Ship Inspection: Wind Surf

Wednesday, June, 11, 2008

by Ralph Grizzle

Marigot, Saint Marten, 6 a.m. — The engines are quietly rumbling as Wind Surf makes her way into the snug harbor on the French side of St. Martin. Rising from my bed, I pull back the curtains to peer out of the portholes, only a few feet above the waterline. [...]

Luxury Cruise Report: Update & Trends

Wednesday, March, 5, 2008

by Ralph Grizzle

Across the luxury cruise segment, suppliers are ordering new ships, marshaling additional capacity for world cruises and gearing up their ships in ways that appeal to those who previously never had the time for extended luxury cruises. A sampling of what's coming: The world cruise market appears to have [...]

Who Needs Balconies?

Thursday, January, 11, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Wind Surf has no staterooms with balconies, and while I do love balconied staterooms, the Wind Surf itself functions as one "giant" balcony. With beautiful teak planking, Wind Surf's exterior decks offered lots of room for sitting to admire the scenery or bask in the sun - and never felt [...]

Wind Surf’s Standard Staterooms Measure Up

Thursday, January, 11, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Measuring 188 square feet and with all new Degrees of Difference enhancements in place, Wind Surf's staterooms are lush and comfortable (click here to view video).

The Yacht Club

Thursday, January, 11, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

If you've been on Holland America Line's ships in the past year or so, you'll recognize the new Yacht Club on Wind Surf (click here to view video). It's a lot like Holland America's Explorations Cafe, with computers, internet and specialty coffees. The Yacht Club replaces the library and provides [...]

Chasing The Wind

Wednesday, January, 10, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Proof that the sails really do work. View this video. Wind Surf is exceptionally beautiful when under full sail. In this video just off the coast of St. Kitts, we follow Wind Surf in a small boat as she heads for Nevis.

The Sails Aren’t Just For Show

Tuesday, January, 9, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

A motor sailing yacht, Wind Surf's sails aren't just for show. "There's more power in the sails than there is in the engines," says Captain Tim Roberts. Occasionally, Captain Roberts will cut the engines and proceed under sail. But there has to be a good wind. Wind Surf can make [...]

Wind Surf’s Back to Back Caribbean

Tuesday, January, 9, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Wind Surf sails alternating seven-day northbound and southbound itineraries roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados. Combined, they offer an ideal opportunity to sail for 14-days visiting islands in the windward and leeward chain. The northbound itinerary visits Nevis; St. Martin; St. Barthélemy; Basse-Terre and Les Saintes, Guadeloupe; and St. Lucia. The southbound [...]

Wind Surf’s Out-Of-The-Way Ports

Tuesday, January, 9, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Wind Surf set sail in the Caribbean this winter on 41 voyages featuring six different itineraries roundtrip from St. Thomas and Barbados. Sailing through March, Wind Surf combines out-of-the-way and quaint Caribbean ports with an intimate experience akin to sailing on one's personal mega-yacht. The company put a lot of [...]

Checking In: Wind Surf’s New Suites

Tuesday, January, 9, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

With a capacity for only 312 guests, Wind Surf's embarkation procedure was a breeze. Thirty minutes after boarding, I was in stateroom 117B. More on that in just a moment. Click here to view video. I was traveling with a group of journalists, and we stopped off to take a look [...]

Let’s Go Surfing!

Tuesday, January, 9, 2007

by Ralph Grizzle

Barbados - It's Sunday, January 7, and I'm checking out of my hotel in just a few minutes to transfer to the Wind Surf. I'm on board for a seven-day cruise to check out the new refurbishments that has transformed this ship. I think we're all in for a treat, [...]

Back-to-Back on Windstar Cruises

Monday, December, 18, 2006

by Ralph Grizzle

One way to fight that sinking feeling when it's time to disembark your cruise: Stay on board. by Ralph Grizzle Valletta, Malta (October 2004) -- As I stood talking to fellow passengers at the end of a weeklong Mediterranean sailing on Windstar Cruises, it soon became clear that I was a mere [...]