Once a year, I pick a cruise that speaks to my very loud inner foodie. She is quite a beast to quell so I was thrilled when I came across the ultimate foodie-focused cruise, I had to go – and I had to take a select bunch of people with me.
Windstar Cruises is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF). On this JBF partnership cruise, an award-winning chef joins you aboard and cooks a special dinner with wine pairing, conducts cooking demonstrations, prepares featured dishes for the menu, and lets you accompany her on market visits in port.
Our trip is a dazzling itinerary from Venice to Athens. Hmm. Italy and Greece? If that’s not exciting enough, there is even more in between. Read on.
Windstar has been operating the best commercial sailing ships since 1984. The small ship size has its advantages, including focus on exemplary service and access to ports that are off limits for large cruise ships, including Venice.
I like that it’s nine nights because I always feel that seven aren’t enough. Then there are the ports themselves. I’ve never been to Croatia, Montenegro or Corfu. Part of the charm will be spending time there then deciding if I want to do a land vacation later. Here is what to expect if you come with me:
Jennifer Jasinski, winner of the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Southwest, is the featured chef for your cruise. Chef Jasinski is the owner of some of Denver’s top dining establishments, including Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, Ultreai, and Stoic & Genuine (now closed). If you are a fan of Top Chef Masters, you will also recognize Jasinski from the show.
Special inclusions for this James Beard Foundation Cruise are:
A chef-hosted dinner with wine pairing.
2 cooking demonstrations on board – recipes included.
Market tour with the Chef Jasinski
The Wind Surf, The World’s Largest Sailing Ship
Your beautiful vessel for this voyage is the Wind Surf, Windstar’s flagship and the world’s largest sailing ship, with a maximum capacity of 342 guests. The Wind Surf has an array of state rooms and suites from which to choose.
The Wind Surf recently underwent an extensive renovation to the public areas and suites and returned to service at the end of 2024.
Perks for My Clients
As an ILX Travel guest, you will enjoy these extra amenities:
$100 shipboard credit per person.
Private cocktail party for ILX Travel’s guests.
Pick Your Perk Promotion from the following three:
Additional $100 shipboard credit per person ($200 if booked in suite)
Free 1-Night Hotel Stay pre- or post-cruise.
Complimentary All-in Package if booked in Suite.
Discounted Cruise Prices
Like hotel rooms and airfares, cruise prices are “dynamic” or able to change subject to demand. I contracted rates on this fabulous cruise well in advance so you can save significantly based on current published rates.
With the exception of suites, cabins are the same size. The prices vary depending on which deck the cabins are located, with the higher decks costing more.
Double Occupancy:
STE (Suite) $5,924 per person, $11,848 per cabin (SOLD OUT)
Category TX $4,304 per person, $8,608 per cabin
Category AX $4,061 per person, $8,122 per cabin
Category A $3,818 per person, $7,636 per cabin
Category BX $3,611 per person, $7,222 per cabin
Category B $3,251 per person $6,502 per cabin (SOLD OUT)
Single Occupancy:
STE (Suite) $11,691 (SOLD OUT)
Category TX $7,414
Category AX $6,988
Category A $6,563
Category BX $6,201
What’s Included
What’s Included:
Accommodations
All meals
Non-alcoholic drinks
Entertainment
What’s Not Included (An All-Inclusive Package is available):
Alcoholic beverages (packages are available)
Laundry
Transfers
Shore Excursions
Wi-Fi (packages are available
All-inclusive package from $99 per guest per day
Unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails.
Gratuities.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi only and drinks packages are also available.
Book Your Cabin On This Special Adriatic Cruise
Are you ready to join me on this amazing voyage? Call me at 772-200-3956 or email jayne@ilxtravel.com.
For what it’s worth, the reason I ended up in Florida from the UK many moons ago is that I was working for a company that published in-cabin magazines for cruise ships, back when duty free was still big and cruising was still favored by the well-heeled. Behemoths had not taken over the Caribbean Sea and cruising to Alaska was in its infancy. That said, I had only ever been on “big” ships, even though the ones I frequented would be considered small by today’s standards.
This past December, my husband and I had the opportunity to go back to days of yore and experience old time luxury on SeaDream Yacht Club. We sailed on SeaDream II, a cruise ship so small that she is actually classified as a yacht. SeaDream Yacht Club’s motto is “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising” and we were excited to find out why.
