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While this was
basically " Vacation" for Betts and I, a week on a
ship just demands a complete review, vacation or
not!!!
We flew into Cancun
a day ahead, just in case something happened and we
missed the ship in Puerto Moreles Sunday afternoon.
It would have been an interesting adventure to try and
catch up with Wind Star after she departed Puerto
Moreles. All went well, we met Susan and Helmar, our
friends and good traveling companions at the Sheraton
Resort-Cancun Saturday afternoon, stayed overnight and
began a wonderful week on Wind Star Sunday. I
must say Cancun has changed quite a bit since my last
visit there 15 years ago (on a ship, of course). Very
overbuilt with resort hotels, very expensive.
Shopping Malls, restaurants and the general ambiance
was like any American resort. If had not know better,
I would have thought I was in Miami Beach..even the
language was the same.
Sunday AM we boarded
a Sheraton Resort shuttle bus for Puerto Moreles,
about 40 minutes south of the " strip" at Cancun. We
arrived at the Wind Star about 1:00 PM, dropped
our luggage and proceeded to find a local restaurant
for lunch and a marguerita. While Puerto Moreles is
basically a ferry port, we did find the little village
quaint and found a great little spot on the beach for
a good and inexpensive seafood lunch.
Boarded the ship
about 3:00 PM and in typical Windstar Cruises
hospitality, the Captain and the Hotel Manager were
greeting all embarking guests at the top of the
gangway. I had cruised with Erich, the Hotel Manager,
years ago and it felt like I was coming home just
shaking his hand as we boarded. Captain Tim Roberts
was a new face, but certainly made us feel welcome
aboard his fantastic white sailing ship.
After unpacking,
which was a breeze, we proceeded to the Pool Bar to
meet Susan and Helmar. They both commented on how
much space there was for all of their " stuff" plus
they loved the compact but efficient bathroom. They
were unpacked and ready to begin our adventure through
the unknown islands of Belize and Honduras.
Sail Away was just
as it should be…slight breeze off the port bow, sunset
creeping over the rails and sail away music from the
movie "1492" pouring out of the outdoor speakers. The
CD was so inspiring we purchased one in the gift shop
the next day. What a perfect beginning to what
promised to be an outstanding week….which it was!
Sails aloft, we headed South for a day at sea on the
smooth Gulf of Mexico towards Roatan, Honduras where a
beach picnic was waiting to test our palates.
We really spoiled
Susan and Helmar who were " first time cruisers".
From the Captain and Hotel Manager meeting us at the
gangway, to the private galley and "back of the ship"
tour with Erich, to the Open Seating Dining Room, the
superb service, the wonderful wine list and of course,
the great food for which Windstar Cruises is
famous…they were REALLY SPOILED! As it developed,
Erich and Helmar were from nearby villages in Austria,
attended the same hotel school in Germany and had a
great deal in common…including the VIP Wine List.
We also met the new
Business Development Manager for Windstar Cruises from
Mexico who was on his first Windstar cruise. Ricardo
quickly became the 5th in our little foursome and we
were instant friends. Our Gin Rummy games under the
canvas were soon to become legendary. This can only
happen on a small, friendly vessel, where " everybody
knows your name". In fact, we met John Kelly a very
spry 95 year old from Florida, his girlfriend from
Ohio, several families from Europe and Mexico and a
very good mix of upscale passengers from all across
the globe. This cruise had 13 children (it was Easter
Week) and 59 past passengers out of 142 total.
Needless to say we
had a wonderful week. We visited Copan, the best
preserved Mayan ruins in Honduras, an island in Belize
with one house and many palm trees, an island in
Belize with no houses and nine palm trees..(we
counted) and just totally relaxed for 8 days and 7
nights on the Wind Star.
Home Again…was how
Betts and I truly felt on our Wind Star
cruise. It was so familiar it was hard to say
goodbye….but it will NOT be 7 years before we return.
