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The Essence of Small Ship Sailing
Wind Star is a sleek, 4-masted sailing yacht accommodating 148 guests. With four decks and a gross tonnage of 5,703, Wind Star feels like your own private yacht.
Wind Star features wide open, teak decks—quite unusual for small ships. Guests will find hidden nooks for private moments giving them a feeling of being on their own private veranda.
All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player, and the Owner’s Suite includes a sitting area.
Wind Star offers two primary dining venues. Amphora restaurant offers gourmet, course-by-course cuisine in the evenings and Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch. All dining is open seating. And, for dining under the stars, make a reservation for Candles which features steaks and skewers.
Wind Star amenities include: World Spa by Windstar, Watersports Platform, Lounge, Pool, and Hot Tub.
We were excited to tour the Panama Canal and to end up in Aruba. Overall the ship met our expectations and we were very pleased with the following: * Nice Cabin: We upgraded from the porthole floor (3rd) to the large window cabin on the 4th level and were glad we did that. Overall the room was large, nice walk-in closet, large bathroom with great shower. The seating area was comfortable and we had a nice view out the window. * Services: The staff could have not been better and met all of our requests with a smile. They even decorated our room for my birthday. * Food: The food was wonderful and we also enjoyed the 24x7 room service. * The Canal: This was the highlight for sure and it was nice that they had a expert on board to give a running commentary and answer any questions. A few issues did bother us somewhat: * Pool: It was kinda small and the water was really too hot to be refreshing. This was a shame because the temperatures were really hot during this trip. * Fruit: This is crazy, but we had expected to have some nice tropical fruit and only had choices of strawberries, bananas, and pineapple. We had expected to have more variety such as mangoes and other exotic fruit found in the area and widely available. * Drinks: As a non-drinker I would have liked to have seen some non-alcoholic options other than standard Coke products. * Snorkeling: We enjoy snorkeling however did not really have any options to see sea life. * Dining Out: There was very little guidance on where to go to eat and how to get around when we visited Cartagena. We figured it out but it was a little tricky. * Embarkation: This was a disaster. In Panama the terminal was under construction and it was almost impossible to find where to go. When we did finally find the bus it was filthy. Not a good way to start the trip.
This was our first time on Windstar and overall, it was a very positive experience. We’ve been on many cruises, across 8 different lines and the service on Windstar tops them all. From day one, most of the staff knew our names which is a very nice touch. The kindness and enthusiasm of the staff really did seem genuine and we really enjoyed interacting with them. Our lower deck cabin was clean, spacious and had plenty of storage. I had seen reports that our location was “noisy” but we did not find that to be the case at all. The shower was awesome! The cabin attendant did a great job and we only saw him briefly for a few minutes. We noticed a bit of inconsistency. We were three couples traveling together, all on Windstar for the first time. Two of the couples had a stuffed bear gift in the cabin and one couple did not. Also, two couples received Panama Canal coasters and one couple did not. Wasn’t an issue, just inconsistent. Cruising through the canal was interesting and we were fortunate to have good weather. There was a narrator on board which was nice. The food was fine and it was nice having the beverage package. We were able to try a wide variety of wines and cocktails. I think our expectations were high because of the James Beard affiliation and we didn’t find the food to be any better or worse than other lines. However, the service was exceptional. Personally, I found our dinner at Candles to be average but others really enjoyed the food. We did excursions through the ship and were not really impressed. Ocean and Canal Kayaking was a disappointment. The guide took off and we had to race to keep up with him. Really did not live up to the description. On the other hand the Mangrove & Wildlife Boat Cruise was exceptional and we really enjoyed it. We also did the Hiking on Parida island and that was a relatively short and pleasant hike. Our guide was personable and knowledgeable. The Monkey Watch tour was ok. We were packed a bit too tightly on the boat and if you were in the middle, your view could be substantially obstructed. I would recommend sitting on the outside if possible. We were advised to bring insect repellent but we never needed it which was a very pleasant surprise. We knew that evening entertainment would be limited but we found the singers to be great so that wasn’t an issue. My only suggestion would be to lower the volume just a tad. It was difficult to carry on a conversation while they were playing. The barista was fabulous and the coffee was also. We’ve been on a few lines where the coffee wasn’t drinkable so this was a happy surprise. I was hoping to participate in a few yoga or stretching classes but I never saw that any were offered. Embarkation and disembarkation were effortless and pleasant. We did have to take a short bus ride from the terminal to the ship but it was not at all inconvenient. Our group had mixed feelings about the size of the ship. We’ve been on several river cruises so we knew we would like the small size. We are all interested to try a larger Windstar ship in the future. All in all, a very nice trip and I’m happy we did it.
