ( only 8 tables total - so it is NOT a huge casino) - a wonderful small lounge that has a great combo that can play anything....<BR><BR>It has the Same type folks- upscale casual.. and YES-you definitely will feel like you are sailing..<BR><BR>We floated out of ROME with the sails up and they were up the entire cruise thru the Med.....<BR><BR>It was just the right number of passengers for us and we liked the option of the Grill Room on the top deck-you will need to make reservations for that restaurant--do it the first day of the cruise...It is a much smaller restaurant than the regular one on the ship---<BR><BR>Also, the best place to sit in the regular restaurant is about 4 tables in on the right side of the ship---<BR>Do NOT let them put you in the front (bulkhead) of the ship as you feel way more movement up there)....<BR><BR>The watersports area is the same as Windstar.....<BR><BR>I LOVED the ship--Which cruise are you doing on her...????

we are going to Barbados, sail the Carrib. for 7 days, then take the trans-Atlantic to Portugal. So I had better like the ship...we will be well acquainted by the. Have done the Windstar twice and knew everyone well by cruise end...met several wonderful people. Unfortunately, they don't live in our area, but who knows?

Aurelia-<BR><BR>You will have a blast!!! The water sports are way more usable in the Caribbean than in the MED-- as people were much more busy sightseeing that spending time in the water..<BR><BR>The ship is not huge by a long shot- and by hanging out in the lounge prior to dinner ,you should end up meeting everyone!<BR><BR>The ship has a happy hour where they put out hor douerves ever nite in the bar lounge-( which is in the center of the ship)--just hang out there and you will meet people.....<BR><BR>The pool area is small ( by large ship standards) and we found the deck hands sort of disappeared when we were there ( but again- I was on deck in MONACO-while 90 % of the people were off the ship sightseeing) ,so it is not a normal occurence....There is a small hot tub also on the pool deck..can get very friendly with more than 4 people in it....<BR><BR>Wish we were going!! WE did the Med on the first cruising of the year in MAY on the Winsurf..the tour directors were all new, so they were not much help, as they were from the Caribbean sailing--they knew the Caribbean like a book-so you should be safe there....<BR><BR>Have a great time!

Don't expect the ship to be very full on the crossing. We were on the Wind Surf from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon last spring and there were only 129 passengers; we've heard that this is fairly common.<BR><BR>Also, try to be flexible about your plans for Lisbon; we got in a day late due to adverse winds.<BR>

JP, how were the sea &amp; weather conditions on your crossing? Also, how do the food &amp; service compare with other itineraries?

Aurelia: We'll be on WindSurf for the Barbados sailing prior to the crossing. I'll look for you!

If you like sailing, why haven't you tried Star Clippers? (or have you?) Now those are REAL sailing ships. Not as luxurious as Windstar -- not as expensive either. It's really all about the sailing. And intimate and friendly, too.

I've been on the Windsurf twice, Med and Carib, and enjoyed both though I actually preferred the trip from Venice to Rome because we visited such wonderful ports. On the crossing, with a smaller crowd, you will definitely get to know everyone and enjoy fabulous service.