Wind Surf Transatlantic Cruise November 11 – 25, 2007 Trip Report

Wind Surf Transatlantic Cruise November 11 – 25, 2007 Trip Report Part 1

Background: We booked this cruise in Feb. 2007. We are a retired couple, mid 50s in age. It was one of those trips that we always wanted to take. We are glad we finally did it, it was wonderful. We are not new to Wind Star. We had sailed on the Wind Surf in 2001, the Wind Spirit in 1995 and the Wind Star in 1993 so we had some idea what to expect. Regarding the new ownership, we did not find anything that detracted from our enjoyment of the cruise.

Pre cruise: We took Wind Star air, from Vancouver to Lisbon with British Airways. A Wind Star rep met us and one other couple when we landed, and we were each given a taxi voucher for the trip to the hotel. We stayed at the Meridien Park Atlantic Lisbon for 3 nights. A Wind Star rep was available at the hotel during our stay. A wonderful hotel, if a bit out of the way. Along with a number of other passengers, we were taken by bus to the ship on Nov 11.

Embarkation: As ever, Wind Star embarkation is smooth and quick. We had some bottles of wine in our carry on, no problem getting them thru the security, they did not even open our bag. (These were for use in our cabin, though one night we did bring one to the restaurant, the corkage fee is $15.) After filling out the paperwork in the lounge – while enjoying champagne and appies, we were in our cabin in no time at all.

While the ship can accommodate 312 passengers, we were told at the Captains Cocktail Party that there were only 189 passengers on board. And, there were 190 crew to look after us! Service was just fine. Our steward introduced himself when we boarded. He never failed to greet us by name each time he saw us. All crew members would greet you as you passed them on your travels around the ship. Captain Mark Boylin and other senior crew members would take time to stop to chat with passengers.

Sailing away: We boarded shortly after 1PM on Nov 11 and we sailed just after 9PM. To pass under the April 25th bridge in Lisbon, sailing must be timed to low tide. We were on deck, and to the music of Vangelis and cheers from the passengers, we watched as the masts barely cleared the bottom of the bridge.

The crossing: The weather was fantastic. The temperature ranged from 20C/68F to 27C/80F for the entire cruise. Except for the first day which seemed a bit cool, we were on deck all day. We had clear, sunny skies most days, with a tiny bit of rain on a couple of occasions – but there were wonderful rainbows as a result. The seas were so calm we could not believe it! There were many repeat passengers and a common comment was how calm it was, possibly the smoothest crossing ever. After we sailed by Madeira, we did not see land until Barbados was in sight on Nov 24. As well, we saw only one freighter and one other cruise ship during the crossing. Otherwise, sea – lots of it. We did see a whale breaching way off in the distance one day.

While the sails are up most of the time, it was not until Nov 21 that the engines were off and we were under 100% sail power for a while. We were meant to meet the pilot in Barbados on Nov 25 at 4:30AM, however due to a medical emergency, we arrived sooner and anchored off the island at 1:30PM on Nov 24 so that the passenger could be taken off the ship. We docked later (midnight?) when a slip was available in port.

Cabin: We booked cabin 124 on deck one, and after one night we found it very noisy. Since the ship was not full, we were able to move to 246, on deck two, and it was very quiet. Our only experience on Wind Star is regular cabins, and we find they meet our needs. There is plenty of storage space and the bed was very comfortable. Toiletries were always restocked, so we never ran out of anything. The steward kept our fruit basket filled. There was a flat screen TV, and DVD player and iPod Bose docking station. Extra hangars were available for the asking.

Dining: We have no complaints with the food, we thought it great, lots of selection at each meal. Breakfast (8-10AM) and lunch (12:30 – 2PM) were buffets in The Veranda, though there were always made to order dishes available. For supper (7-9PM), we ate in The Restaurant most nights, and at Degrees a few times. We had no problems making reservations for Degrees, possibly due to fewer passengers. The menu is different between the two restaurants and the presentation is a bit different. Always lots of selection, whatever your taste. There was lobster served one night each week. There was a BBQ lunch each week, and one of those also featured lobster. The wine list is good, with some reasonably priced choices. We purchased a bottle every other night, and the wine steward stored our unfinished bottle for the next evening. Always something available to eat, whether 7/24 cabin service, continental breakfast, snacks, afternoon tea and appies during the cocktail hour.

We were invited one evening, along with another couple, to have dinner with the ship’s doctor. We’re not sure, but given the number of senior crew, and the number of passengers, that many had a similar invite over the 2 weeks.

To be continued ...

Wind Surf Transatlantic Cruise November 11 – 25, 2007 Trip Report Part 2

Keeping busy: So you ask - How DO you keep busy for 13 days at sea? For the most part, passengers keep themselves busy – or not, as they so desire. There were many a bridge game played over the 14 days at sea. Many craft projects were completed, always a table or two of passengers busy chatting and doing needle work and the like. And, lots of relaxing on the lounge chairs. Passengers completed 2 rather large jig saw puzzles over the course of the voyage. Many were kept busy with their ship building for the big contest. The creativity and ingenuity of the builders was wonderful, and the ‘sea trials’ fun to watch.

As far as organized “activities”, there were origami lessons, napkin and towel folding lessons, galley tours, golf putting challenge, road rally, Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary. There were bread and marzipan demos, vegetable and watermelon carving demos. Each day, there was a new NY Times crossword puzzle available, Word Jumble, and a sheet of Sudoku puzzles.

We borrowed an iPod (no charge) and it was loaded with 500 songs, all types of music. We used it in the Bose docking station in our cabin, and on deck with our own headphones. There are many DVD movies to be borrowed for use in your cabin, but some appeared to be not all that recent. There is quite a library of books as well. We, like many other passengers, added to the collection by leaving behind books we brought aboard and finished during the cruise. Daily, there were 3 different movies playing on the cabin TV, along with a preview of the trip video that was being shot during the voyage.

We did use the gym a few times. I visited the spa twice, once for a massage (one can never be too rested!) and once for a pedicure.

One note to those who like to keep in touch or informed. On the crossing, internet service is not available a day or two after leaving Lisbon, until just before reaching Barbados. Also, CNN is not available shortly after sailing.

Disembarkation: Passengers were called to the lounge, by grouping based on flight times etc, to clear customs. This started some time around 7AM on Nov 25. Accommodation had been made from some passengers with a very early flight time, and I believe they were off the ship by 5AM. After a quick process to get our passports and clear customs, we had breakfast and then went to wait at the Compass Rose until the ship was cleared and we could disembark. As we waited, we were entertained by watching the Queen Mary 2 maneuver her way into the port. We were off the Wind Surf by 8:30AM.

Post cruise: We stayed at the Accra Beach hotel. It has a nice beach, and is within walking distance of a number of great restaurants. By chance on Nov 25, we wandered into a sports bar for supper. We had forgotten that it was Grey Cup day, and just about every fellow Canadian on the island was there to watch the game. A very noisy and very spirited bunch! We flew from Barbados to Vancouver, via Toronto, on Air Canada.

Would we do it again? Without a doubt!

Pictures: http://rlig.shutterfly.com/action/