June 16 -23, 2012
Athens to Venice aboard the Wiindsurf
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| JAN & TERRY ABOARD WINDSURF OFF DALMATIAN COAST |
We flew BA from Vancouver to Athens and managed to
get front of the plane seats using our BA points so we arrived well rested in
London. But after an afternoon in the BA lounge catching up with work it
was nearly 3am, after our London to Athens flight, before we fell into bed at
the Sofitel right at the Athens airport. The next day was spent touring
Athens - the Hop On Hop Off bus making the sightseeing easy and convenient, especially
since the temperature was hot hot hot and way too hot to walk far - well up in
the 30’s!
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| THE ARENA AT THE ACROPOLIS, ATHENS |
The metro train is very easy to use, comfortable
and clean and we used this on our day in Athens as well as the following day
when we took the train into Athens, and then out to the Port of Piraeus where
we boarded the Windsurf. The smaller 114 passenger Wind Spirit was also
in port next to the Windsurf, along with the SeaDream another favourite yacht
of ours. Piraeus is a very busy port and there were ships of all sorts
coming and going non stop including the island ferries which call at all the
small and large Greek Islands.
WINDSURF EMBARKATION We were welcomed on
board the WindSurf with a glass of champagne and we immediately noticed and
appreciated the changes and upgrades which have just been made to all the
Windstar yachts - teak flooring everywhere, soft colours of grey and taupe, a
very nice feeling of a luxury yacht not just another contemporary large cruise
ship. Xanterra Parks and Resorts purchased the Windstar Cruise line in May 2011
and have been busy spending millions on the ships to upgrade the luxury yacht
level and provide a unique experience. We were in a cabin on the lowest
passenger level and conveniently close to the elevator when wanting to go up 3
or 4 floors for dining or outside facilities.
There are no suites with balconies on any of the
Windstar yachts but there is lots of outdoor space, including some quiet
private ares, so this was never a problem for us. We by far prefer being
outdoors and spent nearly all of our time on the Windstar outside, including
meals - our favourite being the Verandah every day for breakfast and lunch, and
one night the same deck was used for an amazing BBQ - absolutely the best BBQ
we have ever had on board any ship for the food, service, atmosphere: white
tablecloths, crystal wine glasses, and candlelight with wonderful live music
played by the two person group. The BBQ was in Kotor Montenegro and we
didn’t leave port until 10 pm so we were surrounded by high mountains and
twinkling lights as the sky darkened after a spectacular sunset. We also
had a couple of dinners on the back deck at the Candles restaurant (around the
swimming pool) which again is so romantic at the back of the yacht under the
stars - watching the coastline fade away as we headed towards our next
destination. Candles offers the same menu every night (steak and seafood)
and reservations are required.
ITINERARY
The itinerary for the 8 night cruise was along the Dalmatian Coast and we loved
it. I don’t think we saw a single cloud at all that week and it was very
hot - too hot some days since the itinerary included ports with good energetic
hikes - we did lots of laundry since we had packed very light.
Monemvassia Greece; Corfu Greece; Kotor Montenegro: Dubrovnik, Pula and Split
in Croatia; finishing the cruise in Venice. Every day at sail away
we would head to the Compass Rose at the back of the yacht where the signatory
and dramatic Vangelis Conquest of Paradise would be broadcast over the speakers
- gives you chills such a wonderful tune. The Compass Rose was also
available at 630am each morning for a continental breakfast for those needing a
bite before the Verandah opened at 730 for a full breakfast.
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| MONEMVASIA medieval walled city - GREECE |
CORFU GREECE
Then it was off to Corfu Greece - a great city for shopping in never
ending alleyways, with lots of fake name brand handbags (2 PRADA for me!)
But the highlight for us was the Old Fort - we were up there early and the
views of the bays are spectacular - well worth the mildly energetic climb to
the top - followed by free WIFI at the restaurant listening to the music while
sipping a cold beverage of your choice! Windstar provided a complimentary
shuttle bus all day between the port and downtown so a very easy way for
everyone to enjoy Corfu.
