I’ll be honest: I didn’t know cruising could feel this chill until I tried Windstar’s Windsurf. We figured, why not stretch it out, so we tacked on extra time in Barcelona before boarding and lingered for a few mellow days in Rome after the cruise. I swear, there’s nothing better than easing into a trip and then not rushing the finish line.
Barcelona before the ship was wild in all the right ways—late-night tapas, city blocks that never sleep, and catching those weird, wonderful Gaudí angles at the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia. When it was finally cruise day, standing on the dock staring up at those massive white sails felt like stepping into another world. And here’s the kicker: the captain and hotel GM were out front, literally greeting every guest as we boarded, big smiles and handshakes like they actually meant it. The same guys were there waving us off when it was all over. That’s not some “cruise line marketing stuff”; it actually happened.
Sailaway on Windsurf is something else. They blast dramatic music of Vangelis' 1492, Conquest of Paradise, and slowly raise those enormous white sails one by one—seriously, half the ship seemed to have goosebumps just watching the whole thing. It was flashy, emotional, and totally memorable.
The itinerary itself was loaded with stops you'll never see on those mega ships. Palamós was like a low-key Spanish postcard—fishing boats, tiny cafés, a plate of shrimp, cold white wine, and nowhere else to be. Toulon brought that French market vibe: lavender, croissants, and the best kind of “lost in translation” street wandering. Isola d’Elba was drop-dead gorgeous, with clear water and Italian villages that look like they only exist in old movies.
But Monaco—wow. Windsurf anchored just outside the action and shuttled us in for two days of pure Grand Prix chaos. Our F1 tickets came with special treats like noise-cancelling headphones and a stadium seat pad (lifesaver!), so we could actually enjoy the insanity without getting totally blasted by the engines—unless of course, you want to hear the revs. Yachts jammed the harbor, the city was buzzing, and the whole thing felt surreal.
On board, Windstar cranks out a deck BBQ that’s absolutely amazing. They put everything outside, spark up the grills, play music, and you just eat, drink, and swap stories with whoever’s next to you. No dress codes, no stuffiness. It’s totally casual, and honestly, the food looked and tasted spectacular.
After we docked in Civitavecchia, we’d booked a private van for the trip into Rome. That drive was the perfect wind-down: our driver spent the morning showing us around and dropping little facts about the city, pausing here and there for sights and espresso stops. We got to the hotel just in time—no stress, just smooth sailing all the way.
All in? Windsurf is the real deal for anyone who wants something personal, kinda luxurious, and absolutely not cookie-cutter. I got the dramatic sailaway, the best BBQ at sea, heart-pounding racing in Monaco, and local vibes at every stop. And with the extra days in Barcelona and Rome, the trip never felt rushed.