You would think that on a smaller ship, you’d be bumping into other passengers left right and center. Both SeaDream vessels max out at 112 guests, all of whom can be onboard at the same time, enjoying deck space, the pool, the hot tub, or the sun deck which boasts two couples’ jacuzzis. The same applies to the dining room where there are no seatings and no reservations required. You dine when you want within the scheduled hours and with whom you want.
Said sun deck also boasts a bar, a golf simulator and Balinese beds that you can reserve to sleep under the stars. The main deck has a spa, piano bar, library, and blackjack table: All the trappings that a well-heeled upper-crust passenger would need.
The pool deck’s bar does not have passengers lined up 10-deep. You will be served. There will be room for you. You will lounge and take in the sun while your drinks are brought to you before you even think they need refilling. There is even an array of snacks available at all times in case you can’t last between meals.
The pool deck leads to the water sports platform from where you can enjoy wave runners, kayaks, personal sailboats, paddle boards, snorkel gear, water skis, wake boards, a swim platform, banana boat and floating island. All of these are included in your fare.
Also on the pool deck is the famous water slide which yours truly simply had to try. I’d post photos but my dear husband only took shots from the derrière as I climbed the stairs.
Interior spaces include a main salon, which we really didn’t visit because we were outside most of the time; a well-stocked library where I enjoyed a yoga class when the top deck wasn’t an option; and a spa and fitness facility. Uncharacteristically, I did not spend much time in the spa, but it is a beautiful spot to enjoy an array of treatments.
LUXURIOUS STATEROOMS
Staterooms on SeaDream Yacht Club’s two ships are a decent size (195 square feet) and well appointed. There are no balconies: deck 2 cabins have portholes, while decks 3 and 4, where we were, have picture windows. There was ample storage and space enough to hang out in the cabin if we so desired. There are also plenty of power outlets so we didn’t have to vie for whose phone got charged.
The bathroom was smaller than I have seen on other luxury ships, but it worked for us. We weren’t there to hang out in the bathroom.
With this being a smaller ship, you are better off on deck 2 or 3 if you have issues with sea sickness. We definitely felt more movement on deck 4, much to my delight and Michael’s consternation.
TOP NOTCH SERVICE
With an almost one-to-one crew to guest ratio, we did not want for anything. Our needs were anticipated. Favorite drinks were noted as was my preference for non-dairy milk and to be addressed by my married name. None of this was in writing, but was executed immediately. I later found out that notes are made on each guest so that crew can make sure preferences are followed. We were 68 guests to 95 crew. Even if the cruise had been at full capacity of 112 passengers, that is one of the highest staff-to-guest rations I’ve ever experienced.
I liked that we got to know all the crew. I couldn’t tell you the name of a single crew member from our previous big-ship cruises. On SeaDream II you go on mountain bike excursions with Nick; Gareth will oversee your watersports; Jamie will ensure you have amazing dining experiences; and Chef Elton always had a “Ciao, Cara” when he saw me.
We favored the upper deck with the jacuzzi made-for-two where we languished on a quiet afternoon while docked in the British Virgin Islands. If the ice in my drink melted, Anton was there to replenish it before I realized the severity of the situation. Understand that it’s really hard to go home after this treatment.
A Tale of a Not-Random Act of Kindness
When we sailed, Michael was having mobility issues while awaiting surgery. We were worried about him getting onto the tender if we had to anchor at ports. I was really looking forward to our day in Nevis because the Four Seasons had extended us an invitation to spend the day with them. Michael took one look at the staircase down to the tender and said there was no way he was doing it. The second officer was there and declared that he was going to do everything he could to get Michael ashore. And he did. Pass the Kleenex please because I still tear up when I think of that act of kindness. He guided Michael down those steps one by one. We had a fabulous day at the Four Seasons, and Michael was able to go ashore on Anguilla and in the BVI too.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE FARE
SeaDream Yacht Club’s inclusive approach to pricing means that you aren’t being upsold every time you turn around. While WiFi and shore excursions are elective charges, beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks, specialty coffees, non-motorized water sports, and tips are all included. As a fellow guest put it, “I love that I’m not having to sign a chit every two seconds.”
In addition to all meals and 24-hour room service, your fare also includes mountain bikes for shoreside exploration, a golf simulator with 30 signature golf courses, crew-led shoreside activities like hiking and biking, shopping with the Chef, use of the sauna and steam room, the fitness center, daily yoga and tai chi classes.
