Andrea

We are trying to plan our first cruise and are trying to decide between Wind Star (Wind Cloud)from Athens to Istanbul in July or Silversea from Monte Carlo to LIsbon also in July. We are mid thirties don't like a lot of structure and prefer casual elegance not stuffiness. We enjoy exceptional wine,food and accomodations....Has anyone had any experience on either of these ships/lines? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

JoAnn

Haven't sailed WindStar lines but in 1998 we did Monte Carlo/Barcelona with the Silverwind. It was wonderful!! Everything was included - we stayed at the Hotel De Paris in Monte Carlo as a pre cruise included stay. People onboard were a mixed group - most were extremely nice and not at all stuffy but I guess that's the luck of the draw. We have since sailed with many former Silverwind employees who are now working on the Radisson Navigator and Mariner. We stayed in a Silver Suite which was huge and although service was quite good it was just as good on this year's Celebrity Galaxy cruise to Alaska when we occupied a Royal suite with our son and his daughter. You say you're in your mid-thirties - if I remember correctly on the Silverwind most of the passengers were at least 50 with only a few younger traveling with their families. Hopefully someone can give you insight into WindStar. Friends of ours did a Med sailing on them and from what they said it was probably less formal a cruise style than Silversea who still requires you to dress up on certain nights. You can of course eat in your cabin (with meals served course by course) if you wish. Have fun whereever you go!

Maggie

We've sailed both Windstar (twice) and Silverseas (once) and would recommend Windstar, particularly given your age. Guests were much older on Silverseas (I would guess 60's versus 40's), tho interesting and very well traveled. In addition Silverseas is definitely more formal (formal, informal, and casual dress nights) and far more expensive than Windstar. Silverseas cabins are larger for sure, but Windstar's are fine. Service and food on Windstar also great. And shore excursions are probably geared to a younger more active crowd. On the other hand, Silverseas has an actual nightclub and shows, Windstar has a small combo for dancing and usually one night of local entertainment. Windstar is not all-inclusive--i.e., any alcohol is extra, no shore excursions are included (versus the "Silverseas Experience"), no precruise hotel stays, etc. The ships are smaller so there are fewer "public rooms" to hang around in, but fewer guests means more personal service--at least that was our experience. As you can tell, we love Windstar and would not sail again on Silverseas--it was just not our style. <BR> <BR>Whatever you decide--have fun! and let us know how it turned out.