Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	422
Accommodation	200	166
Food	400	299
Service	400	289
Entertainment	0	0
Cruise	500	391

How this score is created

The 272-seat Restaurant has tables for two, four or six, and open seating (with no pre-assigned tables), so you can sit with whom you wish, when you like. It is open only for dinner, which is typically between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Both smoking and no-smoking sections are provided. California-style nouvelle cuisine is served, with dishes that are attractively presented. Additionally, “signature” dishes, created by master chefs Joachim Splichal and Jeanne Jones, are offered daily.

A 124-seat Degrees Bistro provides an alternative venue to the main restaurant (for dinner), with menus from around the world as well as Joachim Splichal-developed steakhouse cuisine. It is located high atop the ship (on Star Deck) and has picture windows on port and starboard sides, an open kitchen, and tables for two, four or six. This is a no-smoking dining spot. Reservations are required for dinner (although there is no extra charge), and passengers are restricted to two visits per 7-day cruise.

The Veranda, amidships (on Star Deck), has its own open terrace for informal, self-serve breakfast and lunch buffets. It really is very pleasant to be outside, eating an informal meal on a balmy night. Do try the bread pudding – the ship is famous for it (available after lunch each day). Additionally, a permanent barbecue is also set up aft of the Veranda, for fresh grilled items for breakfast and lunch.

The Compass Rose, an indoor/outdoor bar, provides snack items plus some pastries and coffee for breakfast.

Windstar Cruises food is generally very good, although highly geared toward American tastes. Europeans and other nationals should note that items such as bacon is fried to death, and the choice of cheeses and teas is poor. Note that the service in the dining room is also quite fast, geared towards those who have not yet learned to unwind.

A nice addition is a “Cuisine de l’Amour” romantic dinner for two (at no extra charge) served to you in your cabin, complete with candle. The menu (with its seductive sounding selections) offers a choice of appetizer, a set soup, choice of salad, and two entrée options, and a set dessert to finish.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008