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

One of a pair of the world’s largest sail-cruisers, Wind Surf is part-cruise ship, part-yacht (its sister ship operates as Club Med II). This is a larger, grander sister to the original three Windstar Cruises vessels. Five huge masts of 164 ft/50 meters (these actually rise 221 feet, or 67.5 meters above sea level) carry seven triangular, self-furling sails (made of Dacron) with a total surface area of 26,881 sq. ft (2,497 sq. meters). No human hands touch the sails, as everything is handled electronically by computer control from the bridge.

A computer keeps the ship on an even keel (via the movement of a water hydraulic ballast system of 266,800 gallons/1 million liters), so there is no heeling (rolling) over 6 degrees. When the ship is not using the sails, four diesel-electric motors propel it at up to approximately 12 knots.

There is a large, hydraulic water sports platform at the stern (swimming from it is not allowed, however), and extensive water sports facilities include 12 windsurfers, 3 sailboats, 2 water-ski boats, 20 single scuba tanks, snorkels, fins and masks, and 4 inflatable Zodiac motorized boats (for water-skiing, etc), and all at no extra charge (except for the scuba tanks). Note that you will be asked to sign a waiver if you wish to use the water sports equipment.

There are two (saltwater) swimming pools (really little more than dip pools); one is located amidships on the uppermost deck of the ship, while the other is located aft, together with two hot tubs, and an adjacent bar.

In December 2000, the ship underwent further internal redesign, with enhancement of some features and the addition of new ones. A new gangway was installed, which has improved embarkation and disembarkation. A business center was added; this incorporates a computer center (with 10 internet-access computer terminals, and a meeting room for between 30 and 60 people. In the ship’s casino/main lounge (with 4 blackjack and one roulette table, and 21 slot machines), which has an unusually high ceiling for the size of the ship, the dance floor has thankfully been relocated for better access and flow.

In the 2006 refit a Yacht Club replaced the library; it provides comfortable seating for relaxing and socializing. An espresso bar offers gourmet coffee drinks; eight computers with internet access are available; personal laptops have wi-fi internet access.

Wind Surf cruises from Barbados (November–March) and from Nice (May–October). However, the European itineraries are really port-intensive, which means you sail each night and are in port each day. With such itineraries, there seems little point to having the sails.

All gratuities and port taxes are in­cluded in the brochure price (no additional gratuities are expected), which itself is considerably higher than those of the two smaller vessels in the fleet (Wind Spirit, Wind Star). The onboard currency is the US dollar.

There are no showers at either of the two swimming pools (they really are just dip pools for cooling off) – ­passengers get into pool or hot tubs, while covered in oil or lotion, an unhygienic arrangement. Don’t buy a cigar from the onboard shop – because the air temperature in the shop is high, cigars will be dry and absolutely worthless (they should, of course, be sold from a properly kept humidor).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008