Helmar and Susan want to cruise now every year…but
only if can be on a Windstar Cruises vessel. Ricardo
has already emailed his schedule of cruises over the
next 3-4 months and it appears we will be sailing with
him again soon. Erich is in Fort Lauderdale, next
week and is coming to our house for a little more wine
and dinner.
I must say I was
VERY apprehensive about going on Wind Star for
the first time since leaving the company in 1994. Was
the food and service going to be as good? Would the
staff be as great as I remembered? Would anyone
remember me? Would the ship be "tired" after all the
sailings in between my visits? Greatfully, the
answers to all of the above questions are positive.
It was better than I remembered. Erich and his staff
were fantastic. Captain Tim was everywhere..driving
the Zodiacs, helping the passengers on and off the
tenders, shopping for a new jig saw and plywood in
Roatan, checking out the fresh fish Erich had just
purchased from a local vendor. I can honestly say the
cruise EXCEEDED my expectations. If all were perfect
in this world EVERY SHIP would be a Windstar ship…WOW…
55,678 little sailing ships all over the world…
PERFECT.
While I cannot
recommend this itinerary for all incentive buyers, if
you have "been there and got the T-shirt", this
Belize, Honduras and Mexican cruise can certainly
bring you to some new and exotic islands. You can get
your shopping and tourist "fix" in Cozumel, which is
loaded with shops, restaurants and bars at much better
prices than Cancun.
Wind Star Cruises
for 2002 continues to open new territories for
incentive travelers and adventure travelers as well.
-
Central
America: Belize-Honduras-Costa Rica-Panama Canal
7-14 nights
-
Caribbean: From
Barbados or St. Thomas for 7 nights
-
Bahamas:
7 Nights from Fort Lauderdale on Wind Surf ( 308 pax)
-
Europe:
Beginning in Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice, Rome, Malta,
Athens
-
Venice or Istanbul
-
New Zealand and
Australia: 7-14 days cruises in the South Pacific
-
Far East:
Singapore-Phuket-Bali-Bangkok 7-14 days
Ship Facts:
Wind Star, Wind Song
and Wind Spirit
148 passengers in 73
cabins and one VIP Suite
All Cabins 188
square feet VIP Suite 220 square feet
VCR/ CD Player/ Mini
Bar/Plush Bathrobes/ 24 Hour Room Service/ Fruit
Basket/ Flowers/ Hairdryer/ Soaps/Lotions & Shampoos
/Open Seating Restaurant/ Verandah Indoor/Outdoor
Café/ Ship Catered Beach Parties/Dining Under the
Stars/ Casual Dress/Zodiac Landings/Casino/Video & CD
Library/ Attentive Staff/Great Food/Excellent Wine
List/Water Sports Platform/Dive Team/Nightly
Entertainment/Local Native Entertainment on Select
Nights/Beauty Salon/Gym
Wind Surf 308
passengers in 123 cabins and 31 two room suites
Same as above except
ADD Bistro Restaurant for alternative dining option
ADD Wind Spa Complete Body Rejuvenation Center ADD
Business Center with Guest Internet stations and
Meeting Room
Whatever your
expectations..if you have a group from 40-308
passengers and a liberal budget, you MUST consider a
Windstar Incentive. Call me for a complete proposal
today. You will love it, your boss will love it, your
client will love it and your client's boss will love
it.
Sailing Date: APRIL
8-15, 2001
Itinerary:
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Sunday
Cancun ( Puerto Moreles)
-
Monday At
Sea
-
Tuesday Roatan, Honduras
(Beach Party)
-
Wednesday Omoa,
Honduras( Excursion to Copan)
-
Thursday
Coco Plum Cay, Belize
-
Friday
Goff's Cay, Belize (MiniBeach Party)
-
Saturday
Cozumel, Mexico (Dining Under the Stars)
-
Sunday
Cancun ( Puerto Moreles)
Home Again…For Sure!
Winstar Cruises
Truly 180 Degrees
From Ordinary
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