#WindstarCruises | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bike42 · 6 months ago

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April 28 thru May 1, 2024

We slept in a bit Sunday morning after such a big day of sightseeing and a big late meal! We got up, packed up, and walked to the end of the block to the taxi stand. It was a quiet morning, other than the traffic as we got closer to the train station. The station was bustling, and we had about an hour until our 11:10am train, so we had a quick breakfast. We were relieved to find that the train station in Rome functioned pretty much like any train station in Europe, and even had signs in English! I’d downloaded the tickets to the Trenitalia app, so when our track was announced, we went through the turnstiles and found track 9. Good people watching with people running for tight connections … some of them not making it. With 15 minutes before our train, I walked back to the departure board to find that we had a new track assigned, and it was quite far away!

The train was boarding as we arrived. It was a smaller regional train, with no luggage storage. We wheeled our two large suitcases into the spot between two bench seats facing one another and sat across the aisle. We then survived mean glances from lots of people who wanted those seats! Lots of stops, even several within Rome, so it was good we’d gone to the main station in order to secure space for our bags! Lots of people got on, and then increasingly more, people were getting off so it balanced out. About 30 minutes before the end we were traveling along the sea, traveling through cute little villages.

We arrived in Civitavecchia and got off the train, most of us that remained at that point were lugging large suitcase like us, cruise ship passengers! We got in a cab for the 1 mile ride to the port (30€ versus the 10€ for a longer ride this morning).

Checkin for the Wind Surf (the cruise line is Wind Star, our ship is named Wind Surf) had just opened up, so we were rapidly processed through and were among the first on the boat! The crew had name tags with job titles, so we met the members of Queen of Aces, the ship’s house band - seems like a great crew! Everyone was happy and welcoming, a terrific first impression! We checked out our room, had a snack, then went out to explore the rest of the ship. At the restaurant, a buffet lunch was in progress so we had a light lunch and a glass of wine before continuing on our self guided tour.

The ship is 34 years old and showing her age in some ways, but it’s a nice size and layout and even though our cabin is the most basic, it is comfortable and spacious. At the end of the summer she’s headed to the Bahamas for a major overhaul.

We went back to our room and got settled, before heading out to the pool deck for cocktails and our first “setting sail” ceremony. We’d made a 6:30pm reservation at one of the three restaurants serving dinner, Candles. They serve dinner on the outside deck weather permitting, and it was a gorgeous evening with a spectacular sunset. We had a salads, main course, deserts and drank nearly a bottle of wine. Afterwards, we went to the lounge and listened to the band - the woman wasn’t performing with them … just 4 guys and they were awesome. They all sang, and it seemed they could perform anything the audience requested! We drank Bailey’s on the rocks, which made for too much alcohol for the day. We’d opted for the “All In” package which gives us WiFi, unlimited alcohol and covers gratuities for the staff. I’ll have to pace the drinking though!

April 29, 2024

We awoke Monday morning and opened the curtains for a view of Sorrento Italy, south of Naples. We had to meet in the lounge for the shore excursion we’d selected, so we had to hustle to get breakfast before 9am. We met the group, about 20 of us, and were ushered onto the awaiting Tender for a quick ride to the dock. A “sister ship,” The WindStar, was also docked in the harbor. She is a little smaller, and quite beautiful!

Our excursion was called “Sorrento - Discovery and Tasting,” and we were greeted by our guide, Luigi, at the dock. He was very proud of his village and I couldn’t imagine a better tour guide. Sorrento is built on a cliff above the sea, as most towns along the Mediterranean are - being conquered was always an issue! We hoped in a small bus for a ride to the top, although I wouldn’t have minded the walk! We walked through a small square, past shops and ancient churches, to a plaza overlooking the bay. Across the bay, Luigi pointed out the volcano, Vesuvius. He said it erupts about every 50 years, last in 1944, so it’s overdue! The harbor is reinforced with volcanic rock, and the beaches have dark volcanic grains of sand. He said Sorento is built on solidified volcanic ash.

