We always enjoy it when our travelers share their experiences with us. In the following account, you’ll learn more about Windstar Cruises and the journey enjoyed by our exceptional travelers, Terry and Abel.
Many thanks to All World Travel and your expert advisor, Jackie Kavan! Your suggestion of the Windstar Tahiti & Tuamotu Islands Cruise on the Wind Spirit was perfect. The 12-day cruise was the ideal amount of time for us, and with only 74 Cabins, we never had to wait in long lines for meals, excursions, or the tender to shore when at the islands. The recommendation to arrive in Tahiti a few days before debarkation was perfect. The extra day after the long flight and before boarding the sailing ship was great for relaxing and checking out the town of Papeete and Tahiti’s island.
Boarding was swift and simple. When we arrived to board the ship, the crew unloaded our luggage from the van, attached tags with our cabin numbers, and we filled out a small questionnaire. This entire process took only about 20 minutes. We explored the ship and met many members of the crew. Everyone was so friendly, and they all introduced themselves and asked for our names. We commented to ourselves about them asking our names, but as we soon learned, the crew remembered them within the first few days on board. There, we met our cabin steward, Wahono. We had no idea he would soon become our friend and remember more about our needs and wants than we ever thought possible.
Early in the voyage, we went to the “Amphora” restaurant for an incredible dinner. We were surprised at how many choices there were on the menu. The wait staff introduced themselves and were always nearby. We knew then that we were in for an incredible experience and hopefully would not gain too many pounds on this trip. There were so many dessert offerings that it was hard to decide. After eating way too much, we checked out a movie at reception to watch in our cabin and settled in for a quiet night.
To start each day, we dined at the “Veranda” restaurant, where breakfast was served. There was a large breakfast bar with everything you could possibly think of for breakfast. You could build your own plate of fresh local fruit, grains, cheeses, yogurt, nuts and toppings, and fresh pastries. There were hot dishes of eggs, different meats, and potatoes. We opted for the omelet station, where you could order a custom omelet with anything you wanted made to your liking. Everything was very fresh and yummy.
During the day, we enjoyed relaxing, laying out on the lounges on the rear deck, and enjoying the sun. We explored the bow and were invited into the bridge, where the crew members showed us all the electronics they used for navigation and the many different ways they had to determine the weather conditions, depth of the ocean when entering the island reefs, their exact location, see any nearby vessels, night vision, etc. This was incredibly interesting and educational. They also explained how they deployed the sails and why and when to use them. The crew was amazing, and we were surprised at how long so many of them had been on the Wind Spirit and how many different locations this vessel had visited over the years.
There was abundant adventure to be found during the excursions. We enjoyed exploring the different islands, great onboard entertainment, snorkeling, barbecue lunches on the sand, kayaking, jet skiing, e-biking, paddle boarding, quaint shopping, and so much more! The Windstar was keen to properly introduce us to the areas we were visiting and provided us with a native guide who educated us on the area’s local customs and folklore. They did everything possible to make us all feel like royalty. This crew was truly special.
What a great trip it was!! Now, where to go next? We will let you know once we figure it out! Thanks so much for planning such a wonderful trip. Until next time……..
Your friends,
Terry and Abel
