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. Read Less

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. Read Less

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... Read Less

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. Read Less

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! Read Less

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! Read Less

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. Read Less

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! Read Less

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. Read Less

Our 10th anniversary was coming up. We didn't want to sit on a beach because we live near one. We didn't want to visit a floating city either, but we wanted to see the Caribbean. I remember the Barefoot Cruise days that I dreamed about doing. A quick internet search took me to Island Windjammers. I was sold and so was my hubby. We've just arrived home yesterday from the excursion of a lifetime. My husband and I really didn't know what to expect. No matter how hard we would have tried, we could not have guessed at all the amazing moments this cruise would have. The crew was amazing with everyone always helpful to us and to each other. Even the captain would offer to fill our coffee cups when he was getting his morning brew! No smiles were spared! The range of activities - island hopping from the tiniest (Umbrella Island and Happy Island) to touring Bequia, from snorkeling to island tours, and even just relaxing aboard the ship with a rum punch and a good book - everything was amazing. From the mast in the full moon to catching a barracuda off the ship to watching a sting ray lazily swim along the shore in the Tobago Cays, there was a surprise around every corner. We are already trying to figure out when we can go again and which of our friends can join us! Read Less

My husband and I have always talked about taking a windjammer cruise and we hit the jackpot with Island Windjammers. We had planned on 2 nights in Grenada before we boarded the Diamant, but because of weather delays we arrived the night before embarking. The one night at True Blue Resort was wonderful and we'd love to go back and spend more time there and explore Grenada. On Sunday we gathered at the designated dock, which was easy to locate from their directions. There we were met by a representative from Island Windjammers who introduced us all to each other and to the bosun Roy, who handled our luggage. Once onboard we met the captain and the rest of the crew (5 in all) and after being shown to our cabins we set off. The cabin was compact but very adequate. We had chosen the room with 2 beds side by side rather than the bunkbeds the other cabins had. The bathroom was great, best we've had in a smaller ship. We were served appetizers and drinks right away and the food never stopped coming for the rest of the trip. Barney, the chef was amazing. The meals were varied and always included fresh vegetables and /or salads and fruit. One of my favorites was a bbq he prepared on one of our beach excursions - the best ribs I've ever had. Can't say enough good things about the crew. The captain, Danny and the others were delightful. Friendly and helpful, they really made the trip. Danny explained the next day's itinerary every evening at dinner. If any of us had specific preferences he and the crew made sure they were accommodated. Every day was spent with at least a couple hours of sailing before we would anchor at a new island. We were able to swim off the boat, snorkel from the beaches, visit the town to shop or explore, tour local museums, forts, waterfalls and botanical gardens. Danny gave us a little history of each place we visited and often went with us on our outings. He has a personal relationship with many of the locals which made the experiences that much nicer. If you enjoy sailing ( and we really sailed!) and prefer an intimate, personal trip rather than being one of hundreds or even thousands on a humongous cruise liner, we totally recommend Island Windjammers. Read Less

Island Windjammer's Dimant Captain Danny and his crew did everything to accommodate our desires. We wanted to sail without power from the engine and he "made it happen". We sailed for hours, rocking and rolling in the waves under full sail. The crew became friends and shared their personal stories of the sea. The chef, Barney prepared the most fantastic meals, we even had lobster one night. Two days under full sail Barney prepared breakfast while rocking and rolling with the waves. His egg muffins were fantastic. My wife had a special request that she would not be served eggs and Barney accommodated her desire every morning. The picnics on the beaches and the time spent with the local population added an interesting local flavor. On the last day, there were many tears shed on the dinghy as we looked back at the Diamant knowing we would not be returning that day. On the dock the crew hugged us and treated us as family departing from their home wanting us to return soon. We have traveled much in the past 10 years and this is the best vacation EVER!!! Read Less