We poked into a Cloister of a former Franciscan monastery, much like what we’d seen in Tuscany. I’m sure Italy is peppered with them but wonder how many there were. Luigi said this one is used for village gatherings with music. Such a lovely setting. From there, we walked down a small street lined with blossoming lemon trees - fragrant and gorgeous. Luigi led us to a shop with amazing hand crafted wooden pieces with inlaid designs - all hand cut with a saw, never a laser! Also pottery and lace. I didn’t even let myself look at their pottery, but I did take a business card and they say they ship! Like all excursions, we were given about an hour to shop. Jeff and I walked back to the streets with vendors selling leather goods, lemon trinkets and other souvenirs. I bought a red leather backpack, a scarf, and a lemon Christmas ornament (which I’d first spotted in Rome, but this one says “Sorrento” on it)!

We found a bench to rest until we regrouped for a short drive to the “farm.” It is the perfect climate with wonderful soil for cultivation, but as we’ve seen elsewhere on the coast, there is no flat land so farming is challenging. This is an 4 acre terraced farm, been in the same family for multiple generations. Rosa met our group and told us about the history of the farm, with lots of built in jokes. She spoofed that “Farm to Table” is such a hot thing in the states, but in this part of the world, it’s all they’ve ever done (same thing we learned in Greece, the original “Mediterranean Diet). She said the best lemons are grown here (also Sicily) - they need sun, sea and soil - probably explains why my little lemon tree at home produces an average of one lemon per year, it misses the sea - maybe I’ll try misting it with salt water! They also have olives trees, cherries, figs, almonds, and mandarin oranges. Perfect climate, limitations are the space.

The lemon trees are harvested three times a year, nearly continuous growth. Olive harvesting happens in October. They open the nets under the tree, by December, the olives have mostly fallen from the trees, collected every 2-3 days. The olives are now processed as a collective, but Rosa explained to us how it was done in the olden days. Olives pressed the same day are “first pressed” or “extra” as in EVOO.

Rosa walked us to a spot to see Maria, the matriarch of the farm family, make fresh Mozzarella cheese from milk from their cows. It was interesting to see how when the curd is separated from whey, they whey is boiled and then she skimmed the top which is ricotta cheese (means recooked). Rosa said Maria couldn’t speak English, yet she still communicated with us using facial expressions - she was adorable!

From there we were led to tables, where we were served Caprese salad using mozzarella cheese made today, bread with fresh ricotta (flavored with lemon and some herbs they’d grown), sausages from their pigs, wine from their grapes, and of course followed with their limoncello and limoncreme. For €3, you could add on fresh baked cake with lemon crème, and JT opted for that of course!

There was an option to be dropped off at the square for more shopping, or to be driven back to the pier, which we chose. At the pier, there was a WindStar table set up with iced water and tea, a plate of cookies and cool, scented towels - a very nice touch! At the tenders, they carefully checked our IDs to ensure we returned to the correct ship!

Back at our room, we had time to relax. I changed into my bathing suit and napped in a chaise lounge by the pool, while JT opted for a nap in the room. We showered, then headed to the pool bar to relax and enjoy a cocktail with mixologist, Chris. He was quite a character - I’d listened to him during my napping time in the afternoon. He’d say “all right, all right, all right” in a perfect Matthew McConaughey accent, even though like most of the staff, he’s a Filipino! The sailing away ceremony began, with the WindStar on our port side. Would have loved to see it from a drone as it felt majestic just from my point of view. There was some fun interplay with the blowing of the horns between the two ships.

We took our cocktails to the lounge, where Captain Tom was doing a welcome speech and introducing his officers to us. He didn’t give the age range of the passengers, but did comment that there were more younger people than usual (mostly it appears young adult children with their parents, but several young couples too). He also didn’t comment on how many first-timer WindStar passengers there were, but we’ve met quite a few first timers and long term veterans - and quite a few that are doing back to back, started in Barcelona 10 days ago and stopped along the south of France, and Italy until they picked us up near Rome.

Here is the breakdown by Nationality:

13 Australians

1 Belgium

17 Canadians

4 Chileans

2 French

2 Mexicans

2 New Zeeland

2 Swedes

2 Swiss

2 UK

246 USA

1 Venezuela

295 total

From there, Captain Tom got a little philosophical with us. He said “If you’re going to do something, do it today,” great advice. We know that each day is a gift and there is no guarantee that you get a tomorrow.

He was downright emotional about sailing away with “little sister,” which he said is a rare occasion. He was very excited about traveling in a “fleet.”

