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What It’s Really Like Sailing on Windstar’s Star Pride 🚢

Cruise Review • Windstar Cruises • Star Pride • Wellness Voyage

Windstar’s Star Pride: Small Yacht Experience

Intimate • All-Suite • Yacht-Style

I’ve always heard good things about Windstar Cruises from other cruisers and through my mother’s glowing stories of their Mediterranean voyages. They praised the intimate, all-suite, yacht-style difference, and I was eager to experience it for myself.

Yet, as a devoted cruiser who has sailed with Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Margaritaville and Virgin Voyages, this was my first small-yacht experience, sailing on Star Pride for the 7-day Mind, Body & Spirit Bermuda Bliss itinerary from New York to Bermuda.

Why Star Pride Stands Out

Windstar consistently appears on the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot Lists and here's why:

All-Suite Accommodations

Star Pride is an intimate, all-suite yacht carrying just over 300 guests. But a smaller ship does not mean smaller rooms.

My suite felt more like a stylish apartment than a typical cruise cabin. I was skeptical about sailing without a balcony, but with the generous space and large picture window offering constant ocean views I didn't miss it. Honestly, our room was a highlight for me

Spacious layout with a comfortable seating area
Walk-in closet large enough to store all luggage
Oversized bathroom with high-end touches

Windstar’s fleet also includes suites with private verandas and two dramatic Owner’s Suites at the aft, featuring wraparound balconies ideal for private dining against an endless sea backdrop. The intimate design and strong staff-to-guest ratio elevate the private-yacht atmosphere throughout the experience.

The Benefits of Small-Yacht Cruising

The beauty of sailing with Windstar is not just in what you see—it’s in how you experience it. Small ships allow for docking in historic harbors where larger ships cannot enter, flexibility to adjust course when something special appears, and onboard programming tuned to the interests of guests. Security is quick, there is always a comfortable lounge chair available on deck, and the result is a voyage shaped by both destination and traveler.

For example, I've sailed out of NYC with Princess, but because it was a large ship it was docked in Brooklyn not Manhattan, thus the skyline and experience was not the same. THIS is what I wanted and had expected.

Tip: Oh, and did I mention guests can even visit the open bridge? Very cool.

World Spa by Windstar: Relaxation and Recovery at Sea

Between sea days and active port calls, the onboard spa is a welcome reset. World Spa by Windstar offers a full menu of massages, facials, body therapies, and salon services, along with a complimentary sauna and heated loungers on Star Pride.

Appointments can be booked on board, and select services are available to pre-book before sailing, but not necessary.

Considering it's a smaller vessel, I was pleased with how large their spa area was. I also experienced the most relaxing facial ever and would highly recommend.

Massage, facial, and body treatments designed for recovery and relaxation
Salon services for hair and nails, including Keratin treatments
Complimentary sauna access on Star Pride, which I took advantage of every day. The steam room, unfortunately, was out of service on our voyage, but the heated lounge chairs and sauna were in order.
Fitness center (weight machines, yoga mats, treadmills and ellipticals can be found here).

TIP: Ask about a "manager's special" near the end of the sailing for a great deal or go for a package deal available on the first day to lock in a good value (I took advantage of both!).

Elevated Dining Experience

As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar’s culinary program blends creativity, regional influence, and fine-dining expertise. This was some of the best food I’ve enjoyed at sea.

Specialty dining is included too, so there is no additional charge to enjoy these varied experiences—rare in the cruise industry.

