If you said you want to try a sybaritic, pampered cruise experience normally restricted to fairly well-to-do people, I’d steer you to Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of wonderful motorized sailboats in the Caribbean & Europe.
However, you may want to run. Windstar has just announced 2-for-1 prices on 2010/11 Caribbean cruises if you book by October 30, 2010.
Wind Surf’s Sea of Enchantment Voyages
Seven-day sailings depart and return to Bridgetown, Barbados and visit St. Kitts, St. Martin, St. Barts, Ãles des Saintes and St. Lucia. Special 2-for-1 rates from $1,379 (brochure fare $2,759) per person, double occupancy.
- November 28; December 12, 19 (Holiday), 2010;
- January 2, 16, 30; February 27; March 13, 27, 2011.
Wind Surf’s Caribbean Adventure Voyages
Seven-day sailings depart and return to Bridgetown, Barbados and visit Bequia, Grenada, Mayreau, Dominica and St. Lucia. Special 2-for-1 rates from $1,379 (brochure fare $2,759) per person, double occupancy.
- December 5, 26 (New Year’s), 2010;
- January 9; February 20; March 6, 20, 2011.
Wind Spirit’s Yachtsman’s Discovery Voyages
Seven-day sailings depart and return to Marigot, St. Martin and visit St. Kitts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke (overnight), Virgin Gorda (overnight) and St. Barts (overnight). Special 2-for-1 rates from $1,449 (brochure fare $2,899) per person, double occupancy.
- December 19 (Holiday), 2010;
- January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5; March 19, 26; April 2, 2011.
About Windstar Cruises
A bit about Windstar’s ships, as close to a private yachting experience as most people get. All cruises take you to more upscale ports the large ships can’t visit. Wind Spirit and Wind Star carry 148 passengers while Wind Surf accommodates 312 guests. If you feel inclined to shop for a cruise, head for J Crew. The atmosphere is laid back and low-key and as a Windstar exec once said, “The main entertainment is conversation.” The food is utterly sublime and the staff wonderful. Cabins are superbly designed and come with flat screen TV, DVD players, IPods and docks for them.
These aren’t ships for cruisers seeing casinos and nightlife or extensive kids programs.