Star Breeze

Scuba Diving Excursion was disappointing. Felt more like we were being herded as cattle and less about our experience. I would recommend another Dive Shop. This one was too much about $$$.

There were a few glitches with the ship itself like flooding in the stateroom across the passage way, an elevator that didn't work, etc. We understood it was going in for overhaul after this summer season. It could use it. But the crew were fantastic and especially our steward Ronald. We also got to know one of the bar people quite well, Apple, and appreciated her attention.

This was our first ocean cruise. We were most impressed by the staff: friendliness, willingness to please. We visited places we never would have gone to otherwise, and enjoyed almost all of them.

We have always cruised on the big ships in the past and going Wind Star was such a pleasant experience. The staff and crew were marvelous and each dining experience was superb. Obviously, with a smaller ship, the entertainment was not as elaborate as on the larger ships, but that was expected. Everything else more than made up for it. One day we docked along with the Crystal, a huge cruise ship. Right from the start we could see the benefits of our ship. They could not dock and we could. Getting on and off was a breeze for us, so maybe that's why you chose the name Wind Star. The food was exquisite and every staff person gave more service than expected. Our only criticism was that our bed was hard and perhaps we should have asked in the beginning for a softer bed. But otherwise, we were in seventh heaven.

We typically choose active, land-based travel but decided to do a cruise for an anniversary. We chose this cruise for the balance of luxury with small ports of call and for the ability to enjoy water sports from the boat. We were not disappointed. The ports of call provided a nice mix between many tourists to none at all. (It was definitely helpful to know some Spanish.) We were able to swim off of the boat at one port of call, and then enjoy water sports on our private island day. For some reason, they were unable to offer water skiing, although all of the equipment was available and ready to go. Not too big of a deal. Otherwise, we were impressed with the level of service this crew provided. The staff really went out of their way to ensure guests were satisfied. The cabins were large and well appointed, and they were serviced several times a day. (Shout out to our cabin attendant Hasan.) The dining was excellent at all locations (servers Yogi, Trishna and Ragan--thanks so much!!). (One exception-the coffee at the Veranda frequently had an off-putting odor, so we typically got coffee from the Yacht Club and then went to the Veranda to eat breakfast later.) The food was absolutely incredible. We like that they sourced items from the local fisherman, and that the chef made all his stock on board. The average guest was probably 10-15 years older than we were, so there was very little night life on board. That said, entertainment/activities could be improved upon if looking to capture a younger age group. One entertainer, Alex, was good. The other couple, the Radio Stars, were OK for background music as you sunbathed, but they were not good for evening entertainment. We were disappointed to hear that the ships of this line will be expanded in size over the next few years, as we thought this ship was the perfect size. We will definitely consider additional cruises on Windstar if under 250 guests

If you've never been to the islands of Tahiti, it's hard to know which ones to visit. Everyone's heard of Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, but there are so many other islands to see and experience. Windstar makes it so easy to experience multiple islands, without packing, moving, and unpacking, by starting its itinerary in Papeete and returning there at the end of the voyage. Some locations have overnight stays, which provide the opportunity for more time in port (this is true in Bora Bora, and some guests fulfilled the dream of staying in an overwater bungalow over night). With Windstar's all-in package, beverages, staff gratuities and wifi are included, so it's a budget conscious way to travel in the islands, not worrying about how much a soda or a meal costs...or even where to go for a good snack! Add in the reasonably priced laundry service for the voyage, and it's ideal! The Star Breeze sails Tahiti regularly, with a maximum occupancy of 350 guests, which is not an overwhelming number for the ports that the ship visits. Every day, there's a port talk about the next day's adventures, so guests get a preview of what to expect on the next island; this is very helpful. Also onboard are guest lecturers who talk about Polynesian history, migration, customs, and nature (such as free diving with whales!). The suites onboard are comfortable and quite spacious, even though there are only a few actual proper balconies; most rooms have a large picture window or a 'french balcony' that opens, but does not take up square footage away from the room. Pro tip: book your excursions in advance so you avoid disappointment! Visiting Tahiti is a 'once in a lifetime' experience for many people, but after seeing the islands by ship, it's no surprise that people are inspired to come back again!