We were excited to tour the Panama Canal and to end up in Aruba. Overall the ship met our expectations and we were very pleased with the following: * Nice Cabin: We upgraded from the porthole floor (3rd) to the large window cabin on the 4th level and were glad we did that. Overall the room was large, nice walk-in closet, large bathroom with great shower. The seating area was comfortable and we had a nice view out the window. * Services: The staff could have not been better and met all of our requests with a smile. They even decorated our room for my birthday. * Food: The food was wonderful and we also enjoyed the 24x7 room service. * The Canal: This was the highlight for sure and it was nice that they had a expert on board to give a running commentary and answer any questions. A few issues did bother us somewhat: * Pool: It was kinda small and the water was really too hot to be refreshing. This was a shame because the temperatures were really hot during this trip. * Fruit: This is crazy, but we had expected to have some nice tropical fruit and only had choices of strawberries, bananas, and pineapple. We had expected to have more variety such as mangoes and other exotic fruit found in the area and widely available. * Drinks: As a non-drinker I would have liked to have seen some non-alcoholic options other than standard Coke products. * Snorkeling: We enjoy snorkeling however did not really have any options to see sea life. * Dining Out: There was very little guidance on where to go to eat and how to get around when we visited Cartagena. We figured it out but it was a little tricky. * Embarkation: This was a disaster. In Panama the terminal was under construction and it was almost impossible to find where to go. When we did finally find the bus it was filthy. Not a good way to start the trip.
This was our first time on Windstar and overall, it was a very positive experience. We’ve been on many cruises, across 8 different lines and the service on Windstar tops them all. From day one, most of the staff knew our names which is a very nice touch. The kindness and enthusiasm of the staff really did seem genuine and we really enjoyed interacting with them. Our lower deck cabin was clean, spacious and had plenty of storage. I had seen reports that our location was “noisy” but we did not find that to be the case at all. The shower was awesome! The cabin attendant did a great job and we only saw him briefly for a few minutes. We noticed a bit of inconsistency. We were three couples traveling together, all on Windstar for the first time. Two of the couples had a stuffed bear gift in the cabin and one couple did not. Also, two couples received Panama Canal coasters and one couple did not. Wasn’t an issue, just inconsistent. Cruising through the canal was interesting and we were fortunate to have good weather. There was a narrator on board which was nice. The food was fine and it was nice having the beverage package. We were able to try a wide variety of wines and cocktails. I think our expectations were high because of the James Beard affiliation and we didn’t find the food to be any better or worse than other lines. However, the service was exceptional. Personally, I found our dinner at Candles to be average but others really enjoyed the food. We did excursions through the ship and were not really impressed. Ocean and Canal Kayaking was a disappointment. The guide took off and we had to race to keep up with him. Really did not live up to the description. On the other hand the Mangrove & Wildlife Boat Cruise was exceptional and we really enjoyed it. We also did the Hiking on Parida island and that was a relatively short and pleasant hike. Our guide was personable and knowledgeable. The Monkey Watch tour was ok. We were packed a bit too tightly on the boat and if you were in the middle, your view could be substantially obstructed. I would recommend sitting on the outside if possible. We were advised to bring insect repellent but we never needed it which was a very pleasant surprise. We knew that evening entertainment would be limited but we found the singers to be great so that wasn’t an issue. My only suggestion would be to lower the volume just a tad. It was difficult to carry on a conversation while they were playing. The barista was fabulous and the coffee was also. We’ve been on a few lines where the coffee wasn’t drinkable so this was a happy surprise. I was hoping to participate in a few yoga or stretching classes but I never saw that any were offered. Embarkation and disembarkation were effortless and pleasant. We did have to take a short bus ride from the terminal to the ship but it was not at all inconvenient. Our group had mixed feelings about the size of the ship. We’ve been on several river cruises so we knew we would like the small size. We are all interested to try a larger Windstar ship in the future. All in all, a very nice trip and I’m happy we did it.
All accommodations feature:
We’ve upped the onboard dining game with our culinary program, featuring an array of fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from each ports along the journey. The menu us crafted to highlight the spectacular flavors of the regional cuisine.
At Windstar, we don’t just take you to fascinating destinations, we take you into them, giving you unique access to knowledge and activities that enhance your understanding of the places you visit. Complimentary Destination Discovery Events treat you to iconic experiences that capture the essence of your locale. Guest Lecturers intrigue you with regional topics, adding new dimensions to your voyage. And small group excursions take you to meet locals who are delighted to share their homes, cuisines, and cultures with you.
A day on board your Windstar ship is a day of choices, all of them good. Perhaps you’ll begin with a relaxing massage in World Spa by Windstar. Or maybe an invigorating workout in the Fitness Center. Even better, why not both? After a sumptuous lunch in Veranda, make a splash from the Watersports Platform off the ship’s stern. Everything you can think of for fun in the water is there — swimming, kayaking, sail-boarding, even water skiing. And it’s all complimentary, of course. Sun yourself on deck, take a dip in the whirlpool, then catch up on email ororder a cheese plate for your stateroom or suite. After dinner, dance to live music in the Lounge. This is your yacht, so of course you’re welcome on the Bridge, where the Captain and officers are delighted to share charts, routes, and vistas with you.
As you prepare for another amazing Windstar day, enjoy a nightcap anywhere you like — on deck, in the Lounge, or why not let us bring it to your suite or stateroom? Your day ends just as it began, blissfully.
Wind Star features a range of traditional health & fitness facilities, including a spa, fitness centre, pool and whirlpool, and a watersports platform.
Please note: the ship does not feature any dedicated children's facilities.
