Mrs. Popular Cruising: Windstar Cruises Continues To Wow This Wife
It has been a very discouraging few days at home since I returned from a cruise in Alaska that lasted for a total of 12 nights aboard the Star Legend, which is operated by Windstar Cruises. Nobody is going to start my day off well by handing me a vanilla latte. I was responsible for making my own bed. And when I go home at the end of the day, there isn’t a new load of freshly cleaned and ironed clothes hanging in my wardrobe like there should be.
The feeling of being pampered is something that passengers on many cruise lines get to enjoy, but Windstar takes it to a whole new level. The experience of travelling on a smaller ship holds a very unique place in my heart. At the moment, each of Windstar’s motor yachts can comfortably accommodate up to two hundred passengers. The motor yachts are scheduled to be lengthened through the year 2020 so that they may seat an extra 100 passengers; nonetheless, the intimate atmosphere of a small ship will be preserved. If you are interested in a higher degree of customised attention throughout your holiday, then Windstar is an excellent choice for you.
The crew aboard the Windstar is widely regarded as among the most talented in the business. They have achieved the difficult-to-achieve balance of providing excellent service while also acting in a genuine and compassionate manner. The service is not in the least bit stuffy, the cabins are always cleaned in a timely manner, and the restaurant and bar employees know individual preferences.
One of the advantages of taking a cruise on a smaller ship is that you can go to places that are off-limits to larger vessels. When we were anchored in the Misty Fjords, we had one of the most relaxing and enjoyable days of our trip. We were able to explore the area, which has a really eerie character, by boarding a 6-person zodiac off the water sports platform located at the aft of the ship. The location is absolutely stunning. We were able to get up close and personal with a large group of bald eagles, as well as waterfalls, greenery, and seals (called a parliament of eagles for you trivia buffs.) In addition, as we were sailing through Tracy Arm, we went to South Sawyer Glacier in a zodiac and saw it. While there, we were fortunate enough to watch an incredible shooter, which is a portion of the glacier that breaks off from below the sea and bolts upward. My advice is to never pass up an opportunity to go on a kayaking or zodiac riding excursion with Windstar when one is presented to you.
Fans of good food will savour each and every dish that Windstar has to offer. There is a delightful buffet available for breakfast and lunch on the Legend before it goes to the shipyard to be stretched (with more dining options being added). There is also the restaurant AmphorA, which serves breakfast and dinner, the specialty restaurant Candles, which accepts reservations only for dinner (get the fillet!), and room service, which is available around the clock. You also have the option, during dinner hours, to have any item that is offered on the AmphorA dinner menu brought to your room.
On this trip, the items from AmphorA that stood out to me the most were the baked Brie and asparagus tart, the Viennese-style pork schnitzel, the roasted poblano pepper corn soup, and the lasagna al forno bolognese. Those who eat seafood will appreciate cedar plank maple. Alaskan salmon, seared sesame-crusted tuna and Alaskan king crab legs. Don’t forget to add some truffle fries to your side order!
We looked forward to the unique lunch offering each and every day, which is served on the top deck on days when the weather is pleasant and in AmphorA on days when it is raining. Our cruise had a variety of food options, including a soup bar in an Asian style, a burger bar, a curry bar, and a deck BBQ that was not to be missed. (I’ll Have the Shrimp, Pork, Ribs, Steak, Chicken, and Paella, Please!) When it comes to a meal with a certain theme, Windstar absolutely slays the competition.
If I had to select between Tahiti and Alaska with Windstar, I would give a little edge to Tahiti because I’ve now had the opportunity to experience both of these destinations. Not only is it a wonderful experience to cruise on the sailing ship as opposed to the motor yacht, but Windstar truly shines in Tahiti for a few different reasons. They are able to make greater use of the outdoor deck space during the warmer months for events such as parties, sail away celebrations, themed lunches, and candlelit dinners. Swimming, kayaking, and participating in other water sports that are often enjoyed during warm weather may be done just from the ship, which is another perk. There are also a handful of private island events that are going to be very outstanding that are included on the Tahiti schedule.
Because Windstar has worked hard to earn a place among my top picks for cruise lines, I intend to continue include it in my regular rotation of options when it comes to taking vacations.
