windsurf sailing yacht

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Welcome Aboard Wind Surf

The five-masted sailing yacht ,  Wind Surf,  draws admiring glares from onlookers as she glides majestically into port with her tail sails blowing. This behemoth of a ship blends humongous, spacious decks with the closeness of an intimate cruising experience. Relax on the top deck or jump off water trampolines in the rear, on Wind Surf, all options are on the table.

Wind Surf  sails with just 342 pampered guests in 154 total staterooms: 31 oceanview suites (376 sq. ft.) with his and her bathrooms, 2 ultra-luxurious Bridge Suites (495 sq. ft.), and 123 deluxe oceanview staterooms (188 sq. ft.). All accommodations feature a Queen Size bed with luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, fresh flowers and fresh fruit, waffle weave robe and slippers, flat-screen TV with DVD player, fully-stocked minibar/refrigerator, safe, direct-dial phone, Wi-Fi, bathroom with granite countertop and shower, granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair, L'Occitane bath amenities, mirrored closet with ample drawer space, hair dryer and 110/220 outlets. 

See for yourself what Small Ship Cruising is all about

Dining on wind surf, wind surf offers both formal and casual dining options for its guests..

With a focus on local and sustainable food selections, the dining aboard Wind Surf stays true to its mission and highlights the local and regional flavors of each port it docks in. but the choice of dining venue is up to your discretion. For breakfast and lunch, "Veranda" offers breakfast alfresco, full-service or buffet-style... the choices are many at Veranda. Maybe however, you want to sit down for a candlelit dinner with some new friends you made on the ship. "AmphorA" or "Stella Bistro" are perfect for you. Each serving a fine dining experience paired with an array of vintage and delectable wines. The last option, "Candles," offers an opportunity to dine on the top deck accompanied by views and sounds of the sea for a dining experience unlike any other.

Relaxation... tranquility... socializing.... all things found onboard Wind Surf

Enjoy the many public spaces wind surf has to offer.

The recently renovated Wind Surf now brings you some of the most stylish public spaces at sea, including an inviting reception area, Candles nightclubs, the Lounge, the Terrace Bar, Casino, Fitness Center and Nautilus Room. Outdoor public spaces include a swimming pool, pool bar, two whirlpools and a Watersports Platform, weather permitting.

Elegance and Sophistication

Wind surf's classic five-masted schooner style embodies elegance and sophistication as it glides along the water..

Wind Surf offers a refined small ship cruising experience, with a maximum capacity of just 310 passengers. With all new finishes and furnishings in suites and staterooms, the newly renovated Wind Surf now brings you some of the most beautiful public spaces at sea.

Wind Surf is the one of the largest five-masted, sailing yacht's on the ocean today and with it's impressive size comes with it an array of spacious public relaxation areas, numerous onboard activities and a plethora of nooks and crannies to explore.

Onboard, enjoy the variety of spaces Wind Surf has to offer including a pool with accompanying pool bar, large lounge, Terrace Bar, two whirlpools and a Nautilus room.

154 total staterooms: 31 oceanview suites (376 sq. ft.) with his and her bathrooms, 2 ultra-luxurious Bridge Suites (495 sq. ft.), and 123 deluxe ocean view staterooms (188 sq. ft.)

All accommodations feature a queen-sized bed with luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, fresh flowers and fresh fruit, waffle weave robe and slippers, flat-screen TV with DVD player, fully-stocked minibar/refrigerator, safe, direct-dial phone, Wi-Fi, bathroom with granite countertop and shower, granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair, L'Occitane bath amenities, mirrored closet with ample drawer space, hair dryer and 110/220 outlets.

• Wind Surf offers a wide range of dining options, from the elegant AmphorA restaurant to the more casual Stella Bistro and Veranda Restaurant
• Alternate dining, Compass Rose and Tacht Club Sandwich & Expresso Bar; offer additional options for meals and snacks
• Enjoy Watersports Platform that includes complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, water trampolines and water skis, weather permitting
• Onboard Fitness Center and tranquil WindSpa provide guests opportunities for wellness and relaxation

Welcome Aboard

View Cabin Categories

Bridge Deck

Category AX Deluxe

Category BX Deluxe

Onboard Experience

Awaken aboard Windstar's newly renovated Wind Surf in your well-appointed stateroom featuring a Queen Size bed with luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, a private bathroom with shower, granite countertop and vanity, pampering bath amenities and much more to make you feel at home. Breakfast tempts in the casual Veranda restaurant. After breakfast, you may venture off the ship for a morning of guided sightseeing ashore, or indulge in onboard pleasures that are the mainstay of the yachting set – because this elegant five-masted sailing ship feels like your own private yacht. Have lunch as you choose… onboard in the Veranda or the Stella Bistro, or perhaps staying ashore to sample the local fare in today's port of call. Beverages, from soft drinks to house wine and spirits, complement your mood and are available onboard throughout the day. Afternoon invites more exploration ashore… or relaxation onboard, whether it's cuddling up with a good book… taking a dip in the ship's pool or relaxing in the hot tub… sipping a cocktail in one of Wind Surf's many lounges… attending an insightful lecture by an onboard expert… enjoying a rejuvenating treatment in the WindSpa… kicking it in the Fitness Center and Nautilus Room… or heading to the watersports platform for complimentary water-skiing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling or kayaking. This evening, dine with new friends – or enjoy a romantic dinner in the gourmet AmphorA restaurant or one of the ship's other dining venues. Nighttime brings out the stars in the sky above… and time to watch them twinkle from the open deck with Wind Surf's sails billowing. Or, you can try your luck in the Casino, go dancing or enjoy live entertainment in the Candles nightclub or numerous bars and lounges. When you return to your stateroom, Windstar's signature bowls of flowers and fresh fruit will be waiting for you. And when it's time to turn in, you'll close your eyes and sleep to the rhythm of the seas aboard Windstar's beautiful, five-masted Wind Surf. Read Less

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Cruising with Wind Surf

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Windstar Cruises

Partner Since 1998

Founded in 1984 as Windstar Sail Cruises, Windstar Cruises today is one of the world's leading operators of small luxury cruise ships. Its award-winning fleet of yachts accommodating between 148 and 310 guests sails to some 150 ports in 50 nations across the globe. Our guests have enjoyed Tauck's personalized sailing on Windstar ships for many years, including the company's classic yachts  Wind Star  and Wind Surf .

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Wind Surf Cruise Ship

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7 Ships in the Windstar Cruises fleet

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Wind Surf Overview

The Wind Surf is perhaps the most impressive of Windstar’s sailing yachts, and with space for 310 guests, she’s certainly the largest. However, the 191 crew members – and nearly 2:3 crew to guest ratio – guarantee that the Wind Surf’s service remains as astounding as would be found on Windstar’s smaller ships. Onboard, take advantage of the Wind Surf’s stunning public spaces – like the watersports platform, fitness center, WindSpa, pool, Terrace Bar, Compass Rose and more – or retreat to your luxurious suite for some rest and relaxation. Recently refurbished, the beautiful Wind Surf is primed to carry you and yours to unique destinations around the world. Contact one of our cruise experts to learn more about the Wind Surf and to find the perfect itinerary for you and yours.

• Passenger Capacity: 342 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 1990
• Last Refurbished: 2019

Wind Surf Cruise Destinations

Visit unforgettable destinations in 50 different nations with Windstar Cruises. Enjoy memorable and enlightening experiences in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America. With Windstar’s smaller ships, you’ll call at ports that larger cruise ships can’t reach – giving you unique access to these regions’ hidden gems. Continue below to learn more about each of Windstar’s destinations or contact one of our expert cruise consultants to start planning your unique small-ship voyage with Windstar.

Sail away to the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean for a unique tropical retreat with Windstar Cruises.

Discover a world of natural wonders, wildlife and easy living in the lush lands of Costa Rica with Windstar Cruises.

Europe Cruisetours

Mediterranean

Explore lands of Old World charm and never-ending beauty with a Mediterranean cruise aboard Windstar Cruises.

Transatlantic

Sail across the Atlantic Ocean with Windstar Cruises' luxurious yachts or sail ships and enjoy a relaxing voyage like no other.

Wind Surf Departure Ports

Windstar Cruises’ unique small ships sail all over the world from a wide array of departure ports. For instance, you can depart from some of the world’s most distinguished cities like Athens, Dubai, Singapore, London, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Rome and Venice. You’ll also find smaller or more exotic departure ports, such as Papeete, Bridgetown, Philipsburg and Colon. But no matter where your cruise embarks, you’ll always know what you’re sailing towards – an unforgettable and totally unique small-ship experience.

Port Of Oranjestad, Aruba, Caribbean

Enjoy pristine beaches, lots of fun activities and perfect weather year-round in the Dutch island of Aruba.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

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Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

Colon, Panama

Colon, this historically important city is a gateway to the Panama Canal and full of Latin charm and New World history. 

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Offering both French and Dutch experiences, St. Maarten is a leading destination in the Caribbean. You can always find exciting and interesting activities for everyone on this friendly island.

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Discover the wonder of Lake Como and the mountains of Italy when your cruise or cruise tour departs from Cernobbio, Italy.

Wind Surf Deck Plans

Bridge deck, wind surf staterooms.

Oceanview (A)

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 188 square feet of beautifully designed comfort. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) is swathed in luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Before or after you enjoy an invigorating massage shower with soothing L'Occitane bath products, wrap up in your waffle-weave robe, have a snack from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and smell the flowers.

Oceanview (AX)

Oceanview (b), oceanview (bx).

The ultimate in space and style surrounds you in 495 square feet of pure indulgence. Separate bedroom and living room with an in-suite dining area is an invitation to relaxation. And possibly best of all, your expansive bathroom features both a whirlpool spa tub and a massage shower.

With 376 square feet, you'll find the perfect space for time together - and plenty of room for time to yourself. You'll even enjoy two full separate bathrooms. All the amenities of the staterooms await you, plus a beautiful sitting area, and two flat-screen television sets with DVD players.

Photo Gallery for Wind Surf Cruise Ship

Enjoy a preview of the completely unique and utterly luxurious Windstar cruising experience in the following photo gallery. You’ll quickly see that Windstar Cruises’ fleet is like no other, with some ships boasting towering masts with billowing sails. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Windstar’s amazing destinations, many of which can only be experienced by the fleet’s intimate yachts.

