Caribbean’s yacht harbors give Windstar’s small ships an advantage. Rather than crowding into the same mega-ports as the big cruise lines, our yachts slip into harbors too small, too shallow, or simply too special for larger vessels.
Best Caribbean Harbors for Small Ship Cruises Read More »
Did you know that rainforests abound in the region? In fact, rainforests (not to mention volcanoes) set the stage for our favorite hikes in places like Nevis, Puerto Rico, Dominica , Tobago and more.
The Caribbean You Haven’t Seen: Our Favorite Hikes Above the Shoreline Read More »
There’s a reason they call these islands Europe’s Hawaii. From black-sand beaches to cities with Spanish and Portuguese influences, it always felt to me like it was everything you could want in a vacation destination.
Windstar’s Passport to the Canary Islands: Our Guide Read More »
Perfect moments are shy and ephemeral things, not easily captured in words. But let me try. Let me describe five perfect moments from our recent “Off the Beaten Path” Greek Islands cruise aboard Wind Spirit (it is also offered on Wind Surf).
When Time Slows Down: Sailing the Forgotten Corners of Greece Read More »
We had booked Windstar’s Dreams of Tahiti, a seven-day sailing from Papeete on Star Breeze, a small ship hosting up to 312 people, and I was about to discover that a voyage around the islands definitely had an adventurous side.
For Adventure Travelers in French Polynesia, Tahiti Is Just the Beginning Read More »
Volcanoes are not something I am normally drawn to as I am to, say, a Caribbean beach or a Parisian café. And swimming in the crater of one wasn’t exactly on my bucket list. But I am drawn to adventure and to stories.
Choose Your Adventure: In Santorini, the Wonderful Indulgence of Sailing the Caldera Read More »
The Tower of Jesus Christ is the last piece of its central tower. The 56-foot-high steel and glass cross was installed in February 2026, extending La Sagrada Familia’s height to 172.5 meters, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster (162 meters). That was a key moment in the long, turbulent history of this marvel, designed by Barcelona’s iconic architect Antoni Gaudi.
Is Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia Finished? Everything You Need to Know Now Read More »
As a travel photographer who loves the outdoors, the Tahitian Islands have long been at the top of my list of exotic destinations to visit. From tropical landscapes to fiery sunsets, these are some of my favorite photos from Windstar’s Dreams of Tahiti
Inside Windstar’s “Dreams of Tahiti” Voyage: Six Moments That Redefine Island Luxury Read More »
Let’s face it: The islands of French Polynesia are exotic to begin with and yet visiting this part of the South Pacific via a yacht-sized ship transports you even further into culture, hospitality and natural wonders. Offering experiences where greetings are genuine and adventures are offered graciously to small groups of honored guests is a
Windstar’s Passport to Tahiti: Our Guide Read More »
And soon we were being guided to Wind Spirit where she stood waiting, docked, just back from a previous voyage but shipshape and awaiting her new and eager voyagers. It’s not a big ship. It only has about 130 cabins. But it’s a sleek, tight sailing vessel with six sails that would soon be unfurled.
What It’s Like: Sailing the Islands of Greece on Wind Spirit Read More »
This trip would be different. My knowledge had broadened beyond the big ship style of travel that was mostly what we knew. Perhaps lesser known, and for us absolutely more enticing, was a luxury cruise on a small ship. “What if we tried,” I said, and this time more confidently, “for a small ship cruise that can drop us into sweet little ports and let us explore or relax however we want?”
In Tahiti, a Small Ship Changed Everything We Thought We Knew About Cruising Read More »
The Mediterranean is a fantasy cruise destination for many. While major cities, such as Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Athens and Dubrovnik, with their world-class attractions, get much of the attention, its quieter ports often reveal the soul of a destination and its people. Sometimes, these smaller harbors are gateways to the Mediterranean’s real treasures.
The Mediterranean’s Best-Kept Secrets: 6 Ports for Your Bucket List Read More »
What if, traveling throughout the islands of French Polynesia, you could choose to sail and to cruise, both? It turns out that you can. Beginning in March 2027 and continuing through 2028, Windstar is shifting its 148-guest Wind Star to its new year-round homeport of Papeete where it joins 312-guest Star Breeze, already ensconced there. The
In summer, Windstar’s yachts, hosting only 148-342 guests, offer a chance to travel to Mediterranean towns and villages that aren’t typically on bigger ship itineraries.
The best Mediterranean cruise for summer is a small ship, yacht-style sailing that explores coastal destinations across Italy, Greece, France, Croatia, and Montenegro while allowing travelers to stay cool on the water.
FAQ: Discovering Just the Right Yacht-Style Experience During Summer in Europe Read More »
The best bars in the Caribbean have certain attributes: The drinks are frosty, the view is dreamy and the nearby sea laps the shores ever so gently. That wonderful set of criteria, however, narrows our list of favorites only slightly, so we’ve done a little more research to find some of the best.
These Caribbean Beach Bars Serve Cocktails and Cuisine Worth the Trip Read More »