We won our first Cruise on Diamant in an auction. 7 years later we took our college age children on the cruise. I cannot express how amazing it is to work with these people in setting up a cruise. They answer every email right away, and answer every questions about things to do around the islands. They helped us set up diving on our first cruise, and arranged for a birthday cake & celebration on the second. The most amazing help came when our connecting flight to Grenada was cancelled and the airline would not give us a flight in time to meet the cruise. I called and two different staffers stayed on the line with me at the airline desk giving me suggestions on alternate airlines and places to fly in. Once we got things settled, they actually DELAYED the ship until our flight came in. I talked to the captain afterwards and he said they were on stand-by to sail overnight to another island in case we booked a flight there. They bent over backwards to make sure we had a great experience. These are amazing people who will help you with anything! Beyond that, everything about both our cruises was fantastic, If you want to feel utterly spoiled (much more so than the big cruise lines), go with Island Windjammers. They will meet your every wish (can we visit that island? could we snorkel over there? can I have more? - heard often from our 20 year old rugby player). Our cook actually spent and evening teaching us how to play Pirate Farkle! The food was amazing - light, fresh and plenty! My kids said their favorite part was the crew! The cabins were nice and cool (important to Coloradans who are used to 60 degree nights in the summer) Having only 10 guests makes a fun, intimate experience with people who are basically just like you! I have never been as relaxed or felt as decadent as I did on the Diamant. Read Less

Where do I start, and what wonderful things can I say that haven’t already been said by other passengers on this ship, my home for the week I was lucky enough to sail on her? After reading so many of the other (spot-on) reviews about Diamant, I think one of the things unsaid might be how special and unique the crew made the passengers feel, as if the week for the crew was as novel and exciting as it was for us—yet they sail these waters and visit these islands every week! I never for one second was made to feel as if my experience—my adventure—wasn’t the single most important thing in the world to them. I didn't feel that my excitement about seeing a spotted sea eel or a puffer fish or the Southern Cross was pedestrian. Quite the contrary: Captain Phillip made the effort to make sure I saw the Southern Cross (often obscured by the hills of the islands at our nightly anchorages), which was on my personal trip wish list; and he gave me an enthusiastic “OK” sign when I waved him over to show him the sea eel I saw while snorkeling in the Tobago Cays. My sense of awe was met with understanding and enthusiasm, never condescension. All of this seems to me as much an outcome of how particularly suited this crew is for their work as how beautiful the Grenadines are (so could anyone really ever tire of them?). And at the risk of having all of the Cruise Critic reviews of the Diamant sound like a broken record, I must confirm every complimentary word already written—about the ship, the crew, the food, the islands, the people, the beaches, the water, the breezes, the sailing, the snorkeling, the sunsets, AND sunrises, as I was lucky enough to wake up early one morning when we set sail before dawn. The captain and his crew were in perfect sync; no matter what the activity or time of day, I felt comfortable and safe and looked after. The level of personal service and attention was remarkable; from Roy watching over a shipmate and me nonstop as we snorkeled from the ship to and from a rock formation to Bolo never letting me lift a finger for anything myself, and from Marlon returning to Diamant when I even HINTED that I might like a raft to lounge on at the shore—after he had just dropped us off in the dinghy—to Philbert baking a cake to celebrate my birthday with hardly any notice our very first night on the water, I felt—I don’t know how else to describe it—like royalty or a rock star, and I’m certainly neither. I’ve sailed for a difficult week in the past on a slick new shiny catamaran in the BVIs with just a captain and a cook to 10 guests, where service was lacking (and that’s generous) and where the passengers rarely knew what the plan for next hour, much less the day was, so imagine my joy at having FIVE crew members aboard Diamant to assist us with anything we might want—though somehow not intrude on our individual and independent experiences; we had adventure and solitude—if we wanted it—though never boredom. The captain dined with the passengers every night, telling stories and wrapping up every evening by sharing the following day’s itinerary—which he summarized on the ship’s white board for everyone to see and reference (memory not required!). He personally hosted an island pub crawl, organized a shore bonfire, arranged an island tour, and hosted a lively game of trivia after dinner one night. The ship was comfortable but practically spotless--the sand on our feet and our gear were hosed down upon every return from an island visit, our were cabins tended to every day by our amazing steward Bolo, and everything was in its place. Diamant is the definition "shipshape." I could go on and on, but I’ll end here and with this: Do not hesitate to sail with this outfit or on this ship. I feel so lucky that I did. I hate to think of the possibility that I might not have made these memories or seen these places. I found paradise in the Grenadines aboard Diamant. And I can hardly wait to return. Read Less