Windstar's Wind Surf

Sundeck aboard Wind Surf

Suite aboard Wind Surf

Accommodations aboard Wind Surf

Service aboard Wind Surf

Lounge Stage aboard Wind Surf

Lounge Bar aboard Wind Surf

Compass Rose Lounge aboard Wind Surf

Corridor aboard Wind Surf

Open Bridge aboard Wind Surf

Fine dining aboard Wind Surf

Exterior of Windstar's Wind Surf

Top 10 Wind Surf Cruises

• Wind Surf Wine Cruise: Sicilian Splendors Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Sep 2024)
• Wind Surf Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Surf Romance on the Rivieras Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024)
• Wind Surf Star Collector: Enchantment of the Western Med Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Surf Yachtsman's Harbors of the Rivieras Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Surf Spanish Symphony Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Nov 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Surf Star Collector: Caribbean Explorations Departing From Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Dec 2024 - Mar 2026)
• Wind Surf Classic Caribbean Departing From Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Dec 2024 - Mar 2026)
• Wind Surf Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway Departing From Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Dec 2024 - Mar 2026)
• Wind Surf Star Collector: Atlantic Interludes & Iberian Indulgences Departing From Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Mar 2025 - Apr 2026)

Learn More About Windstar Cruises

Accessibility

Learn about Windstar Cruises' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with disabilities or special needs, including mobility issues.

Savor dining aboard Windstar Cruises, including Star Grill , AmphorA , Stella Bistro , Candles Grill and more—all included with your cruise fare.

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Enjoy Windstar Cruises' onboard entertainment, including live music at Compass Rose, informative port lectures, destination briefings, dancing and more.

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Engage in Windstar Cruises' onboard activities, including an onboard Watersports Platform, WindSpa, pool, library, fitness center and duty-free shopping.

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Learn how Windstar Cruises' staff and crew take care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Windstar Cruises' awards.

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Explore Windstar Cruises' ship staterooms, including suites, deluxe balconies and deluxe oceanviews staterooms, as well as the luxurious Owners Suites.

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Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Review

The romance and allure of the seven seas are alive and well aboard this five-masted sailing yacht..

Updated February 20, 2016

On any horizon, Wind Surf cuts a fetching profile. With bright white sheets enveloping more than a half-acre of surface across five masts, a trim hull that slices gamely through the sea, and a bow that looks sharp enough to parry with an iceberg, this elegant motor-sail yacht slinks into the smaller ports of the Caribbean and Europe that bigger cruise ships can only dream about. It’s not a cruise for everyone, and our journey wasn’t perfect, but—spoiler alert—we fell in love with Wind Surf.

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

About Our Cruise

Down below deck, our cabin: oceanview, cabin amenities, other cabins, amphora restaurant, the veranda, stella bistro, candles grill, barbecue dinner, in-room dining, compass rose, terrace bar, wind spa & fitness center, other recreation, shows & entertainment, other venues, kids programs, ship communications, internet facilities, dress codes, laundry facilities, general health & safety, accessibility, smoking policy, tipping and service charges, alcohol policies, loyalty program.

Originally launched in 1984, Windstar Cruises has been owned by various entities, including at one time Holland America Line/Carnival Corp. In 2011, Windstar’s three-ship fleet was acquired by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a company that manages several storied National Park Service properties. Privately held by Denver-based billionaire Philip Anschutz, Xanterra may have been an ideal match for Windstar. The company set about refurbishing the fleet—$18 million for the three vessels—and in 2013 Xanterra announced it was expanding Windstar by acquiring the three 208-passenger luxury power yachts of Seabourn Cruises, to be phased into the fleet in 2014-15. Suddenly, Windstar Cruises has become a major player in the boutique ship category.

Built in 1990, Wind Surf is the largest and youngest member of the Windstar fleet of tall ships, offering a unique cruising experience for just 312 passengers. In fact, with its twin, Club Med 2 (owned by the Club Méditerranée all-inclusive resort chain), Wind Surf is the largest sailing cruiser at sea. The ship offers Caribbean voyages out of St. Maarten in the winter and spends the balance of the year in the Mediterranean and northern Europe.

{{photo_gallery "Windstar Wind Surf p1 g1"}}

Obviously, a cruise aboard Wind Surf is not exactly comparable to one on today’s modern cruise ships that carry 10 times as many guests. There are a number of things you won’t find: no showroom productions, no Bingo sessions, no children’s facilities, and onboard activities are limited. Though there are elevators, the ship is not very wheelchair-accessible. There’s not even a cruise director—how would we manage?

But there were more similarities than we initially expected. There’s a pool, a gym, a spa and a casino. We had multiple dining options, a DVD library, and bikes were available for rent—perfect for exploring smaller ports. Uniquely, there’s even a marina that unfolds from the stern with kayaks, a Zodiac and windsurf equipment. (On our cruise the marina emerged at one tender port but not at two others, perhaps restricted by local regulations.)

None of Wind Surf’s cabins have balconies, though all have an ocean view. Our quarters were comfortable, with a fresh and contemporary veneer following a December 2012 renovation of the ship. Similarly, the restaurants got a facelift and we found dining to be solid, both better and more diversified than we expected. Entertainment, though limited, was fine for the size of the ship—we particularly enjoyed the vocal/guitar duo with a serious affinity for Mark Knopfler that kept us entertained at the convivial Compass Rose bar.

Alas, there were some areas of our cruise that should have been better. Repairs were conducted on one top deck area during lunch, meaning loud sawing sounds and dust were inescapable for anyone dining at the Veranda (the only restaurant available for lunch). We were disappointed that non-smoking areas were not always enforced. The port side of the pool deck was a designated smoking area, but when several smokers congregated the starboard side was also usually flooded with cigarette smells.

Although service overall was very good, and we appreciate a staff that can recall names and preferences, sometimes it was a bit too informal. This would be a deal-breaker for anyone expecting white-glove coddling. Inappropriate presumptuousness was particularly a problem for one crewmember.

Now almost a quarter-century old, Wind Surf is getting up in her years. Fortunately, most areas of the ship did not appear in bad shape, though the teak decks up top definitely show their age.

Overall, our cruise aboard Wind Surf was a delight, stirring romantic seafaring notions and delivering us to choice, small ports. True yachties may scoff at Wind Surf’s sea cred—the sails aren’t hoisted by hand, and itineraries are port intensive (sea days are rare, except for trans-Atlantic crossings). But we loved the abundant teak decks, were pleasantly surprised by the dining, and we appreciated the easy-going ambience and attitude of fellow guests. Although it’s not suited for most families with young kids, we’re hard-pressed to think of a better cruise option for a honeymooning couple.

Windstar Cruises is overpromising a bit when they position their line as “the leader in small ship luxury cruising.” Both Seabourn Cruises and Silversea Cruises—for starters—offer a more refined (albeit much more expensive) product. The standard cabins aboard Wind Surf were fine relative to oceanview cabins on mainstream cruise lines, but the accommodations didn’t compare to the entry-level cabins on true luxury ships. It will be interesting to watch how Seabourn’s three smaller ships fare as they are integrated into the Windstar fleet in 2014-15.

But marketing quibbles aside, our Wind Surf journey offered a refreshing change of pace from typical cruises. While some of the service issues we encountered should be addressed, we wouldn’t want stiff, formal ministrations in place of the personalized attention we received from a crew that has been with this line for many years.

We look forward to our next Windstar experience with pleasure, perhaps aboard one of the fleet’s smaller, four-masted ships, Wind Spirit and Wind Star.

Lead photo credit: Danita Delimont/Alamy Of the 158 cabins aboard Wind Surf, 79 percent are Oceanview , which is what we stayed in (described below). All are identical in size and view, the only difference in pricing is based on location (Deck 1 forward and aft being cheapest, Deck 3 being most expensive). There are no Inside or Balcony cabins.

There are 31 Suites located on Deck 3 (except for once unit located on the Bridge Deck). All of the suites were created by combining two standard cabins, and each has two bathrooms. There are also two Bridge Suites located on the Bridge Deck. None of these units have balconies; the units on the Bridge Deck are fronted by public walkways.

Bright white and gleaming like Wind Surf’s sails, we were fairly happy with our cabin, which benefited through the the ship’s December 2012 renovation. We had a pair of porthole-style windows, each 15 inches wide, and fronting the windows was a sheer, which provided adequate privacy when pulled (when we were docked), and there was a curtain that blocked out all light. Our cabin was located on Deck 1, and our cabin floor was even with the outside water level—we felt very close to the sea.

We measured our cabin at about 178 square feet, slightly smaller than the 188 square feet shown on Windstar’s website. With a swank, padded headboard, our bed was a very comfortable mattress, or rather—two mattresses joined together. The seam was concealed by a pillowtop. There were adjustable pillow-level reading lights on either side of the bed—these were like spotlights, perfect for reading when a partner is sleeping. Atop the reading lights were lamps, and additional lighting included fluorescent fixtures above the windows, and recessed ceiling lights—in all, plenty of illumination.

{{photo_gallery "Windstar Wind Surf p2 g1"}}

Next to the bed was a wall cabinet that had a shelf for an alarm clock, and additional empty enclosed shelves for storing small items like books. To the left was another set of shelves that included a phone (out of reach from the bed), a Pioneer DVD player, and a Bose docking station and speaker for an iPod or other compatible accessories (an iPod Nano could be borrowed front the front desk, pre-loaded with a customized playlist). Below was a stocked minibar and fridge; there was an ice bucket, sporadically refilled by our cabin attendant. Left of the cabinet was the closet, which was two compartments, each 22 inches wide. There were 18 wood clothes hangers, two of which had robes for our use; there were also pairs of slippers. While not as large as the closets on most cruise ships, combined with various drawers and shelves it was adequate for two (especially considering the ship’s relaxed dress code). Another pair of cabinets ran along the ceiling facing the bed.

On the opposite wall next to the cabin entry was another built-in feature, a desk with a large mirror above; there were two comfy leather chairs for sitting. There were six drawers, a couple more shelves above, and the TV—a 22-inch Samsung—was mounted here (an array of DVDs was available from the Library to play on the cabin DVD player). There was a single 110-volt (U.S. style) outlet and two 220-volt (European) outlets, all at the desk area (below the TV). On the second day of the cruise we noticed that the U.S. outlet was dead—we reported this to the front desk and it was fixed within a couple hours.

{{photo_gallery "Windstar Wind Surf p2 g2"}}

Though not large, the bathroom had an unusual layout that worked well for us, and had a handsome, polished teak floor. There was a round chamber for the toilet, and facing it was a matching compartment for the shower. Between these chambers was the vanity, a sink set into a granite counter and shelving units on either side of the mirror; there was also an illuminated makeup mirror. An outlet for shavers was above the sink, convertible to 115-volt or 230-volt. The floor of the round shower was 35 inches across, larger than many we’ve encountered on mainstream cruise lines; there was a synthetic fabric curtain fronting the shower and there was a retractable clothesline. There were two Hansgrohe showerheads, one in a fixed position, the other a handheld—both had adjustable sprays.

Our bathroom was stocked with fine L’Occitane amenities—soap bars, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion. A hair dryer was found in one of the desk drawers (where the outlet was located). There were two pair of slippers and a couple bathrobes in the closet. At embarkation, a bowl of fresh fruit was set on the desk—replenished at least once during our cruise—as well as a vase with a tulip. Chocolates were delivered each evening at turn-down.

