Last year my wife and I did the Star Pride Trans Atlantic from San Juan to Lisbon. Everything about this cruise was superb. The ship was super clean. The cabins are all suites, extremely quiet and very comfortable. The food and service was as good as any 5 star restaurant. The crew had to be the most efficient, polite, and friendly that I've ever encountered on a cruise ship. The ship itself has a few very relaxing areas and a couple of light entertainment venues. Think the Marriott Hotel on the water. The best part of this cruise line is the interesting people you will get to meet. Although most are probably well off they are unpretentious folks. So many of them bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences to any conversation. Surprisingly, this class of ship rides very well in the ocean. Only one day out of 13 when the Pride worked hard against the sea. All other days and nights were a pleasure. Most of the crew seemed to be Indonesian and Philippines. Such lovely people obviously hired for their dispositions in addition to their capabilities. We are considering the Star Breeze trans pacific Anchorage to Tokyo 16 days with 8 ports next year. Looking forward to that with anticipation.

We sailed the Wind Spirit (one of the sailing ships) which had only 75 cabins. An absolutely amazing trip. The engines only fired up when pulling in or leaving harbor/anchor. Sailing overnight was great! You do feel the ship much more because it's small, so if you tend toward sea sickness keep that in mind. Gary is absolutely right about being able to visit smaller destinations, which was awesome. Not having to complete with 3,000+ people in the same port is a much better experience. The cruise is *meant* for you to focus on exploring the destinations and/or excursions; if you just want to hang around the ship it's fine, but really the reason most take this line is to be able to experience the destinations. The crew was great; they really do get to know you (and vice-versa). The food was excellent as well. Overall, I don't think I could go back to the larger ships; having experienced Windstar really changed my outlook on cruising!

I spent almost 5 years working with WindStar Cruises and would highly reccomend. Once you go small ship cruising you won't go back to the big boats!

We've cruised on a few lines (a Holland America medium size ship for Alaska, when Windstar was not sailing there, a Renaissance ship for Indonesia, when Windstar was not cruising there, and the Radisson Diamond through the Panama Canal, due to timing issues). We now cruise exclusively on WIndstar, about 18 cruises from Singapore and Malaysia to France and Italy, Croatia, Malta, Portugal to Barcelona, including Morocco and Tunisia, the Baltics, Japan, Tahiti, Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea. And regular spring break weeks in the Caribbean (no grown drunken Spring Breakers, but our well-traveled teen grandaughter was with us.). We adore Windstar's style, service, and itineraries. Almost everyone is a multi-time Windstar cruiser. The crew is outstanding and because the ship has so few passengers, we get to know many personally. The food is superb and the itineraries (and pre-tour lectures) and either active sporting or interestingly educational. When a Windstar ship comes into port, it is delivering 100 or 150 people into the destination, not 3000-5000. I cannot imagine being on a behemoth floating Las Vegas. While we were used to the amazing romantic sail experience in the early decades, we've come to like the three "Star" yachts just as much--a slightly different environment but the same friendly and competent staff, food, etc. We cannot wait to get back to cruising.

I really enjoy Gary‘s videos. He gets right to it. No fluff. No influencers prancing around the halls talking about nothing for 4 minutes into the video before they say anything useful. Thank you, Gary. You do it right. Everything I learned about river cruising I learned from you.

We continue to choose Windstar for our vacation cruises specifically for the quiet relaxing environment and the high level of personal service the crew provides. Yacht style cruising is such a more personal experience then the mega ships with thousands of people competing for venues and tenders.

We love Windstar We were waited on hand and foot The food was fantastic. Many of the staff knew our names. The staff were all happy. It was tge favorite cruise line we had been on. It is also a good value

My wife and I were married by the captain on the Windsurf while cruising down the Med. the most amazing trip ever. Cannot wait to go back

We have done five transatlantic cruises and two trips to the South Pacific on Winstar and can’t wait till we get to go again....loved every minute

I used to work on the "MSY Windstar" and the no longer "MSY Windsong", I was an Engineer. A fantastic time of my life in fact I met a girl on the "Windstar", who at the time was a casino croupier in the two person ran casino, she is now my wife. Holland America ran the boats when I served on them; they were as described high market but casual, a very well run outfit back then, which is now twenty seven years ago a tad more than the fifteen in this post. The boats were built in Le Harve, France, the Windstar started cruising in 1985. Diesel electric power plant which is very quiet for passengers, when I served on them we would regularly go sail only power which the passengers loved, however we required to engage the propeller at night as any tail current would cause a knocking of the stern. Do they still have diving facilities, we used to carry two scuba diving instructors, normally a husband and wife team. Great days.

