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Windjammer Cruise Line

S/V Polynesia

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: N. Sure
# previous cruises: 7
Date of Trip: March 27, 2000
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

It was our first cruise and we both agreed we loved it. The ship, the water, the people, the entertainment - all fab! However, I was not impressed with the administrative staff prior to and after the trip. We asked to come a day early but weren't told to put that in writing - several phone calls, returned tickets and $90 later, a search for the tickets I'd returned and it was done. I had to call to be sure it was done since no one called me or responded to my fax. A hotel confirmation never came which I didn't know I needed until we checked in on St. Maarten. I had even called when nothing came and was told the reservation was booked but wasn't told I required a check in voucher. We were double charged for the $90 ticket deviation which I didn't find out until we checked in on the ship. When I called after the trip, the person I talked with was curt, didn't perceive it as a problem because maybe I was supposed to be double charged (perhaps a common practice?) and told me I had to call back and talk to someone else. Since I work in a service industry, I know the negative repercussions. There are a lot of other ships on the sea...

Since this was a Windjammer cruise and not a "foo foo" ship as our captain called the large cruise ships, the public areas were the dining room, top deck and quarter deck with the bar. Lots of wood! There was plenty of space to gather to talk with other passengers and watch the night sky as the ship sailed.

The food was surprisingly good! We were expecting to have very simple meals since this was a Windjammer. Wrong - dinners included lamb, shrimp, prime rib and duck. All beautifully prepared and served. Lunches were all good and hearty. Hot breakfasts varied day to day but always included toast, cereal, juice, coffee, tea. And they baked their own bread! Rolls, croissants, cinnamon rolls!

Small but adequate with beautiful varnished knotty pine throughout. Lots of hooks and shelves to store personal items. Yes, the shower was big enough - it was the whole bathroom with a drain in the floor and a spigot above the sink! To keep the water running (no hot water, but luke warm) you had to keep one hand on the knob.

Another surprise - good entertainment each night. A band, a DJ, a steel drum band, Scottish folk singer (Jack Shepherd, he was great!) a night at Bar Select on St. Bart's with a local band. You quickly realized the staff was "living" with us - frequently, during their off duty time, they hung out with us and did what we were doing.

St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Barts, Eustacia, Anquilla. Every island had something to offer: swimming, diving, snorkeling, a tour, shopping. Or you can take a good book and sit on the ship all day and do nothing!

No kids on the Polynesia.

The youngest passenger was almost 16. The oldest was in her 70's. All caucasian...the only people of color were on the staff. Looking through the brochure though, you notice no diversity represented. There's absolutely no reason why this trip wouldn't appeal to everyone - so someone at Windjammer's marketing dept should give this some attention. Unless of course they are achieving what they're looking for...