Our ship is 34 years old. Captain says she doesn’t act her age, but she will lurch now and then. We’ve learned to use the handrails on the stairs and the “WindStar Handshake” getting on and off the tender, which will come in handy getting people on and off our little boat - where you align forearms and grab the other person by the elbow.

We had a nice dinner tonight in the Stella dining room, French cuisine. I had onion soup, a petit filet, and Crepe Suzette for desert, all with generous pours of a French Merlot. After dinner, the band was doing a Beetles Tribute in the lounge, and they were fabulous. They finished their last set and we opted to go to Compass Rose on the back deck to listen to the duo. The women was a talented and adorable South American woman, the guitar player, not so great. We listened for awhile, then headed off to sleep.

Tuesday April 30, 2024

The Captain had said if anyone wanted to be up at 4:30 in the morning, we’d be passing by an active volcano that usually puts on a show. We didn’t get up, but heard later they saw three plumes of fire and it was spectacular! We slept in this morning, it was past nine before we awoke for the first time. The ship was still underway, headed for our stop near Taormina, Sicily. We dressed and headed to the gym which was not too busy and equipped with everything we needed for a solid workout. Then to a late breakfast where the staff were switching over to what seemed like would be a spectacular brunch. We arrived in the harbor and were greeted by several pilot boats from the local harbor. It was great to watch the crew lower three tenders, and also the deck/stairs used to access the tenders. We still had about an hour before our excursion, so we walked 2 miles in laps around the deck, stopping to chat with the Captain outside the bridge.

This excursion had been billed as a walking tour to Taormina followed by a boat ride to the blue grotto. We met our local guide, Grenata, and she started leading us to a boat. The group revolted saying “this was not in the description, we want to tour Taormina.” She started to argue that it was a tour by boat, but she quickly checked herself and went to get the WindStar representative at the dock. He started to argue with a few passengers (who were right, the description was wrong), but finally level heads persevered and encouraged us to go with it and worry about it later. Very classy, there was a personalized letter when we returned to the cabin apologizing for the mistake and comping us the cost of the tour, which offsets the cost of the awesome bag I bought onboard that’s made in Maine from a recycled WindStar sail!

So we set off in a boat called the White Lotus, name of a US television series that we’ll have to check out, mostly filmed here. Giardini Naxos is the name of the port, founded in 734 BC founded by the Greek. After changing hands many times, someone finally built a castle and town on top of Tower Mountain (Taormina). Towering over everything else, is Mt Etna, still covered with snow! It makes its own weather, so it was hard to get a clear shot of it, but as we were leaving in the evening you could see the smoke pluming out. Grenata says it is active all the time and erupts every couple of years. They channel the lava away from the village, and it’s a pain to have ash covering everything, but no big deal - yikes!

It was a warm day, but clouded over a bit while we were on the excursion. From the boat, we looked at beautiful resorts, and poked into three “grottos” or sea caves, but they weren’t that fantastic in my snobby opinion. I think the caves in Lake Superior are more spectacular, and on Kauai, those are the prettiest we’ve seen. On a sunny day, the Blue Grotto is probably prettier than it appeared today.

They’d been serving Prosecco since we left the harbor, but I passed as I’m opting for an alcohol-free day. We anchored in a calm bay to have snacks and a chance to swim. Even though it had clouded up, it wasn’t cold and I’d come prepared to swim. I was the only one in our boat to jump off the back deck. The water was chilly, but nowhere near the skin tingling cold of the North Sea last Fall! A young girl jumped off another boat from our group, and I found it funny that people on our boat were so proud that I’d jumped in first. Once I climbed back into the boat, the air temperature felt a lot warmer!

Back to the harbor, we caught the tendor out to our ship and retreated to the Aft Deck and the hot tub. There, we met a young couple from Milwaukee and chatted with them until we were all turning into prunes. Back to the cabin for showers and to dress for dinner.

We headed to the third restaurant for dinner, Amphora. This one doesn’t take reservations, and encourages communal dinner, so we were seated with Mike and Theresa whom we met on the boat tour today, and John and Carol from CA. Great dinner and fun conversation about adventures!