Dining Options

Amphora — inventive multi-course dinners each evening with beautifully executed menus. You can do shared or private seating with no reservation needed.
Candles — Only offered on certain nights by reservation. Here you can enjoy hand-cut steaks and market-fresh seafood, enjoyed outdoors under the stars.
Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso — Spanish-inspired tapas and standout specialties full of flavor and flair. Reservation required. Highlights include the marinated anchovies (which was delicious) and olives, and lamb chops, fish and pork belly from their list of entrees.
Veranda — This takes the place of the typical buffet free-for-all on other ships. This indoor/outdoor space provides a full-service and buffet-style breakfast and lunch. (FYI, breakfast ends early, so I only made it once, lol)
Star Grill - Another lunch option, instead of the Veranda, is the Star Grill for a buffet and carving area on the deck and is conveniently located by the horseshoe-shaped Star Bar. I chose to have lunch here twice while enjoying Mid-Day Melodies being played live as we ate.
Yacht Club — Continental bites and pastries, along with coffee and tea selections, are available here all day. This was easily my most-visited space each day. Great for views while sipping a latte and reading or working on a puzzle or playing a game.
In-Room Dining - Room service is included and available all day. We took advantage of their breakfast options, filling out the card and putting it on our door the night before. It's not just continental either, but brioche French Toast, custom omelets, etc.
Signature Onbord Barbecue — I absolutely LOVED this. One of the highlights of your cruise will be the spectacular onboard or beach barbecue with carving stations, a large paella skillet, fresh-cooked fish, specialty drinks and wines from the Sommelier, and a dessert bar to top it off. All paired with live music and local entertainment when applicable. This, along with the Crew Talent Show, were my favorite evenings on board.
The Compass Rose —serves canapés before dinner; it’s an ideal stop for a pre-meal drink and a light bite while socializing or listening to live music. Psst their old-fashioned might be my favorite ever!

TIP: As soon as you board head to the Veranda to book your specialty dinners for the voyage. Also, sign-up for a galley tour - it should be listed at some point on the daily activity list.

Cocktails and Beverages

Okay, so I already went ahead and mentioned the Old-Fashioned on board, but another highlight was having an official sommelier on board who would provide recommendations.
Better yet, he was easily accessible and not just in the specialty dining rooms, but during the barbecue and in the main dining room. By the end of the cruise, Swann (that's his name) was holding aside recommendations for me.
Even when ordering an impromptu Pina Colada from the Star Grill Bar, the bartender Aladin, fashioned a heart out of the straw for me. So sweet and photo worthy.

I'm very glad I had the beverage package too!

Service That Feels Personal

Windstar’s service is where small-yacht cruising shines brightest. The Windstar staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1.5, and it shows.

Crew members learned our names immediately, anticipated our preferences, and interacted with genuine warmth. It never felt rehearsed or formal—just authentic hospitality.

On the last day we hugged more than one team member goodbye, which says everything about the relationships formed on board.

Also, since ours was a repositioning cruise, we didn't have a full ship, giving us an even more of an intimate experience.

Thoughtful Touches

Each evening a small gift awaited us in our suite—bookmarks, chocolates, a local Bermuda soap (I had visited the store earlier while on land, so this was extra special), a cord organizer, notepads, and more.

It’s an understated detail that adds charm and personality to the experience. Plus, it makes for great souvenirs to take home.

The Yacht Club Lounge & Library

The Yacht Club is a light-filled lounge with panoramic ocean views, specialty coffees, snacks, and a quiet library area plus a guest book exchange. I spent at least an hour or two here each day. We also worked on a fun wine jigsaw puzzle one morning at sea too. They have board games here you can borrow too.

I added signed copies of my novels Don’t Start Now and Hot and Cold—I hope a fellow reader discovers them on their next sailing.

Windstar Star Pride Tips You’ll Want to Know Before You Go:

