WINDSURF DALMATION COAST CRUISE SUMMARY

June 16 -23, 2012 

Athens to Venice aboard the Wiindsurf

JAN & TERRY ABOARD WINDSURF OFF DALMATIAN COAST

It was a great opportunity - sail from Athens to Venice onboard the 312 passenger Windsurf - a wonderful itinerary and beautiful ship with 7 towering white sails and over 600 feet long - she sure looks pretty when you see her with her sails up!

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!  

THE ARENA AT THE ACROPOLIS, ATHENS

ATHENS   The highlight of course was the Acropolis and it was magnificent with amazing views of the city which is massive with a population of over 3 million including the surrounding urban areas.  The election which would determine whether or not Greece would exit the European Union was the following day but we saw no sign of any madness or problems - just several very large blue and white National Greece flags being carried by some folks. 

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.

MONEMVASIA medieval walled city -  GREECE

MONEMVASIA GREECE    This was a cruise which we really enjoyed and could be active every day.  In the medieval town of Monemvasia we hiked up to the top of the 300 metre high fortress - a beautiful old walled town on its’ own peninsula.  The views were spectacular,spectacular and the town was wonderful - tiny little streets, a laid back atmosphere - beautiful little jewellry stores, and restaurants overlooking the white capped waves on the azure sea which we watched while we drank ice cold beer and wine and fried cheese with squeezed fresh lemons juice!  You could take the bus across to the peninsula for 1 euro each, or enjoy the walk like we did!

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.

KOTOR, MOTENEGRO at the top of the hot sticky climb to the fort
the beautiful WINDSURF anchored in the harbour below

Next stop KOTOR MONTENEGRO   - we cruised slowly all morning through what felt like fjords in Norway or New Zealand, but is actually a ria, a submerged river bed,  to anchor around noon outside the old port and another medieval walled city which is a World Heritage Site .  Here we were surrounded by mountains and climbed to the fort at the top - another unbearably hot and sweaty climb but so rewarding for the views at the top - our Captain even kept the sails hoisted (by technology not hard labour) so that we could take photos during the day with the sails up - just a beautiful site!  When we finally made it back down to the town we found a restaurant with a mister and huge fan which we sat under for over an hour to cool off!  The town has lots of high end stores reflecting the increased tourism to the area - we were told that a bus tour that took 1 1/2 hours along the shore the day that we were there would take over 5 hours in the height of the summer because of Kotor’s ever increasing popularity as a tourist destination.

WINDSURF MARINA DECK anchored in DUBROVNIC

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA     The next 3 days were in Croatia - warning!  You will need KUNAS here, the local currency.  Croatia is not part of the Eurozone and they do not take US $ or Euros!!!  Our first stop in Croatia was Dubrovnik - and we were anchored right off the walled city whereas the large ships are all anchored several miles away.  Arriving in the harbour we walked through the city and up to the cable car which takes you to the top of the mountain where Fort Imperial is located (and is the home of the museum from the recent 1991 Homeland War with Bosnia)  along with a restaurant with views that go for miles .This was our second visit to Dubrovnik and we had walked along the wall last time and we highly recommend both the cable car and walking the top of the wall for all visitors.  We finished the afternoon in Dubrovnik by finding the bar on the outside of the wall where you can jump in the ocean for a swim (there are steps to get back on land) or just enjoy a cold beverage.  This was our last stop before we headed back to the Windsurf to enjoy the marina at the back of the Windsurf - this opens up when anchored and all the guests can enjoy their private ocean swimming pool - it was amazing - over 60 of the guests onboard were in the ocean and enjoying the facilities of the marina!  There was a round trampoline with connecting water slide along with many extra large floats which several people could lie on together - it was so refreshing after such a hot day in Dubrovnik!

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!

PULA ARENA AMPHITHEATRE - CROATIA

PULA, CROATIA    Our last port in Croatia was PULA, a small quiet town with a population of less than 100,000 - such a difference to Dubrovnik and Split.  But this was a delight - they have a beautiful large Pula Arena Amphitheatre which was constructed between 28-67AD and it stands in great condition - right on the shoreline as you come into port.  We were anchored just a few hundred metres from the shore and you could sit on the deck of the Windsurf and just gaze at this amazing piece of history - who needs the colosseum in Rome??!  We spent the morning walking through the small town (we needed a bank which would give us more KUNAs since we ran out the day before in SPLIT!).  The local market had similar products to Split, but with a much more local flavour and really friendly townspeople.  Pula also had lots of olive oil in every flavour for sale, along with a duo singing country and western (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton “islands in the stream”) as we walked through.  Before we went back on the Windsurf we stopped at a small restaurant and bar behind the Arena where most tourists would not have ventured - we sat on a deck outside not 5 yards from this amazing piece of history and drank wine for $1 glass and beer for $2!!

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!