guided by the wind and the stars!

Like a phoenix from the ashes, Christchurch is nothing like our ?trip pre 22 Feb 2011 when 185 people lost their lives in the earthquake,.?A short stay prior to embark but a chance to see the new city coming to life with ample parks and green spaces for the locals to enjoy . , staying right next door at the Cathedral Novotel it’s a birds eye view of the redevelopment of the epicentre , the Christchurch Cathedral.?A 20min cab ride and we are at Lyttelton ?Harbour and we see a very familiar face, the former Seabourn Spirt now shiny with a new name and new approach to the water, Windstar Breeze.

The wind and stars have always guided the journeys of travellers through history so we are looking to the next 10 days with great anticipation from Christchurch to Melbourne, on the star plus class of Windstar – with all of her enhancements and new touches since she had 81 feet added to her middle.! Now that’s a facelift and Windstar Breeze is looking the part before we walked up the gangway to our home away from home,

We’ve walked the gangways of these ships many many times before, indeed over 300 nights on the yachts of Seabourn.?Xanterra Travel Collection purchased these much loved yachts and have set about to enhance them., from 208 guests to 318 guests with the extension in the middle.

Windstar isn’t very well known ‘down under’ but they have been around since 1984 and from a fleeting glance?on day one I’d say the average age to be about 60yrs, independent, not over formal, a mix of classic cruisers and expeditioners, mainly American and for most onboard this itinerary it is a ‘bucket list’ trip , New Zealand and Australia , Auckland to Melbourne and on to Cairns, if doing the back to back journey.

Windstar can be purchased cruise only and in Australia it’s managed by Andrew Millmore’s company Travel the World – or indeed you can package it up to be inclusive of what most guests are demanding these days.?The Windstar all inclusive best value is ?USD89 per person which is wifi, gratuities and wine, beer and cocktails and this must be purchased a minimum of 5 days prior to embark.??They do allow one person in the suite to purchase the addons, say for example one does not drink, it’s not a mandatory that both have to commit to the package.

Like to have a clean walk in wardrobe or not travel with as much , then it’s USD16 per day per suite (max 2 persons) for included laundry , wash and press and this is purchased for the total number of days of the cruise – and can be purchased on day one of the cruise. There is NO self serve laundry on the vessel.

We can’t comment on embark and efficiency as there is just the 9 of us, embarking specially in Christchurch with varying lengths of journey , some Hobart 6 days and for us 10 days through to Melbourne.?Formalities done and dusted, that’s passports checked and vaccinations recorded we head off on deck 5 from reception to our familiar home away from home, a BS category suite #515.?Nothing has changed in the sleeping and sitting areas and it’s a room with the Seabourn fitted french balcony.?No changes either in the walk in wardrobe except for maybe a newer safe but in the bathroom the bath has been removed for a walk in shower, with double Perspex doors, two vanities, well lit and large mirror.?As we have drinks included our mini bar is stocked and can be restocked with our personal choice and room service is available 24/7.?Our stateroom is 26 sq metres, generous and comfortable.

I suppose you can throw out the cliché, but size does matter.?These are perfectly sized yachts where you can connect with the locals, the crew and fellow travellers, where queuing is non existent there is freedom to explore curated itineraries that are designed to maximise time in iconic ports and explore the oceans you are in with the water sports platform stern on the vessel including all sorts of water sports, complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, water trampoline and?more.??When in warmer climates, snorkel gear is customised and provided to each guest.

?We’re cruising the fjords so we have a guest lecturer on to advise us all about the waterway, the terrain, the vegetation, the?mountains, but wherever this ship takes you it’s small , so it’s authentic experiences and together with the Destinations team they offer Essentials Collection touring, ideal for first timers who want to run themselves ragged and see it all , the Concierge collection for hands on cultural and culinary and then the beyond ordinary way of touring , with unique , exclusive once in lifetime opportunities for discerning travellers. Touring from the ship is costly compared to other companies, - now a typical 4 hour tour is around USD139-149 pp , and a 7 hour tour around USD199 pp.

There is a very small library with games and cards in Yacht Club Café on deck 8 forward.

The boutique has been made larger and features mainly leisure wear and there is adequate ‘windstar’ apparel for sale on deck 6.

Reception is manned 24/7 and on deck 5 with Destinations which typically work 0900 – 1200 and 1500 – 1900hrs unless it’s a day in port when they open after sailing.

A Screening room on deck 5 between Destinations and the Lounge is a good area for incentive groups, small talks, lectures, private gatherings , it’s with large screen and adequate seating.

You only want to meet them socially but the DR and Nurse hang out at the medical centre on deck 3 forward and all costings are US Dollars.

It's the first season down under and also with lack of land based crews in tourism companies, travellers onboard are finding it difficult to have their tours confirmed which is a shame as they are going ashore under their own steam without the expert local knowledge.

With the ships extension it means there is choice for dining, and Windstar is the home of the at sea James Beard Foundation, proud to mentor new up and coming chefs from across the globe and at least once a year there is a James Beard Foundation ‘foody’ cruise. – that it itself has a lot of followers,:

Amphora is the Restaurant for some lunches and mostly dinners,

Star Grill by Steven Raichlen is under the stars for breakfast , lunch and dinner , casual .This casual dining area is famous for slow roasted rotisserie style food.

Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso is Spanish and tapas style for dinner where reservations are necessary together with Candles, dine outdoors aft on the verandah with grill/steak and seafood and reservations are necessary. ,

The same venue through the day, Verandah for casual breakfast and lunch, buffet style, alfresco meals.

Don’t need something so large then the Yacht Club Café forward observation lounge deck 8 is great for a speciality coffee, sandwich, fresh biscuit or cake, or just a cuppa tea.,

All of the dining is included, no surcharges, and there is also 24/7 room service when you feel like throwing on the gown and slippers provided and opening up the french doors to let the outside in,. It has been our experience that all of the food onboard was of very good quality and the service was also excellent, - you feel the ‘family’ with many team members more than 5 contracts with Windstar.

Want some sun, well that’s ok , the whirlpool forward on deck 5 is still a favourite found by just a few and the pool and whirlpool deck 7 aft is larger and ideal for dipping, sunbathing and just relaxing.?Maybe that will include the spa by Windstar, - deck 7 tranquil treatment rooms, gym, sunlit studio and more , open from 0800 – 2200 daily and all treatments are by appointment. Elemis is the spa range of products used and for purchase.

Children OK but they must be +8yrs of age.

Dress code is officially casual country club, for some they don’t get that and it’s not appropriate dress in the dining room, - same hiking pants and shoes as the mountain day activity, it’s a shame it’s not more policed so that day becomes night with a sense of elegant casual.

Entertainment, there is none, it’s not setup to be the showroom style evening event, it’s about the lecturers and the one show band singing in the varying areas?like grill for lunch, Compass Rose before dinner,

Windstar is a Virtuoso Voyages partner -one of the 11 in the hosted program globally., -

Windstar also have (but not experienced by us) 3 SAILING yachts,

Wind Surf the largest with a max of 342 guests and staterooms are around 18 sq m , whist?Wind Spirit & Wind Star with a max of 148 guests are same size in standard category staterooms.

It is important to note, under sail vessel, NO LIFTS .

We have been privileged to add Windstar to our almost 900 nights at sea and brand to recommend, thank you Travel the World and Clare Wheeler-Smith for your hosting, - very much enjoyed, ‘til next time…