Wait, there’s more. You can also enjoy SeaDream’s signature Champagne & Caviar Splash® beach party in the Caribbean (ours was on Jost Van Dyke in the BVI), the Special Dessert Extravaganza, and the Balinese Dream Beds where you can sleep under the stars (be sure to make a reservation when you board). Weather permitting, you can sit on the deck and watch Starlit Movies.®
THE ONBOARD FOOD AND DINING EXPERIENCE
I can’t say enough about the cuisine onboard SeaDream Yacht Club. My husband is a chef and, prior to sailing, we had recently closed down our restaurant as another homage to COVID and some health issues on Michael’s part. We hadn’t dined out much since; it seemed like we had lost interest. Our infrequent date nights had become appetizers and a glass of wine at a local bar.
Suddenly we were having dinner in a fine dining restaurant every night, be it in the elegant dining room or al fresco under the stars. The variety and the caliber of cuisine reignited our love of food. Our nightly dates became the highlight of our stolen time together.
If the foodie experience is important to you (obviously it is to us), you will be at home on SeaDream Yacht Club. You fine dine every meal with full service. You do not have to make reservations. You do not have to pay extra for better food. There are no buffets. Your wine is included, as is your after-dinner drink or espresso. There is an option to upgrade to a special wine dinner. We did not elect to do this as we were wowed by the dining experiences we had, but we will probably do it for fun next time.
Chef Elton was delightful and his team extremely talented. We didn’t think to ask for a galley tour, but probably will next time because we obsess about kitchens. We suspect that there isn’t a huge space but that pays even more testament to the caliber of food that is delivered. We did learn that frozen items are kept to a bare minimum so that only the freshest ingredients are used. All breads and pastries are baked onboard daily.
At the end of the trip, Michael said he ate the best food he’s ever had in his life onboard SeaDream II. That’s quite the accolade.
Special Diets
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and plant-based preferences are very well accommodated by SeaDream Yacht Club. There are no token entrees or afterthoughts. Rather you will find a full vegan menu at each meal; gluten-free items are clearly indicated and plentiful.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s founder and his family are vegan, which is probably why there are such great plant-forward options. Copies of their signature cookbook are available onboard. Chef Elton is also generous with recipes. He was kind enough to share one for gluten-free white chocolate red velvet cake with me. Watch out for this amazing recipe in a future blog.
SPECTACULAR CRUISE ITINERARIES
SeaDream yachts are small enough to visit ports of call that the larger ships simply cannot. Our voyage included some of my favorite gems: Nevis, Anguilla, St. Barth, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Tortola. We did sail in and out of St. Maarten, which has many direct flights from US gateways.
A client’s recent Greek Isles cruise on SeaDream II included Santorini and Mykonos as one would expect, but also the smaller islands of Kythnos, Tinos, Patmos, Simi, Ios and Milos. Flexibility is another huge advantage with SeaDream. If Santorini is busy, you’ll dock when the big ships have left. On our cruise, Virgin Gorda and Norman Island were flip-flopped with Tortola on the itinerary because there were too many big ships in Tortola when we were due to dock. The captain made a great judgment call. We even made an impromptu and unscheduled stop at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke one evening. The weather was gorgeous and Captain decided it would be fun for us to party on shore. Foxy’s stayed open late especially for us that evening.
My bucket list includes a sail up the Thames and through the Corinth Canal on SeaDream. You would never be able to do that on a big ship.
PERSONALIZED TOUCHES
With the level of service that SeaDream Yacht Club offers, the personalized touches should come as no surprise. Your first night onboard, you’ll find pajamas and a refillable water bottle inscribed with your name. We suspect the pajamas are so you are respectable if you elect to sleep on a Balinese bed. The water bottle is to be refilled at several filling stations on board – you will not find single-use plastics on the ships.
Every night there was a special something that means that I am still writing with a SeaDream pen and my keychain is, funnily enough, SeaDream.
SUMMARY
We can’t wait to go back. In fact, we are contemplating a transatlantic crossing in 2026 because SeaDream will have sailings out of West Palm Beach. The real reason though – we want the experience of being on the ship for 12 days.
I was spoiled. I was cocooned. Every time I book a client on SeaDream, I’m jealous. I call the reservations department to go over my clients’ details and I have to wax lyrical about my experience to the poor agent who is trying to do their job. I feel like I should be booking MY trip.
BOOK SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
I want you to enjoy SeaDream Yacht Club as much as I did. Let me help you pick the best itinerary and enjoy a very special $200 spa credit per stateroom when you book your cruise through me.
If you would like to have your family and friends join you on SeaDream Yacht Club, I can coordinate a group for you, or you can charter the whole ship! You can find me at jayne@ilxtravel.com or 772-200-3956. Bon voyage!
Jayne Withers 