Aboard the WIND SURF, Philipsburg, St. Maarten...Imagine the combination of a gracious sailing vessel and the bare-bones beauty of Mother Nature...billowing white sails etched in the horizon against a panorama of rugged shoreline and gentle palm trees. If you ever dreamed of sailing away in luxury while still having an opportunity to explore remote and pristine countries, this is your unique, romantic getaway. Combine a pioneer in casual cruising with the worlds' most diverse locales and you have an unbeatable hybrid experience.
Ecotourism, or environmentally responsible tourism, gives the environment equal status with the traveler. The commitment is to a global environment, which puts nature, flora and fauna on an equal footing with the tourist, with a spirit of compromise and nurturing co-existence. Windstar Cruises and reputable tour agencies are emerging as leaders with a total dedication to environmentally-responsible and sensitive operations.
WINDSTAR: A Daydream and a Pioneer
Sailing under the banner of its appropriate catch phrase "180 degrees from ordinary", Windstar was created with the vision to offer an alternative to the typical cruise or resort vacation. The Windstar passenger sees the world from a romantic sailing ship with unique itineraries, luxurious
accommodations, upscale ambience, and five-star service and cuisine.
The intimacy of the 148-308 passengers aboard is enhanced by the yacht-like atmosphere and amenities. Fellow sailors bond readily, forging long-term friendships in an unregimented environment. Relaxed, yet luxurious, gourmet dining makes a "museum piece" of ties and formal wear. Early morning sojourners can greet the day with a peek at a pale pink sunrise as they sip coffee on the upper deck, or take a trip to the bridge, where the captain will gladly chat about the vessels' unique rigging. The silence is broken only by the gentle lap of a wave or the snap of a sail in the breeze. You are a part of the canvas. The masted schooners proudly showcase billowing sails which unfurl in two minutes at the push of a button. While the most intricate artwork is off the deck (Mother Nature), Windstar sports its own original sculptures, oils and extensive teakwood.
The Executive Chefs' artistic cuisine is a rich tapestry of variety from gourmet to vegetarian. Portobello mushroom salad, gazpacho, crème brulee
and other delights are part of the weeks' remarkably diverse menu.
If you have ever celebrated life through nature, this is the zenith of that experience. Azure waters, majestic clouds, and palm-lined beaches are part of the overall ambience. Your perspective is from the ship, which is one of Mother Nature's jewels.
The Yachtsman's cruise on the WIND SURF departs Philipsburg, St. Maarten, a bustling and exciting port to visit. The cruise also visits Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and St. Barthelemy. The intimate and charming coves and inlets conjure up the days of yore when pirate folklore dominated these idyllic and pristine beaches.
THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: UPCLOSE
If you're seeking swaying palm trees, iridescent turquoise waters and untainted white beaches, the British Virgin Islands have it all. Over sixty islands make up the B.V.I.'s, with Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke as the principle magnets of the group. Located only 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, the B.V.I.'s are a welcoming haven for vacationers with a sophisticated sense of "Jack London" adventure. Although peopled by some of the friendliest inhabitants in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands have yet to be discovered by the traveling masses, and still live up to their name as virgin holiday territory. A sailor's paradise, the mainly volcanic emerald-like islands are surrounded by sapphire-blue seas that create incredible scenery above and below the water line. Soft, gentle breezes keep temperatures at a steady 80-90 degrees, making this some of the best sailing in the Caribbean. These islands offer miles and miles of white sandy beaches, uncorrupted by the heavy commercial tourism. The most famous beach is The Baths, on the B.V.I.'s second largest island, Virgin Gorda, named for the huge granite boulders forming a natural sculptured display that would make even famed sculptor Henry Moore proud!
Since Columbus first spotted the British Virgin Islands in 1493, adventurers have been spellbound by their natural and unspoiled beauty for five centuries. Many famous seafarers later passed through the islands, including Sir Francis Drake. The channel that cuts a swath through the center of the islands now bears Drake's name. Dutch buccaneers then settled in the 17th century, followed by the English, and were later raided by the Spanish. It was not until the 18th century that the British gained a firm hold on the islands. Local folklore through the centuries maintains that infamous pirates rampaged around the waters largely untouched by the changing history and developments on land. Norman Island is reputed to be the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson's fictional book Treasure Island, where the real pirate, Blackbeard, supposedly anchored off Deadman's Bay after one particularly successful raid, while he and his men split the "booty". After an argument, he marooned fifteen men on the nearby island of Dead Chest with just a bottle of rum and their sea chests for company. Hence the mariner's song: "Fifteen men on dead men's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!"
Uninhabited islands are among nature's most wonderful little secrets in the B.V.I.'s, but tourists usually discover something even better. Spanish explorers named the largest island, Tortola, for turtle dove. They could have been thinking of the gentle people who would eventually make this island their home. They love their islands and it shows. The best part is that they love sharing them with visitors.
Windstar adventures will be permanently etched in your heart and soul, providing memory insurance for years to come!