Our cabin had a Pioneer DVD player and a Bose docking station and speaker for an iPod or similar accessories. The cabin safe was actually two—stacked, old-school Futura units. Both were too small for anything like a laptop or midsized camera (actual dimensions of the opening for each was 4 by 6 inches). The all-beverage minibar was stocked within the mini-fridge, with nip bottles of spirits on a pullout rack. The selection included sodas, beer (alas, no more provocative than Heineken), wine, and a good range of spirits including Beefeater gin, Smirnoff vodka, Jack Daniel’s bourbon, Kahlua, etc.

{{photo_gallery "Windstar Wind Surf p2 g3"}}

We did not stay in these other cabin options, but we have summaries here provided by Windstar Cruises. Note that any photos below have been provided by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

Suites All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player and Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods. Suites include an extra bath and TV along with sitting area and his-and-her bathrooms. 376 square feet.

Bridge Suites All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player and Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods. Bridge Suites offer the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa. 495 square feet.

Considering the size of Wind Surf, we expected certain limitations with the scope of meal service, and yet this never posed a problem on our seven-night voyage. Wind Surf did an excellent job with the dining—it was as good or better than what we receive on most of the mainstream lines. Even the room service menu was more extensive and varied than what most ships offer.

Breakfast and lunch are limited to room service and The Veranda , which offers both a modest buffet spread and a menu. Alternately, continental breakfast and sandwiches are available in the Yacht Club . For dinner, AmphorA served as the ship’s main dining room, while Stella Bistro offered an alternative, somewhat more intimate environment. Candles Grill was the ship’s steakhouse, located on the pool deck under the stars (weather permitting). For Stella Bistro and—especially—Candles, reservations are strongly advised. On one night of the cruise all of these venues were closed and a deck-top Barbecue Buffet Dinner was organized.

At all of Wind Surf’s restaurants there are plenty of two-seat tables, which meant we were never forced to share with other guests.

Wind Surf’s main dining room is an elegant venue that was completely revamped during the December 2012 renovation. Located on the Main Deck, forward, AmphorA is named for the tall, two-handled ancient Greek/Roman jars (there’s one displayed at the entry). Open only for dinner, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there are no set seating times. But since AmphorA can seat 216 guests—roughly two-thirds of Wind Surf’s capacity—there is almost never a wait for seating (including the ship’s two other restaurants virtually every guest can be seated at one venue or another at the same time). Further, there are 26 two-top tables, so we never had to share.

Amid sophisticated décor AmphorA has well-spaced tables, beautifully set with handsome gold glass chargers. Alas, the chargers had an uneven surface and they remained on the table for the starter course, which meant our appetizer dishes rocked and rattled as we ate. But the chargers were removed for other courses, so this is a minor quibble.

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The menu changes nightly, offering eight starters and six or seven entrées. Mains that were always available were grilled or broiled sirloin steak, chicken breast, salmon and penne marinara. Appetizers we enjoyed included fried calamari served with a garlic-lemon aioli; an antipasto platter with meats and grilled vegetables; a Portobello mushroom gratin stuffed with crab; the pear and goat cheese salad with a slice of prosciutto; a “tunatini”—raw ahi tuna marinated and served in a martini glass; and a hearty lobster bisque with a good amount of flesh poking through. On the other hand, we found salads to be fairly rudimentary.

For entrées we like the sautéed pork tenderloin and we thought the prime rib was a good, juicy cut. The wild forest mushroom and truffle risotto was excellent, perfectly cooked, while the surf and turf one night included a small, succulent lobster tail and petite filet mignon, also nicely done. The chicken piccata was in an egg batter, heavier than we are accustomed to, but it was satisfying. Among the standout desserts was the After Eight Surprise, a mint mousse atop chocolate sponge cake, and a scrumptious banana cream pie. The chocolate lava cake and a warm pear Tatin were unsurprising but delicious.

Located on the Star Deck with tables both inside and out, this was Wind Surf’s main breakfast and lunch option. There was both a modest buffet selection and a menu available, with much of the food cooked to order at an outdoor grill right at midship. We found most of our meals here to be just fine, and we enjoyed eating here except for the afternoon when construction immediately below carried on until multiple guest complaints brought a senior crewmember to stop it.

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At breakfast, the buffet selection included bagels with smoked salmon and fixings, Greek yogurt and honey, packaged cereals, a nice selection of sliced fruit plus stewed (compote) fruits such as pear and peaches. Hot buffet offerings included scrambled eggs, bacon (soft or crispy), oatmeal and cream of wheat, sausage (chicken or pork), fried potatoes, etc. But we were happier ordering off the menu, which included a variety of eggs Benedict-style preparations (California, Spanish, Messina), plus poached eggs over corned beef hash or salmon hash, a breakfast burrito, or omelets to order with hash browns.

The lunch selection changed daily and would include cold choices from the buffet such as seafood, curried chicken or pasta salad, cold cuts, cheese and fruit, marinated vegetables. There was a hot and cold soup of the day—it might be papaya bisque or gazpacho for cold, Portuguese bean or corn chowder for hot. Among the hot buffet items were pork schnitzel, salmon escalopes, baklava spiced lamb, fish and chips, or chicken satay with spicy peanut sauce. But the menu also offered a half-dozen entrées cooked to order, such as Black Forest sandwich, leg of lamb, fontina and mushroom burger, a pasta of the day such as fettuccini carbonara or bami goring with pork and veggies, and a Caesar salad with a topping of the day like seafood or roasted chorizo.

The main alternative to AmphorA for the evening meal was this equally attractive dining room located on the Star Deck, just forward of the Veranda. Open only for dinner, there was no surcharge for dining here. Whereas AmphorA offered Continental fare, Stella Bistro has a French menu—actually two, which alternated. Although reservations were suggested, with 82 seats for Wind Surf’s 312 passengers, there were ample tables for all guests to dine here at least once. Like AmphorA, the fixed tables were nicely spaced—the smaller room was quite comfortable and well appointed.

Among the starters we tried, the Napoleon of portobello mushroom was a treat, a goat cheese soufflé was satisfying, and escargots bourguignon was done in classic style. The salads here were more to our liking than what we had at AmphorA—a simple arugula salad with marinated boiled potatoes and a wedge of goat cheese, and frisée with shredded duck breast. There were also soups: bouillabaisse, lobster bisque, classic French onion soup.

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For entrées we tried the roasted chicken “grand mère,” a succulent and crisp quarter bird with rosemary, lemon and a red wine sauce—wonderful. The coquille St. Jacque Provençale offered a quartet of scallops on the half shell with a dollop of eggplant mousse; the dish was fine, but somewhat small for a main course. By contrast, the slow braised osso bucco appeared in a bowl like a yin and yang of polenta wrapped around the meat—a decadent and hearty dish.

The dessert menu trotted out predictable but welcome standards such as tarte tatin, crepes Suzette and chocolate fondue. We enjoyed these, but the cheese plate was our favorite, selected from a cheese trolly with accompaniments such as dried apricots, cashews and walnuts.

We so wanted to love Candles Grill, an al fresco steakhouse sitting next to the pool, on the aft deck. We arrived just before sundown and the open-air setting was unique—one can certainly take in the fresh air and sunset colors, with the waves lapping gently at the boat. But there’s no kitchen here, just the grill, and so most of the food (if not everything) that is not grilled is pre-prepared; alas, this constrains the results. That said, if we were lucky to be dining with a friend on their personal yacht and this was the meal they offered, we wouldn’t have any complaints. But compared to what Wind Surf does at its other dining venues, Candles doesn’t seem to aim very high.

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The seafood cocktail, served in a martini glass, was fine, as was the Caprese salad (what could go wrong?). The Caesar salad was garnished with a healthy anchovy specimen. We ordered the lamb chops, which were serviceable, while the New York strip was not the best cut. Other entrée options included filet mignon and marinated sea bass (both of which looked better than what we had). Despite the food being our least interesting meal aboard Wind Surf, the setting was magical—we’d still rate this venue as a don’t-miss, but don’t forget to bring a jacket or wrap.

We were seated at a small table set against one of the Jacuzzi tubs. There are four of these, and we’d recommend requesting a table along the outer railings. But don’t be too choosy: On a seven-day cruise there are barely enough tables (23) available for all guests to dine here once, and not enough if inclement weather shuts the venue down for a night. Reservations are strongly recommended on embarkation day, and for a night early in the cruise (in case of weather). Select the day and time of your seating carefully. It’s nice to be dining at Candles while under sail, but the tables are all exposed to the wind; an evening with a late departure from port might be better.

One night of our cruise was dedicated to the top-deck Barbecue Dinner. A tasty buffet was set out at dusk and Wind Surf nuzzled up to the base of the erupting volcano Stromboli. The skies darkened and we were mesmerized by incandescent lava sparking from the summit like a Roman candle.

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The spread included salads and appetizers such as roasted marinated vegetables, poached shrimp, hearts of palm salad, grilled eggplant and chipotle corn salad, avocado stuffed with seafood, and various breads. Hot dishes included moussaka, spanakopita, pineapple fritters, baked potatoes, paella, and an Asian style suckling pig with applesauce. At the grill we could order jerk chicken drumsticks, wahoo fillet, baby pork ribs, lamb loin chops and lobster tails.

No one went away hungry—in fact, overall the food was better than what we experienced at Candles. The tables were covered and napkins were linen, and there was live music. All other venues were closed on this evening, and in the event of rain, the event is moved indoors.

In addition to serving coffee, the Yacht Club is an alternative buffet option for quick meals, though most of it is served cold. Although only a small percentage of Wind Surf's guests seemed to use this spot, there are only just a handful of tables, and we found them full for periods during breakfast and, especially, lunch. Fortunately, few tend to linger long, so finding an open seat wasn’t too difficult the times we were here.

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At breakfast the selection included individual plates of fruits, cereals including muesli and low-fat granola, yogurt and berries served parfait-style, and a nice selection of rolls, such as organic tomato and basil or organic carrot and sultanas, served with mango-lime or apricot-nectarine jam. At lunch there were nine different sandwiches, along with a soup of the day. We took our sandwich ashore with us one day and made our own island picnic.

We were pleasantly surprised by the breadth of Wind Surf’s 24-hour room service selection. The only drawback is that there was no real table for dining on in our cabin, just the built-in desk, at which only one person could eat at a time.

The breakfast menu, available from 6 a.m. till noon, included hot items such as eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, French toast, and pancakes, all of which could be ordered with sides of sausage, bacon, ham or hash browns. Cold fare included a fruit plate, various juices, bread, rolls and pastry, and a smoked salmon and bagel feast.

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We called to request breakfast one morning and the order was delivered just 19 minutes later. Food arrived topped with plastic lids or with plastic wrap. Our order included eggs Hollandaise with sides of hash browns, and an omelet that was folded with peppers, onions, tomato, cheese and bacon. Both arrived hot, and the taste was just fine.

