Name: Barbara Harvey
Email: barbharvey@prodigy.com
Age: 52
Occupation: Secretary
NumberOfCruises: 12
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Windstar-WindSong
SailingDate: December 1995
Itinerary: Tahita/So. Pacific
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 98
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 100
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities: 100
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 97
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 Sep 1996
Time: 14:27:14
Remote Name: 131.107.3.37
Remote User:


Comments



This is a review of a cruise in French Polynesia on the Wind Song, December 9-16, 1995. This was my first sailing on a Wind Star ship, although I have sailed several times on other lines to various destinations. Wind Star bills their cruises as "180 degrees from ordinary" and I cant agree more. The ship is beautiful, with computer controlled sails. The bridge is always open to the passengers, and the officers are always available to answer questions -- and seemed happy to do so! I spent littlle time in Papeete, so cannot speak to the friendliness of the people there, but I found the people on the other islands to be very welcoming and friendly.

Wind Star made our flight arrangements to Tahiti from Los Angeles; we made our own arrangements to LA. We flew via Air France; many other passengers flew via AOM, also a French airline. The flight was uneventful -- my favorite kind. We left LA at about 1 a.m. and arrived in Papeete about 7 a.m. A lovely little airport -- we were waved through customs and a Wind Song representative met arriving passengers and directed all of us to waiting buses. From the airport, we were transferred to the Park Royal Beachcomber hotel. They had a welcoming table set up for check in, served some drinks, and we were given a packet of information and a "day room" at the hotel. This was a standard hotel room where we could rest, shower, use the hotels beach facilities, walk around the lovely grounds, whatever. At about 1 p.m., buses would take us to the ship. This few hours at the hotel was very nice -- a great time to recuperate after the flight.

Upon arrival at the ship, we went through the usual check in procedure - - however, since there are only 148 passengers on the Wind Song,this was a totally different experience than on a standard cruise ship. We just sort of walked onto the ship, went into the lounge, checked in at a table, took care of the credit card business, etc., and went to our room. The luggage was already there.

The rooms are quite spacious and VERY nice. All are outside cabins. The rooms have queen size beds which can be made into twin size. All rooms have televisions, VCRs, CD players, refrigerators, a mini-bar (not free), and are beautifully designed. The ship carries about 1000 movies which are available to passengers at no charge; probably a similar number of CD titles available. Yes, they have "South Pacific"!! The ship also has a lovely library.

The itinerary is:

Depart Papeete on Saturday evening, about 5 p.m. Arrive Huahine on Sunday morning. Depart about 1 p.m. Arrive Raiatea on Sunday evening. Depart on Monday afternoon -- sail around island of Tahaa. Arrive Bora Bora on Monday evening. Depart on Wednesday about 1 p.m. Arrive Moorea on Thursday morning. Depart on Friday evening. Arrive Papeete on Friday evening during dinner. Disembark on Saturday morning.

This cruise is VERY relaxing. There is an informal atmosphere unlike other ships Ive sailed on. There is one seating for meals -- you can sit wherever and with whomever you please. Men do not need to ever wear a suit -- not even a blazer is necessary! This does not mean that people dress like slobs -- I would say that the term "resort wear" probably says it best. Someone used the term "casual elegance -- heavily weighted to the casual". It is very warm, and lightweight clothes are most comfortable. On many ships, the air conditioning in the public rooms is very cold -- I did not experience this on the Wind Song.

The ship has a wonderful water sports deck and staff. Each person on board can have snorkel gear for the week at no charge. Also available at no charge are: windsurfers, sea kayaks, water skiing, little sailboats, and rides on the "water weenie." Scuba is available at an additional charge, although I think it was quite reasonable from what I know about diving. I thought this was really great -- another highlight of my trip was water skiing in Cooks Bay on Moorea.

It was Sunday when we visited in Huahine. The ships host suggested that those people not taking tours might enjoy visiting a local church service. I can truthfully say that this was one of the major highlights of my trip (and I rarely attend church anymore!!). Just a few blocks from the pier is the Roman Catholic church -- very rustic. There is also a Jehovahs Witness church that I know of. We found the Catholic church first, so went there. It was lovely. The aroma from the flowers was heavenly. The service is in French and Tahitiian -- absolutely beautiful to listen to. But, the music is incredible!! Definitely a unique cultural experience that I would recommend.

Scenery was breathtaking throughout the cruise. I was somewhat disappointed that we didnt have beautiful South Pacific sunsets each night, but we were at the beginning of the rainy season and -- guess what -- it rained. Food and service were very good, with somewhat lighter (and mor inventive) fare than on other ships. Each night before dinner in the lounge, they served a variety of hors doeuvres -- both hot and cold.

Entertainment onboard was limited. There were two folkloric shows (Raiatea and Moorea), and one Polynesian night dinner on deck (very nice!). There was a singer and accompaniest that played each evening and for cocktail hours, and that was about it. While I always enjoy going to the evening shows on a cruise, I cannot say that I missed them on this ship. There was a small casino, and a very small shop (which always seemed to have just what I needed!).

There were several tours offered at each island, and one all day picnic at a motu (I think it is owned by Club Med and leased for the day). If I recall correctly, this is during the stay at Bora Bora. During the stay at Moorea, passengers have the option of spending time at the beach at the Hotel Sofitel, with free transportation provided. This was a lovely spot -- I would recommend this. At both Bora Bora and Moorea, bikes, scooters, and cars were readily available for rent.

One energetic couple on our trip had their own bikes with them. At each stop, they biked around the island and seemed to be having a great time. Also, on Moorea, there is a swim with the dolphins available at the Park Royal Hotel. The people who did this raved about it. It was fairly pricey, but they all said it was worth every cent. Of course, Moorea is home to the mythical Bali Hai from Micheners "Tales of the South Pacific" -- a very dramatic photo opportunity.

All in all, I loved this trip. I was very impressed and would highly recommend Wind Song -- it is a great ship. The sails are beautiful to watch -- I think they were up anytime we were at sea. At Bora Bora, the captain did a "sail by" so the passengers could take pictures of the ship under full sail. I sincerely hope to sail again on the WindStar line and would certainly not hesitate to take this same itinerary. The passengers were a generally happy and energetic grop -- I would say the average age was a bit younger than on other cruises. I dont think I ever heard any of the griping that you so often encounter on cruises.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You would love this cruise!!

Barbara Harvey barbharvey@prodigy.com

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