Star Breeze

Japan and South Korea

May

Pros: The itinerary and excursions; staff and crew; ship’s amenities.

Cons: Substandard internet (which is soon to be replaced)

Recommended: Yes

The Windstar Grand Japan cruise itinerary was an ideal introduction to Japan and included a day trip to South Korea. A wide range of excursion options were available and, best of all, the guides were knowledgeable and personable. The onboard lectures by Dr. Emma Thompson were fascinating and offered keen insights into the history and culture of Japan. Onboard the staff and crew were very attentive, thoughtful and always welcoming. Requests were graciously responded to without hesitation. The recently renovated ship was beautiful and the staterooms were well-appointed, decorated nicely and quite comfortable. Several different dining options were always available which satisfied our appetites at all times of day. (We all gained a few pounds). The servers and chefs were very friendly and very attentive. The menu choices were diverse and delicious. The ship’s special on-deck buffet events were creative and enjoyable. And dining with the Chief Engineer and his first officer one evening was a real treat. It was lovely to have a spa onboard. We enjoyed massages and a facial, which were wonderfully relaxing. We also visited the relaxation room, sauna and steam rooms. It was great to have these amenities available to us. Our adventures were topped off by the evenings’ entertainments arranged and hosted by Grace Coddle, who also was a fantastic performer. The entertainment highlight was the crew’s talent show which left us touched by their songs and dances as well as laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. They were all fabulous! It was a very memorable cruise.

Japan and South Korea

May

Pros: The itinerary and excursions; staff and crew; ship’s amenities.

Cons: Substandard internet (which is soon to be replaced)

Recommended: Yes

The Windstar Grand Japan cruise itinerary was an ideal introduction to Japan and included a day trip to South Korea. A wide range of excursion options were available and, best of all, the guides were knowledgeable and personable. The onboard lectures by Dr. Emma Thompson were fascinating and offered keen insights into the history and culture of Japan. Onboard the staff and crew were very attentive, thoughtful and always welcoming. Requests were graciously responded to without hesitation. The recently renovated ship was beautiful and the staterooms were well-appointed, decorated nicely and quite comfortable. Several different dining options were always available which satisfied our appetites at all times of day. (We all gained a few pounds). The servers and chefs were very friendly and very attentive. The menu choices were diverse and delicious. The ship’s special on-deck buffet events were creative and enjoyable. And dining with the Chief Engineer and his first officer one evening was a real treat. It was lovely to have a spa onboard. We enjoyed massages and a facial, which were wonderfully relaxing. We also visited the relaxation room, sauna and steam rooms. It was great to have these amenities available to us. Our adventures were topped off by the evenings’ entertainments arranged and hosted by Grace Coddle, who also was a fantastic performer. The entertainment highlight was the crew’s talent show which left us touched by their songs and dances as well as laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. They were all fabulous! It was a very memorable cruise.

Luxury expanded

December

Pros: Spa gym food staff

Cons: None

Recommended: Yes

The stretching of the Star Breeze solves some issues on the previous version. There is now a full access spa with steam, sauna, heated benches a full gym and yoga room and better salon space. The new Star grill offers additional outdoor dining and the new Cuardro has fun tapas. Staff is awesome and ship is clean and medical staff first rate.

180 degrees above ordinary

July

Pros: Attentive to service and details The staff is quite responsive to requests for assistance.

Cons: The food in some of the restaurants is sometimes greasy.

Recommended: Yes

The staff make a concerted effort to learn your name and are responsive to requests. If there is a particular type of hot drink that you like, attention is paid to remember it and it is made ready without prompting.

Circling Iceland

June

Pros: Wonderful scenery, Great food, no lines

Cons: Expensive excursions, limited on board entertainment

Recommended: Yes

For cruising around Iceland in counterclockwise direction, cabins with even number have superior shore views. Small ship means no lines for everything. Great food in main dining room for everyone.

Star Breeze

May

Pros: Perfect size ship with limited number of passengers

Cons: The ship was not in tip-top shape

Recommended: Yes

There were a few glitches with the ship itself like flooding in the stateroom across the passage way, an elevator that didn't work, etc. We understood it was going in for overhaul after this summer season. It could use it. But the crew were fantastic and especially our steward Ronald. We also got to know one of the bar people quite well, Apple, and appreciated her attention.