There are two menus for the rest of the day—the main one being available from noon to 10 p.m. On it, we found everything from crudités with ranch dressing and vegetable samosas, to burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and Cobb salad. Entrées included grilled New York strip, sesame-crusted tuna, Thai chicken curry and vegetable lasagna. The short list of desserts featured apple pie, chocolate cake and a cheese plate. The late night menu, available from 10 p.m. till 6 p.m., was streamlined and included a few sandwiches, salads, Bircher muesli and popcorn, along with the same dessert selection. Wind Surf had a full cocktail selection, a decent wine list and five bars spread around the ship. Unlike most of the mainstream lines, bottled water, soft drinks, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, iced tea, juices and milk were all included in the cruise fare. However, unlike most of the luxury cruise lines, alcoholic drinks were additional.

Cocktail prices ranged $7.75 for Cosmopolitans and Margaritas to $10.75 for martinis made with Grey Goose vodka. A beverage package was available, for $108 per cabin, per day, plus 15-percent service charge. The package covered unlimited alcoholic drinks (except top shelf spirits such as Remy Martin and Hennessy x.o. cognac), beer and wine priced under $12 per glass. Guests were asked to sign up for the package by the end of the first day onboard.

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Wines by the glass started at $6.50 for an “early muscat” from an unidentified Oregon winery or merlot from Round Hill vineyard. Other options for a dollar or two more included Rutherford Ranch chardonnay, Firestone sauvignon blanc, Seghesio pinot grigio, La Valentina from Montepulciano d’Abruzo, Barnard Griffin syrah; Veuve Clicquot Champagne was $18. The list had a selection of modestly priced (under $30) wines by the bottle—mostly European wineries we weren’t familiar with—plus such offerings as Frog’s Leap sauvignon blanc ($37), Rodney Strong chardonnay, Chalk Hill ($47), Artesa merlot reserve ($45), King Estate signature pinot noir ($41), and Scott Harvey old vine zinfandel ($49); Champagne started at $70 for Mumm Cordon Rouge brut.

The constrained selection of beers included the usual American name brands for $5.45, or $6.45 for imports—Grolsch was the most exotic label we encountered.

As the ship’s de facto coffee bar, the Yacht Club was open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily serving standard espresso and cappuccino drinks. The bar opened onto the Library, where there was seating, but most days we didn’t see many gathered here.

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This was our favorite watering hole aboard Wind Surf, and it had the longest operating hours of any venue on the ship. Located on the Bridge Deck, overlooking the aft, Compass Rose had a decent amount of tables outside with faux wicker chairs and a few umbrellas (it was one of the few outdoor areas that had much shade, another plus). The bar itself was indoors, and there was a good amount of seating here as well. At night a vocal-guitar duo performed here, and on a couple nights engaged us in a very competitive pop music trivia contest.

The full cocktail menu was available. Each morning, coffee, tea and a light continental breakfast was set out here, along with cookies and tea from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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Located on the Main Deck, aft, the Pool Bar faced the ship’s small pool, naturally, and it was a good spot for afternoon cocktails, whether we were swimming or not. One caveat: The port side of the seating area was designated for smokers, and when several congregated, the whole area was plagued with cigarette smells. This bar closed each evening at 6 p.m. as the space was converted into Candles Grill.

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This was the ship’s largest bar, open only in the evening. The full cocktail menu was available, and there was seating on chars and couches. Most nights this was also Wind Surf’s primary entertainment venue, with a stage barely raised a couple inches above the floor. A group called Top Society played here, a set the promoted light dancing. The Lounge was also used for check-in during embarkation, various presentations (shore excursions, captain’s cocktail reception), a wine tasting program, etc.

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Located on the Star Deck, this little cubbyhole, with seating for about a half-dozen, was the ship’s one interior space where smoking was allowed. While the door was always open, it was inconsistently staffed—it seemed to open sometimes when a guest requested service from elsewhere on the ship. We were told that the ship’s full bar menu was available here, but we suspect some drinks would be procured from another bar. The Terrace Bar counter extended outside, and at night this area was called “Cigars Under the Stars,” with a few leather chairs, a table and Oriental rug put out for effect. Cigars were available for sale.

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The ship’s spa facilities on Deck 2 aft are operated by Steiner Leisure, the dominant player in spa services for the cruise industry. There were just three treatment rooms (each appeared to be converted from a former cabin), but appointments didn’t seem particularly hard to come by on short notice. Prices were in line with Steiner services on other ships, which are somewhat higher than at most quality resorts. But there were specials each day, announced in the ship’s daily newsletter.

With a somewhat reduced staff the list of services was a bit shorter than we find on most ships, but they included a variety of massages, starting at $79 for the 25-minute deep tissue massage ($129 for a 50-minute treatment). Facials started at $119 for a 50-minute treatment. Also available were acupuncture and salon services for men and women.

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The Fitness Center was beautifully located up on the Star Deck, offering sea views port and starboard. There were 8 cardio machines by Technogym, along with various machines for weightlifting and resistance. The gym was never crowded when we visited, though with just three treadmills and two bikes, it wasn’t hard for the specific equipment we wanted to be in use at peak hours. Complimentary morning stretch, abs training, Pilates and Yoga sessions were available (one in the morning, one in the late afternoon), but the ship’s one trainer was more than 10 minutes late for the stretch session we attended. Personal training was offered at $85 for a one-hour session. The Fitness Center was open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Located on Deck 2 aft, Wind Surf has just one, square swimming facility, and it's not much more than a plunge pool, but it is appealingly positioned, and adequately sized for a small ship. The pool was flanked by two Jacuzzi tubs. The relatively few loungers surrounding the pool were often at a premium. Swimming hours were 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (Candles Grill opened at 7 p.m. nightly, preventing evening access for bathers).

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Wind Surf offered a few unusual recreational opportunities outside the Fitness Center. Accessed from Deck 2, a small Watersports Marina unfolded from the back of the ship. From the watersports platform, kayaks, small sailboats, windsurfers and snorkel gear were available for guest use, along with an inflatable water trampoline island. The platform is opened when the ship is at anchor (presumably never at docks), but it did not emerge at two of our tender ports (due either to sea conditions or local regulations). The equipment didn’t get much use by guests that we saw (the water wasn’t exactly warm), but by afternoon a few crewmembers were enjoying it.

Jogging was possible on the Star Deck (five-and-half laps equaled a mile), but one did need to content with diners at the Veranda Restaurant as well as sun loungers. Just above the marina was also a collection of bikes that could be rented for exploring ports. The rate was $15 for four hours, $25 for 8 hours.

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One of our favorite things about Wind Surf was all of the teak exterior decks. For a small ship there seemed to be lots to explore. The lowest exterior deck was the Main Deck , or Deck 4. This was where the lifeboats were located (preventing much of a view) and, to the aft, the pool. The forward section of this deck culminated in stairs that lead up to the Bridge.

The Bridge Deck , Deck 5, was more open, a great place for strolling and taking in the nautical experience. The actual bridge was open to visitors, there was various nautical equipment to peruse, and a few loungers were available at midship. Just above, the Star Deck was a wonderful space. This is where the barbecue dinner was conducted, it’s where The Veranda restaurant is located, along with the Fitness Center and a couple dozen loungers with a towel station. A small sign said five-and-a-half laps equaled a mile, but during breakfast and lunch hours this wasn’t necessarily the best place for a jog. One additional level, Deck 7 , is a flying bridge that has its own steering station—it was great for photos.

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Located midship on the Main Deck, The Lounge served as the ship’s primary entertainment venue. The stage—such as it was—was a platform raised a couple inches above the rest of the space. But it was big enough for a quartet, and the group Top Society played here most nights of our cruise. There was also a guest vocalist who performed on a couple evenings. The entertainment was okay, but so was gazing out at the stars. There was also a talented guitar-vocal due that performed in the Compass Rose bar nightly.

The ship’s DVD library was located next on the Main Deck next to the (book) Library. We found about 1300 titles available—a pretty eclectic collection that ranged from “Smokey and the Bandit” to “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.” Something for everyone, you might say.

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A galley tour was offered on one afternoon, and it was fairly interesting to see how our satisfying meals were prepared under Wind Surf’s constrained conditions (much smaller than what most cruise ships work with). The chef also organized a visit to a local market at one port, where he stocked up on fresh fruit, produce and other goods for the evening meal. There was no charge to join the short tour.

Of course, Wind Surf’s casino was smaller than we usually see on cruise ships, but it was bigger than we expected it to be, with 27 slot machines, 3 card tables and a Roulette table. There were different themes each night—the first night was Straight Night, then Blackjack Attack, etc. While the slots were open soon after leaving each port, the tables opened as late as 8:30 p.m. on a couple nights. Overall, the casino didn’t see a lot of traffic on our cruise.

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The size and layout of Wind Surf created a number of unique spaces. The Reception Desk was found on the Main Deck (aka Deck 4), and was staffed 24 hours a day. Around the corner was the Library , which was shared by the Yacht Club (the ship’s café). Although there were a couple hundred books here—many of them reference-oriented—there were a lot of empty shelves soon after embarkation (we’re not sure they were quite full before casting off). This area had comfy couches and handsome Scandinavian chairs, some mismatched, along with a large TV monitor that was usually tuned to news or sports. We also found Backgammon and Chess sets, and there were two pairs of headphones to listen to music, though our fellow guests weren’t good about hanging them up properly on the charging stations.

Deck 5 was the Bridge Deck and the Bridge was open to visitors pretty much any time, except during sailaway. There were always at least two officers present, happy to answer questions about the ship. One venue on this deck that got little use during our cruise was the Nautilus Room , a conference room with chairs to seat about 50. The facility was perfunctory, but included a rear-projection TV screen for presentations.

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There are no children’s facilities aboard Wind Surf. More specifically, the Windstar website states: “Children, especially infants and toddlers, are not encouraged aboard Windstar cruises. The intimate ship size and unregimented atmosphere are adult in orientation and do not provide for the care, supervision or entertainment of children.”

While we think a sailing-oriented teen might find a Wind Surf cruise pretty cool, pre-teens would largely be left to their own devices and might be miserable for the lack of playmates.

The Signature Shop was Wind Surf’s one and only boutique, but it was packed with merchandize, more eclectic than what we typically see on cruise ships. We found Wallaroo and Tilley hats, Gretchen Scott cover-ups, ladies Gittex swimwear, Patagonia clothing, watches by Fossil, Citizen and Michael Kors, blown glass ornaments, neoprene laptop sleeves, flip-flops, jewelry from Roman Glass and Antica Murrina. Captain’s uniforms for toddlers were charmers.

In addition to Windsurf logo items such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, sunglasses, visors and key chains, there was a small selection of sundries—sun block, pain relievers, batteries, memory cards, etc. CDs of the Wind Surf’s sail-away theme song by Vangelis (aka the “1492: Conquest of Paradise” soundtrack) were also available.

