Off to Barbados

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:10 pm

Wife and I leave on December 5th, 2009 for Barbados where we will board the "Windsurf" and visit St. Kitts, St. Martin, St. Lucia, Nevis over a 10 day period. This will be our second time to Barbados and the fourth time we have sailed on one of the ships of the "Windstar" fleet with the "Windsurf" being the largest ship in the fleet, taking 300 passengers. This is small by cruise ship standards, but we enjoy the intimacy and ambiance of the smaller ships. It's almost like having your own yacht. Despite the electronically controlled sails that give the "Windsurf" the appearance of a old sailing vessel, the wi fi and flat screen TV's in their suites, and the modern decor of it's furnishings belie that. The stern of the Windstar ships have a complete dive operation with scuba gear available for passengers that scuba, which my wife and I are looking forward to. Barbados is the most eastern of the well known Caribbean Islands and over three hours by jet from Miami. From where we live in California it will be a long day getting there, but well worth it. BTW-------we booked this cruise just in the last week because of the tremendous discount. All the cruise lines are anxious to fill their cabins and the years economy has left them with space to fill. If you can pack and go quickly on short notice, their are some great travel opportunities.

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Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:13 pm

WHOOPS!!!!

This was supposed to go in the Vacation and Travel section----sorry bout that.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:14 pm

Can I come what a great trip I'm jealous. :-6

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:26 pm

Now, Lon, you remember that old school rule, don't you? Did you bring enough for everyone? Have fun!

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:26 pm

Sounds wonderful, have a great time Lon :-6

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:30 pm

Im Green with envy Lon, sounds fabulous, please take pics to make us more jealous...Oh and of course we will need a daily food diary :wah:

Have a fab time:-6

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:04 pm

Bon Voyage have a glorious time.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:14 pm

Get a great tan with lots of Vitamin D in it!

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:31 pm

I'd be soooo frustrated - all the technology tied up in that rigging and no way would they let me play

I'd love to learn how a ship like that ticked and learn how to sail her.

Enjoy - and be sure to report back

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:51 pm

Enjoy, Lon!

:-6

A bring back some photos to share.

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:50 pm

That sounds wonderful. I love cruising--never been on a ship that small however. Is the food just as good as Princess or Royal Caribbean? Next time I go I'm going on a short notice or repositioning ship. I know the fares are fantastic.

Have a good time!

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:30 pm

Sounds like an awesome adventure you've got planned, Lon! One of my all-time favourite places to visit is Nevis. I want to sail on a ship like that, too.

Have a good trip!

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:20 pm

Zapata;1267841 wrote: That sounds wonderful. I love cruising--never been on a ship that small however. Is the food just as good as Princess or Royal Caribbean? Next time I go I'm going on a short notice or repositioning ship. I know the fares are fantastic.

Have a good time!

The food is top flight. Open seating for meals and casual attire. I've done the big ships (2,000 passengers) and much prefer the smaller vessels, and particularly the sporting activities available. Check out Windstar Home Page.

Luxury Cruises - Luxurious Cruise Vacations - Caribbean, Greek Isles, Europe, Mediterranean, Panama Canal

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:04 pm

Lon;1267901 wrote: The food is top flight. Open seating for meals and casual attire. I've done the big ships (2,000 passengers) and much prefer the smaller vessels, and particularly the sporting activities available. Check out Windstar Home Page.

Luxury Cruises - Luxurious Cruise Vacations - Caribbean, Greek Isles, Europe, Mediterranean, Panama Canal

Thanks for the link. My last one was on the Crown Princess-4000 passengers- too big! What sort of sporting activities? This one had miniature golf (which I'd seen before) & one had a simulated golf driving range. I'm still looking for the skeet shooting that was supposed to be on one of them. I like the Trivia contests, dance lessons & the Name That Tune (always win those) & the art auction. Princess had a great variety of art. We went on a Renaissance once and it was wonderful-Tahiti, a smaller ship and then they went out of business.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:20 pm

Zapata;1267909 wrote: Thanks for the link. My last one was on the Crown Princess-4000 passengers- too big! What sort of sporting activities? This one had miniature golf (which I'd seen before) & one had a simulated golf driving range. I'm still looking for the skeet shooting that was supposed to be on one of them. I like the Trivia contests, dance lessons & the Name That Tune (always win those) & the art auction. Princess had a great variety of art. We went on a Renaissance once and it was wonderful-Tahiti, a smaller ship and then they went out of business.

Even though I am 75 I am very active physically and prefer the company of younger people. The average age on the Windstar is much younger than on the large ships where older folks enjoy over eating and sleeping on deck chairs. The on board sporting activities on the smaller ships center on water sport activities, scuba, snorkeling and more active ashore activities, biking, hiking, etc.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:45 am

No one is going to Barbados, now every one just calm down.

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:12 pm

Well! What am I supposed to do with these 4 suitcases & 2 carryons I've spent all night packing? :-3

droby · Post by **droby** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:39 am

I would love to go one day! So is it as good as the song, if you can remember it, only thing I can connec to Barbados anyway, maybe ill check out Cuba first before barbados, barbados seems a little small anyways, but who am I to judge if I have not been there yet