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| KOTOR, MOTENEGRO at the top of the hot sticky climb to the fort the beautiful WINDSURF anchored in the harbour below |
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| WINDSURF MARINA DECK anchored in DUBROVNIC |
SPLIT,CROATIA Next day was Split Croatia - this second largest city in
Croatia is built around the original very large and star shaped Diocletian’s
Palace - we spent hours wandering through the narrow alleyways which are full
of tables and chairs of the myriad of restaurants and cafes which you
just walk around. There are also several stores, but outside the walls of the
Palace there is a large market with everything from fresh produce and flowers,
to handbags (no Prada!) shoes and clothing - lots of great linen garments at
very reasonable prices in many of the stalls. Split was very busy and crowds
of tourists - at the entrance to the Palace there are lots of locals offering
their services as Guides. In one alley we came across several older
locals, all dressed in white and blue marine style teeshirts, singing
traditional Croatian songs - we bought the CD from them and the music is
excellent!
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| PULA ARENA AMPHITHEATRE - CROATIA |
VENICE, ITALY
All good things must, unfortunately, come to an end and we disembarked
the Windsurf in Venice for two busy days enjoying the Grand Canal, getting lost
(twice) in the maze of alleyways and canals, and spending way too much on glass
on the island of Murano.
WINDSURF SUMMARY We had a truly wonderful 8 nights onboard the Windsurf.
The suites were lovely (very well laid out and spacious); the food in every
restaurant was well prepared and presented, with a wide variety to suit every
taste; the staff were so attentive and enjoyable - they were a mix of mostly
Indonesian and Philippinos who loved to joke with us and talk to us while
providing excellent and respectful service at the same time. One evening
they presented their crew show to us - and I have to say this was the best Crew
Show I have seen on board any ship - they were very well prepared, they were
funny, they sang well (and in tune) and the time flew by as we all watched and
enjoyed them
The Captain and his Officers were open and
welcoming - the Bridge is open to all passengers at all times except when in
port - so in the middle of the night if you can’t sleep you can go onto the
Bridge and watch the instruments and stars and talk to the Officer on
duty. The Captain was very approachable and personable and on our last
day was hilarious as he gave us his very enjoyable farewell speech and gave
away some of his secrets and thoughts.
There were two musical combos on board; a two
piece and a 5 piece and both were excellent - you could watch the sun go down
at Compass Rose or dance each evening in the lounge - definitely not high paced
Broadway shows such as you would see on large cruise ships, but great music and
easy listening for those of us wanting to listen to some good music after a
busy day in port. There is a reasonably sized casino onboard with card
tables and slot machines but I have to admit that I never spent a penny there -
just no time!
The Windstar line is not all inclusive - you pay
for your beverages, shore excursions and gratuities. The Windsurf is a
great Yacht experience for those folks who love the water and being outdoors -
who appreciate good food and service - and who don’t want to stand in lines for
anything! We never stood in a line ever! We had always felt that
the Windstar ships were better suited to warm destinations (like the Caribbean)
where the Marina at the back could be enjoyed in the warm waters - but how
wrong we were - this was the perfect ship for enjoying the European ports, and
being able to anchor so close to the centre of town where no other ship was
docked! And we thoroughly enjoyed using the Marina off the back of the
Windsurf in those European ports that allowed the Windsurf to make it available
to the guests (in busy ports the ship is not allowed to open the Marina
deck). There is also a decent sized swimming pool (or dipping pool) at
the back of the Windsurf along with a a pool bar that is used a lot and a very
enjoyable place to spend free hours onboard, or a couple of hours after a hot
day on shore.
We enjoyed ourselves so much that we have booked a
Caribbean cruise on the smaller Windspirit to the Grenadine Islands over
Christmas - so stay posted if you’d like to hear about how that goes - we can
tell you now that we will have a fabulous time!
