Windstar Cruises offers distinctive Caribbean cruises – "miles from ordinary," as they like to say – on a pair of tall-masted sail/motor yachts that provide a laid-back but upscale cruising experience that includes stops at a number of off-the-beaten-path ports and destinations.
Basic Information on Windstar Cruises
- Contact information:: 1-87-STAR SAIL; e-mail: info@windstarcruises.com.
- Description: Small-ship upscale cruising.
- Ships: 3
- Cruise length: 6-15 days
- Price: $1,649-$3,549 per person
Windstar: Ships Cruising the Caribbean
Windstar operates three ships: the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit, and the 308-passenger Wind Surf. The Wind Spirit and Wind Surf cruise the Caribbean; Wind Star generally stays in the Mediterranean. All resemble tall ships with their full sails, but can operate on engine power as well as wind. Known for their "casually elegant" atmosphere, the ships feature all ocean-view cabins, bistro-style restaurants, casino, pools, spa (Wind Surf only), library, and fitness center.
Windstar: Caribbean Home Ports
All of Windstar's Caribbean cruises begin and end in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Bridgetown, Barbados. Both can be accessed via direct flights from the continental U.S. or via San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Windstar: Caribbean Ports of Call
Windstar's smaller ships allow the line to get into some smaller ports than fleets operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean and Carnival, such as Pigeon Island in St. Lucia and Iles des Santes in the French West Indies. Windstar's standard ports of call include the French West Indies (St. Martin, St. Barts), U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas), British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda), Barbados, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.
Windstar: Caribbean Itineraries
In 2006, the Wind Surf will have 17, 7-day cruises from Bridgetown, Barbados. Northbound cruises call at Nevis, St. Barts, Guadaloupe, Iles des Saintes and Pigeon Island; southbound trips visit Tobago, Grenada, Bequia, and Roseau and Cabrits, Dominica and the Grenadines. The Wind Spirit will sail 18, 7-day cruises from St. Thomas to St. Martin, St. Barts, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke, St. John and Virgin Gorda. Two 14-day cruises Panama Canal trips on Wind Star feature some Caribbean stops.