Dress code is elegant-casual; pack layers for breezy decks and workout gear for wellness sailings. I'm used to dressing up more in the evenings when cruising, but it's not required here as there isn't a formal night like on other cruise lines. FYI my nautical Amazon striped 2 Piece Outfits Casual Sweatshirt Skirt Set Long Sleeve Skort set was a hit and perfect for embarkation day.
Don't miss the Crew Show. This was adorable and funnier than expected. So glad we went.
Take advantage of free drinks during the Captain's Welcome Reception and your chance to meet the main crew members.
They hold a sail-away party to kick off the cruise, which includes the raising of the Windstar flag (or the unfolding of the sails if you're on one of their sailing vessels). It's quite an epic spectacle since the Bridge plays Vangelis' 1492, Conquest of Paradise as it leaves port.
Rooms included American and UK plugs and two USB outlets, which were appreciated. However, if you have two or more people in a room and a lot of gadgets, I'd suggest getting a "Cruise Approved" Power Strip. This particular brand is extra compact for easy packing and travel.
A fully stocked minibar is included in the beverage plan, which was welcomed but unexpected.
Wi-fi is available for purchase or can be added into certain upgrade packages. I had heard complaints about the reception prior to sailing; however, I had no issues outside of having to log in again occasionally. In fact, I was able to post daily to my social channels and even take FaceTime audio calls with my family back home.
While the in-room entertainment platform has movies to stream on the flatscreen in your cabin, the selection wasn't vast, and there weren't any sitcoms or TV shows outside of the standard live news channels. I know this might sound nitpicky of me, but I like having an entertaining show on in the background without starting a whole movie. If I had known, I would have downloaded more content to my iPad beforehand for this purpose.

Ready to Try Small-Yacht Cruising?

If you are seeking a cruise that blends comfort, culture, and calm—Windstar delivers an intimate, yacht-style experience that lingers long after the sea days end.

➡️ You can find deals and book with my link too: https://jerne.to/4qlLens 🚢

Windstar Cruises Star Pride Travel Guide and Tips

Follow along on Instagram @TaraMetBlog — reels and stories from this Windstar sailing are saved in my highlights!

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Virgin Voyages isn't your grandmother’s cruise ship 🚢 but a luxury party ship!

It's an adults-only, award-winning cruise line with included luxuries (tips, wifi, quality food) and the most 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor.

No buffet lines either, instead over 20 eateries, and more than 10 bars and lounges. Plus, private Karaoke rooms, candy stations, a lively casino, quality shows, adult pajama parties, cabaret performances, and soooo much more!

Book your voyage today! <--- Best deals here

Travel Tips for Sailing on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady

Dining Reservations

I'm an alpha travel planner who likes to do research before a trip, but this was a last-minute booking for us, and by the time we got our confirmation number and registered within the app almost all the dining reservations were full. We only managed to secure a spot at Test Kitchen and Razzle Dazzle, but nothing else. This had me stressed, however, like at a typical restaurant they welcome walk-ins too.

So, if you're able to book a time and spot ahead of time, good on you, but don't get too stressed about dining. Typically, show up to the restaurant 30 - 45 minutes before your desired dining time, put your name down and you'll likely get in.

Or you can head to Sailor Services once on board so they can pop you into anything available, but the line was long by the time we did this that we didn't bother and still could dine at most of the restaurants we wanted to visit. Also, keep checking the app throughout your stay because people cancel and change their plans constantly.

Our favorite dining outlet outside of the quick-service options in The Galley, which replaces the typical buffet setup was Pink Agave, the modern Mexican restaurant and we got into that being on the waitlist on the first night.

Book Theater Shows Immediately

As soon as you get on board, wait to go to your room or up to The Galley to eat, instead head straight down to the Box Office near Sailor Services and reserve your spot for Duel Reality and Ships in the Night.

They will let you know what show times are available and will book it for you. And while you are in line, open your app and try to book the Supper Club (dinner and a show) one night too. We were able to grab that ourselves, but needed the cast to book the big theater performances and luckily we got tickets for both shows.

There are other shows that do not require a ticket like the hysterical diva drag show in The Manor, just wait in line and you'll get a seat. Luckily, if you have a conflict, they do this show more than once during the sail.

Secret show tip from my friend Josie: "One thing we did was cool and almost missed out was there’s a random magic type show, I think it’s called the mentalist. It’s held in the afternoon one day…go to it! If you go to that you get a card to attend a secret show later that day in the belly of the ship! Only like 100 people get to do it a trip!"

Carry on Wine

You are allowed to bring two bottles of wine per cabin in your carry-on luggage to store in your room. We totally took advantage of this option!

Pack Something Red

Each sailing has a Scarlet Night where everyone wears red, so don't be the party pooper in another color. You can be as dress or casual as you want, just as long as it's red.

