We just got back from a Wind Surf trip, round trip from Cozumel to HOnduras & Belize, mainly because we live in Cozumel and have friends in Honduras and the ship was a good way to get down there, since we didn't have to fly anywhere to meet it. I had been on one cruise before, Royal Caribbean. It was OK, but I swore I would never go on a cruise again...however, after a week on the Wind Surf I didn't want to get off it! We are a couple in our late 40's, but there were younger couples on board. And as was mentioned in an earlier post, everybody is well traveled and interesting to talk to. I think that was my favorite things about this trip. We met people that we will continue to stay in touch with for a long time, we are even planning another trip to the Greek Isles and Turkey next year with another couple we met onboard. You will have a terrific time....I would hop on board again tomorrow if I could!

Bundy,

Are you on the Windsurf Aug. 3rd, 11 days Venice to Rome? We are taking this cruise. It will be our 2nd Windstar cruise & we're very excited. Staying in Venice 1 night pre-cruise. If you are on this cruise, perhaps we could share a water taxi from Venice to the pier on Aug. 3rd. You can email me at [email protected]. We are very young 60 yr. olds & have married children your age. You will find every age group on the ship.

Did the crossing this April from Miami to Lisbon...must say, our favorite ship seemed stressed and tired, and since it was acquired by Carnival, a bit 'pinch penny'. Cutting cost in little ways they don't think show...Anyone else with this opinion....? I am sad as we have loved the Windstar line for many years, and thought it unique.

cindi-

In what way do you think the Windstar line pinched pennies?

I would be interested to know as we did one in the Med and are thinking of doing the one from Nice to Marseilles next year....

All help will be appreciated...

Thanks!

Andy: To reply about pinching pennies,. it was the ratio of staff to client, lack of attention to detail, i.e., bathrobes were tatty, ditto pool towels, bed was sort of lumpy, had to wait a long time for our dinner, and then it was cold--appetizers weren't what they used to be...and the embarkation drill was dreadful (from Miami). We have done many Windsurf/star trips and it seemed they are slipping...but Carnival has a bad reputation.

Loved the Windsurf. I thought HAl owned the Windstarcurises? We could find no fault with Wind Surf except that we would have like more "Sail" time and the charges for cokes and lattes!. The sails were never all up at once. - too bad but the cruise was wonderful. OUr bathrobes were great, loved the cabin #128 just about center of the ship, the casual environment yet elegant at the same time, intimate size and the space - never felt crowded. Don't know why people would want to spend 7-10 days with 2-3,000 people and have to wait in line for dinner, etc. Not me- done that. I'm hooked on Wind Star cruises and am planning on more small cruise ships.

Just got back last week from a Windsurf cruise that sailed from Nice to Rome. The ports were great except for docking in Livorno and Porto Vecchio, Corsica. I felt that there were probably better places to dock in Corsica than there. LOVED St. Tropez and Portofino! Regarding the cruiseship. We were a little disappointed in the ship. The food was very good but we felt that the rooms were due for refurbishing..and we were staying in Room 501 which is the largest suite on the ship. We never saw all of the sails up and would have loved to have spent a whole day sailing. Other than that, it was a pleasant trip. It is one of those cruises that we will say "been there, done that". The staff were WONDERFUL and if you have never been on a Windstar cruise, I would recommend one.

Regarding the "pinching pennies" post. Our experience on Windsurf recently was the total opposite -- we could not ask for better service or attention from the staff, the bed was extremely comfy, food was great and we never waited long to be served, embarkation was a breeze. And we met some great people that we continue to keep in touch with. I can't think of a single negative, I guess it's all in what your expectations are. We went to have a great time and that's just what we did!