Fantastic crew performance. Absolutely stellar captain. He was funny and entertaining, as well as professional/knowledgable. None could be better.World class crew, that caters to your every need.The owner cabin was very spacious and clean. They even had a bottle of champagne waiting when you first enter. Truly incredible food and drinks.Could not have imagined a better onboard experience. Stellar. Extraordinary job done by the chef and crew for dining experience. The islands were beautiful. We were able to snorkel everyday and paddle board. The captain made scuba diving arrangement possible for those interested. They even have a rope swing. The diamant caters to its guest as well with a crew to passenger ratio 1:2 Thus you are not left wanting. Also, the smaller passenger size lead to more bonding and less clichy groups that could form from larger cruises. I would hands down recommend this company because they truly care about your experience and happiness. Read Less

What a great time - one of the two best weeks of my life (the other was the preceding week on Island Windjammers Vela). Sailing Diamant was a last minute change as I had originally been scheduled to sail Vela on back-to-back 6-night trips. But Vela was taken out of service for a brief time and I ended up with the best of everything - two sailing trips on two different ships, with two different crews, two different sets of guests, and two different sets of islands. The two weeks were different from each other, but both were BRILLIANT! The Captain and crew were welcoming, knowledgeable, experienced, friendly, funny and willing to do whatever to make the ship's guests comfortable and entertained. I have never experienced a more accommodating group of people than the Captain and crew of Diamant. I have some knowledge and appreciation for what is required to take a group of diverse individuals and mold them into a team/crew that all pull in the same direction - Windjammers succeeds admirably. I had never sailed or cruised before (excepting the previous week on Vela), but this far exceeded every hope/expectation that I had. Opportunities were provided everyday to snorkle, sit on a beach, jump off the boat, rope swing, or just chill. At every anchorage/mooring we were advised of the highlights of the area and recommendations were made on things to checkout. SO MUCH FUN!!! Three multi-course meals and a "snack" each day, and never the same meal twice. Always fresh cut fruit, soup/salad, great entree, and dessert. Plenty of choices of beverages. Oh yeah, "snack" - consider that a fourth meal.... Hopefully you don't mind fresh baguettes and a selection of cheeses from the French ports, conch fritters with Caribbean chutney, freshly made plantain chips and the like. But for me the best part was the sailing - sails up every day. I don't know what I enjoyed more - sitting forward and watching the sunrise every morning - seeing the grey grey sea get tinged with gold before turning deep blue. Or sitting aft with the Captain or Mate long into the evening, telling stories, telling jokes, telling lies. I loved feeling the roll of the ship on the sea, the salt spray breaking over the bow, the fresh rain on my face, the warm Caribbean sun - I loved it all! I enjoyed every moment, devoured every morsel, and smile at every memory. The Captain and crew, the ship and the itinerary make the cruise. can't wait to go again! and go again I will!! Read Less

We just came back from a 6 day cruise on Diamant. From the very first moment when Monja welcomed us in Port Louis till the last minute when we sadly had to leave Diamant it has been an incredible trip. Captain Phillip and the crew made sure that there is nothing missing. You were just thinking about getting a cup of coffee and you already held it in your hands. Every single meal was five star from breakfast to lunch, from afternoon rum punch and snacks to the three course dinner. I always got an gluten free alternative. Not to forget the 'Cheeseburgers in Paradise' and of course the outstanding captains dinner on the last evening. Phillip, Barney, Bolo, Lennox and Marlon were always there to fulfill every wish and answer every question. We got plenty information about the cruise and the activities and had lots of time to explore the islands. Captain Phillip made sure that we see the nicest trails, viewpoints and snorkeling sites. Diamant has 4 cabins plus a bigger owners cabin. We’ve only been 6 passengers in total which gave us lots of space and privacy. Every day we came back after a morning excursion to find our cabin spotless clean. Everything on board is nicely and practical arranged and very comfortable. The visited islands are very diversified and there were lots of opportunities for hiking, swimming, sunbathing, beach games, snorkeling with turtles or just relaxing on board. All in all it has been a wonderful cruise and we would recommend Diamant to everyone who is looking for an individual cruise in a small group with excellent service. Read Less