Not sure what to wear? Try these dresses from Amazon (I actually own them all):

Floral Lace Overlay
Shapewear Dress 9 in 1 Bodycon Dress (go up a size, it's tight since it works like Spanx)
Sexy one-shoulder dress
Flattering jumpsuit

Upgrade your Pajamas

On the first night there is an epic pajama party at 10:45 p.m., while it sounds late, we had so much fun dancing that we didn't head back to our cabin till after 2 a.m. I was afraid we might be the only ones in PJs, but no, there were people in robes, onesies, etc.

Our red silk stripe pajamas below from Amazon were a big hit, but these matching palm tree ones would be too. Go all in and order these ahead of time, you'll thank me later!

Go on a Grog Walk!

This is a pub-crawl-like experience and can only be booked through the app once you are on board.

It was sold out each day and time for us and I was so bummed. We went to Sailer Services and they couldn't get us in either. However, after I gave up, my husband looked at the app again and someone must have canceled because two spots opened up and we grabbed them.

For $50 per person, you get 4 cocktails each, a tour of the ship, VIP seating at lounges during the walk and the chance to meet new friends with fun get to know you games along the way. They even let you stop and change into your PJs for the pajama party portion where you'll reconvene and end the walk. We met a lot of great people, solos and couples during the grog walk who became our vacation friends during the trip. Well worth it.

Sipping on a tropical Mai Tai cocktail along the way adds to the island vibe, making the experience feel even more like a true getaway. With its refreshing blend of rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, it’s the perfect drink to enjoy while soaking in the cruise atmosphere.

Shake for Champagne

Shake for Champagne is a novelty in the Virgin Voyages app for all sailors. It is what it says. You open the app, shake your phone, and a server brings you a bottle of Moët for $95.

Also, visit Sip, the champagne lounge on board for your sparkling kick.

Book the Splash of Romance Package

Whether you're feeling romantic or not this is a great value. Available for only 90 cabins per voyage, this $200 add-on is a no brainer and well worth it. If you pre-book the Romance Package you'll get:

Priority Boarding
Curated daily cold-pressed juices
Two 3-Hour Thermal Spa Passes
A Shake for Champagne bottle
Exclusive Sail Away Hour Sultry bites

I called to get this as it showed sold out on the app, but they let me add it.

Don't Worry about Plugs

I always bring a cruise-approved no surge power outlet when I go cruising, but there were several USB plugs in our Sea Terrace cabin already, so we didn't need it for a change. However, my friend brought a non-approved outlet, which was confiscated from him at boarding and returned once we disembarked. So, make sure yours is pre-approved like this one:

Tips for Virgin's Beach Club in the Bahamas

Set your alarm and get off the boat early to grab an umbrella chair by the pool. Why not the beach? Because the pool party is where it's at in the afternoon. The pool turns into a dance party with dozens of floats being thrown into the water. You can snag a prime float if you hang by the stage five minutes before the party begins. Don't feel like getting into the water? That's OK, you can watch from your chair.

Also, you can order an engraved coconut with natural coconut juice (with or without rum) by the pool bars too. This makes for a great photo opp and electrolytes.

For more travel adventures, follow me @TaraMetBlog on Instagram.

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VIP Travel Tips for Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship The Scarlet Lady

Did you know that the Margaritaville brand of restaurants and resorts, now has a cruise ship?

The Margaritaville-at-Sea Paradise is the only 3-day and 2-night cruise sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

On this floating island vacation, you can relax, unwind, enjoy the entertainment and frozen concoctions, soak up the sun, and cruise for a quick & easy escape!

Keep in mind that this is not a luxury liner and it doesn't claim to be. You get what you pay for and the value for what you pay is really good and cheaper than a staycation at a hotel for 2 nights, plus food, and travel. Even the ferry to the Bahamas is over $200 round trip, and for $599 a couple can take a cruise ship instead with a beautifully renovated room and have way more fun. It's what you make of it, so why not have a great time? Yah, mon!

Below is what you can expect on board and tips to make your sail more enjoyable!

Travel Tips for Sailing on the Margaritaville Cruise

Travel Tips for Sailing on the Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Ship - what you can expect on board and tips to make your sail more enjoyable.

