Windstar Cruises Reviews
Summary of Our Windstar Cruises Reviews Results
Sifting through reviews can be exhausting, especially when it is so hard to separate a subjective negative experience from many positive experiences. That is why we have scoured the Internet for all sorts of Windstar Cruises reviews, and created this article that attempts to compile the general consensus of opinion with regard to different topics related to a Windstar Cruise.
While below we will go into a great deal of detail, we wanted to start with a basic summary of the key points we found in Windstar Cruises reviews.
After analyzing numerous Windstar Cruises reviews, several key takeaways can be highlighted. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the Windstar Cruises experience and can help potential travelers decide if this luxury cruise line is the right fit for them.
One of the most significant aspects mentioned in the reviews is the intimate atmosphere aboard Windstar Cruises ships. With a smaller guest capacity compared to other luxury cruise lines, the ships maintain a yacht-like ambiance that many passengers appreciate. This intimate setting allows for personalized service and an exclusive experience that larger ships may struggle to replicate.
The cabins on Windstar Cruises ships, particularly on the sailing vessels, can be somewhat smaller compared to other luxury cruise lines. However, the Star-class ships offer spacious suites with generous living areas, ensuring that guests can still enjoy a comfortable stay. It’s important to consider the type of ship when booking to ensure that your accommodation preferences are met.
Dining options on Windstar Cruises are a major highlight, with reviews frequently praising the variety and quality of food available. The main restaurant, AmphorA, serves a range of international dishes in an elegant setting. Candles, an onboard steakhouse, provides a romantic dining experience, while Veranda offers a more casual buffet-style venue for breakfast and lunch. Passengers can expect diverse and delicious meals during their time on board.
A unique feature of Windstar Cruises ships is the watersports platform, which offers easy access to various water-based activities like kayaking and snorkeling. This amenity sets Windstar Cruises apart from other luxury cruise lines and provides guests with an exciting range of recreational options.
The service on Windstar Cruises is often described as exceptional. With a favorable passenger to crew ratio of approximately 1.5:1, guests can expect attentive and personalized service from the crew members. This dedication to guest satisfaction is a key aspect of the Windstar Cruises experience.
When it comes to itineraries, Windstar Cruises distinguishes itself by offering unique routes that often include smaller, less-crowded ports and longer port stays. This allows passengers to explore destinations that larger ships cannot access, providing a more immersive and authentic travel experience.
Entertainment options on Windstar Cruises ships might not be as varied as those on other luxury cruise lines, with some passengers wishing for larger-scale productions. However, live music and enrichment programs are available, offering passengers entertainment and learning opportunities during their cruise.
Windstar Cruises visits unique destinations across the globe, including smaller ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti, South Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East. This variety of destinations caters to a wide range of traveler interests and preferences.
In summary, Windstar Cruises reviews consistently highlight the intimate atmosphere, exceptional service, and unique itineraries offered by this luxury cruise line. The smaller ship sizes, diverse dining options, and access to less-crowded ports provide a distinct and memorable experience for passengers. While entertainment options may not be as extensive as on other luxury cruise lines, the overall Windstar Cruises experience is highly praised by many satisfied guests. If you are considering a Windstar Cruise, booking through a specialized travel agency like Culture Discovery Cruises can help ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey.
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Be Careful With Review Websites
It’s important to note that individual reviews are subjective and might not accurately represent the overall experience. Some reviews from 2021 and 2022 may have reflected supply and staff shortages that resulted from the Covid pandemic. More information about Covid and cruising can be found on the CDC website. So, always keep this in mind when browsing through reviews.
Overview of Windstar Cruises Reviews
Pros
- Intimate, yacht-like atmosphere
- Exceptional service
- Unique itineraries
Cons
- Limited onboard activities
- Smaller cabins
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Ships
Wind Surf
Most passengers praise Wind Surf for its luxurious and intimate atmosphere. However, some mention that the cabins could be larger.
Wind Spirit & Wind Star
Wind Spirit and Wind Star receive rave reviews for their beautiful design and cozy feel, but some travelers wish for more variety in onboard activities.
Star Breeze, Star Pride & Star Legend
The Star-class ships are praised for their spacious suites and updated amenities, although some guests feel the decor is a bit dated.
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Food
AmphorA
AmphorA is often praised for its delicious cuisine and attentive service, with diners enjoying the variety of dishes available.
Candles
Guests love the romantic atmosphere of Candles, the onboard steakhouse, and rave about the excellent food and service.
Veranda
Travelers enjoy the casual setting of Veranda for breakfast and lunch, with some mentioning that the buffet could use more options.
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Amenities
Watersports Platform
Passengers appreciate the unique watersports platform, offering access to water-based activities like kayaking and snorkeling.
Yacht Club
Travelers love the Yacht Club’s relaxed atmosphere and the excellent selection of snacks and beverages available throughout the day.
Fitness Center & Spa
While the fitness center and spa receive positive reviews, some guests feel that they could be larger and offer more services.
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Service
Personalized Attention
Windstar Cruises is often praised for its personalized service, with crew members going above and beyond to cater to guests’ needs.
Suite Stewards
Suite stewards receive high marks for their attention to detail and friendly demeanor, ensuring passengers feel well cared for during their cruise.
