Wind Surf Review

4.0 / 5.0
259 reviews
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Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Overall
Kerry Spencer
Contributor

The stunning five-mast, seven-sail Wind Surf takes the prize of largest vessel in the Windstar fleet. Built in 1990 as Club Med I, the ship joined Wind Star in 1998 and most recently received an update -- including light cosmetic work -- in November 2016.

There's a well-to-do, country-club feel onboard. From the gorgeous Yacht Club -- with its plush deep-blue armchairs and stacks of luxury coffee table books -- to the outside bar at the aft of the ship, where passengers can be found socializing over sundowners, the ambiance is upscale, but relaxed.

There's no pressure to dress formally for dinner (most passengers keep it on the elegantly smart side), nor is there a jam-packed entertainment program. Instead, Wind Surf's atmosphere is low-key, with passengers free to do as they please -- spending leisurely time onshore and on deck -- without fear of missing out or being overscheduled.

Wind Surf is a small ship with many intimate spaces and a dearth of crowds, yet it still offers ample dining options and spacious public areas. On our full-to-capacity-sailing, the only time the ship felt crowded was at breakfast, when you would occasionally find yourself dining with fellow passengers due to a lack of free tables. There's an excellent choice of evening mealtime options -- four if you count room service -- and not once did we wait for a table or run into overcrowding.

A highlight of any Wind Surf sailing is seeing the ship's beautiful sails in action. They're stunning, and there's a genuine sense of excitement when you see them go up for the first time. Controlled directly from the bridge using hydraulics, they're capable of generating speeds of up to 12 knots, without any supporting engine power. The fact that the sails are computer operated doesn't detract from the romance of their presence. Don't miss the chance to sit out on deck and watch them in action -- particularly if you can snare the perfect Caribbean or Mediterranean sunset at the same time -- as the ship sails away from port.

On the downside, service on our cruise was inconsistent. Servers seemed hurried over breakfast; we didn't always find it easy to catch the attention of a crew member to place an order, and sometimes had to wait a long time for an order to arrive. On the flip side, we were greeted by name and breezily served by the extra-friendly crew just as soon as we were seated in AmphorA and the Yacht Club. Given the ship's high crew-to-passenger ratio (there's roughly one crew member to every two passengers), we anticipated a more seamless and efficient level of service overall.

Despite Wind Surf's recent refresh and overall upmarket feel, the ship's corridors and stairwells -- areas that first greet embarking passengers -- and the spa could benefit from a cosmetic update. The older ship is also not an ideal choice for anyone with mobility issues, as there are numerous yacht-like raised doorways. In fact, the line does not promote any accessible cabins on Wind Surf. There is an elevator, though we found it busy at certain times of the day.

A final point to note: A ship this small rocks and rolls in stormy weather, more so than a mega-ship. Don't forget to pack your seasickness meds and, if you have a sensitive stomach, pick an itinerary that is less likely to encounter choppy seas.

Pros

Laid-back yacht feel; unique watersports platform; fantastic deck barbecue; friendly crew

Cons

No balcony cabins; food and service hit and miss; stairwells and passageways feel tired

Bottom Line

Intimate seven-sail ship with low-key entertainment; needs improvements to dining options

About

Passengers: 310
Crew: 212
Passenger to Crew: 1.46:1
Launched: 1990
Shore Excursions: 768

Fellow Passengers

The majority of the ship's passengers are from North America, as were the majority of fellow passengers on our sailing. Expect small numbers of European and Australian passengers, too. Depending on the ship's itinerary, you might find a higher percentage of passengers from certain countries. On our sailing in Southern Spain, we noticed a handful of Spanish passengers onboard, for example. All announcements are in English.

The age range skews toward 60-plus, though you'll find families and couples of all ages onboard. (Windstar makes it clear that its fleet is not geared toward children.) Expect to meet repeat passengers who are loyal to Windstar.

Windstar Wind Surf Dress Code

Wind Surf is known for its casual dress code. Don't be surprised to see passengers wearing gym gear and casual cargo-style pants and shorts throughout the day and into early evening. Sturdy walking or running shoes are recommended for shore excursions.

At night, the relaxed theme continues, with the ship enforcing just a few stipulations in the restaurants during dinner. At AmphorA and Stella Bistro, the dress code is always casual elegant. Think stylish two-pieces for women and a shirt paired with smart pants for men. Jackets and ties are optional. If your preference is to wear them, you won't look out of place. No blue jeans, sneakers, shorts or flip-flops are permitted. At Candles alfresco restaurant, a smart-casual dress code applies. Some shorts -- but the tailored kind -- are permitted. No flip-flops, blue jeans or tank tops. In the evening, don't be afraid to embrace the yacht-club feel of Wind Surf and invest in boat shoes, collared shirts and linen-wear.

Wind Surf Inclusions

All dining venues and soft drinks are included in the cost of a Windstar cruise. Windstar also includes a handy bus shuttle service into the center of port, where necessary. Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and gratuities are extra. A daily gratuity of $13.50 per person per day is added to passengers' onboard accounts. In the spa and hair salon, a 15 percent gratuity is added to the bill.

The onboard currency is U.S. dollars. There's no currency exchange facility onboard, though the ship accepts all major credit cards and cash.

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More about Windstar Wind Surf

Where does Windstar Wind Surf sail from?

Windstar Wind Surf departs from St. Maarten, Rome, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Lisbon, Venice, Piraeus, Piraeus, Laviron, Barbados, Aruba, Colon, Cristobal, and Cozumel

How much does it cost to go on Windstar Wind Surf?

Cruises on Windstar Wind Surf start from $1,399 per person.

Is Windstar Wind Surf a good ship to cruise on?

Windstar Wind Surf won 40 awards over the years.
Windstar Wind Surf Cruiser Reviews

Great experience with a great group!

I have sailed on the Wind Surf many times, and have 4-Star Yacht Club privileges. But my past voyages have always been with my wife and sometimes with another couple.Read More
GARYTHEHITMAN

many10+ Cruises

Age 80s

Life is Great on the Wind Surf

We love the smallness, the Wind Surf has huge roomy decks even on a full ship it is easy to fine a private, quiet spot.Read More
Strenz

many10+ Cruises

Age 76s

The staff onboard made the trip great and the dining was truly exceptional! Bigger isn’t better on cruises.

While he Wind Surf is clean and comfortable, I noted that the old girl is in need of a renovation, modernization and facelift!Read More
FlurryFlo

couple2-5 Cruises

Age 60s

Standards changed since last cruise

This Wind surf cruise was by far the most disappointing when it comes to tendering proceedures and ship maintenance.Read More
Time 2 Sail

many10+ Cruises

Age 60s

Windstar Cruises Fleet
Wind Spirit
Wind Star

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