Island Windjammers

Seville

Caribbean - All

Caribbean - Southern

Caribbean - Western

Mexico - All

Caribbean - Eastern

Excellent

Diamant

Sagitta

Vela

Island Windjammers - As close to Paradise as I'll  ever get!

Manaus

I have recently returned from another IWJ cruise, this time on Diamant.  This was my third cruise since Covid (too many to count before the pandemic) .   After nearly two years locked down I couldn't wait to sail again and was on one of the first post Covid cruises (Vela out of St Lucia) .  It was easy to know ahead of time that the itinerary would be limited as many of the Caribbean Islands were still imposing severe traveling restrictions, however I just wanted to sail in the Caribbean and enjoy being spoiled by the wonderful crew on the ship . I was not disappointed, whilst we did not visit as many islands, we still had a varied and fun week with beautiful beaches, swimming in crystal clear water and delicious food. 

Fast forward 3 months to my next cruise, this time all the islands were open and the itineraries on both ships were pretty much back to normal with multiple islands visited - I won't list them as it is so much nicer to enjoy the surprise when the ops manager (on Vela) or the captain on Diamant give you a complete rundown (usually before dinner) of the itinerary for the following day.  That is the time to ask for details on tours, snorkeling etc. - even better for passengers like me, who have short term memory, the full day's itinerary is also posted on a wipe board each morning.

Friends who have yet to sail with me ask me why nearly every vacation I take is on one of the IWJ ships and doesn't it become boring!   I truthfully explain that every cruise is a slightly  different experience, different ships, sailing different itineraries at different times of the year and usually a different mix of shipmates.  The important thing is that almost everyone is there to enjoy sailing and are like minded people.  The different age demographics don't seem to matter and the younger passengers  (I am in my early seventies)  always, without exception, include me and give me an extra hand up if my knees aren't cooperating getting in or out of the dingy!   Also every day is different, if you want to explore and be active there is always something to do, obviously swimming or snorkeling, walking along some of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere, looking for sea glass and shells, paddle boarding, sometimes hiking, shopping (yuk) to name but a few.   However sometimes I just like to stay and relax on the ship with a book and a drink and just the sound of the ocean.   When anchored, the crew put up a sunshade on one area of the ship for those who prefer not to be in the sun and are always at hand if I should need anything. If I decide later to join the other passengers ashore, I just check the posted dingy schedule and hop on the next one.

I also tell my friends about the wonderful meals served outside on the deck (except for breakfast and bad weather). Some of the foods are local to the Caribbean and some are tasty dishes we are familiar with. I just let the chef know that I am allergic to shellfish and am always served a delicious alternative. An array of locally grown fresh fruit (my favorite) is served every day with breakfast and every afternoon with other snacks and varying flavors of rum punch.  The evening meal is a great time to get to know the other passengers and frequently extends long after the stars come out.  There is always a choice of wine, beer or soft drinks and iced tea, not just at dinner but also in a cooler on deck.   Unlike the big cruise ships, it is perfectly okay to bring your own favorite alcoholic drinks if you prefer but certainly not necessary!

I still don't quite know how the crew manage it but within a day (often less) they know everyone by name and make you feel so welcome. Over the years some of the crews and captains have changed, but IWJ are able to consistently bring an equally hard working, friendly and eager to please crew member in their place. The crew members who I have sailed with frequently over the years, welcome me by name and make me feel so special.  Anyone traveling alone will feel immediately at ease and in my experience are always invited to join in any activities if they wish and of course always have dining companions.    

To summarize:  If you enjoy sailing on ships where the crew and captain know your name and you are not just another anonymous passenger amongst thousands.    If you want to sail to beautiful tropical islands where the big cruise ships (I call them floating termite mounds) are unable to go.  If you like to watch the sunrise in your PJ's with a cup of coffee and a freshly baked muffin or being wined and dined under the stars and you like to sail, have fun, meet new friends, eat great food and never feel bored then any of the IWJ ships are for you.

