Wind Surf

Wind Surf is a five-mast staysail schooner operated by Windstar Cruises. Originally built in 1989 as Club Med 1, she was purchased and renamed Wind Surf by Windstar in 1998. She is one of the largest sailing cruise ships in the world, and is classified as a small ship, carrying up to 342 passengers. Unlike typical motor vessels, Wind Surf has combined propulsion from both diesel engines and a computer system that controls the sails mounted on the masts.

She is the last of the three Windstar sailing yachts, together with fleetmates Wind Star and Wind Spirit. When Windstar acquired her, her passenger capacity was reduced by 78 to make room for new onboard facilities, such as a large spa and an alternative dining venue. This has made Wind Surf a notably larger ship than her two sister vessels, with more facilities and living space.

Wind Surf's dining program reflects the ship's small-scale elegance. The main restaurant, AmphorA, offers open seating and serves Continental-focused cuisine, while Candles Grill provides a steakhouse-style menu. Stella Bistro, available only on Wind Surf, is a French-inspired, reservation-only venue. For breakfast and lunch, the intimate Veranda buffet restaurant combines food stations with made-to-order grilled items, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating.

Cabins aboard Wind Surf range from modest to suite-sized. Standard cabins measure just 188 square feet and have no verandas, with views provided through porthole-style windows. Wind Surf offers 360-square-foot suites, which are essentially two standard cabins combined. All staterooms include separate bathrooms with granite countertops, full-size bathtubs, showers, luxury bath amenities by L'Occitane, convertible twin to queen-size beds, smart televisions, fully stocked minibars, electronic safe boxes, and daily replenished fresh flowers and fruit.

The public areas feel spacious despite the ship's modest size. Though she carries only around 308 guests and features five masts and seven sails, Wind Surf is surprisingly large, feeling much bigger inside than expected. All entertainment and dining areas are on the top three decks, with restaurants located forward and bars facing aft. The casino and main lounge sit midship on the Main Deck, alongside the Yacht Club, which functions as a coffee bar, library and Internet cafe. The spa was recently relocated from Deck 2 aft to Deck 5 midship, and a fitness center and pool with whirlpools are available for guests.

Wind Surf suits small-ship cruisers who value an intimate setting, a more relaxed atmosphere, and the unique experience of sailing under computer-controlled canvas. Cruisers logging their actual routes on The Cruise Globe can track exactly where this distinctive vessel sailed.