If you like the sound of sails flapping in the wind while you cruise around the Caribbean but want to avoid any of the hard graft that sailing involves, you’d struggle to find a better option than Windstar Cruises’ Windsurf.
This is actually a cruise ship but its unique selling point is that it has five, wonderful billowing sails that can actually power the whole vessel providing there is enough wind.
At the end of my seven-night cruise, we were told that the sails had actually been up for 89% of the week and we had just used the motors for 35% of our cruise. However, we never had to haul up the mainsail as the crew did all the hard work.
Windsurf’s other great plus is the total informality of the experience – this is not a typical cruise ship. There are no formal nights, theme nights or set times or tables for dinner. Dress is casual, even in the main dining room, and you can sit with anyone you want.
The no-tipping policy means you are served by a different waiter every night for dinner.
I found this a bonus as you get to know a large chunk of the friendly Filipino and Indonesian staff who are more than happy to have a joke as they serve you.
One of the highlights of the week was an impromptu show put on by the waiters and cabin staff, with surprisingly accurate Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonations, and a spot of line dancing to boot!
The Windsurf is not only Windstar Cruises’ newest ship, acquired just last year from Club Med, but it is also its largest and most luxurious, carrying around 312 passengers compared with the approximate 150 capacity of the other three.
Although it’s not quite as intimate as the smaller ships, there’s a great atmosphere.
Though most of my cruise companions were Americans, there was a sprinkling of Brits and other Europeans on board.
It’s probably not an ideal holiday for families, there are no dedicated children’s facilities and, although everybody fussed over little four-year-old Shane, no provision was made for special meals.
My days were spent enjoying Windsurf’s many attractions, such as the spa and state-of-the-art fitness room – both of which were needed after the many on-board feasting opportunities.
Every meal is a gastronomic extravaganza, from wonderful breakfasts on deck to barbecue lunches, five-course dinners and the massive Caribbean buffet.
If you find yourself peckish between meals, there’s always room service, homemade pizza on the pool deck or afternoon tea.
If you can drag yourself away from the on-board attractions, which also include two swimming pools, two Jacuzzis and a video and CD library, the shore excursions are well worth taking up.
My itinerary took me out of Barbados to the southern Caribbean islands and the likes of Bequia in the Grenadines, Martinique, St Lucia and Tobago. There was a good variety of tours to choose from – although rather pricey – ranging from short island visits to full-day catamaran and helicopter sightseeing excursions to St Lucia and Martinique.
The Windsurf also boasts its own water-sports marina, with equipment ranging from banana boats and waterskis to snorkelling, windsurfing and diving equipment.
It’s not always possible to use all of the facilities and a lot depends on the weather, but when the marina is open there’s no better way to work off a few pounds – before putting them back on at the next meal, of course.
Cruise programmes
Windsurf itinerary one: seven-night Caribbean southbound or Windward Island cruise departs Barbados and visits Mayreau and Bequia in the Grenadines, Tobago, St Lucia and Martinique. Prices start at £1,808 full-board, including return Barbados flights with Virgin Atlantic.Tours range from £15 for a Bequia island tour, to £80 for a St Lucia helicopter tour.
Windsurf itinerary two: seven-night Caribbean northbound or Leeward Island cruise departs Barbados and calls on St Martin, St Barthelemy, Nevis, Isles des Saintes and St Lucia. Prices lead in at £1,808 full board including Virgin Atlantic flights to Barbados. Island tours range from £12 for a St Martin island tour, to £83 for an all-terrain vehicle adventure tour in St Lucia.