windstar cruises menus

onboard dining

World Class Dining Experience

We’ve upped the onboard dining game with our culinary program, featuring an array of fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from each ports along the journey. The menu is crafted to highlight the spectacular flavors of the regional cuisine.

Every meal is just what you'd expect on your private yacht - perfect. You're free to dine when, where, and with whomever you please.

Introducing Our Two New Restaurants

With two brand new restaurants on Star Class Ships, you will be able to taste a variety of cuisines from around the globe. Whether you are looking for afternoon tapas or barbecue grilled by a master, the option to relax and enjoy delicious meals is always a guarantee

Savor flavors of Spanish local culture as you dine in intimate surroundings that encourage sharing and camaraderie by ten-time Michelin-starred Chef Anthony Sasso. With seating for 38 including a chef’s counter and communal table, it’s an inventive take on modern Spanish cuisine.

You’ll find all your traditional grilled and barbecued favorites (and discover new dishes from around the world) in our new casual outdoor restaurant brought to you in partnership with global grilling authority, Steven Raichlen.

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Windstar Cruises Dining

With a cruise line as luxurious and detail-oriented as Windstar Cruises, you can expect only the best dining experience and cuisine – and Windstar delivers. The food will please, the service will astound and the venues will amaze. From the romantic outdoor dining of Candles Grill to the rich desserts of Stella Bistro , Windstar’s dining experience is elegant and top-notch. There is no set dining schedule, so you can eat where you want, when you want. Plus, all of the onboard dining venues are included in your fare. And while Windstar may be luxurious, the atmosphere is always elegant-casual so you can forget about the tuxedo and sports coat, and instead enjoy comfortable yacht attire. Featured below are a few of Windstar’s most popular dining options:

Learn More About Windstar Cruises' Beverage Packages

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The 14 Best Things I Ate On My Windstar Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
• Types of Travel

To say I was blown away by the quality of ingredients, culinary skills, and food choices on my Windstar cruise would be putting it lightly. I can typically manage not adding to my waistline on most cruises, but this was not the case on the Star Legend . From custom-made breakfasts to James Beard Foundation-guided dinner menu items and well-trained kitchen staff, I treated my taste buds to a sensory overload on this vacation. Here are the best things I ate on my Windstar cruise, either that just tasted fantastic, were atypical from most cruises, or wowed me in some fashion.

Note: I was hosted by Windstar on a familiarization trip to write this and other posts. Opinions and reviews are entirely mine. 

1. Chicken Liver Pâté

I’m a big fan of pâté, and the appetizer portion with multi-grain crackers was a real work of art. The pâté itself, made from ground meats, herbs, spices, and either wine or brandy, was smooth, full-flavored, and was full of umami (the essence of deliciousness for this gal). The pickled onions were an excellent accompaniment.

Many cruisers were not familiar with the spreadable delight and were hooked after trying it. Several of us thought this was the absolute best dish on the weeklong Windstar cruise .  

2. Iberico Ham And Croquettes

Cuadro 44 is one of the Star Legend specialty dining rooms. The standout for me in this Spanish-themed eatery was the arsenal of tapas from which you can order as much as you want. My husband and I chose the sausages, croquettes, and mouth-watering Ibérico ham slices.

I’m no stranger to one of the finest-cured meats in the world, Ibérico ham, which is a real delicacy. The salty, cured leg of pork from Portugal or Spain is a medley of flavor — you won’t know what hit you.

Fun Fact: The main difference between the rare Jamón Ibérico and Serrano ham is the types of pigs it comes from, and the rest is the expensive price tag. The Ibérico ham pigs are only fed natural food and can roam during their lifespan.  

3. Watermelon Tomato Feta Salad

A surprising fact about me is that I like the salad and soup better than any other courses. When a salad combination of some of my favorite ingredients showed up on the menu, I was very excited but curious about how they would work together. 

Luckily, Windstar had some well-trained chefs writing the menus for our cruise, so my tomato, watermelon, feta cheese, and red onion salad with a sweet, tangy dressing was fantastic. This is one refreshing dish, and both the watermelon and tomatoes were in season and meaty.

4. Triple Chocolate Dessert 

One of Windstar’s specialty restaurants is Candles (included at no additional cost), which is the main breakfast and lunch spot, only jazzed up for dinner with white tablecloths, a romantic vibe, and of course, candles. 

While my whole meal was sensational, the dessert really stood out. I had the triple chocolate bar with a torched meringue topping served a scoop of flavored ice cream. Oh my goodness, this was one super-rich but super-pleasing portion. It was the best dessert of my trip, but there were a few close runner-ups.

5. Pasta Bolognese

Having eaten Mario Batali’s pasta Bolognese, which is hard to beat, I tend to shy away from dishes I might be disappointed in. Not to worry: The pastas on Windstar cruises are all sensational. The pasta bolognese is one satisfying dinner, from the al dente pasta to the perfectly made sauces and just the right amount of herbs and cheeses topping them.