After dinner, a “Name That Tune” contest was about to start in the lounge and we paired up with Mike and Theresa to form a team. PJ, the charismatic Entertainment Director led the contest, and somewhat made up the rules as he went along, which made it even more fun. But the highlight again was the talent of the guys in the band! PJ would say “play 8 measures but don’t sing, or play and sing verse two, or play a few notes super slow.” Our team did well getting 13 of the 15 songs correct. The two we didn’t know I still don’t know! It was ok not to win anyway as the prize was a bottle of champagne. We were all in the “All In” plan anyway so we can drink as much champagne as we like over the next six days! After the contest, the band kept playing so we danced a bit before retiring about 10:30pm!

Wednesday May 1st - Day at Sea

Hooray Hooray, The First of May! I’d set an alarm for 6:30am to get up for yoga, but awoke about 10 minutes before it went off. I quietly dressed and left the cabin with JT still sleeping.

It is very peaceful to be out on the deck with hardly anyone else around, a gorgeous morning, streaming towards Montenegro with no land in site. I found a quiet spot on the Star Deck out of the wind and did my morning meditation and some stretching. I’d added my puffy vest before I left the cabin - it’s odd to now have a guess of the outside temperature until you’ve climbed up to the Deck #4!

The instructor came up to where I was and said we needed more space so we went down to behind the cafe and pushed chairs out of the way. The instructor is the Fitness Director, Batsiria, from Africa. She appeared to be very fit and strong and reminded me of one of my favorite Peloton instructors, Tunde (even wore Tunde’s signature red lipstick)! About 20 people showed up for yoga. Some, like me, had brought their own mats and the gym didn’t have enough for that size of a group so some used pool towels instead. Batsiria didn’t impress me with her yoga skills, but it was a good session just the same (too fast breathe in breathe out for my liking). After class, she announced she’d lead a Pilates class next, so I stayed for that and loved it. Learned how to use a Pilates ring and a couple of balancing moves to do with a foam roller, as if balancing on a boat isn’t hard enough! I think I’ll add some Peloton Pilates to my repertoire when I get home!

It was about 9am when I got back to the room and found sleepy head still in bed! He got up and got ready and we went in search of breakfast. Each evening our room steward, Asop (he’s fantastic), drops off a newsletter for the next day and an occasional flyer announcing a deal on future cruises. Last night we got a flyer that shows a cruise that goes from Civitvecchia to Barcelona in May 2025, and stops in Monaco for the F1 Grand Prix. JT’s always been interested in attending a Formula 1 race, and this included tickets to the race. After breakfast we went down to talk with Damion about that. He said it was full, but knew there was someone signed up that had changed their mind - they were just in there as a place holder until they decide what they want to do instead. He did some fancy finagling to get us booked. In my mind, I’ve already worked out the logistics of how we can walk the Camino de Santiago before that cruise. I know I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but I love working the logistics!

JT decided he needed a haircut, so we went up to the spa and they had an immediate slot open. I went down to the sunny side of the deck and wrote and napped, mostly napped. He came to join my after awhile and we just lounged until it was nearly time to go eat lunch! There were occasional clouds, and it would feel cool when they came over, but hot when the sun was out. Last week, we’d been looking at the forecast for our stops this week and it looked like rain everyday, but so far we’ve been blessed with good Spring weather!

We stopped in the bridge on our way to lunch and chatted with a very young 4th officer from Poland, who started as a deckhand on a private yacht and is working his way up in his career. He answered our questions about the sails (they help a little, but they need someone to go and have a look if they need to be trimmed)! He showed us how the radar detects other boats and it was surprising to see how much information they get about the boats! He also showed us where we were, as now we could see land off both coasts - Italy to the west and Greece to the east, leaving the Ionian Sea for the Adriatic Sea.

Lunch was busy and we sat at an outside table for two in the shade. I wrapped myself in one of their fleece deck blankets. A table in the sun opened up so we moved there when we were done eating and just relaxing. I got so warm I stripped down to a tank top!

We went down to the lounge and played a few games of backgammon, then it was time for Jeff’s massage appointment, mine later in the afternoon. I had a deep tissue massage and may have bruises on my shoulder blades tomorrow. Back to the room, we both felt like vegetables. We ordered room service and it came as soon as I stepped out of the shower. A low key evening, but we’ve got to go back out in a bit as the band is doing “Don’t Stop Me Now, a tribute to Queen” and we know they’ll be awesome!

Many people were grousing about a day at sea, but we’ve really enjoyed relaxing and unplugging after 5 days of being a tourist!

Tomorrow a new country (Montenegro) and a new language, Montenegrin! I’m sure it’s a new currency as well!

