The Avid Cruiser

On Wednesday, January 31, I leave for Bangkok to board Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper. I’ll be reporting with video feeds and commentary. Meantime, my colleague Geoff Edwards will be cruising “Around Cape Horn” on Regent’s Seven Seas’ Mariner. Tune it to his commentary by clicking here.

Avid Cruiser TV host Ralph Grizzle takes a look at the new enhancements and more on Windstar Cruises’ ‘New’ Wind Surf. Click To View Videos in Pop-up Window

Wind Surf has no staterooms with balconies, and while I do love balconied staterooms, the Wind Surf itself functions as one “giant” balcony. With beautiful teak planking, Wind Surf’s exterior decks offered lots of room for sitting to admire the scenery or bask in the sun - and never felt crowded during my seven-day Caribbean cruise. Click to view video.

Measuring 188 square feet and with all new Degrees of Difference enhancements in place, Wind Surf’s staterooms are lush and comfortable (click here to view video).

If you’ve been on Holland America Line’s ships in the past year or so, you’ll recognize the new Yacht Club on Wind Surf (click here to view video). It’s a lot like Holland America’s Explorations Cafe, with computers, internet and specialty coffees. The Yacht Club replaces the library and provides comfortable seating for relaxing and socializing. An espresso bar offers gourmet coffee drinks, and eight computers with Internet access are available; personal laptops may also connect to wireless Internet. A large flatscreen television anchors a seating area for group gatherings to watch special events such as the Oscars or the Super Bowl. A library of books, CDs and DVDs are available for checkout. Leather sofas and comfortable furniture round out the Yacht Club, which also features listening stations with iPod docks and headphones.

Proof that the sails really do work. View this video. Wind Surf is exceptionally beautiful when under full sail. In this video just off the coast of St. Kitts, we follow Wind Surf in a small boat as she heads for Nevis.