Dining Staff
Dining staff are commended for their excellent service and ability to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Itineraries
Unique Destinations
Travelers love Windstar’s unique itineraries, which often include smaller, less-crowded ports that larger ships cannot access.
Longer Port Stays
Windstar Cruises is praised for its longer port stays, allowing passengers to fully explore each destination.
Themed Cruises
Guests appreciate the themed cruises offered by Windstar, which cater to interests like food, wine, and history.
Windstar Cruises Reviews relating to the Entertainment
Live Music
Passengers enjoy the live music on board, which provides a pleasant ambiance throughout the cruise.
Enrichment Programs
Travelers appreciate the enrichment programs offered, including informative lectures and cooking demonstrations.
Evening Events
Evening events receive mixed reviews, with some passengers wishing for more variety and others enjoying the intimate gatherings.
A Few Windstar Cruises Reviews
- Cruise Critic User Review: “Found many familiar faces from past crossings – some come back every year. Staff just as welcoming and helpful as always. After a brief muster drill (no need to bring lifejackets) we went up to the Captain’s reception – lots of champagne, and an introduction to the department heads.”
- CruiseLine.com User Review: “Room was comfortable, clean and all the amenities required for a wonderful stay. We celebrated our anniversary and received some special attention and acknowledgment from the staff.”
- Cruise Critic User Review: “From the moment we boarded, we knew we made a good choice. Every interaction with the crew was superb…they really know how to treat the passengers. I can’t say enough about how great everyone was, including the many passengers we met during our 7-day trip.“
- Cruise Critic User Review: “The Wind Spirit is a beautiful ship with great staff, amazing food, and a fantastic itinerary.”
- Cruise Critic User Review: “I think a highlight for me was the setting sail ceremony every night as we left port. “Conquest of Paradise” by Vangelis (1492) was the perfect song providing just the right drama and crescendos as the sails unfolded. Very dramatic! I loved it!”
Windstar Cruises Reviews Compared to Other Cruise Lines
Windstar Cruises reviews are generally more positive than those of other competing premium and luxury cruise lines like Oceania Cruises, Azamara, and Regent Seven Seas. Passengers appreciate Windstar’s intimate atmosphere, personalized service, and unique itineraries.
Windstar Cruises Ship Sizes, Passenger Capacity, and Passenger to Crew Ratio
Wind Surf
- Size: 14,745 GT
- Passenger Capacity: 342
- Passenger to Crew Ratio: 1.5:1
Wind Spirit & Wind Star
- Size: 5,736 GT (each)
- Passenger Capacity: 148 (each)
- Passenger to Crew Ratio: 1.5:1
Star Breeze, Star Pride & Star Legend
- Size: 9,975 GT (each)
- Passenger Capacity: 312 (each)
- Passenger to Crew Ratio: 1.5:1
Windstar Cruises Destinations and Departure Ports
Caribbean Itineraries
- Departure Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Mediterranean Itineraries
- Departure Ports: Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy
Tahiti & South Pacific Itineraries
- Departure Port: Papeete, Tahiti
Asia & Middle East Itineraries
- Departure Ports: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Singapore
Final Thoughts on Windstar Cruises Reviews
Overall, Windstar Cruises reviews reflect the cruise line’s commitment to providing a luxurious, intimate, and personalized experience for its guests. With unique itineraries and exceptional service, Windstar Cruises is an excellent choice for those looking to explore the world in style.
How to Book a Windstar Cruise
If you’re interested in booking a Windstar cruise, we at Culture Discovery Cruises can help! Visit our website to learn more, or search and book online by visiting our cruise search engine at https://book.cdvcruises.com.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered in Windstar Cruises Reviews
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by citing that the atmosphere is intimate, yacht-like, and luxurious, with a focus on personalized service and a smaller guest capacity compared to other luxury cruise lines.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that cabins on Windstar Cruises ships, particularly on the sailing vessels, can be smaller compared to other luxury cruise lines. However, the Star-class ships offer spacious suites with a more generous living area.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by mentioning that Windstar Cruises offers a variety of dining options, including the main restaurant, AmphorA, which serves a range of international dishes; Candles, a romantic onboard steakhouse; and Veranda, a casual buffet-style venue for breakfast and lunch.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have said that the cruise line offers a unique watersports platform, providing easy access to water-based activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that the service on Windstar Cruises is exceptional, with personalized attention from the crew and a strong focus on catering to guests’ needs.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by mentioning that Windstar Cruises offers unique itineraries that often include smaller, less-crowded ports, and longer port stays, which larger ships cannot access.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by writing that while Windstar Cruises offers live music and enrichment programs, some passengers wish for more variety and larger-scale productions like those found on other luxury cruise lines.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have said that Windstar Cruises visits unique destinations such as smaller ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tahiti, and the South Pacific, as well as Asia and the Middle East.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by stating that Windstar Cruises ships have a smaller passenger capacity, creating a more intimate atmosphere, and a favorable passenger to crew ratio of approximately 1.5:1, ensuring attentive service.
People writing Windstar Cruises reviews have answered this question by saying that while you can book a Windstar Cruise through directly with the cruise line, a travel specialist can often get you significantly better service, specials, and price protection that you cannot get by booking direct. One such travel agency specializing in booking Windstar Cruises is Culture Discovery Cruises.
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