Wind Surf had a photographer with a Photo Gallery . Prints were priced $15 for 6x8 or $20 for 8x10, with discounts for orders or five or more (or all photos on CD for $200). On one afternoon, the Bowsprit—that pointy thing at the front of the ship—was opened for photos, a pretty unique cruise photo op, we’d say.

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Most of the service we received aboard Wind Surf was excellent, friendly. Many of the crewmembers had been with Windstar for a number of years and they were proud of the ship. However, we found one crewmember to be overly familiar and forward—to the point that we deliberately avoided his stations during meals. We also noted, in contrast to most cruise lines, that we almost never saw our cabin steward, who breezed in and out of our quarters quickly each day. While we can’t say there was anything unattended to, we were surprised to not meet him until the third day of our cruise.

Wind Surf’s normal compliment of crew is 191 and the number of guests at full occupancy is 310. This equates to a ratio of 1.6 guests for each crewmember, a relatively high level of staffing for the industry.

The ship’s daily one-page newsletter arrived in our room each evening, revealing the schedule of activities and hours of operation for the following day. Passports were collected from guests during embarkation and returned at the end of our cruise.

Located on the Main Deck next to the Yacht Club, there were just two PCs available for guests to check email or websites. The basic rate for internet access—using the ship’s computers or our own laptop anywhere on the ship—was $50 for 75 megabytes of data, or $100 for 160 megabytes. There was a usage meter (in a second browser) that indicated how many megs had been consumed. The internet station was not staffed.

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The attire on Wind Surf was comfortably relaxed. Windstar recommends that guests dress as they would at an elegant resort, but we’d say the dress was a little less refined than that. On sea days, the ship’s breezy outdoor atmosphere is conducive for light fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk.

The strictest dress was for dinner, when a casual-elegant dress code takes effect; the requirements were no shorts, jeans, T-shirts, hats and tennis shoes. There are no formal nights. The Windstar website also specifically states: “No suits or ties.”

There was no laundry room for guests to do their laundry, but basic laundry and pressing service was available (no dry cleaning). Items received before 9 a.m. were to be returned within 24 hours. Prices ranged from $1.80 for underwear to $3.30 for a blouse or sports shirt, and $3.80 for a sweater or sweatshirt to $6.45 for a suit or dress skirt. Most pressing was priced under $1; a suit or dress was $1.70.

An unlimited laundry package was available for $109 per cabin for the week ($54.50 for single-occupant cabins). Guests were asked to sign up for the package by the afternoon following embarkation.

The mandatory safety drill was conducted prior to embarkation and guests were required to bring life jackets from their room for the demonstration. Hand sanitizers were present in the dining areas, though we observed no special emphasis on using them.

Although the smaller Wind Star and Wind Spirit ships operated by Windstar Cruises do not have elevators, Wind Surf has two—one forward, one aft. However, no cabins or bathrooms are considered wheelchair-accessible, and the ship does not have elevator access for boarding. Guests with limited mobility should be aware that a number of doorways have raised thresholds to step over.

There was an infirmary on Deck 1, staffed by a doctor. The facility was open 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. daily. A charge was applied to the cabin account for any services rendered or medications provided. Meclizine tablets for seasickness were available from the infirmary at no charge.

Designated smoking areas were the port side of the Compass Rose and Pool bars, and indoors at the Terrace Bar (the latter was also the location for cigar and pipe smoking). Smoking was otherwise not permitted inside the ship, including cabins and the casino. However, we observed guests smoking in other, non-smoking exterior areas of the ship in front of the crew, including the outdoor dining area of the Veranda restaurant. We were disappointed that the policy was not enforced while we were dining outdoors.

A $12 per day, per guest gratuity was added to our checkout bill, to cover wait staff, our cabin steward as well as behind-the-scenes crewmembers. Additionally, a 15-percent service charge was added to all bar charges and wine purchases.

Guests were allowed to bring aboard wine and Champagne; bottles consumed in the restaurants or bars were subject to a $15 corkage fee. Other spirits were not allowed in cabins; Windstar offered to stow them until the last day of the voyage.

The minimum drinking age was 21.

Windstar Yacht Club is the frequent-cruiser program for guests. Formerly called the Foremast Club, the program was revamped in November 2013 with improved benefits that start following the first sailing.

Among them: A 5-percent discount on standard cruise fares for most voyages; upgrades to the next highest cabin category (or an upgrade from a standard cabin to a premium suite starting at $500 per person based on availability during onboard check-in); private member cocktail party; dining with the Captain or other ship officers; a Welcome Aboard gift; and savings of 10 percent on gift shop purchases. Additionally, a $100 shipboard credit is provided for each confirmed booking members refer to Windstar Cruises.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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The Roaming Boomers

Review: sailing windstar cruises wind surf.

Posted by David Porter on Thursday, December 29, 2016 · 17 Comments  

Our group of Roaming Boomers aboard the Windsurf

Our Personal Experience Sailing Aboard the Windstar Cruises Motor Sailing Yacht: Wind Surf

Note: click all photographs for larger views.

One of the missions of our website is to expose our readers and clients to off-the-beaten-path experiences. As we see it, why travel with the hordes if you can have a fabulous travel experience far from the madding crowd.

When it comes to ocean cruises, if the idea of sailing with an army of 6,000 people makes you feel icky, then thankfully, today’s evolving cruise industry is providing wonderful alternative options.

Carol and I recently sailed with Windstar Cruises on a 9-night sailing in the Caribbean and really enjoyed the experience.

Windstar Cruises offers a fabulous blend of luxury, value, and intimate small-ship cruising that deserves your rapt attention!

Carol and I, along with a group of 7 other “roaming boomers” that came with us, sailed aboard the Wind Surf which Windstar Cruises bills as the world’s largest motor sailing yacht.

I’ve been sitting here staring at my computer screen for about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to best describe our 9-day experience in an article that is informative, valuable to our readers, but yet not so large that you lose interest part-way through.  Therefore, I’ve decided to keep our review article limited to the major categories that folks would first want to know about, and create shorter deep-dive pieces in the future about our various experiences.

So that we don’t bury the lead, would we sail with Windstar Cruises again?  Yes.  Absolutely!

Now, let’s get into the good stuff…

The Ship: Windstar Cruises Wind Surf

This ship has 6 passenger decks, and holds a maximum of 310 guests with 122 deluxe ocean-view staterooms, 31 deluxe ocean-view suites, and 2 deluxe ocean-view bridge suites.

As you can see, the ship (part cruise ship, part yacht) features five massive computerized sails that reach 221 ft. above sea level. And important to me, the Wind Surf has a passenger space ratio of 47.5, which is nearly double the passenger spaces that many of the large cruise ships feature.  That means you won’t be fighting over a place to park yourself with a good book on deck.

As most of our sailing was done at night, we didn’t really get to experience the sails much.  However, each night the ship featured a “sail-away” event which resembled a Disney-like atmosphere with dramatic music playing throughout the ship as each of the sails was unfurled to the setting of the sun.

In this photograph, you can see that one of the unique features of a yacht-cruise is a marina on the back of the ship.  As the ship was generally moored at most of our locations, those who wanted to play in the warm Caribbean waters had great fun using the ship’s complimentary water sports equipment.

I snagged this photograph (below) showing one of our sunset sail-aways.  Looks fun.  Right?

Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Staterooms

Carol and I enjoyed one of the deluxe ocean-view suites (pictured above).  Our suite was 376 sq. ft. and was essentially two of the ship’s standard staterooms combined to make one suite.  As a result, we had two bathrooms, two desk areas, loads of storage space, and being able to draw the curtains when I rose in the morning before Carol was a plus she enjoyed.

Some of the folks traveling with us opted for the 188 sq. ft. deluxe ocean-view stateroom.  Inquiring about these staterooms, their comments were that they were small, but they didn’t feel squished, had ample storage, a nice desk area, and as they weren’t spending much time in their rooms anyway, they felt completely satisfied.

If you take a peek at our ocean-view suite above, you’ll notice that there is no balcony.  With rare exceptions, this is standard on a yacht cruise.  Behind each of the curtains in our stateroom were two portholes giving the illusion of two large picture windows.  There was ample natural light, and like our guests commented above, we didn’t spend much time in our stateroom anyway as there were ample common spaces above to sneak away and relax.

I know that some of you reading this will simply put yacht cruising out of your minds because there are no verandas.  But to me, the other benefits of our sailing yacht experience far outweighed the fact that we had no balcony. Keep in mind, there were only 300 of us on board.  I would happily give up a veranda to not be around 5,000 other people.

Dining Aboard the Windstar Cruises Wind Surf

I grabbed this photograph one morning and I think this pretty much says it all. Granted, these were the first people to be seated on this delightful morning, but dining on the Wind Surf is akin to dining on your own private yacht.  We enjoyed breakfast and lunch in this setting every single day, and loved it.

At night, this area is transformed into what they call Candles Restaurant where guests can enjoy steaks and fine seafood under the stars.  AmphorA, the ship’s main dining room served wonderful dining experiences each night with standard American cuisine available along with regional specials each night.  One night we enjoyed a massive BBQ under the stars on the top deck, and when we were in St. Lucia, Windstar gave us a fabulous beach BBQ.

With Windstar Cruises, all meals are complimentary in all venues at all times, including the room service menu available 24 hours.  We ordered breakfast in our room a few mornings, and several times enjoyed a simple sandwich, cookie, and cappuccino in the Yacht Club Sandwich & Espresso Bar.

Overall, our group gave the cuisine aboard ship 4.3 stars out of 5, with 5 being a Michelin-star rated restaurant.  You should also know that our group gave the staff aboard ship a 5 out of 5 rating.  They really were remarkable.  In just a few days, most of the staff that we interacted with knew our names, knew our wine preferences, and really made us feel at home.

Here’s two guys enjoying the pool one lazy afternoon in port. And I snagged the photograph below while on a fun-filled shore excursion at the world-famous frigatebird sanctuary in Barbuda.

I grabbed this photograph during one of our sunset sail-aways.  Can you picture yourself here?

Yacht Cruise or Mega-Ship

When we were moored in St. Martin, I was enjoying a good book on the back of our yacht when I spied this behemoth to the right coming into port. I was flabbergasted by its size.  I quickly grabbed my flip-flops and ran off the Wind Surf determined to get a photograph that might compare these two completely different cruising options.

The ship on the right carries 5,400 people and once they competed the docking process, people started streaming out of the belly of this thing like ants out of an ant hill.  I went to the very front of the monstrosity to capture my photograph, but from that vantage point, you could hardly see the Wind Surf.  So, I opted for a photograph that compared roughly half of said monster-ship against the elegant Wind Surf.

I don’t know.  You tell me.  Which would you rather sail the ocean blue upon?  It’s a no brainer for us.  We prefer smaller ships and no crowds. Monster-ship is very limited in where she can go.  Where our nimble sailing yacht could moor nearly anywhere in the world.  Nuff said?

