PLEASE HELP 1ST TIME CRUISER PICK BETWEEN WINDSTAR SEABOURN OR SILVERSEA!
 

We are considering Windstar from Barcelona to Nice in July....this is our first cruise. <BR>We are mid thirties and like casual elegance and luxury hotels. Will we like Windstar? <BR>Are the ships nice? LOOKING FOR INPUT ON SMALL LUXURY CRUISELINES..THANK YOU

The people who have cruised on EVERY ship are on <BR>http://www.cruise2.com/bulletins/newquestions.html and there isn't anything they don't know about any ship..or cabin..or port.

Hi Andrea, <BR> <BR>A travel agent will fit the ship to your lifestyle and answer all of your questions. If not, choose another. <BR> <BR>Paul

hello. i posted a reply about windstar to an earlier question. my girlfriend and i are late 20's, early 30's and the same likes as far as travel goes it seems. i hear that the itineraries that windstar has in europe are incredible though..

Winstar is much more casual than Silverseas, less pretentious, a litle less luxurious. We've been on the Wind Surf twice and found it very nice, good food (Radisson's is better). It is like a nice luxury resort hotel. Enjoy!

All three are excellent cruise lines in the deluxe cruise category..Windstar is the only one that does not require formal attire on any night....Seabourn and Silverseas both have formal nights (although they do have alternative restaurants that allow resort casual clothes..however, they may be hard to get a table as they book up very quickly) I'm 39 and have sailed on Windstar and Seabourn...Windstar had a slightly younger crowd and there were other 30 - 40 somethings onboard....I'd suggest going to a very good travel agent (get a referral) to help you with the particulars....

Silver Sea has the biggest and nicest cabins, most with balcony. Windstar has the smallest with only port holes.

I just know Seabourn ships. They are very elegant, but not stuffy, food and service are top class. <BR> <BR>The suites are 280 sq ft, besides, same as Windstar, Seabourn provides the water sports platform, which is an extra bonus when sailing warmer seas ( Silversea doesn't have it).

Requesting update, Andrea? What did you learn after you posted this? Anyone have anything to add? We are the couple who is planning to cruise for the first time in the Greek Isles, and want small, casual, comfortable and outside balcony... Windstar? Orient? :-D

<BR>To Linda, <BR> <BR>If you wish a balcony you are out of luck with Windstar. <BR> <BR>Orient has only one ship with balconies. It is the Crown Odyssey. <BR>The balcony staterooms are limited and sell-out quickly. <BR> <BR>Paul

Hi Andrea- We took the Windsurf from ROme to NIce this past May- we are in our early 50's- there is a great age variety from 30's to 60's-the ship is WONDERFUL and we cant't wait to do another cruise with Windsurf again- In fact,just picked up the 2002 brochure today- the ship is very ROmantic with the 5 masted sails- make sure you are up on deck when you sail out of port-it's a sight to behold. Our cabin was smallish, with a porthole- the least terrific part of the cruise was the minute bathrooms-but we will put up with it again for the great ports and casual elegance- my husband was thrilled to not have to wear a coat and tie-dinner attire was POLO shirt and khakis for men and linen slax and silk shirt, or nice sundress for women. THe small ports are great- the excursions are costly-some good,some not so good-you could probably research the ports on your own and do you own excursions cheaper and better. The food was terrific- breakfast was a HUGE buffet PLUS an omlet,pancake,waffle,eggs benedict bar. Lunch was also buffet up on Veranda rest. DInner was off the menu in the main dining area or the BIstro- make sure you eat in Bistro at least once during cruise. Food is 5 Star and looks like a pix out of gourmet mag. Thw main longe has a 4 pce band that could play anything and were great.Every nite at cocktail hour the kitchen would put out hordoureveres(sp) from 630 to 730pm. The casino was small but the stakes were also low-NO pressure to gamble and it made it more fun. People were very friendly-all ages mixed- open seating was great-you could eat alone or ask to be put at a table w/other people. The maitre d tried to put you at a table with people your age and succeeded wonderfully. WE will definitely go back again- ONLY change we'd make is to NOT be on LOWEST DECK as you can sometimes hear the motors as the ship is so small- we would go up 1 deck. If you need anymore info,email me direct- BUT GO!!!_ YOU WILL LOVE IT!

I have not been on the other two but my husband and I spent our honeymoon on the Windstar Rome to Nice trip. LOVED IT! Very casual but very elegant. Good mix of people. Mostly 40s and 50s but some younger and some older. We felt very comfortable. The only thing we did not really like was the dinner food. It was very good, but not the 5 star that we were expecting. BUT, I know that is all subjective and it would not prevent me from going on another Windstar cruise.

Andrea- We have already booked Windsurf from Barcelona to Nice in May 2002---and are so excited about it!!!!<BR>Windsurf is the largest of the Windstar ships- it's the old Club Med renovated==has 2 restaurants and elevators-but the same casual elegance we have grown to love!!! You will LOVE it!!!