Best cruise of my experience, we could go right into small jewels of ports like Kotor, Korcula, Dubrovnik, and sailed all the way up the fjord in Montenegro. Truly magic. There were quite a few people in the 40-50 bracket travelling alone so we had fun.

Absolutely love your no nonsense straight to the information style! Don't know that I've ever seen this type of video before, although I wish others would take a lesson from you!!! Thanks for the information Sir.

just thought I'd say that my family went on a cruise with Windstar in summer 2016 around the Greek island and it was fab, although the boat is small there is still a lot to do and the staff always found something for the teens to do at night. we were on one of the smaller of the ships - Windstar - so each stop we always were in the middle of the town and got off and on and had a look around, on one night we stopped off and we had a large banquet dinner with a Greek dance and when we got back to the ship, the staff were lined up on either side to welcome us back on. the staff were very friendly and helpful and you got to know them well, the food was great, I'm a vegetarian and they catered so well, the chef made me a separate thing for me, for example, a vegetarian curry and it was always delicious. the watersports day was very fun with the mats and especially being able to be sun-dried after! the open policy was really cool because we were allowed to go inside where they controlled the ship and the captain was super friendly and we learnt quite a lot as well. so overall, it was a great experience and I​ would do another cruise with Windstar.

Gotta say…this sounds like exactly what appeals to me. Great food and service and hard to find ports of call…bucket list for me

Thank you for the informative video. I am sold , now to surprise my love!

Very informative thank you for your insight on Windstar Cruise Lines

We thoroughly enjoyed our WindStar cruise from Nice to Barcelona. Dining was superb -- especially the wine list. Our Puligny Montrachet was bargain priced and world class. Same for Taittinger Prestige Rosé, a lovely Chablis, and a marvelous Italian red. Thank you Wine Steward Romi!

Great help and well presented. I have been on the Royal Clipper and looking at the Wind Surfer for a change and with this you have answered a good few questions that I had in the back of my mind. 👍🏻

Was on the Wind Star a few months ago off Costa Rica and will the on the Legend next week off Turkey and Greece! This is my first and only small cruise line-I've been on other lines but not the newer mega ships..I would recommend this company to anyone. Just an overall great time, definitely more low key that the bigger ships-buts that's the beauty of it. Food was great, crew was wonderful and being able to get into smaller ports was a bonus. I really can't think of one thing I would change..

Great information. We are looking for ships that emphasize destinations versus entertainment. The entertainment is the destination and exploring what it has to offer.

Great job Pedro. I still miss the sailaways.

This was exactly what I sought. Thank you.

Great Information, excellent presentation and well detailed talking points. Well done!

Very helpful. Not yet decided to the 1st cruise. Still nervous.

Excellent overview, Sir! We have chosen well in going with Windstärke, I believe, though I have yet to see personally. I think you hit on a huge point, and that is the focus on the destination. Love the journey, and I like the idea of a quieter experience, but the expertise and in-depth information looks to be one of the key differentiators. Instead of “shopping briefs”, we’ll get informative overviews and history of our ports o’ call, and the surrounding John Muir experience, if you will. Again, excellent overview/differentiator. Travel well!

I love the open bridge policy!

Thank you for your explanation! Fabulous. Windstar seems like its exactly what i am searching for my first cruising experience.

Lovely. I'd love to go on a Sailing vessel.

The most informative travel video on cruising that I've seen. New subscriber here. Thank you.

Great viideo. We have done several cruises on the big ships but fell in love with river cruises for several of the same reasons you mention for Windstar. We hope to give Windstar a shot this fall (2018) Icons of SE Asia.

Great info,I'm a travel agent for cruises for over 8 years and still learned a little more today ! Cheers 🍻

Thank you for your comprehensive and thoughtful review of Windstar Cruise Lines. I’ve watched many of your previous videos and have come to trust you. Windstar might be right for me. 😎

You are on the former “Seabourn Spirit”.

Thanks Gary you have just confirmed that this company is definitely what my wife and I want.