It’s all about the ship.  Really?

Carol and I were meeting with the sales rep for the company that represents the ship to the right, and she made a comment that “ocean cruising is all about the ship”.  And I’ll admit, if I were 30 years old and single, or perhaps doing a multi-generational trip with my family, I would be drawn to something more like the ship on the right.  But when we’re traveling, the ship is certainly important, but for us, it’s all about the destination.  And the ship on the left is going to allow me to experience destinations far away from the crowds.

So, ask yourself, when you contemplate an ocean cruise, do you want to come home and boast about the ship you were on, or would you rather boast about the off-the-beaten-path destinations you visited?

Carol pretending to steer the ship.

Summing it all up

Carol and I really enjoyed our sailing experience aboard the Windstar Cruises Wind Surf.  When we asked our group of “roaming boomers” to rate the total experience, 0 being get me off this tub, and 5 being the most luxurious and best of the best ever, they gave the Wind Surf a 4.3.

Windstar Cruises isn’t trying to compete against the ultra-luxe yacht cruises that are now becoming available in the marketplace.  They have a unique niche in the 4+star market, we really enjoyed it, and would happily do it again.  Plus, when I share with folks that our 10-day sailing started at only $1,795/person, they are generally shocked as they expected a much higher price tag.

So.  Bottom line?  Carol and I highly recommend that you consider getting far away from the madding crowd on your next ocean cruise and try a peaceful, elegant cruise aboard the Windstar Cruises Wind Surf.

We promise, you’re going to enjoy it greatly.

And Lastly, a Shameless Commercial Plug

Now that you’re ready to book your own sailing on the Wind Surf, you can call Windstar Cruises or you can call our travel agency.  Either will get your cruise booked for the exact same price, but we have a lot of hand’s on experience that the very nice 30-something sitting in a cubicle can’t really bring you.  Plus, as we’re also affiliated with the $15 billion/year Virtuoso Travel Network, we are likely to also have some nice complimentary VIP perks for your booking as well.

Either way, we highly recommend that you experience a sailing with Windstar Cruises.  After this sailing, Carol and I have put one of their even smaller motor yachts on our bucket list.  I’m thinking that a cruise of the Greek Isles aboard one of their 200 passenger luxury motor yachts would really be the cat’s meow.  Don’t you agree?

Again, to book your Windstar Cruise, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request ( click here ) and we’ll reach out to you.

Category: Barbuda , Blog , Guadeloupe , St. Lucia , Windstar Cruises · Tags: Luxury Cruises , Windstar Cruises

17 Comments on “ Review: Sailing Windstar Cruises Wind Surf ”

We do Windstar every year…truly, a one of a kind voyage with minimal “cruisers” on board – the Windstar intellect know the vast difference between large cattle boats and the intimate yachts at Windstar! A special kind of “medicine” that no doctor can prescribe – good for the soul !!!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your love of Windstar. When we were sailing with Windstar, we met a guy named Bill who has sailed with Windstar 93 times and is looking forward to his 100th Windstar sailing soon. We’re going to put Windstar in the special part of our brains for “want to do again” and look forward to another Windstar experience, perhaps in the Med next time. Again, thanks for sharing! 😀

Hi, sounds fabulous.

Hi Rich. It was, and we’d happily go again. 🙂

Well said! Been there done that since 2004! Due number 7 on Star Pride seond on her

Doing our 9thTrans Atlantic on the Surf in November then staying aboard for the Caribbean cruise and really looking forward to another great crossing ! Twenty days of the best ! Did Barcelona -Lisbon last year and really enjoyed it however we prefer the crossing.

Is the weather rough on the Atlantic crossing? Thanks.

How was the T/A? We are booked for this April 2019 on the Surf.

For those fans and readers of the Roaming Boomers – I must say that doing trans-Atlantic crossings and the Caribbean are great…however, as an alternative, sailing with Windstar in Tahiti / French Polynesia is tantamount to sailing on your “private” yacht in paradise on earth. Only 148 privileged guests aboard the Windspirit yacht is a true bucket list journey – that will turn your wanderlust dreams into a precious lifetime memory!

We just did that Windstar Tahiti/French Poynesia trip this summer and we loved it! We are now going to the do a 7 day on the Star Legend in the Caribbean in December. We couldn’t wait to get back on a Windstar cruise.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your love of Windstar. Have fun on your next cruise.

We just finished a cruise of the Riviera on Silver Seas. I was surprised how dressed up all the people were – we are from New England and live in blue jeans and sneakers. Of course, many of the passengers were European, not American. Do Windstar Cruises have that kind of atmosphere or are they more casual in dress and atmosphere?

Does Windstar go to Alaska?

Yes. Here’s a link: https://www.windstarcruises.com/destinations/alaska/ And when you find a cruise you like, be sure to check with u as we may well have some complimentary perks to add to your booking.

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Wind Star current position

Wind Star current location is at Aegean Sea (coordinates 36.41806 N / 25.41158 E) cruising en route to SANTORINI. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Wind Star

Wind Star current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Treasures of the Greek Isles . The itinerary starts on 14 Sep, 2024 and ends on 21 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Wind Star

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Wind Star Itineraries

Wind Star Review

Review of wind star.

The 1986-built cruise ship Wind Star is the first and oldest of the Windstar's sailing yachts, together with Wind Surf and Wind Spirit (sistership). These four-masted ships are uniquely designed for tall sailing cruises.

The vessel (IMO number 8420878) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 309163000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Windstar Cruises is a luxury brand operating a fleet of smaller-sized ships (mega-yachts) with capacity up to 310 passengers. The company call at 150 ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe. Currently, Windstar is a subsidiary of Xanterra Parks and Resorts (USA's largest national and state park concession management company).

Windstar's namesake vessel, the 180-passenger ship Wind Star, is a 4-masted, motorized sailing yacht and the first of three in the Windstar's fleet. Yet, continuous maintenance and recent repair have kept it fresh and youthful. In the staterooms, scratchy old bathrooms have been spruced up with granite countertops, high-piled towels and nice shower sprayers; and new combination DVD/CD/iPod Nano players have upped the ante in the department of tech toys. Public places and dining venues have been updated, too.

Decks and Cabins

Wind Star yacht staterooms (74 total, in 5 grades) include 1x Suite and 73 Oceanview cabins. All accommodations are with Queen-size double beds, LCD TV, DVD player, Bose speakers, SoundDock for Apple iPods. The Owner's Suite is sized 220 ft2 / 20 m2 but like the rest of the cabins lacks a step-out balcony.

The boat has 5 decks , of which 2 are with cabins.

Windstar Wind Star ship 2012 renovations included a full update of the public rooms' decor. The staterooms are newly enhanced with leather headboards, linen wall coverings, armchairs, new lighting features, carpeting, window coverings, new artworks, stylish bed cushions and throws. With large windows and skylight, the ship's lounge is full of natural light the whole day.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Wind Star ship has two primary dining venues, both open seating: the AmphorA Restaurant in the evenings which offers course-by-course gourmet cuisine and Veranda restaurant with casual full-service and buffet dining (breakfast and lunch). A reservation is needed for Candles if you choose to dine under the stars. In 2012 The Restaurant was redesigned, renamed Amphora, and a new menu was launched. The Pool Bar also was redesigned to make additional alfresco seating for sunset dining at Candles Grill with a new awning and deck furniture.

Follows the complete list of Wind Star restaurants and food bars.

• AmphorA Restaurant (boat's dining room, open-seating; offers 5-course gourmet dinner menu which is changed daily; along with onboard-made bread, in all ports of call the executive chef goes to the local markets to shop for fresh ingredients)
• Candles Cafe & Veranda (a smaller "dining room" which offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as a la carte menu through the wait staff; its indoor area is called "Candles Cafe" and features floor-ceiling panoramic windows; the outdoor seating area is called "Veranda" - in the evenings, it transforms into "Candles Grill" (alfresco steakhouse).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

With teak wide-open decks of over 10,000 sq.feet of space, generous for this size ship, and 21,500 ft2 (2,000 m2) new sail overhead, Wind Star guests may find hidden nooks for their private moments with the feeling of their own veranda. Be sure you'll benefit from small Star ship's access to unreachable otherwise ports of call. Onboard amenities are the WindSpa, Casino, Library, Lounge, Pool, Watersports Platform, and Hot Tub. During 2012 renovation The Reception Zone received a make-over, as did The Lounge with new hardwood flooring and a new AV system.

Follows the complete list of Wind Star lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Marina (retractable water sports platform for water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking; the ship provides a banana boat, waterski boat, sea kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, wakeboards, boards for windsurfing, paddleboards, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, plus four Zodiacs; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• Lounge (boat's theatre/main show lounge for live evening entertainment); Library
• The Signature Shop/Boutique Shop (sells duty-free luxury fashion clothing and accessories)
• The Casino (with blackjack/roulette gambling tables, slot machines)
• WindSpa (operated by Steiner; has a treatment room, Sauna and Beauty Salon. Windstar's "Spa Under the Stars" program offers outdoor spa treatments (on the open deck).
• The Fitness Center (with free weights, exercycles and treadmills; offers complimentary exercise classes)
• Pool Area (with one swimming pool, a waterfall cascading from the whirlpool, sunbathing area served by the Pool Bar)
• The Flying Bridge deck is designed to resemble the traditional navigation point.

Itineraries

Wind Star itinerary program is based on Caribbean cruises from Barbados and Mediterranean Sea voyages with departures from homeports in Turkey and Greece. The ship offers Transatlantic repositioning crossings between Europe and the Caribbean.

In 2021, Tauck Travel (USA-based travel company) chartered Wind Star for a seasonal Eastern Mediterranean program based on the new "Treasures of the Aegean" cruise itinerary.

• The 10-day voyage had scheduled visits to Mykonos Island , Delos Island , Santorini Island , Patmos Island , Monemvasia , Piraeus (with included 2-night Athens City premium hotel stay), Ephesus (from Port Kusadasi, Turkey) .
• Tauck's 2021 schedule included as departure dates June 17 and 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, August 12, 19 and 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, and October 7.

Following the Coronavirus crisis 2020-21, Windstar restarted operations with Wind Star on June 19, 2021. The 7-night "Greek Islands" itinerary (roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens ) visited Mykonos, Kusadasi-Ephesus (Turkey), Patmos, Syros, Santorini, Monemvasia, Nafplio. The crew was vaccinated and all passengers were required to provide COVID vaccination proof. Also on June 19th restarted operations Star Breeze (7-night Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Philipsburg, St Maarten ).

Photos of Wind Star

Wind Star ship related cruise news

Windstar Cruises unveils a multi-million refurbishment project for the 3 sailing ships (2023-2026)

Windstar Cruises has announced a comprehensive multi-year, multi-million-dollar project to enhance its classic sailing yachts, including the Wind...

