Windstar Cruise Fleet Review - Wind Surf, Wind Spirit, Wind Star

Few cruise products on the market today unite the elements of wind and sea quite as poetically as Windstar Cruises, starting from the moment the computer-operated sails of its fleet unfurl in stiff ocean breezes. Guests can be stirred by the thrill of sailing under mast, while enjoying all of the amenities of full-scale luxury cruising.

This year, the small-ship line is boasting $6 million in enhancements to its fleet, which encompasses the

148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit, and the 308-passenger Wind Surf. As a subsidiary of Holland America Line, Windstar enjoys the benefits of being under HAL's parental umbrella for administrative functions such as human resources, finance and information systems. But Windstar takes its own marketing and promotional heading, given that it's far different in size and scope than Holland America.

It's important to realize that Windstar is really not so much about cruising, it's a fantasy vacation...romantic, exotic and completely unusual and luxurious.

Sister ships Wind Spirit and Wind Star now sport completely refurbished main lounges, with new furniture, wall treatments and audio-visual equipment. Gyms on both ships were redone, new machines added, and the saunas removed to create more space. Main lobbies on both ships were refurbished with a round centerpiece settee. Wind Spirit's veranda café was completely renovated, based on a design concept previously tested on Wind Star. Both vessels received

extended caf é awnings, refurbished pool decks and pool bars, comfortable lounge chairs and new sound systems.

Condensed Interview by Susan B.Young

For Travel Agent Magazine

REVAMPED DECOR

Wind Surf received a new top-deck public space called the Terrace Bar, which is a nighttime gathering place for cigars and brandy. Wind Surf's public rooms were also renovated. The main lounge has newly upholstered furniture, new decor and upgraded audio-visual capabilities. Wind Surf's bridge was redone with new decor, which is important, given the line's "open-bridge" policy. Wind Surf's hallways now sport new wall treatments with the appearance of wood, and the reception area was done over. Also, Wind Surf's fitness room was upgraded with new flooring, mirrored walls and new equipment. The spa lobby and all treatment rooms were upgraded as well.

Since late 2003, Windstar's three sailing ships - which also have motorized power for itinerary integrity when the wind is not advantageous - have received multimillion-dollar makeovers. All three vessels have received new public area carpeting with a nautical design, as well as work on their teak decking. Staterooms sport new carpeting, bedspreads, curtains and upholstery, as well as 21-inch LCD wall-mounted televisions. VCRs and separate CD players were installed, as were new DVD entertainment systems.

For those with more time, Windstar will have many longer cruises in 2005. Wind Surf, for example, will operate 11-night journeys between Venice and Athens, and 10-night cruises between Athens and Rome. Russell says many guests like to combine

two or three seven-night segments to create a 14- or 21-day

cruise with few, if any, repeating ports.

The line is also planning totally new routes, such as Wind Surf's journey from Lisbon to Malaga, Spain, allowing guests to stop in Safi, Morocco, and take either a day trip or an optional overnight excursion to Marrakech. That ship will also sail to Casablanca, a port-of-call that is new to the line. Another new itinerary for Wind Surf is Malaga to Marseilles.

NEW HORIZONS

Windstar is introducing a new port of Rimini, 150 miles to the south of Venice. Located in the eastern Italian Riviera, it is a very popular seaside and summertime resort area for Italians and Europeans, and has a wonderful beach.

All three ships then will operate in the Mediterranean throughout the summer. Wind Spirit will go directly to Athens to operate seven-night Athens-to-Istanbul sailings, and will also offer weeklong one-way journeys between Athens and Venice. The line will also sail Athens to Istanbul and other Mediterranean journeys in seven-day, 10-day and 11-day sailings.

Beginning Jan. 29, 2005, Wind Star will offer a series of eight seven-night cruises roundtrip from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, sailing as far north as Nicaragua and as far south as Panama. Wind Star will also offer four Panama Canal sailings, with two 14-day journeys between Puerto Caldera and Bridgetown, Barbados, as well as two holiday sailings between Puerto Caldera and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Wind Spirit will return to sail seven-night roundtrips from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., in early 2005. From January through April 2005, Wind Surf will operate seven-night roundtrip cruises from Cozumel, Mexico to the Riviera Maya and Belize.

The 148-passenger Wind Star will head for Costa Rica this winter season. For 2005, Windstar has multiple new itinerary options. A fire destroyed Wind Song in 2002, and Wind Star was redeployed to Tahiti to take over Wind Song's itineraries. So after sailing a few years in French Polynesia, Wind Star will head for new waters, operating 2005 voyages in the Mediterranean and Central America.

Windstar's focus is on onboard freedom, crew attentiveness, the use of natural materials and inspiring outdoor spaces.

While Windstar's vessels call on many of the most popular cruise destinations, they also slip quietly into quaint little harbors where large ships cannot go, immersing guest in destinations where resort development may be nonexistent. These quieter places often lend themselves to water sports, for which Windstar is well prepared: all three of its ships have onboard marinas with a full complement of water toys.

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