#windstarcruises

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phonemantra-blog · 8 months ago

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Calling all foodies and luxury cruise enthusiasts! Windstar Cruises, renowned for its small ship luxury experiences, is celebrating a momentous occasion – the 10th anniversary of its groundbreaking partnership with the James Beard Foundation in 2025. This collaboration has transformed the way guests experience fine dining at sea, offering immersive culinary journeys led by celebrated chefs. A Decade of Culinary Delights: Windstar and the James Beard Foundation Since its inception in 2015, the Windstar Cruises and James Beard Foundation partnership has become a beacon for epicurean adventures on the high seas. As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar is dedicated to showcasing the talents of culinary masters while aligning with the Foundation's mission of celebrating, supporting, and elevating America's food culture. This shared commitment to excellence in food, sustainability, and equity ensures an unforgettable dining experience for every guest. Windstar Cruises Sets Sail The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit organization that plays a vital role in shaping America's culinary landscape. Their focus on recognizing culinary talent, championing ethical food practices, and fostering a diverse and inclusive food scene aligns perfectly with Windstar's dedication to fresh, local, and sustainable gastronomy. Celebrating a Milestone: All-Star Chefs Set Sail in 2025 To commemorate this remarkable decade, Windstar Cruises has curated a series of five exceptional cruises in 2025, each featuring a renowned "All-Star" chef. Four of these culinary luminaries are returning guest favorites who have previously graced Windstar voyages with their expertise, while one chef is a thrilling new addition to the lineup. These acclaimed chefs will not only tantalize your taste buds with their signature dishes but will also share their culinary knowledge and passion through interactive experiences onboard. 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Chef José Mendin (April 12, 2025): Experience the culinary magic of Chef Mendin's Spanish and Puerto Rican roots on the "Spanish Symphony: Lisbon to Barcelona" voyage aboard the Wind Surf, Windstar's flagship. Chef Jennifer Hill Booker (June 29, 2025): Chef Booker's unique blend of Southern comfort food with a French twist will tantalize your taste buds on the "Baltic Beauty: Stockholm to Copenhagen" voyage aboard the Star Legend. Chef Jennifer Jasinski (August 27, 2025): A James Beard Award winner, Chef Jasinski's Southwestern cuisine will take center stage on the "Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses: Venice to Athens" voyage aboard the Wind Surf. Chef Larry Forgione (October 7, 2025): Considered a pioneer of American cuisine, Chef Forgione brings his farm-to-table philosophy and legendary culinary expertise to the "Southeast Canadian Explorations: Montreal to New York" voyage aboard the Star Pride. Beyond the Kitchen: The Windstar Difference Windstar Cruises is renowned for its intimate and luxurious small-ship experiences. This translates to spacious suites, personalized service, and an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. In addition to the exceptional culinary program offered in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, guests can enjoy a variety of onboard activities and amenities, including: Exhilarating Watersports: Explore hidden coves and pristine beaches by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or tender. In-Depth Destination Immersion: Windstar's smaller scale allows for access to unique ports and hidden gems, often off the beaten path for larger cruise lines. Unwinding in Style: Relax by the pool, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, or soak up the sun on your private balcony. Setting Sail for Unforgettable Culinary Adventures Windstar's James Beard Foundation cruises offer a truly unique opportunity to combine the luxury of small-ship cruising with the expertise of world-renowned chefs. Imagine sailing to breathtaking destinations around the world while indulging in exquisite cuisine, learning culinary secrets from the masters, and forging lasting memories. Here are some additional reasons to consider a Windstar James Beard Foundation cruise: Personalized Attention: With a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 1:1, Windstar prides itself on personalized service. The attentive crew will ensure your every need is met, creating a truly unforgettable experience. Intimate Atmosphere: Unlike the crowded mega-ships, Windstar's smaller vessels foster a sense of intimacy and camaraderie. You'll have the opportunity to connect with fellow passengers who share your passion for fine dining and exploration. Sustainable Practices: Windstar is committed to sustainable cruising practices, minimizing its environmental impact and supporting local communities. This aligns perfectly with the James Beard Foundation's focus on ethical food sourcing. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply enjoy exquisite cuisine in a luxurious setting, a Windstar James Beard Foundation cruise is sure to exceed your expectations.

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