Lisa

My husband and I are thinking about taking a Windstar cruise to Greece/Turkey next year. I am unsure if this is the right cruise for us. We have cruised 6 times before but have sailed on only large ships. A smaller ship seems intriguing but I am concerned about the lack of public space, night-time entertainment, and stability. Please share your opinions and advice. We need help deciding.

Andy

Lisa- We did Windstar cruse last May on the WINDSURF- it is the largest of their ships-330 passengers-2 restaurants-UPSCALE CASUAL-No coat and tie needed..spouse was in heaven!<BR>It was our first time in 20 years of cruising to go on a smaller ship- it was THE BEST cruise we were on--<BR><BR>It is VERY romantic to sail on a 5 masted sailboat--the nightclub is small and intimate and there are no shows like on large liners--but the 3 pc combo in the lounge could play ANY kind of music...the casino was small but definitely adequate-==and the gambling minimums were $2 per hand and no attempt to make you gamble lots...very low key==<BR>FOOD WAS FABLUOUS- Open seating dining-can go in for dinner anytime between 630pm- 9pm==and sit alone or with other people that you meet or want to meet....<BR><BR>THey do complimentary hordouerves every nite in the cocktail lounge before dinner which is where everyone congregates and you meet one another-<BR><BR>The ship goes into smaller and more intimate ports--<BR><BR>I can't say enough good things about it except I went on a larger cruise ship (2000 people ) this past Nov.and spouse said "put me back on the Windsurf"!!<BR><BR>It is heaven-MAKE sure you do NOT get a room on the lowest level-get a room on the 2nd level MID SHIP--<BR>Had absolutely NO MOTION PROBLEMS AT ALL=VERY STABLE!!!!!<BR><BR>YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!!!<BR><BR>If you need any other info,email me direct.

ttt

topping

Gretchen

While Andy's voyage on the Windsurf may have bee fantastic, I had a very different experience with Windstar. Keep in mind that I was not on one of their larger vessels when I went. I thought if I'm going to do this, I may as well do it on a smaller boat and really get an idea of what it's all about.<BR><BR>Our boat had one dining room, no casino and no night club (small loundge instead). I was by myself and my cabin was tiny, reaked of diesel and was noisy all night whern the engine ran. I could have dealt with all of this (and the mediocre food) but the main problem was that 75% of the passengers were from the same company. It seems that company's often book much of the space on these Windjammer cruises and yet still advertise them for singles. So there I was with fifty couples and twelve single people; eight women and three men twenty years my senior. <BR><BR>I'm not claiming that this is typical; however, it was absolutley the worst trip I have ever taken and, in fact I asked them to put me off the ship halfway through. Never again.<BR><BR>Gretch

Maria

I don't think the Windstar company is the company that offers Windjammer cruises.

sally

NO - NO - NO !!!<BR><BR>Windjammer isn't the same company and not even in the same league as Windstar!<BR><BR>Please don't confuse the two... Windstar is a "sister company" to Holland America and is very upscale.

Andy

Lisa- WINDSTAR CRUISE line is part of Holland America---it has NOTHING to do with WINDJAMMER+=<BR><BR>WINDJAMMER is a bare funky lower end sail boat---<BR><BR>WINDSTAR ( of which the WINDSURF is their LARGEST SHIP) is a 5 masted SAILING YACHT-with motorized SAIL!! <BR>It is fantastic! UPSCALE CASUAL ELEGANT!!!

jb

Hi Lisa,<BR><BR>My husband and I went on a cruise from Rome to Nice for our honeymoon. My husband didn't want to go on a typical cruise - he didn't want to wear a suit every night or be with 2000 other people. So we opted for this cruise and LOVED IT!<BR><BR>Not much nightlife - fine for us - they had VCRs in the rooms so (being on our honeymoon we wanted to be alone) after dinner we got a couple of movies and hung out together. Perfect for us - but maybe not so good for others.<BR><BR>Food - some think it is fabulous. I would say it was very good. I especially liked the buffet lunches on the deck where they grilled shrimp, chicken, etc. plus had a great regular buffet. <BR><BR>Ports were amazing - just got off the ship for most - a couple you had to board a little boat that took 5 minutes to get you to shore.<BR><BR>All in all, it was the perfect honeymoon. There are many days that we talk about it and hope that someday we can have a vacation like that again!<BR><BR>Hope you have a wonderful time - no matter what you pick!

Lisa

Thanks to all for the great feedback. Windstar does seem like a nice change of pace. My next question concerns when to go. I can go mid-April, the last week in June, or mid-August. Unfortunately, Windstar does not sail to Greece in April. I have heard that the heat in August is brutal. Is it really that bad? Would the last week in June be much cooler? I would appreciate your input. Thanks again!

Lisa

I would love additional feedback. <BR><BR>

Lisa

Trying for more info. Thanks!

leslie

LOVE the Windstar. We took the Istanbul to Athens trip in June of 1999. We are very particular and thought this was the BEST cruise ever. The personal care, attention to detail and food was 5 star. In every port the passengers from the "other" upscale boats were trying to board ours and peek around.Bigger is not better with regards to cruises.

Lisa

Leslie, thanks for your input. I am so glad that you liked Windstar Cruises. I have heard mixed reviews, especially from those who remember Windstar from a while back. It seems that these patrons feel that Windstar was better before HAL bought the line. But you enjoyed it just a few years ago and that's great. Do you have plans to take another Windstar cruise?

Jane

You may notice most good reviews are for Windsurf. Windsurf was purchased from ClubMed and refurbished a few years ago. I peronnally did not care for Windspirit/song/star the older ships. It's small with about 140 passengers and very old looking compared to Windsurf. I've also been on big ships with 2000 passengers. My preference will be Windsurf or Raddisson with about 300 passengers. I also liked Rennaissance with about 600 passengers before they went under.