We wanted a cruise that was NOT with 3000 of our closest friends but that was small, intimate and personal - did we ever hit the jackpot with Island Windjammers and the Diamant! Everything from the moment we were met to the moment we left the Captain and crew were attentive but not intrusive, entertaining and informative. The meals were exceptional and filled with local fruits and veggies, the drinks were plentiful (and included!). One wonderful aspect of sailing with the Diamant is seeing places that you would not find or do on a large ship, from snorkeling with the sea turtles to a tour of a tiny islands whaling museum. The crew knew some of the best places to snorkel and great beaches that were magnificent and so off the beaten path that they appeared to be our own private beaches. There is always something to do - jumping off the boat with the rope swing, kayaks and paddle boards or just simply sitting on the deck relaxing. Of course, let's not forget the 4 o'clock rum punch and snacks every day! Simply the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation we have ever done! Already looking forward to our next sail and have not even been home for a week. Read Less

Great food and service, lovely crew. LOVED our stateroom. Diamant is a goldie-locks ship: not too big not too small. ten passengers only. Highlights were swimming with the sea turtles and waking up to dawn in the eastern Carribean! The food was consistently great, and so was the rum punch. Climbed a hill on an island to see our boat far down on the bay, went to some night clubs far off the list of the normal tourist spots. Used the Tarzan swing on numerous occasions. Came back from various excusrsions always to find our stateroom crisp and cool and perfect. Hot showers worked perfectly, and then it was time for cocktails and then dinner on the tiny deck, with the eight other passengers. Best place in the world to read a book, watch the sunset, have may juuust one more drink, and then do it all again the next day... Miss it, miss it... Read Less

