Archive for the ‘Windstar Cruises’ Category

Photographed Tuesday, Silver Shadow (in the distance against the mountains) anchored in Akaroa, New Zealand, with no other cruise ships in sight. The day before, two ships disgorged a few thousand passengers into this town of 700. Why the Steinlager sign? It was my favorite beer when I traveled the north and south islands more than 20 years ago. It is good to be back in New Zealand.

This week, we pose a question: Are you a big-ship cruiser or a small-ship cruiser?

An unforgettable sunset on seldom visited Bequia

By WALLACE IMMEN for The Avid Cruiser

All right, so you’re an experienced Caribbean cruiser.

You’ve docked in places like Phillpsburg and Bridgetown so many times you qualify for frequent visitor status. You’ve slathered yourself in sun lotion on more palm-lined beaches than Columbus ever claimed. But I bet there are still big gaps in your Caribbean life list; places that hardly ever show up in cruise itineraries. Maybe it’s time to look into some islands off the well-churned cruise routes that are places that can only be visited by smaller ships. The experience is sure to be one that won’t have our friends saying “been there, done that.”

Windstar Wind Surf Report from the Med: October, 2009

Barcelona to Lisbon

Wind Surf

Our first time aboard Wind Surf. We had been told that people either prefer the smaller ships, Wind Spirit or Wind Star (148 guests) or the larger Surf (309) – but we confess to being equally pleased by both. We sailed from Barcelona on a balmy Mediterranean evening and before dinner had met several couples who became our sea buddies for the rest of the trip. That seems to happen aboard the intimate Windstar with its casual atmosphere. The next day found us in Ibiza – a quaint, walled Mediterranean city by day and a fairy tale setting at night with outside dining, romantic lights and candles, street performers and a laid back party atmosphere. Palma de Mallorca was next – more elegant – equally enticing.

Wendy Dell & Teresa Tennant at Sail Away

My friend, Wendy, and I recently sailed as the Virtuoso group hosts onboard the Wind Surf from Venice to Venice.  Hotel Manager Geert de Meyer personally greeted guests as we checked in and he requested a steward to take our large bags to the ship.  Another steward escorted us to our stateroom and explained where things were, that we could check out DVDs at Reception, and even borrow an iPod pre-loaded with music for the stereo system.