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Windstar Cruises has made significant updates to its onboard cruise booking program, offering passengers more attractive incentives for booking...

Windstar releases cruise schedule through summer 2025

The Xanterra Parks & Resorts-owned ultra-premium cruise line Windstar announced its deployment through the summer of 2025, with key...

Windstar launches high-speed Starlink Internet across its global cruise fleet

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Windstar Cruises’ flagship Wind Surf restarts Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona

The USA-headquartered (Xanterra Parks and Resorts-owned) company Windstar welcomed back its 342-passenger flagship Wind Surf to the sea. The...

Windstar Cruises restarts in French Polynesia & Tahiti aboard Wind Spirit

The U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar resumed operation in French Polynesia/the Islands of Tahiti with vaccinated passengers and...

Windstar Cruises restarted with 4-masted sailing yacht Wind Star from Athens

The owned by Xanterra Parks and Resorts premium company Windstar Cruises is sailing again with vaccinated passengers and crew onboard. The first...

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Windstar requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruising

Until further notice, the premium travel company Windstar announced it would require proof of current COVID vaccination for all passengers sailing...

Windstar postpones cruises on 4 of its yachts

Windstar announced it had postponed sailings on 4 of its yachts. The cruise line is assessing multiple factors impacting their timing to resume...

•   show more news

Other Windstar Cruises cruise ships

• Star Breeze
• Star Legend
• Star Seeker
• Wind Spirit

Wind Star Wiki

Wind Star cruise ship was built as the first tall sailing ship in the fleet of Windstar Cruises. She is a member of a very specific class of three sister vessels - Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Song. Wind Song had fire in the engine room in 2002, and the ship was scuttled. Windstar sailing yachts have a modern design, but still feature 6 sails on 4 masts, that are handled via a sophisticated computer program.

The yacht's design is based on smaller 5,350-ton motor sailing yachts constructed by the French shipbuilding company "Societe Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre". Among those are the Windstar sail ships Wind Surf and Wind Spirit, and also Club Med 2 .

During Wind Star's last drydock refurbishment (2023, at Navantia Cadiz) a new mast was installed.

In 2012, Windstar completed an extensive (18-month long) drydock refurbishment project for renovations of the company's all three sail yachts - Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. Works included overhauls of all passenger staterooms, dining venues, public spaces, as well as new sails.

The ship Wind Star has fleet's first female Captain - Belinda Bennett (born on St Helena Island - a British Overseas Territory in South Atlantic Ocean). Her maritime career started at age 17, as a deck cadet on the cargo-passenger ship RMS St Helena . In September 2005, she joined Windstar as Second Officer and became Captain (Master) of Wind Star in January 2016.

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Finally, Bravo Drops Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Season 5 Trailer

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Bravo fans have been waiting a very long time for news about Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5, and the network has finally delivered.

Not only did Bravo just drop a brand-new trailer for the fifth season of the hotly-anticipated reality TV show, the network also confirmed precisely when Below Deck Sailing Yacht will return.

Until today, fans of Below Deck Sailing Yacht weren't quite sure the spin-off of Below Deck would return for a fifth season, as the last episode of Season 4 aired way back in July 2023.

Editor's note: This article contains brief mentions of sexual assault, abuse, or other related topics that could be triggering for some readers and survivors. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit RAINN.org. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) is available 24/7.

In late June, one viewer asked Reddit users if Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 was ever going to happen, and even as recently as this summer, fans weren't sure the show was returning.

In that thread, BDSY fans speculated that Season 5 was delayed due to allegations involving First Officer Gary King.

As we previously reported, Season 4 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht featured a wild "love triangle" between Gary, Chief Stewardess Daisy Kelliher , and Chief Engineer Colin MacRae:

"Many things influenced the relationship between Daisy and Colin, but one name was the most prominent: Gary King. "Daisy, Colin, and Gary's entanglement reached a boiling point that got the three in public arguments and name-calling, and at the end, estranged."

A month after Season 4 concluded with a two-part reunion in July 2023, Rolling Stone published an in-depth article , "'Below Deck' Accused of Covering Up Gary King’s Sexual Misconduct," rocking the show's audience.

It reported in part:

"Bravo’s Below Deck was recently lauded for its handling of sexual misconduct when a producer on Below Deck Down Under broke the 'fourth wall' and intervened when one cast member, Luke Jones, tried to get into bed naked with another cast member, Margot Sisson, without her consent while she was inebriated and passed out. Not only was Luke fired from the show, but their fellow cast member and stewardess, Laura Bileskalne, was also let go because of victim-blaming comments she made to Margot about the incident and her own line-crossing pursuit of deckhand Adam Kodra. [...] "Samantha Suarez, who first joined Below Deck in the makeup department on Season 10 of the show, tells Rolling Stone that cast member Gary King tried to force himself on her during production of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season Four, which filmed in Sardinia, Italy, in the summer of 2022."

Fans speculated that Season 5 was delayed due to extensive retooling, but Bravo eventually confirmed the return of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, with a trailer that centers Daisy.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5's Release Date And Trailer

On September 16, Bravo finally released the Below Deck Sailing Yacht trailer.

Bravo shared the clip on Instagram and Twitter/X, to the surprise of fans:

Posts teased the crew's visit to the notoriously riotous destination of Ibiza, and the trailer kicked off with some remarks from Daisy.

Daisy is the first crew member to speak in the trailer, and she addresses the unwieldy love triangle of Season 4:

"Going into this season, I got rid of some dead weight. The breakup did a number on me last year. I felt very broken. "But now, I'm coming back in more focused, full of energy, and I'm f*****g good at my job. And I'm taking back the reins."

Immediately thereafter, the clip cuts to a cabin, where Daisy tells an in-bed Gary that she refuses to "carry this season," before cutting back to newer footage of Daisy laughing and predicting:

This is gonna be a s*** show.

Then the video shifts to Ibiza, where a voiceover describes it as the world's "party capital," and scenes are interspersed with a lot of breaking glass.

Gary (who has not been let go from the franchise) makes an appearance, and the soundbite chosen for the trailer is bizarre given the allegations levied at him last year:

If the guests don't have a good time, we're clearly doing something very wrong.

As the trailer winds down, one of the crew members (likely Deckhand Keith Allen) muses that "Daisy would make a very good wife."

The trailer wraps with an apparent firing, as well as what appears to be a scene during which the crew veers uncomfortable close to another vessel at sea, at night.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 debuts on Bravo on October 7 at 9PM Eastern, and streams on Peacock the following day.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Screen Rant

Below deck sailing yacht season 5 trailer leaves fans disappointed with gary king’s involvement.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5’s trailer has finally arrived, and with Captain Glenn Shephard’s crew including First Officer Gary King, fans are disappointed in the show’s return . While Below Deck viewers have been impatiently awaiting news about Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 for over a year, the trailer has finally been released, and has many concerned about what the season is going to look like. While the trailer reveals the return of some familiar faces, the storylines that appear to be part of the season left viewers feeling uneasy. After Gary’s sexual misconduct allegations, his involvement seems overwhelming.

In the Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 trailer, the crew’s chartering guests around Ibiza in a new sailing adventure. With Gary showing up early in the trailer after Daisy Kelliher makes her grand entrance, things get dicey quickly. “That’s right, we have a f****** job and I’m not carrying this f****** season on my own you f****** prick,” Daisy shouts at Gary in one moment of the trailer as he lays in his bed, looking dismayed. The rest of the trailer shows the genuine chaos of the season, featuring Gary heavily much to the surprise of Below Deck viewers .

What Gary’s Involvement In Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Means

He’s part of the show more than ever.

Throughout the Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 trailer, it was clear that Gary will be a focal point of the exterior team’s story. Being shown on the deck with some of the exterior team, pushing Deckhands to their limits and critiquing their work, Gary’s presence on the sailing yacht may be odd during Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 . While he appears to be getting along with Daisy , he may not even have her in his corner by the end of the charter season. His heavy involvement in the trailer may not indicate the same throughout the whole season.

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Although Gary has been a part of Below Deck Sailing Yacht since the early days of the series, seeing him as a member of the crew after his sexual misconduct allegations came to light is tough. While Bravo filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 before the allegations were revealed, they came to light during the filming of the season and it appears that the network didn’t choose to remove Gary from later episodes or take action at all. Though it remains to be seen if production did anything about Gary , it’s disappointing to some to see him on screen.

Our Take On The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Trailer

It could be chaotic fun, but gary leaves a stain on the show.

Although the trailer for Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 makes it seem like one of the most exciting, dramatic seasons of the series we’ve ever seen, the mess may not be worth it if Gary’s involved. By ignoring the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against Gary and leaving him on the series, seemingly without explanation, Bravo is allowing it to seem like what he may have done is okay. Though nothing has been proven, taking no action on Below Deck Sailing Yacht could be a misstep that may taint the entire season of the sailing spin-off for once excited viewers.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht premieres Monday, October 7 at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.

Source: Below Deck /Instagram

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.

Davide Morosi

Chief Engineer

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Sailing is a type of yachting, a kind of year-round water and wind sport and outdoor activity. The name comes from the words "sail" and "moving".

In sailing, you ride on the water in a sailing boat due to the power of the wind. A sailboat can also have a motor, but it’s needed only in emergency situations and for safety on long journeys. The crew, which may include one or more people, controls the sails into which the wind blows. Due to this, the yacht tacks — moves in a zigzag in the right direction, including against the wind. Sailing boats can be large, with several cabins or sports for one or two people.

You can go sailing all over the world but there are some more popular regions. For example, in Europe, these are countries of Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and Italy. They have interesting coastlines, many islands that can be seen from the water, as well as many marinas — specially designed harbors with moorings for pleasure yachts and small boats.

Sailing can be done all year round, but summer and the off-season are better suited for recreation than winter. On the other hand, in winter there are stronger winds, such as bora, which blows from northern Italy along the Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea.

The main pleasure of sailing is to travel on the water for the purpose of recreation or sportive competition. There are several types of sailing competitions. The regatta is the most common. It's even included in the Olympics. But to go out on the water on single-handed Laser-class vessels, basic theoretical training and a life jacket are enough. Such boats often capsize, and you need to be prepared for this —  it's part of sailing. You need a license to sail on larger boats, go to sea, and make sea voyages. To get a license, you need to pass an exam in the theory and practice of ship management. There are many courses around the world where you can do this, such as IYT Bareboat Skipper or Inshore Skipper.

Text:  Natalia Kirasheva , a travel and business author and editor from Moscow, Russia. She has a Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Geography of Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) with specialties in Economic Geography and Tourism, and Environmental Management. Her favorite sports are windsurfing and snowboarding.  Ivan Kuznetsov  contributed to this guide

Cover photo: Markusspiske / Unsplash

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Marblehead’s Corinthian Repeats at Resolute Cup

• By Michelle Slade
• September 17, 2024

A command performance by Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead, Mass., saw the well-honed team skippered by Wade Waddell take its second consecutive victory in the prestigious Resolute Cup, thus securing the venerable club a berth in the 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup.