Small ship, big service

January

Pros: Excellent service

Cons: Waterskiing not available

Recommended: Yes

Fantastic Experience

October

Pros: Great port stops and excursions, amazing crew, size of ship and amount of passengers

Cons: Some excursion cancellations and not enough communication from staff around that

Recommended: Yes

Met great people (passengers and crew), saw the most beautiful cities, especially Kotor Montenegro, Dubrovnik and Hvar Croatia. Would definitely take another Windstar cruise again! Thank you

Yachting on the Mediterranean

August

Pros: Watersports platforms makes swimming in the sea sublime!

Cons: Not great for families with kids/teens

Recommended: No

This was my first time on Windstar. Here are my thoughts: Clients were all white Americans, but there was a wide variety of ages. Very casual dress- athletic wear at lunch was common. The watersports platform is AWESOME and allows guests to play in the sea on days at anchor (weather permitting)- such a good experience and a shame most miss it. Kayaks, water toys available but you can also just sun on the rafts and swim. There are also 8 bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis which make this a great fit for active younger clients. This was my 4th Med cruise but this ship was so small it could visit charming resort towns I hadn't seen before; so do try to upsell anyone looking at mass market lines like Royal Caribbean). Not many rooms with balconies but I didn't miss it- lots of deck space and always tables to dine al fresca. Not much programming for day, and evening entertainment was low-key; but we were in port most every day. The crew was super nice, some didn't speak English well. Premium cruisers were impressed by the cuisine. Windstar cruisers loved the suites on these former-Seabourn yachts.

Roomy open private suites but social areas lacking atmosphere and space.

July

Pros: Best roomiest suites with French balcony and large sliding doors for max light and sea views. Candles restaurant very good food quality, room steward very attentive and helpful.

Cons: Public areas awkward and dated compared to Wind Spirt or Wind Surf ships. Main restaurant food spotty quality, service inconsistent.

Recommended: Yes

Overall ship upkeep and cleanliness needs attention. Breakfast buffet good quality, nice varied selections. Because this is a small ship, 200, most ports are small with no other massive ships over-running ports, except Gibraltar, which for a 1/2 day stop should be removed completely from itinerary. It is funky, and crowded, with a long, long walk thru a dodgy port area, with no cabs at ship. Stay overnight in lovely Malaga instead. Staff seems overworked and prefuctory. Private event in great locale in Mallorca but show and dancers repetitive and somewhat boring. Expected more food than tiny appetizers. This was most disappointing event of many we have had. Service has definitely slid since advent of imbedded tips with cost of goods. It was much better before with tips for great service. Now staff more lax and non involved.

Costa Rican yacht experience

January

Pros: Small ship advantages give you a chance to get to know the staff and fellow passengers

Cons: no cons

Recommended: Yes

Very interesting experience ......

Wind Star (Star Breeze) from Barcelona to Lisbon

July

Pros: Staff, food, ease of getting on and off at ports of destination.

Cons: Bed was uncomfortable to us

Recommended: Yes

We have always cruised on the big ships in the past and going Wind Star was such a pleasant experience. The staff and crew were marvelous and each dining experience was superb. Obviously, with a smaller ship, the entertainment was not as elaborate as on the larger ships, but that was expected. Everything else more than made up for it. One day we docked along with the Crystal, a huge cruise ship. Right from the start we could see the benefits of our ship. They could not dock and we could. Getting on and off was a breeze for us, so maybe that's why you chose the name Wind Star. The food was exquisite and every staff person gave more service than expected. Our only criticism was that our bed was hard and perhaps we should have asked in the beginning for a softer bed. But otherwise, we were in seventh heaven.

Exceeded expectations

June

Pros: Excellent staff and attention. Great food. Great itinerary. Comfortable ship

Cons: Some of the shore excursions were a bit tedious (too much time in the bus, boring guide)

Recommended: Yes

This was our first ocean cruise. We were most impressed by the staff: friendliness, willingness to please. We visited places we never would have gone to otherwise, and enjoyed almost all of them.