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As soon
as you walk up the gang way you realize things are going to be different on this
ship. You're greeted by the Captain and Hotel Manager personally. You're
offered a complimentary welcome aboard cocktail and canapés in the Lounge and
when you're ready you fill out the few formalities. Yet again when you are
ready a steward takes you to your cabin where your baggage has already arrived.
This is painless embarkation at its best!
All 74
cabins on the ship, except for 1 larger owner's cabin, are the same. This also
applies to the Wind Song and Wind Star as are the public rooms. Each of the
cabins will welcome you with fresh flowers, fruit, terry cloth robes, TV (a big
one by ship standards by the way), VCR, CD Player, safe, fully stocked mini bar,
two port holes, queen or two twin beds, a pull out table for room service,
separate lighted vanity mirror and what has become one of the most copied
bathrooms in the cruise industry.
At 188
sq ft these are some of the best laid out cabins in the business. The bathrooms
offer a three compartment design that is extremely practical and spacious.
Your bath is also well supplied with premium soaps, shampoos, lotions and more.
The cabins have been decorated with just enough wood and rich colors to give
that nautical feeling without being dark or confining. And last but not least
there is more than ample closet and drawer space for any cruise.
After
you leave your cabin to start exploring the ship you will find The Restaurant,
The Lounge, Library, Reception area and Signature Shop on deck 3.
The
Dining room, holding all 148 passengers in a single seating, is a warm feeling
room done in rich woods and blue. But what is even more impressive about the
dining room is the FOOD! Dinners on the Wind Spirit are fantastic. The
selection, preparation and presentation is as good as it gets. Innovative
"Sail Light Menus" and vegetarian menus are also available. Over 180 signature
recipes have been designed by some very well known chefs for Wind Star to go
with their "180 degree from Ordinary" slogan.
The,
Lounge, located aft on the same deck as the Restaurant is a good room day or
night. Holding all 148 passengers as well, this room is surrounded in glass.
During the day this is an ideal room for any meetings required. In the evenings
you will find live music and complimentary hot and cold canapés during cocktail
hour. After dinner a duo plays nightly as well as having disco music. The
room and adjoining bar having the feeling of a nice casual club.
Next to
the lounge is the casino consisting of two black jack tables and numerous slot
machines. While it is a separate room you are not far from the lounge so you
can take advantage of the "action" in both rooms.
The
Library also is the video library. Without a doubt one of the largest
selection of videos available. This also holds true for the CD library that is
also available.
On the
upper deck you have the pool with hot tub, pool bar and the Veranda
Restaurant. The Veranda Restaurant is a curved glass room that has indoor and
outdoor sitting. Used primarily for breakfast and lunch this dining room also
excels in presenting tempting buffets as well as ala carte specials for both
breakfast and lunch. It goes without saying that the service is equally as
attentive as in the main dining room.
The
deck area for the pool, pool bar and hot tub is more than enough to hold the
entire ship. In fact one night on each cruise you will find a dinner deck BBQ
during under the stars in this area. As with the entire ship you do not have a
crowded feeling anywhere on the vessel.
All of
the Wind Star ships offer a complete array of water sports toys including water
skiing, hot dogs, kayaks, snorkel equipment, sail boats and diving equipment.
When ever the opportunity arises all of the equipment is available to passengers
without charge. One of the most popular days to use all of the toys is when the
ships do a beach BBQ (Caribbean Itineraries only). This is one great day at
the beach. Your own private pristine beach with an outstanding BBQ with all
the trimmings WindStar style. Not to worry your favorite bar tender is ashore
to help keep you cool.
What
really makes the Wind Star experience "180 Degrees from Ordinary"? First of
all many small ships talk about their yacht like feel etc. In the case of Wind
Spirit it really is like your own private yacht, if not better. The service is
absolutely first rate with most crew members addressing you by name. With over
80 crew members the service level is extremely attentive. The food is not only
excellent but creative aw well with menus that really make you think about your
selection. Wind Star's policy of casual dress at all times, no jackets or ties
required, is but a part of your yacht experience. Finally the ports of call
Wind Star ships visit are the same ones frequented by many of the world's finest
private yachts. These smaller less frequented ports bring their own dimension
to your cruise.
Last
but not least is that for the wantabe sailors in all of us, the bridge is open
to all passengers most of the time. With a Jimmy Buffet tune in the back ground
you almost have the feeling that this really is your yacht as YOUR Captain
answers all of your questions on these magnificant sailing ships.
The
Wind Star fleet of ships currently cruises in the MED (both eastern and western)
spring to fall, the Caribbean, Belize and Costa Rica in the winter months. We
highly recommend a Wind Star Cruise for either groups or charters.
Cruise
Reports recently gave the Wind Spirit the Highest Quality Rating in the Life
Style Cruise Category. According to one of the passengers responding to their
survey "This ship really lives up to the idea of "casual luxury." In fact the
ship received a perfect 10 for its on board service beating out newer ships such
as Silver Wind and Silver Cloud. |