6. Moussaka 

At lunch one day, I had already ordered a made-to-order pasta dish when I happened upon the three hot foods to the left of the action station. There stood a lovely skillet of moussaka, a delicate eggplant dish with a sweet, fragrant ground meat mixture. 

I love this Mediterranean dish and was so happy when the attendant urged me to have some in addition to my pasta. I should be ashamed to say that I ate them both, but that moussaka was good enough to lick the plate clean.

7. Steak Or Beef In Any Form

As a blogger, I am an expert at taking pictures of menus and food items to reference the things I do, eat, see, etc. However, I was an epic failure at taking pictures of my nightly menus, so all I have to go by are my photographs and memories. So I’m lumping all of my incredible beef dishes into one entry because no matter what cut of steak they were, each was delectable with every bite.

The herb-crusted, possibly tenderloin, was a stand-out. It came with steamed carrots and asparagus spears. A full-bodied sauce provided a bed for the steak to lay on and paired perfectly with the tender meat slices. I seriously wanted to ask for seconds of this dinner.

The second beef dish was thinly sliced and served with a peppercorn gravy sauce, rich and full of good flavor. A cheesy potato dish took this meal to the next level, and the broccoli made me feel like it was a bit healthy. Again, it took everything I had not to ask for seconds of this dish. Windstar’s main dining room has superb cuts of beef, and they are perfectly cooked every time.

8. Goat Cheese Soufflé 

In over 50 cruises, I’ve had a goat cheese soufflé on probably a dozen other ships. It is an appetizer I always look forward to, and the one on the Star Legend was equally as impressive. The rich, warm, pungent cheese in a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth form is a starter that makes you feel like you’ve sinned in the worst way possible, but your taste buds are so happy that they immediately talk you down from that pedestal. The soufflé is sublime, for lack of better descriptive words.

9. Homemade Biscotti 

The Star Legend ’s Yacht Club Cafe is a coffee bar of sorts with a few tasty treats throughout the day. I looked forward to the afternoons with a little plate of goodies from my favorite coffee barista. Once I bit into the house-made granola, which honestly looked like a piece of candied bacon, I could tell from the taste that it was good and healthy, most likely prepared with honey. The crispy crunch and sweet raisins elevated this little nugget into something I looked forward to each day.

The chocolate pot de crème sitting on the table (see the picture) was exceptional, too. If you see one of these in the display case, grab it; they won’t last long. 

10. Soufflé Of The Day

Some people get excited about a soup or sandwich of the day, but seeing the soufflé on the Star Legend dinner menus called for a celebration. If you’ve never prepared a soufflé, you may not understand the work that goes into making these fantastic little sweets, but I have – and I walked on eggshells the whole time they were baking.

I ate a soufflé on most days of the cruise, as the flavors (like Grand Marinier and chocolate) were always so enticing. I felt like I hit the jackpot with this daily dessert option.

11. Pâté Sandwich

As I mentioned above, the pâté was incredible, so why should it not surprise me that they made a “French” sandwich, available in the Yacht Club Cafe, with pâté as the starring ingredient. I inquired what made it a French sandwich and gobbled one down as soon as Ragam, my server, provided me a description.  

12. Pistachio Pasta

Another pasta dish that just might curl your toes is the pistachio pasta. What a clever dish; why have I never seen this on a menu before? The pesto may have been prepared with something other than basil, but whatever it was worked well with the lighter-than-air fresh cheese shreds and crunchy pistachios. Trust me on this one; it was 10/10 delicious.

13. Mushroom Pastry Appetizer

I was surprised to see so many items on the menu with mushrooms. Of course, I love them and think I ordered every one of them, but mushrooms must be a popular item around the Caribbean. One or two dishes featured mushrooms on the menu each night, and I was always very impressed with the vegetarian creations. 

The one pictured here was my favorite. It was a light puff pastry with a mushroom cream sauce ladled over it. The peppers garnish helped offset the richness of the mushroom gravy, which I could have eaten every day. What a genius recipe!

14. Chocolate Mousse

Windstar has a real way with chocolate, and the milk chocolate mousse on a cookie crust with mango and possibly crystallized ginger was so good it should have been illegal. With desserts like this, I can confidently say that in all of my cruises, Windstar is the dessert master of the seas.

For more on Windstar and cruises in general, be sure to check out these articles:

• 8 Experiences That Make A Windstar Cruise Worth The Price
• My Favorite Excursion On A Windstar Cruise To The British Virgin Islands
• My 5 Favorite Small-Ship River And Ocean Cruises

Melody and her daughter Taylor run both Wherever I May Roam and Travel The South travel blogs. She is a digital influencer, freelances for both print and online publications, and hosts an annual travel conference, Southern Travelers Explore. Melody has been traveling her entire adult life and has visited 49 states and 49 countries. She loves cruising, small towns, historical sights, and National Parks.