My husband and I have sailed on Island Windjammers’ tall ship Diamant 3x before, and love her. First, let me say we much prefer cruising on tall ships, with their intimate atmosphere (no crowds, no lines!), graceful beauty (inside and out), professional yet friendly and fun-loving crews—and especially the genuine sailing experience. Diamant has been one of our favorite tall ships for all those reasons. She just underwent an almost four-month renovation, and we did have to wonder just what could have been done to make her even better. We got the opportunity to find out when we sailed her recently, her first cruise after the refurb, and wow! The 100-foot sleek schooner Diamant was the first of IWJ’s “Island Girls”—there now are three IWJ tall ships—and in late November, Diamant emerged, refreshed and updated from her refurb. She now has an enlarged galley, updated wheelhouse, and her salon has been totally rebuilt , with all new tables and seating and, oh yes! the salon now has A/C. This is in addition to all new wiring and plumbing throughout the ship. Fresh new cushions in bright yellows and oranges everywhere, new carpet in cabins, plus a freshly painted hull. Her cabin area has been all redone: with basically the same cabin layouts as before (with one big exception) but new wood, carpets, cabinets and beds. The exception is the new owner's cabin, which replaced two smaller cabins, and we had that one, and we can say it is fabulous! It’s quite large for a tall ship, with four portholes, a very comfy queen bed, with a very nice seating area, not found in the other cabins. Lots of stowage. Bathroom is cozy, as in tightly configured, but quite useable (lol). The addition of the owners’ cabin means Diamant now has five cabins, instead of six, and carries 10-13 passengers. It should be noted that each cabin has its own A/C controls and private bathroom. Our week on the "new" Diamant was just so much fun. We lucked out by having two of IWJ's premo captains: Capt. Phillip and IWJ’s fleet captain, Capt. Nervo. Since this was Diamant's first cruise after her renovation, Nervo was along to tackle any issues that might pop up. As far as I know, nothing needed fixing. Or if it did, the crew must have quickly/efficiently taken care of it. Great crew...so much fun, very professional! Chef Barney is especially amazing, so creative and such tasty food. It was our first sailing with Capt. Phillip, who hails from the UK, and we really look forward to sailing with him and his crew again. Diamant sails in The Grenadines, in and out of Grenada, and on our cruise, we visited Bequia, Mayreau, Canouan, Union Island, Carriacou, Tobago Cay—and of course, we stopped at "Happy Island," a small, funky man-made island (in the harbor near Clifton, Union Island, and built upon a foundation of shells, rocks, etc. It is is just about all bar! Great pina coladas! And a great spot from which to watch the amazing kiteboarders doing their aerobatics. Some of the islands were mostly flora and fauna, with gorgeous beaches, great hiking, wonderful snorkeling, and of course, beach bars. At Tobago Cays, where we had a beach picnic, you can swim with the turtles. On one of the islands, we went ashore after dinner for a beach bonfire. Some of the islands, like Bequia offer more: restaurants, museums, bars, shopping, etc. Bequia has a small whaling museum and an amazing model ship woodshop where minutely detailed boats are built by wood craft artisans. Bequia also is home to a turtle sanctuary that has been rescuing and saving hawkbill turtles for many decades. The Bequia shore excursion goes to all of the above mentioned Bequia locales and is well worth it. Diamant would sail in the mornings––oh yeah, sun and sails—and anchor in beautiful bays and harbors for the rest of the day and overnight. She carries kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel gear and even has a rope swing, all at no extra charge. There were many opportunities to use any or all of those, to hike on shore, relax on the beach or on board, and to explore. Her tender runs back and forth on a schedule: yours! Rum, beer, wine, sodas or water are always available on board—also at no cost. And you're welcome to bring your own favs on board. Late afternoons, we always had a variety of chef-prepared snacks/treats and the rum drink of the day, and a wine-and-cheese party one afternoon. For us, it was another super week with an amazing crew, wonderful food, the gorgeous Caribbean—and a beautifully refurbed ship. We'll definitely be going again....after we sail on Vela, IWJ's newest tall-ship next spring. It should be noted that true sailing ships really aren't appropriate for young children, mostly for safety reasons. They DO rock (sometimes a lot!) when they are sailing between islands and depending on the wind, and walkways around the ships have open railings. From our 16 years of tall-ship sailing, we find that those who sail the tall ships tend to be from mid 20s to mid 80s, and always happy, easy-going, adventure-seeking folks who love going where the wind takes them. Read Less

This was an amazing cruise! The food was great and the crew was superior. They ensured your comfort and happiness at all times. The destinations were so amazing, we were like the only tourists on these islands and you could see clearly down in the water, even in the towns. There were flying fish following us in sailing days. We got to hike across small islands, snorkel with their gear and the Chef would catch dinner off of the back of the boat. The captain was fun and entertaining. We went on a rum cruise and experienced rum in so many ways, by itself, mixed in drinks and had fun days and nights sampling rum from around the world. We met friends we still stay in touch with. They use an inflatable boat to take you into harbors and beaches and it is very easy getting on and off of the inflatable. From the moment go this was so enjoyable and the islands are beautiful. We went just before the Diamant was overhauled and our room, room 2 is now combined with room one and is a suite. Read Less

Our first experience on a sailing cruise so we chose Island Windjammers because they offered a 12 night trip on a boat that appeared intimate so as not be just a number in a crowd. This trip far exceeded our expectations and was an absolutely wonderful experience and vacation! From the time we boarded the Diamant and left our shoes in a box on the dock this trip was the epitome of casual relaxation while still being very well cared for by a very capable crew. Captain Philip has an absolutely incredible personality and was able to quickly establish a very friendly rapport with all 12 passengers. He was exceptionally engaged with all passengers and shared his knowledge of the islands with all of us. He worked tirelessly to ensure that there were a variety of activities each day that would hold the interests of the diverse interests of the passengers and joined us on the excursions and snorkeling. He made sure the needs of all his passengers were met and was also always watching out for our well-being. The crew was fabulous. Chef Barney provided three delicious meals each day and we all marveled how he was able to prepare and deliver such quality meals out of a pretty small galley. The steward, Bolo, was especially courteous to the guests and went above and beyond to make sure the needs of each guest were met. Excellent service and he also made sure every guest cabin was spotless every day. Aubrey and Troy were the crew responsible for the appearance of the boat and our dinghy drivers. They both took extra precautions so that guests did not have accidents getting on and off the dinghy and their personalities were endearing to the guests. Marlon, the engineer, kept everything on the boat in excellent working order and on the rare occasion there was an issue with cabin equipment or anything else mechanical, was quick to resolve it. This trip was better than I could have ever imagined. Very casual and relaxing environment. Definitely not stuffy, but if you enjoy a casual, comfortable environment on a ship that is intimate and inviting, with a Captain and crew that were committed to providing the absolute best experience possible, then book a trip on the Diamant and you very well may have the trip of a lifetime! Read Less

