Photos courtesy Windstar Cruises
Your perfect honeymoon begins the moment you board a Windstar Cruises small, elegant yacht or sailing ship. The ever-attentive crew welcomes you and takes pure pleasure in your contentment meeting all of your needs. With its staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5, it’s no surprise that Windstar was named for Best Service last year in the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards.
Smaller, intimate ships mean slipping past crowds. Docking in tucked-away ports brings you to one-of-a-kind places offering memories you’ll treasure forever. Extended onshore excursions take you off-the-beaten path allowing you to experience authentic local culture.
I’ve had the pleasure of sailing on several of these ships in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, most recently on the Star Legend. Of the many reasons I love sailing on Windstar, the cuisine is a culinary journey like no other at sea. The menu in the main dining room, AmphorA, changes nightly, and each menu features a special James Beard Foundation chef’s appetizer and main course. Every night we had a choice of a scrumptious fish, meat or vegetarian dish beautifully prepared with the freshest local ingredients. The chef is empowered to bring local flavors to dishes inspired by the countries the ship visits. And, where included, guests have the opportunity to accompany the chef to shop in the local markets.
The Star Legend offers an alternative dining venue at least once during your cruise – at no upcharge. For our signature deck BBQ, our chef went ashore and bought a fish big enough to serve all 212 guests. The menu also included roasted suckling pig, grilled lobster tails with drawn butter and marinated grilled lamb chops with mint jelly. What a unique culinary experience and fabulous party under the stars!
Star Legend staterooms are among the largest in the small-ship industry with separate living areas, French balconies, large bathrooms and walk-in closets. Public areas are comfortable, inviting and never overcrowded, making it seem at times like your own private yacht. One of my favorite places to hang was the Yacht Club, a beautiful room at the front of the ship with surround views of the sea, offering made-to-order specialty coffees, light breakfast and lunch.
If you are looking for a big-ship experience with Broadway-style shows, this may not be your cup of tea, but there are more than enough places to gather for live music, dancing and cocktails.
Windstar is transforming the Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride – stretching and renovating each ship. The slightly larger ships and new enhancements will significantly build upon the signature onboard environment for which Windstar is famous. Guests will welcome two new complimentary restaurants: the eclectic, Spanish-styled Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso and the modern alfresco Star Grill by Steven Raichlen. Capitalizing on the ships’ increased deck space, guests will also enjoy a new pool and whirlpool on the upper deck, a reimagined, world-class spa and fitness center, a new retail shop, and more. Every bathroom will be rebuilt and fitted to modern luxury standards. The new 84-foot (25.6 meters) mid-section will also welcome most of the 50 new suites.
Whether you wish to travel to Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, or anywhere around the globe, Windstar Cruises is your ideal choice for small-ship cruising and an unparalleled way see the world from a new perspective. Reservations are open for 2020 and 2021 cruises.
For more information on Windstar or any other cruise or land vacation, please call Debbie Rosenthal and Dream Vacations at 901.682.5600 or visit drosenthal.dreamvacations.com.
Sail with Windstar
Discover unspoiled beaches, hidden harbors, and small towns that only can be experienced on a small ship. • Escape the crowds and long lines of the mass market cruises on a ship carrying fewer than 350 guests. • Taste the essence of local cultures with the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation. • Explore incomparable, once-in-alifetime shore excursion adventures. • Experience itineraries covering the world’s must-sees with tucked away ports.
