Tell me about Windjammer cruises

In My Humble Opinion
1

There was an article in our paper’s travel section yesterday about Windjammer cruises, and they sound like a lot of fun. I checked out their website, and I’m even more intrigued. Anyone been on one? Tell me what you thought!

For some background, it would be Mr. m and me going on the trip, no kids. We’ve considered a regular cruise before, but were turned off by the assigned table, formal wear, and potential for boredom. We love to travel, and my preference is for independent travel rather than tour groups–but we know that sometimes a group is a better/safer option.

2

Check out www.cruisecritic.com! They have reviews and message boards. We leave on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas on October 1, 2006 and I’m ADDICTED to the boards there.

3

Marconi - you’ll love the Mariner of the Seas, that was the ship my husband and I took for our honeymoon, though we did the Labadee/Ocho Rios/Georgetown/Cozumel cruise. Explore every inch of it, it is so much fun! I was (and still am) in awe at the size of the thing. And unless you drink a LOT of pop (as opposed to water or alcohol) don’t bother with the soda deal - it’s not worth it. The wine and dine option, however, is quite nice!

moonstarssun - I don’t really know about Windjammer cruises (though after this post I plan on looking into it, it looks a lot of fun!) but if this isn’t what you choose, reconsider the “regular” cruises. They aren’t nearly as formal as you think - I spent the large majority of the time in a bathing suit and a pair of shorts over to walk around the ship. While my husband and I chose to dress up for the formal nights, they were never mandatory, and quite frankly, with a dozen other places to eat, I have a hard time thinking anyone would feel that they were opressive and imposing. Yes, the tables in the main dining room are assigned (keep in mind, they are trying to serve 3000 meals in the space of 4 hours, it really makes things easier) but there are so many other dining options, it’s not like you will always be forced to sit with boring strangers. I know that if you ask, they may be able to assign you to another 2-person table if they know it won’t be occupied. That is the only dining room with assigned seating (well, on RC ships, you get seated at Chops and Portofinos, but that’s like any other regular restaurant - you can change tables).

As for potential for boredom…have you LOOKED at the things available on board? Swimming, skating, golfing, rollerblading, rock climbing, road hockey/basketball/volleyball, arcades, clubs, dancing, eating, movies, gym, shopping, “game shows”, theatre, live musicians… if these things bore you, what do you normally do on a vacation? I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just incredulous. All of these things are ON BOARD. The availability of things to do at each port of call (including just sun bathing) is huge. The fact is, no one will FORCE you to do anything. You can even stay in your room all day and sleep, watch TV and movies, spend time with your spouse, whatever. They have room service! Though I do recommend that you get a balcony. We spent a lot of time sitting out there, watching as we approached or left the ports of call, and just having a nice drink and quiet time together.

Anyways, feel free to do what you want - it is your vacation! Just don’t brush off the regular cruises quite so easily. You can have as much fun as in the commercials, and then some!

4

The thought of a cruise scares me.

I think it is because I feel I am in a minority group that would be the odd man out aboard most ships these days.

From what I hear the choices are Kiddie-Land-at-Sea, Booze Cruise of 20 something frat kids or Blue Hair Special.

Single and in my late 30’s I am not so sure I’d find a cruise enjoyable even if they are floating cities. I live in a city…most things offered on board ship I can find right here in Chicago.

As a result I too have looked long and hard at Windjammer Cruises as they seem the best option for me (near as I can tell). I’d be curious to hear anyone’s experiences with this cruise line as well.

5

My mother and step-father went on a Windjammer cruise aboard the MV Yankee Clipper to Saint Lucia & The Grenadines in February '05. They absolutely raved about the trip, and they had previously been on “regular” cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska.

Of course, this is all second hand info - there are the standard excursions and parties, but you miss some of the ammenities that you would get on a standard cruise - pool, casino, etc. Food is plentiful, but only at specified times. Apparently the service is much better due to the small passenger list, and the captain was quite charasmatic.

The cabins are a bit smaller than on a regular cruise - my parent’s cabin had bunk beds. The stuff about helping raise the sails, conning the ship and sleeping on deck are true, and on the way back into port, they raced another Windjammer ship, firing “cannons” and raised the Jolly Roger.

Everything they told me about it makes me want to go on one - and this past January they took the MV Mandalay to the British Virgin Islands (but sprung for a bigger cabin).

If you have specific questions, I can try to get my mother to answer.

6

I guess it’s kinda what Whack-a-Mole said–a lot of this stuff is available here or close by, so I’m most interested in the ports of call. When we travel, we like to hike and explore new areas, visit museums or–even better–ruins and archeaological sites, enjoy local cuisine and culture (the real thing, not the tourist version), that sort of thing. It sounds like most of the “ship time” on the Windjammer cruises is at night, so days are spent almost entirely at the destination, which sounds great to me.

So, no, I wouldn’t necessarily be bored with all this stuff to do, but I might be frustrated wishing that we were on land getting to explore someplace new rather than stuck on the boat doing stuff I could do at home.