The trip was everything that I imagined a tall ship cruise to be. We had incredible weather, saw some wonderful sights and incredible beaches, but the trip was made by the crew. Everyone of the crew members did their outmost best for us! From the Captain right down to the Steward...they were always looking out for our safety, our enjoyment, absolutely everything that anyone would want! We only needed some attention to our cabin air conditioning once. It sure didn't take for the ships Engineer to get it up and working again (within an hour or so). The meals and appetizers were also amazing. It's hard to belief what our chef could produce from such a small kitchen...We had lobster, an excellent variety of fish, disappointed with the meals on board the Diamant. The ports that we visited were so lovely and the secluded beaches were incredible. At one beach the Captain had the locals prepare a bonfire for us. What a treat. The locals collected wood for most of the day and when they set the pile on fire as we were landing on shore that evening, the sight was nothing short of specular. The Diamont is a beautiful ship. I don't know much about sailing vessels, but I would cheesecake, all prepared on board. You certainly would not go hungry, nor be guess that ships like her are not too plentiful. She has so much character..so pretty to look at and even greater to be aboard. I think I have a little understand now of what sailors see in sailing ships and how they can say that a ship is beautiful. I hope to be able to sail on her again. Read Less

My wife and I took numerous trips on the old Windjammer fleet in the 1980's and 1990's. We have chartered catamarans in the BVIs and Leeward Islands, and sail our own boat in Lake Michigan. This was our first trip on the Diamant with Island Windjammer and were very pleasantly impressed by the quality of the ship, the crew, and Island Windjammer support personnel. Reservations were easy. The captain and crew were very friendly, attentive and professional. The meals were great. The itinerary was very good. We had been to most of these islands 2 or 3 times before, but the Captain was able to get us into anchorages we had not seen before. We had strong winds most days, so our passages between islands included some great sailing in beautiful waters. Bequia is one of our favorite island in the Caribbean, and the tour arranged for us there was the most informative visit we have ever had. We plan to make to take future trips on Island Windjammer and have already recommended them to our friends. Read Less

This was our first cruise with Island Windjammers and on the sailing schooner Diamont. It was everything we had hoped for and more! We wanted to sail, and we did. Everyday we had daytime sailing and it was just beautiful. Just watching the scenery and enjoying the adventure. Every day we anchored and spent the night on-board in a serene bay along the Grenadines. Activities included hikes, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, picnics, shopping and just relaxing on some of the most quiet gorgeous beaches in the world. We had perfect weather all week. We had 9 total guests and 6 crew. What a great crew! Each member was expert in his role and made sure every one was comfortable and having a great time.The food was prepared by Chef Lenny and it was SUPERB! Every meal was perfect, including breakfast, lunch and scrumptious dinner! We were also treated to afternoon Rumageddon- appetizers and rum punch. We stayed in a standard cabin and it served us well. Steward Bolo took great care of us. Captain Stuart Ramsey is a real pro. He is a master sailor and has the perfect personality to interact with the guests and crew and keep it all fun and interesting. He planned each day's activities to be enjoyable and not rushed. Every aspect of this trip was well thought out and efficiently performed. The Diamont is a great sailing vessel and there is plenty of room to hang out with others or just get a bit of alone time. We are already planning another trip. We have found a perfectly relaxing, zero stress, vacation that totally suits us. Best we ever had, and ready to do it again. Highly recommend it to anyone. Read Less