Our favorite cruise line so far is Celebrity. I got recommended Windstar, which seems surprisingly great value for the money. I'm in my late 30's, have done 6 cruises, so have plenty left to see. Compared to other "luxury" options I've looked at, this seems to hit the exotic ports, at a quality that justifies the difference in price between it, and the mass market. 8 night Ireland/Scotland for $1,699 US, that's maybe $300 more than what Holland America would charge in the region?

Windstar is the best cruise line ever!

Very informative. A friend mentioned the wonderful time she has had on Windstar cruises and I wanted more information. Thank you.

An amazing ship and amazing cruise.

Windstar, when I first started working for them, was owned by Holland America. Then they were bought out by Carnival. Interesting to hear that they are now "independent".

Do the sail version cause motion sickness? Or is it similar stability to the large cruise line boats?

Thanks for all these tips!!

Excellent information...very useful guide. We have just booked with Windstar thanks to this...many thanks

We are planning a cruise to Alaska in the next year and have SO enjoyed your videos. Very helpful in narrowing down our cruise ship choices. Question being with these smaller ships, in your opinion how different is the sail in terms of sea sickness? Is there a big difference you think? Also, when I grow up, I want to be you!! LOL. Love all your destinations.

I like Allure of the seas (huge ship) but it doesn't have that feel like you are cruising on an ocean, the smaller ships like Windstar has the feeling like you are cruising on the ocean (If you get seasick, probably not your best choice)

Excellent information. Thank you. 😊 👍

Thanks Gary: many people have told me that the excursions are way over-priced, and that on most of the Greek islands you can enjoy the sites by planning your own walking tour. Especially given how long you're actually at each port. Your thoughts?

Wonderfully helpful! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Great video very informative and thanks for sharing!!!

Would this experience be fine for a single person who is very private and not too sociable?

As long as the riff raff from Carnival is nowhere to be seen, I will consider.

Thank you

Great tips. Thanks! Can't decide between Windstar and Seabourn. We're both the casual elegant and formal elegant people. It'll be our honeymoon either Caribbean or Tahiti.

Very informative video.

Can't thank you enough for posting this. I was skeptical, my wife wants to go. Your info convinced me. We will probably be taking the Windsurf, "Yachting the Riviera", but looks like we missed the October 2017 booking. Seems like next booking availability is June 2018. Thanks again for helpful info. Ronald

Does anyone know the price range of the excursions? About how much do you end up spending on these from beginning to end? And how much is the internet? Also, is there a gym on board the yacht style ships? Thanks.

Fabulous review, thanks

About 5 years ago we took the Star Breeze for the Monaco Gran Prix. Short version: Cruise from hell. The food was atrocious. The crew (I recognized some from Wind Spirit) I think were all grabbed from their old ships and stuck on this one. They didn't seems to want to be there. The cruise past Cinque Terra was a big disappointment and the Gran Prix was total BS. This was a really, really expensive cruise. We got seats in the K stands and couldn't see much of anything. We were all led to believe the boat would be in the harbor but the boat anchored off the Heliport. What a stupid mistake or a cheap one. Helicopters flying 200 feet over your head all day. There were 8 in sight when I got back from the race.The black tie dinner at the Cafe de Paris next to the Casino was great but there was no way to get back to the boat since the tender drivers had all worked 8 hours and no one would come get us. imagine 200 people, all driver-driver type A personalities, in the rain dressed in black tie and gowns getting wet for 90 minutes as tenders for the Wind Surf went off repeatedly EMPTY. The Wind Surf by the way, anchored well away from the loud and very busy heliport. Finally the hotel manager from the Wind Surf took pity on us and used their tenders to get us all back to our boat. Wind Star would not even apologize for the litany of problems on that damned cruise. And never order fish and chips from them because they served tilapia. Yuck, a trash fish. I can go on and on but the boat and their attitude was bad . The response from Windstar was to over a 5% discount on our next cruise. What an insult. Sorry... I did see the Wind Spirit in the Caribbean a few years later when the boat I was on tied up across the pier. The boat had mossy weed growing along the waterline and rust all over it. I was grossly disappointed because I had such a good time on it going through the Panama Canal in 2014. We'll likely never go on Windstar again and that's a shame. If they would only show some ownership for screwing up and then make it right they would have loyal customers instead of reviews like this one. Oh, I almost forgot the head gash I got in the closet from a stupid brass nail like hook I am guessing was for hanging your belts on? I bent over to get my shoes and very nearly lost an eye as the nail gouged my eyebrow badly with lots of bleeding. I asked for it to be fixed and they refused despite the obvious danger it presented. What a bunch of bums...

