All photos by Jason Leppert
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At a Glance | By the Numbers |
• Lifestyle: Upscale
• Tonnage: 5,736
• Launched: 1988 | • Passengers: 148
• Crew: 101
• Passenger Space Ratio: 38.76 |
Take a Bow (What to Like) | Pain in the Aft (What to Dislike) |
• Expedition cruise adventure with river cruise intimacy
• Beautiful, well-maintained ship for its age
• Very friendly and attentive service | • Motion profile can be a bit rocky
• Evening dress code could be more lenient
• Internet connection is slow and spotty |
| Who Should Book | • Adventurers seeking the good life with fewer fellow passengers. | Who Should Skip | • Cruise travelers prone to motion sickness and looking for lots to do onboard. |
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Built in 1988, Windstar Cruises' Wind Spirit is actually a relatively old vessel, but it never feels dated. In fact, it is well-maintained and newly updated to reflect a contemporary yacht aesthetic starting at the lobby. The reception area cleverly mimics a larger atrium with its central railing-wrapped art installation that permeates beyond to other spacious public venues distributed primarily across two decks.
Forward of the lobby is the main AmphorA dining room, and mostly behind it is the Lounge which serves as the social gathering space for some entertainment, daily briefings, cocktails and shore excursion deployments. Handsome natural woods and rich furnishings invite guests to stay for awhile. Side windows let great light in, but the level above is ideal as an al fresco observation area with lots of teak-clad decking to explore vistas from every angle, especially even higher from the flying bridge.
A bit peculiar in layout is how guests must exit outside to reach the indoor Veranda buffet for breakfast and lunch. Shade coverings mostly protect the area, but if it's raining, there are some unsheltered bits along the path. The ship is most resplendent, of course, when its sails are mechanically deployed-a process dramatically backed by the music of composer Vangelis' "Conquest of Paradise." I only wish the cloth was longer on display and used more for navigation.
Considering the ship really only has two cabin categories-identical staterooms and a singular Owner's Suite-the accommodations onboard are exemplary. The staterooms are expertly outfitted to feel voluminous despite actually being smaller than average. There is a surprisingly abundant amount of storage plus bonus nooks and crannies for extra paraphernalia.
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With said public deck space being plentiful, private verandas are only partially missed, but the wonderful dining alcove well than makes up for it. Great room service is available 24 hours a day. Only the bed is a little tighter to get around which itself is somewhat stiffer but spongy.
The excellent use of space extends into the bathroom where both the shower and toilet compartment are enclosed in cylindrical cubbies symmetrically separated by the sink basin. The bathing area is substantial to turn around in and bend over as necessary, and the curtain thankfully refrains from blowing inwards. Only at the toilet is the opening frame constricted to one's knees while sitting, requiring a bit of a tight turn to make do. Particularly great are premium L'Occitane toiletries including larger lemon-scented soap bars.
Like a riverboat, the Wind Spirit is wonderfully intimate with fewer guests and a greater focus on activities ashore than onboard, but there are still a number of things to keep one occupied. Similar to expedition cruising, there is a marina at the stern for kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing and simply swimming-all complimentary. It's an excellent value-added feature immediately off the ship worth enjoying in scenic destinations. Upstairs, a hot tub and tiny pool-affectionately known as the bathtub-are also available.
Otherwise, there are a couple of other classics ready to partake in as well. The WindSpa includes a salon as well as two treatment rooms for massages and more, and a separate fitness center has several pieces of equipment to workout on. There's even a small casino offering a couple table games and slot machines, as well as a Signature Shop for logo items, jewelry, essentials, etcetera.
Windstar is the king of the buffet. Gala buffets are dwindling on bigger ocean cruise lines, but they are alive and well onboard and off the Spirit. Deck barbecues pull out all the stops with tasty breads, salads, fresh seafood including lobster tail, carving stations and endless desserts, not to mention awesome fruit and vegetable carvings on display. The same attention to detail is extended to the line's private island motu lunches and dinners. Even the regular items at the Veranda buffet like made-to-order omelets and hamburgers are highlights.
Dinners get the full gourmet treatment at AmphorA where guests will find savory selections such as surf and turf. As the ship can get occasionally rocky with the motion of the ocean, it's nice to know that restaurant fare can be served via room service should you wish to enjoy it on a lower level minus significant sway.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Windstar Cruises as a First-Timer[/READMORE]
Windstar has partnered up with the James Beard Foundation, but there was little mention of the collaboration onboard at this time. The sit-down culinary specialty of the ship is definitely Candles for an al fresco steakhouse experience at no extra charge. For an expedition product, I do believe the evening dress code could loosen up a bit to permit shorts.
Even scarcer than activities onboard is entertainment, but that's to be expected of this type of ship. At least there's a talented two-person house band consisting of vocalists and a guitarist to pass the time in the evenings, and locals come aboard to spice things up some as well. In Tahiti, the best regional show is not on the ship at all but rather on Motu Tapu culminating in a crescendo of fire dancing.
Still, onboard the staff does their best to make up for the lack of any stage productions. The usually cringeworthy crew talent show is actually quite fun and worth checking out. The vaudevillian acts are heartfelt and cultural in their own right with some downright silly and amusing. If nothing else, there's also an onboard Library where books and DVDs can be checked out. The movies can be conveniently watched on cabin televisions.
What is particularly top notch on the Wind Spirit is service. The crew is as friendly and attentive as on the best luxury cruise brands without any degree of pretense. They had us smiling and cracking up constantly. Thier longevity with the company is also telling. It's no wonder why Windstar Cruises appeals to such a diverse demographic. I, for one, cannot wait to come back aboard.
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