Windstar: 180 Degrees from Ordinary

Categories

Most of our cruises will be on mainstream cruise ships.

That's simply pragmatism and human nature.  If we can go on two or three cruises for the price of one, what will we tend to do?

While there are exceptions, we have practical considerations when choosing vacations, just as we do for our other living expenses, and the well-known brands like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America and MSC serve us well, delivering the chance for amazing vacations that can fit almost any budget, middle class and higher.

When we do step up to a more elite brand, it is most often to an equally well-advertised cruise line like Viking Cruises, who in terms of pure number of ships deployed has more sailings than anyone, though of course most are river cruise ships and all hold considerably fewer passengers than mega-ships.

Every now and then, however, even the most frugal among us may splurge.

Almost twenty years ago, Julie and I cruised Tahiti and her Pearls aboard Windstar Cruises.

French Polynesia is an exceptionally gorgeous destination, as you might expect.

To visit aboard a small ship like Paul Gauguin or Windstar makes it even more incredible.

The memories of our trip remain vivid.

I still remember the excitement of sailing into reefs that divide turquoise waters as we approached a new island in the morning, and hearing sails unfurl in the island breeze accompanied by the music of Vangelis over the ship's speakers for the evening sail-away.

Swimming with sharks and stingrays.  Snorkeling clear waters of vibrantly colored tropical fish.  Eating a "buffet" of fruits cut from nearby trees with a machete by our friendly guide.  The onboard marina that opens to make a dock for water sports.

Over the years, Windstar has expanded to include larger sailing yachts, and you can now cruise most of the world's oceans aboard Windstar.

It costs more, no doubt.  

But maybe to celebrate a special occasion, or just awakening to the joy of being alive at this incredible moment in eternity???

In any case, it doesn't hurt to dream...even if we perhaps soften our lofty ambitions to take another mainstream cruise to similar destinations, where we still can enjoy amazing ports and days at sea.

Tahiti on Windstar is truly an amazing experience, and maybe after you try Windstar once, you'll want to take another Windstar Cruise.

After all, in the long run we're more limited by time than money.  Make the most of your life.