As a senior citizen I was looking for a relaxing, laid back cruise with excellent service and unique ports of call. Having cruised numerous time on mega-ships, the lore of Windstars sailing ships intrigued me. Windstar Surf cruised from St. Maarten to St. Lucia and return at a relaxing 12 knots with her sails billowing. Accommodations, food and service were all excellent. Shore excursions were typical for the Caribbean except for the Frigate bird sanctuary on Barbuda, the only place where nesting birds can be seen up close. Credit must be given to the captain for his timing and navigation when leaving St. Lucia, to catch the setting sun shadow of the Surf with her sails against the Pitons.

However, be prepared to spend some time walking from the cruise port gates to the ships mooring. On disembarking, our group, catching an early flight, had to carry our own luggage from the ship to the port entrance, which was the low point of the cruise.