I am delighted to give high marks to the company Island Windjammer, it's ship the Sagitta and the crew! Booked this trip to celebrate my birthday and was not disappointed. The entire experience was amazing! The ship was beautiful, our room was comfortable and the bathroom spacious. But the best part of the trip besides the beautiful locations, was the crew! Each and everyone of them went above and beyond to ensure we were safe, comfortable and well fed. And the food was amazing!! Each crew member was very helpful and friendly. This is a very well run ship. We are not usually the types that do group tours, but we did every excursion the Sagitta offered on this trip and loved each one! We had an amazing time on each island and while simply hanging out on the ship. A huge shout out and thank you to Island Windjammer and the Sagitta's crew! You guys (and gal) are the best! We'll definitely be back!! Read Less

About us: We have been on 18 Windstar sailing yachts and we were leery of trying the motor yachts but we are so glad we did. What we learned: One can not compare motor yachts and sailing yachts, we are happy we tried the motor yacht and would go again in a minute. Windstar has left their distinctive mark on the new ship and it made it very special. The ship: We enjoyed exploring the new ship and found that it has wonderful outdoor and indoor spaces. There are many nooks and crannies one can enjoy outside, from the bow in the am with shade and great sitting are and viewing, the lounge with a terrific space outside with comfortable couches and chairs with great viewing, the area around to pool is terrific for shade, the Star Bar wonderful again shade and sun and on the stern on deck eight there is a lovely sitting area mostly sun but terrific views. The inside spaces are lovely. The Yacht Club early morning with huge Windows, with an outside observation deck enjoyed terrific coffee at 6 am, we were there every morning, the Amphora restaurant was lovey and it was at the bottom of the ship and was very calm, no rocking and rolling, the Veranda has a great outside space covered by a large tarp to keep it shady as well at the entrance a shady garden space that was lovely to enjoy breakfast of lunch. All the spaces were ship shape. In the corridors going to the rooms there was quiet pipped in classical music which we enjoyed, very civilized. We had a French balcony room which we so enjoyed the fresh air. The rooms were beautifully laid out, spacious, more drawers than my entire house and since I travel with nothing I used one, cute little walk-in closet, great bed for my back, wonderful bathroom with great water pressure and hot water in addition L'Occitaine products. We enjoyed relaxing in the afternoon with our open balcony door. We did not notice any frayed carpets, or rust. We never notice that we just like to keep it positive but we felt the decor was fresh and lovely with the Windstar blues and brown. Pretty and nautical. Food: We felt it was one of the best we have had. We thought Candles was lovely, great food for me especially the lamb. Windstar, in my opinion, has always had outstanding lamb so I usually follow the lamb at the restaurants. Service: Windstar way Flawless,as always. Activities: This was a mini re positioning with 4 days at sea, which we love days at sea. We stopped at Aruba which is not our favorite but we did not care and Cartagena which was fascinating. It is a very poor and very wealthy city, very new and very old, what was remarkable it was so clean, no litter ( litter, hate it and always see it ). Warm, welcoming people, it was very hot that 100 degrees but it was a terrific port. We are not activity people we like to swim, read, nap, lookout over the sea, to us sea days are perfect. We enjoyed the afternoon live music around the pool. My only complaint was during the day around the pool area was dreadful pipped in loud music. I complained and they lowered the sound and I wrote head office about it. This music was not needed we had the sea to listen to. I did join a trivia team we won the first day and lost badly on the others, Fun yes and a nice way to meet nice people. Sail aways: Windstar was able to continue the tradition, which by the way we love. On the motor yacht they had a huge WS flag and 2 officers would get on the roof of the Star Bar and host the flag to the music, the flag would wave in the wind, almost like a sail. Some people thought it was hokey but we thought it was a creative way to continue an important Windstar tradition we liked it. The Captain was a very nice. He is a great cheerleader for the ship. He came over with her from the Seabourne and he loves the Star Breeze he was funny she was like a baby to him. When I mentioned we loved her grace he was impressed. We have sailed out whole life and grace on a ship is important and the Star Breeze has graceful lines. We are happy the motor yachts are carrying on the Windstar traditions with causal elegance and not ostentatious we like that way it is important to us. We like the informal ways. We are very happy we tried a motor yacht and will be on them again. Read Less