This year’s edition of the Resolute Cup showcased teams representing 28 yacht clubs from around the country who fielded their best sailors to compete. Twenty races were sailed over four days in the Opening Series, with the top 14 boats advancing to a two-race Medal Series on the final afternoon when scores were doubled for each race, intensifying an already stiff competition.

Waddell, 27, and his team of Doug Sabin, Duncan Swain, and Miranda Bakos, finished 18 of 20 races sailed in the Opening Series inside of the top five and won the regatta by sixteen points.

New York Yacht Club, skippered by Peter Levesque, finished second, and Mystic River Mudheads Sailing Association, skippered by Peter Linn, took third, winning a tiebreaker with Eastern Yacht Club, which scored fourth in a repeat of its 2022 result. An impressive showing by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club rounded out the top five.

“Winning a second time feels amazing!” says Waddell. “It’s never been done before; no other club has won twice so we are happy to be the first ones to do it. I am sure everyone at home is thrilled.”

Waddell credits his hugely successful Northeastern team for their epic repeat performance. “We all did this two years ago with exactly the same team,” he says Waddell. “Our main trimmer, Doug is CYC’s Rear Commodore and a Sonar world champion. He really gets the boat going fast around the course all the time. Duncan does bow and trims jib for us and he brings a great energy to the boat. Miranda has won almost every regatta she has ever tried to win, she’s extremely good and a constant on the boat; she keeps the three guys in line and focused. We have a tremendous amount of trust in each other.”

No longer a Resolute Cup rookie, Waddell knew coming in that he’d be up against a spectacularly competitive fleet; from the outset, the focus was on keeping their scores low.

“We knew it was going to be a super deep fleet,” says Waddell. “Sonars are pretty even boats and everyone here is very good at sailing. We knew it was going to be tight racing. We reviewed results from 2018, which was a similar format to this year and saw that the winners averaged about a six, so we had that number in the back of our heads of what we were trying to average out over the course of the regatta. I think we did better than that. Friday was our best and most fun day, we were consistent all day and when the breeze came up a little bit, our team was just super dialed, we were in the groove, super-fast, and were able to get a lot of really good scores; it just all came together.”

Following the conclusion of the Opening Series on Saturday, the Medal Series fleet endured a long wait for a marginal breeze to eventuate, causing the Corinthian Yacht Club team just a little anxiety. But at the end of the day, Waddell and his formidable crew had the event wrapped up.

“The conditions were pretty sketchy—puffy and shifty—which made it unclear what side was going to be favored so that certainly made it tight,” says Waddell. “We waited for a few hours for the medal races to start which made me anxious. Going into the last medal race we were 26 points up on New York so they would have had to win, and we would have had to get last in order to not win the regatta. Our strategy was, ‘Hey, we just need to beat one boat. Let’s start in the middle, have a conservative start and just play the fleet.’”

Waddell is already looking out to next year’s Invitational Cup; after taking second in 2023, the Corinthian team is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.

“This is the first checkmark to get into the Invitational, and now we have our eyes set on climbing to the top of the mountain at that regatta and getting back there to have a strong finish—we have an amazing team to accomplish that,” says Waddell. “We have great teammates back home at the Corinthian Yacht Club who support us, it’s really a fantastic family culture, we encourage each other, push each other hard at practice, and it pays off at these regattas.”

A notoriously challenging event for newcomers given the high premium on talent, Charleston Yacht Club put on a convincing performance at their first Resolute Cup to finish 11th overall. Three of the team—David Dabney, Joe Pitcavage and John Colarusso—sailed together on the College of Charleston sailing team, while Megan Riddle-Tracy was on the College of Charleston team in later years. With no experience racing together in Newport and little in the Sonar, the team’s strategy coming into the event was to observe the old guard.

“We watched closely the people who sail these boats often to try to figure out little tips, how to make them go fast, how to stay in clean air and keep the boat going fast, that was our plan,” says Dabney. “It’s been top competition; at the top weather mark a boat length and a half is the difference between top five and bottom five, so tough racing, but a lot of fun. Next time we’ll feel more confident knowing the racecourses, the tide and current, it would be nice to have more inside information on that, but it wasn’t a factor holding us back—we had plenty of other things holding us back!”

The Corinthian Spirit Award presented by Helly Hansen goes to the team that exhibits the best Corinthian spirit both on and off the water, as voted by all competitors as well as the Organizing Authority. This year it was awarded to Little Traverse Yacht Club, skippered by veteran Scott Sellers.

“This is my third time doing this regatta, I haven’t done it in 10 years but I had the opportunity this year between work and family to pull it off so I’m really grateful to be here, I couldn’t turn it down,” says Sellers. “Sailing out of Harbour Court with this level of competition is a special experience. I like racing the Sonar, they’re equal so it makes for great tight racing, and the New York Yacht Club does a first-class job of throwing good events. It’s so great to see so many old friends and to meet a lot of new friends. NYYC does a great job of making it happen.”

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Home » News » Construction » 39-ft S/Y WISP Launches and Heads South

39-ft S/Y WISP Launches and Heads South

Posted on September 17, 2024 and filed under Construction , Design , Spirit of Tradition , SWD News & Stories

39-ft S/Y WISP hit the water after a compressed build time of less than a year. Photo credit: Alison Langley

On August 5, our latest design, WISP, was gently lowered into the harbor in Camden, Maine. The 39-footer is the most recent in a string of luxurious daysailer/weekenders we’ve designed over the last couple of decades. She was designed to be beautiful, comfortable, easy-to-sail, and fast—and by the end of that week in August we were able to see how we did on all counts.

While packing plenty of performance under sail, Wisp effortlessly transforms into a luxury weekender, featuring saloon seating for four and a queen-size forward berth. Photo credit: Alison Langley

WISP hit the water after a compressed build time of less than a year, and that last week was key in pulling all the details together. Lots of last-minute details in systems and rigging took place in a well-choreographed rush orchestrated by Alec Brainerd, founder of Artisan Boatworks , as the goal of sea trials loomed Thursday morning. Step the mast, tune the rig, bend on sails, commission the engine, electrics, and hydraulic system…. Details seemed endless, but by midday Thursday we were casting off lines and heading out to see how she sailed.

  With crimson cushions and backrests in place, we began to test the luxury of the cockpit even before sails were unrolled—with owners, builder, designer, and reps from sailmaker North Sails , spar—builder Moore Brothers , and Ransom Morse, hydraulics genius, we were testing the capacity of the 13-foot-long cockpit. The cockpit was laid out to provide a generous lounge area forward and sail-handling focus aft at the helm, and easily met the challenge of eight people aboard.

On deck, WISP offers a sophisticated, dual-purpose cockpit: a plush, upholstered area for lounging forward and a dedicated sailing zone aft. Thanks to a design that marries functional ergonomics with classic aesthetics, the helmsperson enjoys easy access to all sailing controls without leaving the wheel. Photo credit: Alison Langley

The day was clear and warm, with a gentle sea breeze building. We tuned the electrically-furling mainsail to mate the mandrel to the winch, then hoisted full main and unrolled the working jib. We’d designed the sial plan to provide really easy handling and plenty of area for lighter breezes, common in her home port in western Long Island Sound, so the six knots true wind was a perfect test bed. Dialing in the sail trim and sheet positions, we quickly found WISP’s groove, and soon were sailing upwind at about 26 degrees apparent and boat speed of 5.9 knots—calling that a win! After trying a couple of tacks we cracked off to a beam reach and unrolled the MPS, and speed jumped to 8 knots in 8 knots true.

These few minutes of sailing would be all her designer would experience, as a tropical depression rolled through the next day, and by the following Monday, she was headed south and west to her owner’s mooring in western Connecticut. But before she shoved off, we were blessed with a gorgeous Saturday afternoon photo-shoot opportunity on the tail-end of the storm, with strong breezes and priceless clouds to form a backdrop to the Camden Hills as master marine photographer Alison Langley  plied her craft. Here are a few of the gems she captured—enjoy!

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Impracticality In Its Most Beautiful Form: 53-ft Beaujolais

site by: slickfish studios

Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers TV with DVD Player Fully Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator Safe L'Occitane Bath Amenities Fresh Fruit Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception) Bathroom with granite countertop and shower Granite vanity with magnifying mirror

• CAPACITY: 342 Guests
• STATEROOMS: 150 deluxe ocean view staterooms
• SUITES: 18 deluxe ocean view suites
• BRIDGE DECK SUITES: 2 deluxe ocean view bridge suites
• OFFICER'S SUITE: 1, located in the officer's quarters
• DECKS: 6 decks
• CREW:  210 international staff
• SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
• LENGTH: 535 feet (162 meters) at waterline; 617 feet (187meters) including bowsprit
• DRAFT: 16.5 feet (5 meters)
• TONNAGE: 14,745 gross registered tons (grt)
• BEAM: 66 feet (20 meters)
• SAILS: 7 triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails with 26,881 square feet (or 2,600 square meters) of Dacron surface area
• MASTS: 5 at 221 feet (67.5 meters)
• ENGINES: 4 diesel electric generating sets, 2 electrical propulsion motor
• SPEED: 10 to 12 knots with engines only; up to 15 knots wind and engine assisted

Sailing yachts like Mike Lynch's are 'unsinkable bodies', CEO of boat manufacturing firm says

Bayesian superyacht which sank off Italy is an "unsinkable" vessel, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said.

By Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent and Eleonora Chiarella, producer

Sunday 25 August 2024 08:48, UK

Vessels like Mike Lynch's stricken superyacht are "unsinkable", according to the chief executive of the firm which makes and sells them.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, told Sky News there are no flaws with the design and construction of the Bayesian superyacht which capsized in a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on Monday.

Five bodies were found by divers on Wednesday - taking the number of confirmed dead to six.

The Italian Sea Group also owns the firm that built British tech tycoon Mr Lynch's Bayesian, and Mr Costantino said the vessels "are the safest in the most absolute sense".

"Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats], I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built," he said.

"And as Perini is a sailing ship... sailing ships are renowned to be the safest ever."

He said their structure and keel made them "unsinkable bodies".

Read more on this story: Why search of superyacht wreck has been so difficult Hero mum 'slept with baby on deck when storm sank yacht'

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Mr Costantino said news of the sinking "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other".

"This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," he said.

It is understood Italian prosecutors investigating the incident are continuing to hold interviews with the survivors.

On Tuesday they questioned the captain for more than two hours to help reconstruct what happened and provide useful technical details.

Four British inspectors are also in Porticello and have begun a preliminary assessment of events.

It is understood they will look at all relevant aspects of the incident, including the design, stability, and operation of the vessel. They will also examine the effects of the weather conditions experienced.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, 15 of whom were rescued - including Briton Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Divers will resume efforts on Thursday morning to bring ashore a body they found earlier. One more person remains missing.

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