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And it’s the kind of travel you can only get from a private yacht-style cruise on Windstar. The highly skilled and knowledgeable Windstar Signature Expeditions Team leads tours aboard rigid inflatable watercraft and expedition kayaks, as well as guiding guests on scenic hikes. The Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, guests will delight in the abundance of local seafood specialties on board and on small group tours ashore. Let Windstar’s Italian cruises whisk you away to charming villages, pristine beaches, and legendary cities with unique itineraries that let you discover Italy as it was meant to be seen. Discover a more intimate Italy by day and unwind back onboard with the pampered, personalized touch of Windstar Cruises.
ridethetide
As mentioned, we enjoyed yet another amazing dinner in Amphora this night, before turning in. As I usually have trouble sleeping when there’s wave motion, I was also feeling a bit tired and an early night was exactly what I needed before another day of adventure. On land, we spent time exploring downtown Sitka – which was entirely open, unlike our last visit toward the end of the 2021 season.
Cruise Review: Windstar’s Star Legend in Alaska
I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. I’m also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! The Star Breeze is a beautiful ship – as Mr. V says, “she has good lines.” Both indoor and outdoor spaces are beautifully designed and wonderfully maintained by the deck department and hotel hospitality staff.
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Small-ship line Windstar to add Alaska cruises - USA TODAY
Small-ship line Windstar to add Alaska cruises.
Posted: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Another, sometimes overlooked, distinguishing feature of a Windstar Cruise (and a highlight we experienced personally), is the high guest/crew ratio with perhaps the friendliest staff at sea. From a small ship moorage in Sausalito to the bustling metropolis of Manhattan, join Windstar to experience the very essence of what makes the U.S. so unique. Explore the hotbed of American culture along the Eastern seaboard with the world’s most iconic skyline in New York, the rich history of Philadelphia, and the unmistakable Southern charm of Charleston. In this post, I’ll share a detailed recap of my experience aboard Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze ship, including life aboard the ship, a peek inside the cabins, and the daily activities we did each day (in port, at anchorage, and at sea). By the end, I hope you’ll see that Windstar Cruises offers an unforgettable way to see Alaska for those who crave luxury, hate crowds, and still want to see the best that The Last Frontier has to offer.
Best Alaska Cruises of 2024 - TripSavvy
Best Alaska Cruises of 2024.
Posted: Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
As I mentioned above, if you have the budget for a Windstar Cruise, it’s just a matter of finding the perfect itinerary for what you want your Alaska experience to be. Rather than booking a transfer through Windstar, I decided to plan the day on our own. We spent it kayaking with Sunny Cove, eating at our favorite spot in Seward – Seward Brewing Company –, and rode the Alaska Railroad up to Anchorage before our flight departed that night. We enjoyed one final dinner at Amphora with a friend we made aboard, Joseph – it was a lovely, champagne-soaked dinner in the best way possible. Then it was back to our cabin to pack up and retire one last time in Cabin 518.
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The “money shot,” from a photographic point-of-view, is a curve of the train’s front or back end, showing the cars in crescent formation as they round a bend. The true gift of this excursion was the chance to shelter in the intimate photo blind at stream level with salmon and bears in full view. Watching the bears’ varying degrees of success diving for, catching, and devouring their prey provided endless entertainment and awe.
Jump into a beautiful palm-fringed lagoon from the Watersports Platform on the yacht’s stern. Or simply unwind on deck, enjoying paradise with a Mai Tai in hand. There are certain sailings that daring travelers dare not miss.
First new Windstar ships since 2015
In warmer climes guests can make use of the Watersports Platform off the ship’s stern for complimentary swimming, kayaking, and even stand-up paddle-boarding. There is also the WorldSpa by Windstar where guests can indulge in a range of beauty treatments and massages. Windstar Cruises appeal to the well-travelled, more sophisticated guests who prefer unassuming luxury in an intimate, informal environment. The demographic on Windstar is somewhat younger than on some cruise lines. Most passengers are couples in their late 30s to early 60s, with the average age of around 50.
Windstar Cruises Alaska Cruises
Cabin 518 is a Balcony Suite; all Star Breeze cabins are suites following the “Star Plus Initiative” which updated the ship. As you can see, we had a king-sized bed, plus an entire seating area with a couch and two chairs. I opted to go on a solo kayak excursion and was paired up with a fellow passenger. In our kayak group, we paddled into a few sea caves, and along the face of the glacier. We spotted seals and sea otters, and even a small group of Orcas on their morning patrol for breakfast in the area.
Water sports platforms are a signature feature of Windstar vessels. Thick rainforests pulse with life, a symphony of hearts beating in butterflies, ocelots, peccaries, sloths and more. While cities – some standing, some recently risen from the grave – wait to amaze visitors. And then there are the Galapagos Islands, a place where life took a unique path shaped by distance from land, the currents below, the winds above. Beaches, biosphere preserves, weathered forts, Panama Canal gates the size of tennis courts, and more are on the horizon. Indulge yourself in leisurely, unscheduled days where time suspends in the magic of the sea.
Dive into the history of civilizations that changed the world. Search for new species in a place where they make new discoveries every other day. And relax on some of the most beautiful islands and coastlines the Americas have to offer. We did the Vancouver roundtrip itinerary last July and loved it so much that we are doing the Seward-Vancouver itinerary this July.
Don’t expect large production shows - entertainment is low-key on Windstar complementing the laid-back atmosphere onboard. Evenings, when not spent ashore, include socialising abb no enjoying a drink in one of the lounges onboard, with music provided by resident musicians. There may be performances from local artistes such as cultural dancers or music recitals. Firstly it is a far more intimate environment compared with the majority of cruise lines operating larger ships. You quickly get to know the crew and the crew know you, so your every need is anticipated and catered for. The compact ships are easy to get around and it feels like you are on a private yacht rather than a commercial ship.
We learned to distinguish the juvenile birds with their dark heads and mottled wings from the adults who evinced a yellow beak and a white head and tail. They soared so close that we didn’t need binoculars to view them. Here are my five favorite excursions that brought me deep into the culture and wild beauty of Alaska. As for accommodations, each of the 106 suites onboard Legend features ocean views, a spacious bathroom with a bathtub, a walk-in closet and a sitting area that’s perfect for taking in the scenery.
I did the kayaking at all 3 opportunities and really enjoyed it. The first stop (Kenai Fjords), I also took a zodiac to see how it compares. For my inner layer, I sometimes wore a turtle neck and sometimes a short sleeve shirt. I also had a wool flannel shirt I could wear over that when I wanted something lighter than my fleece. For feet, light weight wool socks (so they would provide warmth in case they got wet) and water-proof low-top hiking shoes (Merrill Moab WP).
Taking to the water allowed for another type of animal encounter. This time, on a small ferry-like boat from Sitka and narrated and guided by a naturalist, we searched for sea otters, eagles, and the very lazy harbor seals that seem to enjoy cuddling as much as hunting for fish. Live music is typically offered in the Compass Rose lounge after dinner, and there is a small casino. The small library offers a nice selection of books and DVDs for viewing in guest suites.
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