Get the Express Boarding Pass & Chill Packages

This is literally your "License to Chill" right from the start of your trip at embarkation. The lines at the Port of Palm Beach were long to check in, however, with our Express add-on we got to not only skip the line outside but go straight inside the customs area to a separate check-in section. This saved us at least an hour and eliminated the stress and annoyance of waiting in line when you just want your vacation to start. The same VIP express experience applies for disembarkation too.

Now, I'm not big on doing paid upgrades, but this one is worth it. Some of the Chill packages come with WiFi for 2 devices and other fun additions like the JWB Steakhouse dinner for 2, which is my next tip and recommendation.

My friends also splurged for the Champagne Breakfast and raved about their Huevos Rancheros, pastries, Bloody Mary's and overall experience. We regret not doing this since the breakfast buffet was crowded and basic, similar to a setup at a Spring Hill Suites setup or something similar at a comp hotel breakfast.

Dine in the JWB Steakhouse

I was really impressed with our meal at the JWB Steakhouse. We had a package for two to dine at the specialty dining restaurant and chose to dine there on our first night onboard. I ordered the Ribeye and my husband had the filet, which both of us enjoyed.

You can make your reservation for either night of your stay in the port, just after the check-in area. Look for the dining table before boarding the ship and do try and request a window seat if you're able.

If you didn't book a steakhouse package at booking, you can still do so once on the ship and they will charge to your folio.

Fins Dining Room

If you'd rather not pay the extra $55 for the specialty dining per person upgrade, you won't be disappointed with the main and complimentary dining room - Fins. Our group ate there on the second night and also enjoyed our appetizer, entre and dessert there too. No complaints and the dining room was nicely designed too.

To dine here there are two seatings at 6:00 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. on each night of the cruise. We had no problem sitting at 6 p.m., but saw a long line for the later seating. We chose the earlier one though so we wouldn't miss the entertainment that night.

Don't Forget about the Coffee Shop

Regular coffee is provided at no extra charge in the mornings in the Port of Indecision Buffett, but if you're looking for a more Starbucks-like experience there is a Margaritaville Coffee Shop counter where you can order a latte or cappuccino at an extra cost, but it wasn't too expensive. I did this the morning before disembarking.

Bring Your Own Lanyard

I wore dresses or bathing suits the whole time without pockets and I didn't want to carry a purse, so I was glad I had packed my own lanyard to attach my room key and charge card.

After receiving our key, I went to the Guest Services area and they kindly punched a hole in mine to attach to my lanyard clip, or you can buy a lanyard with a clear sleeve to slip your key in. My husband was fine putting his in his short pockets.

Cabins are Spacious & Newly Renovated

Although it's an older ship (small pools, low ceilings, no balconies) and you'll have some Love Boat episode flashbacks, I was very impressed with how nicely the rooms were redone and how spacious and modern they were with a flat-screen TV and bright furnishings.

You can view our Ocean View Room Tour in my Instagram highlights here.

It's been a while since I sailed without a balcony room, but honestly, I didn't miss it. The window in our Ocean View cabin was large and with how limited your time is on the ship, we didn't spend much time in our room just to shower and sleep.

Meanwhile, our friends had an interior room, which had even more space than we did, and they were quite impressed with it too.

Toiletries

Shampoo, condition, body wash, and soap are all provided in your bathroom. We also had two robes hanging in our closet, which I took advantage of. For those who love to travel with their signature scent, the enchanting aroma of Delina perfume makes a perfect addition to your toiletries, offering a luxurious and sophisticated fragrance to enhance your evenings onboard.

Plugs and Hairdryers

There are even two USB ports and a USB C port too. A hairdryer is provided specifically for their voltage, so do NOT bring your own because it will blow a fuse. Trust me, I know! Need more? Make sure it's a cruise-approved, compliant plug like this one:

Boat Drinks are not to be missed

Honestly, how disappointing would it be if a Margaritaville cruise had bad margs? Well, no worries, because the drinks were great, especially their blended concoctions like the infamous margarita, pina colada and painkiller, after all, as Jimmy Buffett sings "it's five-o-clock somewhere."