My wife (32) and I (31) chose this cruise to go on our honeymoon. My dad and stepmom had gone on the old barefoot windjammer's and I always thought the trip sounded incredible. This company did not disappoint! The trip was extremely memorable and enjoyable and we we will cherish it for the remainder of our lives. The boat itself was gorgeous and had three main common areas with plenty of room for all 10 passengers (10 sounds crowded, but it's honestly not). The food was absolutely first class and the crew was very helpful and enjoyable, especially our captain who acted as both captain and tour guide throughout the west indies. The rooms were quaint but nice and we only really slept in them anyway. We snorkeled every day, saw sea turtles, reefs, sting rays, and even a shark! Wish we could do these sails more often. 5 stars all the way for a fun and authentic way to see the west indies. The company was great to work with too.

The boat was great and so is the company!

Smaller sailboat, personal attention, only 9 passengers, great food, beautiful beaches. That’s why I just took my 3rd trip on an Island Windjammer boat. I’ve tried all 3 sailboats in their fleet and each one has its own appeal, but the Diamant FEELS the most like a sailboat without giving up the good stuff. The cabins are small but not too small and have all mod-cons. The crew is fantastic and at the end of the cruise, if you take the time, you can get to know all of them and hear about their families and feel like you have made friends who will remember you if you go again. The food is simple but healthy and “island gourmet “. Lots of shore excursions and beaches and sailing from one island to another every day. The week goes by so fast I was so sad to have to get off. I just wanted to do it again. After all, I already had my sea legs and the start of a great tan. Highlights of the trip? Besides finding out that Andrew is now the Captain of the Diamant (Very entertaining and Very efficient), snorkeling with the tortoises and rays, walking a mile long deserted beach after snorkeling and watching for the green flash every evening with my new and old friends. It’s not a big cruise ship, it’s a family vacation, because on a small boat you get to know everyone as well as your family. It’s not a fancy dress, music in the theater cruise, it’s a relaxing, do your own thing cruise.

Personal touch makes a sailing vacation first class

We chose the Island Windjammer's Diamant for the 3rd time in 5 years as we can't find anything better!  It's all about relaxing for us and just unwinding from the hustle of job and home-life.  The crew of this boat put you to immediate ease and comfort ... taking care of everything you may need.  Meals are fresh and excellent ... made on-board in the galley by a creative chef.  Diamant, carries just 10 passengers with 5 crew ... so it is about as close to getting to a private sail as one possibly can.  This sailing ship can go almost anywhere ... meaning into small coves and bays not reachable by the big ships ... meaning quiet and peace when enjoying water sports of swimming and snorkeling.  We highly recommend Island Windjammers for that perfect vacation ... and we look forward to our next sail!  Wonderful company and people.

Fantasy

This was my first time sailing. A friend encouraged me to go and vowed that once I sailed on the Diamant I would be back. She was right. I cannot wait to go again. I cannot say enough lovely things about this company's owner, the boat captain, and the crew. I had the most relaxing, delightful time. I always felt safe. Before this trip I had an irrational fear of the ocean.

Now I have a love for it. While snorkeling I had a fun encounter with a ray, a big darling turtle, and more. The captain is fun, full of interesting information about the areas we sailed to as well as sailing itself, and gave this nervous first-timer absolute peace that we were in capable hands.  The crew was beyond helpful and patient and fun and more than competent. 

The food was incredible. As good as any I have had in any of my travels! The boat and cabins were spotless and beautiful. The crew made me feel like they truly enjoyed me being there. Rare these days. It's hard to imagine any trip more relaxing than the one I experienced on the delightful Diamant. I cannot wait to sail on her again. 12 days next time!

Caribbean Delight

Island Windjammers continues to deliver!  We just took our 4th trip with them and had a fabulous time.  With an intimate five cabins, plus crew, this is the way to see the Caribbean up close and personal.  The Diamant is able to slip in places that the big ships simply cannot go, which means more time spent snorkeling, enjoying the beach, exploring islands, etc., and no time waiting in line for excursions, meals, etc.  The crew are all warm, friendly and professional and made every aspect easy and comfortable.  The meals are amazing!  Fresh, creative, delicious!  We lead busy lives professionally, and this is the very best way for us to check out and recharge each year.  It's become an absolute necessity!  That is the only risk - developing an addiction to cruising with this company :-).  We will be back next year, the year after that, the year after that...