Great tips! Haven't been on a cruise in a while but will keep these in mind.

Thanks!

Great insight 👍

Excellent information. Thank you!

Excellent! Thank you!

Very informative. We saw a Windstar sailing ship on our first trip to France, a long time ago. It seemed to be following us - Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo. I've always been curious about them. You say they charge for all the usual cruise ship things. I haven't cruised in so long I don't know what those are. Wi-fi hadn't been invented yet. They charge for beer/wine/spirits, shore excursions, wi-fi, and you pay gratuities. Anything else? What do they charge for wi-fi? Our last few cruises have been on a schooner in Maine. Let me tell you that is a different experience!

Thanks for the information. I wanted to ask a question because it's a smaller ship, do you feel the water movements more than on a bigger ship?

Thank you for the video.

Thanks.

which mode of travel has best budget value overall between bus tours, train, independent, river cruises, ocean cruises, etc is valuable for people who like art, classical music,marchaeology, palaces, and similar activities? opera, ballet, .....

Did I miss it, or did you not compare prices between resort ships and Windstar? The more personal attention and fewer quests might bring a cost increase, I would think.

THank you for your excellent informative video. It really helps when choosing a cruise / cruise line. Just one question - we are looking at a 'repositioning' cruise from Puerto Rico to Lisbon.... basically it is just a lot of sea days and achance to relax! Do you think these smaller ships are still comfortable on the big ocean crossings? Have you done such a cruise before? Would appreciate your feedback!

Great video. With docking at smaller ports is possible to get off the ship and just explore the region close to the port without booking an excursion? or do the ports tend to still be farther away from town?

Are special coffees included Gary?

Love your videos! We have booked a crossing from St Marteen to Lisbon departing April 4, 2020. Looking forward to 14 days aboard. How does the Windsurf do in rough weather which is likely at that time maybe?

You mentioned that gratuities are not included in the fare. Is there a settlement at the end to tip everyone by credit card or does one need to have cash for every meal, drink, daily room service, etc.?

Those ships are well seasoned adults not teens lol.....the youngest ship in their fleet is 26 yrs old which is star legend ( ex Seabourn) and the oldest is 30yrs which is Windstar.

Are alcoholic drinks and wine included?

Hi Gary nothing personal but you are too close to the camera in this video.

We just took a chance and booked on Windsurf for Dec 2020. I hope the next level of Jumanji doesn't fall on us. We didn't really like the giant cruises. Not enough to do one again. I think that this smaller ship will be just right for us. Leaving St Maarten for 7 nights Dec 5th

Do all the rooms have windows to look out ?

Excellent video.With regard to the type of passenger that would be attracted to Windstar, what would be the age demographic?

Do you know if they adhere to all the required safety parameters? Are the ships safe and maintained well? Do they allow smoking on board? I do not smoke and would not want to be stuck on a small ship with nowhere to go to avoid the smoke?

Thankyou

What local entertainment is presented with Windstar What about local cuisine, beverages?

Are the bathrooms a separate room? Or are they separated by a curtain from the main room?

1st of all Carnival do actually own Windstar !!! Bought them in 1988 when I worked for them

Do they own private shops on their ships and which are?..so nice ships

how do find yacht, river cruises, .....

Can you say something abour accessible cabins with Windstar? Ixve never been on a cruise and am interested if this would be a good one for me or if I should stick to looking at the larger lines

age, destinations, vs entertainment?

I was very sad when Carnival sold them.

Is LIQUOR included????

Is Wind Start friendly to single travelers?

We

Carnival=Spirit=Greyhound.

477

which non english speaking tours whether bus, train, river, ocean , have cultural value, art galleries, museums, classical concerts recitals, opera, theatre, ballet, folk dances, ancient ruins, palaces, churches, temples, synagogues, .....

?

I am Travel Agency owner and I have sold cruises for over 26 years. Its up to the travel consultant to select a cruise for the clients..

r u kiwi?

Do Black people take this cruise?

It’s overpriced for us and for a small cruise line they don’t offer kosher style food or kosher meat or chicken so nup for 14,000 for 2 ppl for days forget it