Imagine yourself having been invited on some billionaire’s private yacht (but without all the pretentious dinner conversation), sailing from scenic bay to remote harbor to uncrowded port. Rather than a motor coach tour of busy tourist attractions, you instead go to a BBQ lunch on a private atoll with a few new friends.
That’s what sailing with Windstar is like, and you don’t have to know a billionaire to get invited aboard.
Windstar is a niche player in the cruise market, so it’s hard to compare them to others. They have three motor yachts that carry 320 guests each, and 3 sailing yachts that carry between 148 and 342 guests. Here are some reasons you should have them on your radar:
- It’s casual – you’ll need to wear pants when you go the dining room, but other than that it’s extraordinarily relaxed. You can leave your ties and ballgowns at home.
- You’re close to the water – there’s a swim platform at the back of the vessels where you can swim in the ocean, go snorkelling, go kayaking, or just hang out — just steps from your room.
- You’ll visit NEW places – if one of the criteria of great cruise itinerary is being exposed to ports you never been to (or maybe even never even heard of) you’ll experience them with Windstar.
- It’s NOT crowded – not only because there are such a small number of people aboard, but also because their itineraries don’t go where other ships go. Most often, it will only be you and your fellow Windstar guests at a port of call.
- There are more active options – want to explore a place by E-bike rather than motor coach? That’s available with Windstar. The average age on board is still over 50, but the demographic skews a bit younger than other small ship cruise lines.
- Food & wine – Windstar partners with the James Beard Foundation so you’ll find the cuisine and dining experience on board to be excellent.
#WindstarCruises #sovirtuoso #virtuosocruiseicons
Here are a few itineraries that caught my eye:
Mediterranean including the Corinth Canal for 8-nights
- Visit Istanbul, Myrina, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini, the Corinth Canal, Delphi, Athens
- 2024: Depart October 4 from $4299*
- 2025: Depart April 11 from $4911 (also includes $250 per person on board credit).
Caribbean round-trip from San Juan for 6-nights
- Visit St. Maarten, Charleston, Gustavia, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.
- 2024: Nov 3 or 16 from $2499
- 2025: Nov 2, 9, 16 from $3299
Iceland round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-nights
- Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
- 2024: August 30 from $4499
- 2025: July 7 from $4622 (also includes $250 per person on board credit).
Tahiti round-trip from Papeete for 7-nights
- Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini. Remember this tropical paradise is only 2 hours past Hawaii, and has a fraction as many tourists.
- 2024: October 10 from $3899 (also includes $250 per person on board credit).
- 2025: March 13 from $4299 (also includes $150 per person on board credit).
*Prices include all taxes and fees, all drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.
We’re travelling with Windstar this week in Tahiti, so check our FaceBook feed often if you want to travel “with us”.
BONUS 10% OFF: Because WE are on board Windstar, we can get you an additional 10% their best price for bookings between now and the end of July. This is NOT available on Direct Bookings, and NOT available anywhere else. Contact us for more details.
Today’s Other Travel Opportunities
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
If you’re looking for incredible scenery, and something not too far from home, consider taking one of these world-class RAIL vacations:
Rockies to Red Rocks for 7-nights round-trip from Denver
- Start in Denver, board the train to Glenwood Springs, continue on the train to Moab for 3-nights where you can do excursions to Arches NP (hiking, E-biking, golfing, horse back riding, fishing, WW rafting, and much more), then board the train again for the journey back to Denver.
- Saturday departures in May from $4481
Canadian Rockies for 9-nights round-trip from Vancouver
- Visit Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper. People fly in from all over the world to experience cosmopolitan Vancouver, and the incredible scenery between there and Banff National Park.
- Departures in April 2025 from $5274
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION
If a river cruise is more your speed, here some ideas from Uniworld’s floating boutique hotels:
Burgundy & Provence (Lyon to Arles) for 7-nights
- Visit Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Lyon, Beaune.
- Optional extensions to Paris, Athens, or Athens/Santorini.
- 2024: Departures October 13 from $3499 (only 2 cabins left)
- 2025: Departures in May from $4499.
Venice & Northern Italy for 7-nights
- Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
- Optional extensions to Milan, Rome, Athens OR Athens/Santorini.
- 2024: Departs Sundays in October from $3499
- 2025: Departs Sunday in April, May, & June from $3779
Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n
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India: Ganges River Cruise for 13-days between New Delhi and Kolkata
- Visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Kolkata, Cruise the Ganges, Kalna, Matairi, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Khusbagh,, Mayapur, Chandannagar.
- Includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and internal flights.
- 2024: Depart October 4 from $8319
- 2025: Departures January/February/March from $7136.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed ItThe Galapagos Islands: https://pamperedcruiser.com/galapagos-islands-destination-focus/
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
