Built in 1988, the Bahamian-registered
Wind Spirit is a sail-assisted motorship where the sails unfurl in two minutes at the touch of a computerized control button. Officially designated a masted schooner, the 5,350-ton, 360-ft, four-deck vessel feels more like a luxurious yacht to its 148 passengers. Officers are European and the crew Indonesian and Filipino. Lifestyle aboard is casual and sophisticated with most of the activtities taking place on the open decks. To be honest, the sails add just a few knots to the ship's speed; the ship is largely powered by a diesel engine. A 2007 refurbishment saw the
Wind Spirit polished up to fine form.
First known as Windstar Sail Cruises, the company got its start in the mid-1980s but it did not fare well enough to continue independently. Holland America gradually assumed control between 1987 and 1988 and moved the company to HAL's Seattle headquarters in 1994 and renamed it Windstar Cruises. The company added the Wind Surf (the former Club Med I) in 1997. In 2007, Windstar Cruises was sold to Ambassadors International, a firm that also owns Majestic America Line, also of Seattle.
Passengers, mostly American couples with an average age of 48, enjoy the casual camaraderie inspired by the vessel's intimacy and unstructured, easygoing attitude. Gratuities are included in the rates.
The Wind Spirit has two seasonal cruising regions, the Mediterranean (March to November) and the Caribbean (December to early March). In the Mediterranean, 7-day cruises shuttle between Athens (Piraeus) and Istanbul, calling at Greek Islands and the Turkish coast and from Barcelona, Malaga and Civitavecchia (Rome) in the Western Mediterranean. To reposition between the Mediterranean and Caribbean, there are house-party-style 14-day transatlantic cruises, straight shots between Lisbon and St. Thomas. The weekly Caribbean sailings operate from St. Thomas, calling at St. John, St. Barts, Jost VanDyke and Virgin Gorda with one day at sea.
With the distinctive profile of a large yacht and maritime atmosphere within, the Wind Spirit immediately pleases the eye. The main lounge, located aft, has a sailing-ship-style skylight over the dance floor that rises into an attractive centerpiece for the open deck above. It becomes the social venue before and after meals with light entertainment after dinner. An adjacent space offers a small casino with tables and slot machines.
The wood-paneled dining room offers open-sitting flexibility, and dress is always casual. Entrees may include linguine with frutti di mare, crisp duck breast and grilled filet mignon. In good weather only dinner is served here, while the Veranda provides glass-enclosed protection for breakfast and lunch with additional sheltered tables out on deck under parasols. Food is available from a menu or the buffet. At breakfast the chef prepares omelets and pancakes and, at lunch, a pasta dish or perhaps bouillabaisse. Dinner takes place one evening under the stars, a romantic setting with tables arranged around the pool. The daytime gathering spot is the lido, partly a covered lounge with sit-up bar and partly an open area with a small pool for dipping, a whirlpool, deck chairs, and cushioned mats. The watersports program is a big draw and includes diving instruction and snorkeling in several ports and complimentary use of sailboats, sailboards, banana boats and kayaks that are launched from the marine deck. Other lures include a sauna, fitness center, boutique and beauty salon. Wireless connections are available throughout the ship.
The similar 74 teak-accented cabins arranged on two decks measure 188 sq ft, have ample stowage, and are all outsides with a pair of sizeable portholes. Each has a flat-screen TV with VCR, CD and DVD player (with hundreds of videos and CDs on tap in the library), phone, minibar, safe, and queen bed that converts to twins. Baths boast hair dryers and terry robes. The baths have recently been remodeled and all the soft furnishings have been renewed.
For the young-at-heart, the Wind Spirit offers a casual yet sophisticated lifestyle partly under sail and partly motoring between ports.