I also appreciated that they carried bottles of Josh Cellar wines, which I had with dinner. The by-the-bottle price was reasonable too.

You can purchase before sailing or while on board a drink package of 5 or 10 drinks per person, which includes drinks up to $12. There is another package for higher-end drink options too. We both had a 5-drink package and then charged the extra two drinks we ended up ordering to the room.

You will need to pick up or purchase your wristband for your drink package once on board the ship in the Euphoria Lounge. Some folks had multiple wristbands - more power to them.

Explore Your Shore Excursion Options

The cruise line offers several shore excursions for your day in Freeport, Bahamas from swimming with pigs to dolphin encounters or resort day passes. There isn't much to do at the pier except a few stalls for shopping, so you'll either want to stay on board or book a shore excursion.

But unlike other cruises that I've been on, you can't book your tour ahead of time only once you check-in. If you're a type A planner, this part is a bit frustrating. I didn't like the uncertainty, but two of our friends were able to book the excursion they wanted easily at an all-inclusive resort once they got there.

We wanted something more adventurous though and booked through Trip Advisor for a day of Kayaking and more. It was more expensive ($160 each) than the Margaritaville shore excursions, but this island experience was amazing and made our entire trip!! Instead of being with a big group, it was just four of us, so it felt like we were getting a private tour. We were picked up at the pier in a lovely SUV, then took a boat ride out to the kayaks on Sweetings Cay, spent time on a private beach, went to a Turtle Park and had lunch too. The water was so clear we saw sharks, stingrays, sea stars, and more without goggles even. We still had time to get back on board and do some shopping too.

Catch the nightly live entertainment show

There is a 7:45 and a 9:45 nightly show in the theater. One night it's the fun Margaritaville musical and the other night is a comedian/magician. We enjoyed both a lot. The theater itself is adorable too with tables and comfy chairs by the stage making it more cabaret-style.

On the first night we went to the late showing since we were enjoying the piano bar out in front of the theater first, and the second night after a busy day in the Bahamas we went to the earlier show time.

Pre-Sale Spa Credit

Save 10% on Spa and Salon services when you purchase before you board. If you plan on pampering yourself with a spa treatment during your sail, you might want to take advantage of the $90 Pre-Sale Credit worth $100. I did, and my credit was applied to my Swedish Massage service, which was excellent.

You can book your spa time and treatment before boarding at the Spa area kiosk as well. I chose a late afternoon appointment on the second day after our shore excursion, which was perfect.

BOGO for Cops, Teachers & First Responders

Active and retired military, first responders, law enforcement officers and educators sail free on Margaritaville-at-Sea, they just have to pay for the second guest, taxes, gratuities, and port fees. If this applies to you claim your cruise offer here.

Thus, you'll spot a lot of cops and teachers gone wild ;) Other friends who went on a previous sailing said the teachers were hooking up with the cops, not that I can blame them, lol.

Travel with Friends

Since it's such a short trip, there isn't time to make friends, which is why I'm thankful we traveled with two other couples making a fun group of six. The best part of being with a group is that you can eat together, and take in a show, but still do your own thing too - dancing, casino, etc.

But Leave the Kids at Home

Granted this is just my personal parenting recommendation, so take it with a lost shaker of salt ;)

While there were a couple of kids on board (maybe like 20 total), the activities are geared toward adults. And frankly, many of the guests are there to party. You'll see bachelorette parties, girlfriend trips, and singles looking to mingle, etc. This is why I'm glad we were there for a couples' getaway and that my boys stayed behind.

The ship does have a kids camp though, but it looked small and boring and there is an hourly charge per child that would add up costing you. And as I said before, the pools were tiny with no lifeguards. Plus, the women that were by the pool were scantily clad and everyone is drinking it up, so again I'm very glad I didn't have to worry about what my kids would see or having to entertain them too.

Oh, and we could hear the bass of the music in our cabin until midnight, which was when we were heading to bed so that was fine, but again not for little ones.