Great Escape

This was one of the greatest sails we have ever had.  Twelve days of being pampered and taken care of and sailing south bound from St Lucia and ending in Grenada.  The crew consisted of Captain, Engineer, Chef, Steward and Bosun.  Each and every one of them went out of their way 100 percent of the time to ensure that every passenger was accommodated in every way.  Unbelievably fantastic level of service!!  The food was excellent and plentiful.  The Chef baked all his own breads and cakes and deserts!!  The presentation was award winning.  All of this was prepared in the tiniest of galleys.  Amazing!!  All this great food plus all the beer and wine and soda you wanted seven by twenty four.  They encourage you to bring your own hard liquor, so there is no huge bar bill at the end of the sail.  We stopped at many islands along the way to snorkel and hike and just hit the beaches .................. some of the best in the Caribbean!!  I have already booked my next sail, cannot wait to go back!

Fantastic 12 days

I have been home for 3 days but my heart is still on the beautiful Windjammer Diamant. I will never ever forget this amazing trip from St. Lucia to Granada. I could have never imagined how very well I would be treated. The Captain Phillip and Captain in training, Andrew were the most professional seamen and also amazing humanitarians. All of the crew were the finest you could ever expect on any cruise. We visited beautiful private islands we snorkeled...swam with sea turtles, swam and played by the ship,hiked and whatever we dreamed....our Captain made it happen. My captain even made a great effort to help me discover sea glass. The sails being raised, the beautiful turquoise water, rainbows many days, delicious smells coming from the kitchen of our amazing chef.....I am at a loss for words. If you want that small...10 people...personal experience then this is the trip to take. Not a tourist trap but a special opportunity to connect with nature,reflect and have adventures you could never imagine. This was a life changing adventure for me and I hope others will grasp this amazing opportunity.

The most amazing adventure I have ever been on.

Just returned from a wonderful week on Diamant, a 101 foot long 10 passenger, crew of 5, windjammer cruise.  We sailed a few hours each day, from island to island, enjoyed the best of beaches on Union Island, Bequia, Mayreau, and a number of others.  Have traveled many trips to the Caribbean, and this was by far some of the most beautiful islands and beaches anywhere in the Caribbean.  All meals provided were beyond expectations.  The crew onboard was always ready to assist, be it with lending a hand in and out of the dingy to go ashore, filling your glass with wine, or pointing out turtles or sea creatures!  Cabins were comfortable, with plenty of room for storage.  Daily we would sail in the morning, swim and/or snorkel in the afternoon, with time wander on short guided hikes or through the local shops for t-shirts or souvenirs of our trip, or on island tours.  Looking forward to a return to do this all again!

Wonderful Sailing Cruise

This was our third trip on the Diamant and our first with our two 14 year old girls. We have had nothing but unbelievable trips with Island Windjammers but we were a bit nervous with our girls since there isn’t a lot to do while sailing. Our anxiety disappeared even before we left port. All of the crew and our shipmates (another family of 5 with older children) made the trip unforgettable for our girls. The itinerary was varied enough for my wife and myself that we got to experience new beaches and destinations. The food is always fantastic and plentiful. Beverages are provided by the ship and you can bring your own as well. The accommodations are nicer than what you would expect on a sailboat. The staff are always there to help and entertain you. We got treated to a magic show and and acrobatics by Roy. Captain Luuck will regale you with his stories and travels. We just cannot say enough good things about the Diamant crew and the experience Island Windjammers provides.  The key to this type of sailing experience is to go with an open mind, relax, and enjoy the company. It is a very intimate experience. If you are looking for something formal this is not the type of cruise for you. Island Windjammers has set the bar very high for us in our travel needs and we have a hard time finding a vacation any more relaxing.

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