If you liked the old Barefoot Windjammer cruises, you'll love an Island Windjammer cruise. We got on the ship with 22 strangers and got off with 22 new good friends. You know you're going to have a good time when you know all your shipmate's name and the crew's names in the first couple days. The Sagitta is a 120', 3 masted sailing ship. Room enough for 24 passengers and a crew of 10. The cabins are compact but large enough not to feel cramped. Lots of drawers and shelves for storage (as much as any hotel room) and the bathroom is very functional with a separate shower. The rooms each have their own controls for air conditioning. The seas can be a little bumpy at times, but not enough for most people to bother needing medicine. If you're prone to car sickness or air sickness, get an over the counter remedy and take it each morning. The food is excellent. 3 great meals each day with fresh fruit and vegetables purchased during the island stops. All the wine you want is served with dinner (and far into the night if you so desire). At 5:00 each day snacks and a rum punch are served. During the snack time you learn about the next days itinerary. In addition to the free rum and wine, there is a cooler with iced down beer and sodas available all day long (all included in the price). Dressing up for dinner usually meant putting on a clean tee shirt...shoes sometimes. The islands visited are small islands that are too small for the cruise ships to dock so they are not crowded. The Sagitta Operations Manager lines up tours, excursions, taxis or if you want to go out on your own, she gives you tips on island attractions. If you don't want to do anything when the ship anchors off the islands, relax on a lounge chair on deck and enjoy the sun and beauty of the seas. Most taxi fares are about $10 per person, where ever you go. Everyone on the islands takes the US dollar and give back change in US dollars. If you want to go to the island and do a little shopping and go back to the ship, the crew runs a small motor boat from the ship to the island every hour on the hour. If you miss it, get a beer ($1.50 to $2.00) and wait for the next one. If you are into photography, these cruises are a dream come true. The islands are made for photography...white tan sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise blue water and quaint little towns.One day, the crew set all the sails and then loaded up all who wanted to and circled the ship with a dingy so we could snap pictures of the ship under full sail. That was a special touch you won't get with a big cruise ship. If you book a cruise from St. Maartin, go a couple days early or stay a couple extra days and explore the island. One thing that is a must is the Sunset Beach Bar. The bar sets at the start of the airport runway and planes are literally a few feet above the beach when they land. Great for pictures. Our cruise on the Sagitta was one of our best trips ever. If you want to see tropical islands up close, feel the sea breeze in your hair and be totally relaxed for a week or more...call Island Windjammers.   Read Less

All the five star+ reviews of Windstar cruises were right on. It is a unique and wonderful experience. None of the reviews addressed the fantastic value of the optional premium beverage package. It was one of the best parts of the cruise. The Bartenders (yes, they do learn your name), give smiling, happy, friendly service. All liquor is top shelf and they make any specialty drink you want. Also, soda, bottled water, juice, hot tea is all presented with a smile. Combined this with the knowledge that you can drink whatever, whenever you want for a reasonable daily price including tips, made the trip even more wonderful. Champagne under the stars with the wind rattling the ships massive sails is an experience no one should miss. Brandy nightcaps taste better while sitting in a lounge chair built for two with moonglow over the water. We bought the package upfront, with our cabin. Windstar give you the option of deciding to purchase it within the first 12 hours of the cruise. Read Less

I've read the previous reviews of this ship and will not repeat the positive remarks as I agree with all from staterooms to dining and ports. We are looking forward to another future sailing! We are avid cruisers but usually on larger ships. This was a new experience and a very pleasant surprise, primarily due the people on board! At first I thought it was the crew to guest ratio. That does make a difference, there was always someone there smiling and happy to offer you anything you need. BUT. The personalities of everyone on board is very rare. I am not sure how they managed to hire such an exceptional group of people, wow! We felt like we were saying good bye to family as we were disembarking. I wish I remembered everyones name so I could commend them here as they magically remembered ours after a few short hours. I am sorry, I was so relaxed, I've lost my memory! Vishal, Jony and Druv....what can I say? I felt like they each had clones, they were everywhere all day long, our bar tending ninjas! It doesn't matter where the ship is sailing, I want to come on board just to enjoy their happy faces, wonderful company and great conversations! These guys really made our trip special, their smiles infectious. Even taking their time to say good bye and helped me with my luggage to the bus. Merci beaucoup! Muchas gracias!!! Yukti, our superstar Stweardess! What a sweet person, and how she was so stealth-like in keeping our stateroom immaculate is beyond me! Thank you! Christine (I hope I have that right) and Ana at the welcome desk were always there happy to answer our questions:) Also super sweet! Joey and......oooooh, now I have forgotten everyones names, not cool......the team who served ALL of our meals. Incredible, I am wondering when they had time to breathe as it seemed we were dining every hour someone was always there, a different uniform and set up every meal. Their service and smiles were always such a treat and seamless. Next cruise, I am bringing a pen so I can get all of their names and write thank you notes:) hehe! Honestly, this was a trip I will remember for a very long time to come. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again, hopefully sooner than later. Thank you, thank you! Read Less

My wife and I sailed on Grandeur of the Seas (third time) from Jan. 21 to Jan 31 out of Baltimore. We loved the cruise. As usual, the service was excellent and the ship was great. The cabins had been improved since our last cruise (wide-screen t.v., better bedding, etc.). We did notice some aspects had changed. The food selection and quality has declined over the years and , if you are looking for the mid-night buffet and Caribbean cookout on deck...they are gone. That is not to say the food is not good....just not as good as it once was. Overall, while we love the ship, we probably will not sail on Grandeur again as we would like to sail on another ship (we have sailed on 8 cruses). Too bad another ship is not docked in Baltimore as the bus trip from Pittsburgh to Baltimore is great! Less security and hassel found in air transportation. Something to keep in mind, this cruise is traditionally found to be with an older group of passengers. The average age on this last cruise was probably 65 to 70. Lots of walkers and wheelchairs. Read Less