Wind Spirit

Launched in 1988, Wind Spirit cruise ship is the second of the three Windstar sailing yachts - together with Wind Surf and Wind Star. The three four-masted yachts are uniquely designed for tall sailing ship cruises.

History - construction and ownership

Windstar Cruises is a luxury brand operating a fleet of smaller-sized ships (mega-yachts) with capacity up to 310 passengers. The company call at 150 ports throughout Caribbean, Central America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe. Currently, Windstar is a subsidiary of Xanterra Parks and Resorts (USA's largest national and state park concession management company).

The 5,736-ton, 158-passenger cruise ship Wind Spirit, is trendy and sophisticated as her cruisers, with wonderful white sails on her deck. The sails are computerized and not really necessary for navigating (although in some conditions they are ideal, the engines are cut and the vessel is completely wind driven), but travelers do not really care when the effect is exquisite. 

Cruise itinerary program

Wind Spirit itinerary program is based on round-trip French Polynesia cruises from Papeete, Tahiti.

Cabins

Wind Spirit cruise ship offers one oceanview owner’s suite and 73 oceanview deluxe staterooms in 5 grades. In the cabins, the old bathrooms were spruced up with fancy showerheads, granite countertops and high-piled towels. New combination CD/DVD/iPod players were upped the ante in tech toys department.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

During the last refurbishment, Wind Spirit Restaurant was renamed AmphorA and redesigned, a new menu was provided. Pool Bar was renewed to create alfresco additional seating for Candles Grill sunset dining, with new deck furniture and awning. The reception area was also updated. The Lounge got brand new AV system and hardwood flooring. 

Wind Spirit ship has two primary dining venues, both open seating: the AmphorA Restaurant in the evenings which offers course-by-course gourmet cuisine and Veranda restaurant with casual full-service and buffet dining (breakfast and lunch). A reservation is needed for Candles if you choose dining under the stars. The ship combines the highest food and service levels with casual attire and single open seating.

Follows the complete list of Wind Spirit restaurants and food bars.

• AmphorA Restaurant (ship’s dining room, open-seating; offers 5-course gourmet dinner menu which is changed daily; along with onboard-made breads, in all ports of call the executive chef goes to the local markets to shop for fresh ingredients)
• Candles Cafe & Veranda (a smaller “dining room” which offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as a la carte menu through the wait staff; its indoor area is called “Candles Cafe” and features floor-ceiling panoramic windows; the outdoor seating area is called “Veranda” - in the evenings, it transformes into “Candles Grill” al-fresco steakhouse).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

What wasn't changed during the last refurbishment of Wind Spirit, however, was Windstar Cruises onboard experience. The line has stuck to the core concept: small-ship features and low passenger occupancy balance, with high ratios guest-to-crew and personalized service. Alcoholic beverages and excursions are charged additionally, though soft drinks and water are included. Wind Spirit onboard atmosphere is the right mix of laid-back and upscale. 

Follows the complete list of Wind Spirit lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Marina (retractable water sports platform for water skiing, wind surfing, snorkeling, kayaking; the ship provides a banana boat, waterski boat, sea kayaks, sunfish sailboats, wakeboards, boards for windsurfing, paddle boards, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, plus four Zodiacs; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• Lounge (ship’s theater/main show lounge for live evening entertainment); Library
• The Signature Shop/Boutique Shop (sells duty-free luxury fashion clothing and accessories)
• The Casino (with blackjack/roulette gambling tables, slot machines)
• WindSpa (operated by Steiner; has a treatment room, Sauna and Beauty Salon. “Spa Under the Stars” program offers spa treatments out on deck)
• The Fitness Center (with free weights, exercycles and treadmills; offers complimentary excercise classes)
• Pool Area (with one swimming pool, a waterfall cascading from the whirlpool, sunbathing area served by the Pool Bar)
• The Flying Bridge deck is designed to resemble the traditional navigation point.

Wind Spirit yacht is a member of a specific class Windstar sailing ships including three sister vessels – Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Song. Wind Song experienced an engine room fire in 2002, and was scuttled. These are tall sailing cruise ships with modern design and 6 sails on 4 masts. The sails are handled via a sophisticated computer program.

The yacht's design is based on smaller 5,350-ton motor sailing yachts constructed by the French shipbuilding company "Societe Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre". Among those are the Windstar sail ships Wind Surf and Wind Star and also Club Med 2.

In 2012, Windstar Cruises completed an extensive (18-month long) ship refurbishment project for renovations of company's all three sail yachts – Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf. Works included overhauls of all passenger staterooms, dining venues, public spaces, as well as new sails.