Delectable Windstar Cruises Food and Restaurants

By: Author Melody Pittman

Posted on March 21, 2023

Just returned from my debut voyage on Windstar, and I simply must rave about the Windstar Cruises food and restaurants! Did you know Windstar is the sole cruise line endorsed by the prestigious James Beard Foundation? This means you’re in for a top-tier culinary adventure, with exquisite dining options incorporated into your cruise fee. No need to splurge on upscale restaurants, dress to the nines, or adhere to strict mealtime schedules – it’s all about leisure and palatial flavors with Windstar. Get ready for a tantalizing experience on your next Windstar Cruise!

I was hosted by Windstar cruises on a familiarization cruise to write this and other articles. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.

Candles Restaurant

Picture yourself indulging in the freshest, juiciest beef and seafood at Windstar Cruise’s delightful specialty dining room. As you sit down, a heavenly basket of warm, aromatic bread with just the right amount of saltiness tempts you to dig in.

Choose from a scrumptious array of signature starters: a classic Caesar salad, luscious butter-poached shrimp, comforting New England clam chowder or – our personal favorite – the Season 14 “Top Chef” Annie Pettry’s tomato & watermelon salad.

This masterpiece combines succulent watermelon chunks and seasonal tomatoes with rich ricotta, zesty red onion, and refreshing mint for a truly divine taste sensation.

Then, treat yourself to a mouthwatering 6 oz. filet mignon as your main course. Expertly seared to crispy perfection on the outside and tantalizingly tender on the inside, this flavor-packed steak will melt in your mouth.

FYI : Windstar offers a darling salt tasting (smoked applewood, Himalayan Mountain pink, and Hawaiian black) to enhance your steak dinner.

Pair it with the sinfully creamy béarnaise sauce for an unforgettable culinary experience. And don’t forget to order a side of indulgent roasted parmesan & prosciutto potatoes and velvety creamed spinach to round out your indulgent feast! I wanted more, but was too embarrassed to ask.

This complimentary steakhouse meal is served in the same space as Veranda by day.

Welcome to Cuadro 44, the vibrant Spanish tapas haven crafted by the talented and award-winning James Beard and Michelin-starred Chef Anthony Sasso! Be prepared to be swept into a world of festive flavors, with just the right touch of elegance and romance.

This Star Legend gem requires reservations, so don’t miss out!

My better half and I dove into a sensational selection of tapas , such as mouth-watering croquetas, delicate Iberico ham, sizzling grilled chorizo, and a luscious potato tortilla adorned with a parsley crème fraîche. We also savored a hearty slice of bread embellished with a divine quince paste.

While we blissfully enjoyed our feast, other intriguing dishes like marinated olives and anchovies, charred Portuguese octopus, and a refreshing Catalan salad were tempting us to come back for more!

Get ready to discover the mouthwatering world of Iberico ham – a 24-month aged, luxurious and flavorful delight straight from Southern Spain. Pair it up with a hearty potato dish and Arborio rice balls for a taste sensation! Sip on a refreshing glass of sangria, or better yet, order a pitcher to share!

Treat your taste buds to a tender, succulent Pork Belly with grilled leeks and pearl onions, or let them dance in delight with a Moroccan Cauliflower dish, featuring hazelnuts and mint. Though it’s quite a lot to take in visually, trust your senses and savor every single bite! It was exquisite.

Be sure to try the Piquillo Peppers with a goat cheese crema. Finally, end your culinary journey on a sweet note with classic Churros & Chocolate. The salted hot chocolate sauce will have you reminiscing about your travels to Miami or Barcelona.

Don’t be shy – go ahead and lick the bowl, we won’t judge!

AmphorA, the Main Dining Room on Windstar

Imagine setting sail with Windstar, a cruise experience unlike any other . Picture yourself in the elegant AmphorA dining room on the Windstar Legend, where every meal is a delicious culinary masterpiece . No need for dress codes or reservations; just come as you are and enjoy dining at your own convenience.

Indulge in sumptuous meals served on exquisite Rosenthal china, and sip your favorite drink from Riedel stemware. With a daily rotating menu offering a delightful array of options (think steak, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, and vegetarian entree), you can’t miss out on mouth-watering appetizers, such as the 10/10 chicken liver pate with crackers and pickled onions.

And if the twice baked goat cheese souffle is on the menu, order two!

Embark on a Windstar cruise and treat your taste buds to an unforgettable adventure! I kid you not, every meal was absolutely delicious! The food on Windstar Cruises is definitely worth writing home about.

More Wows rom AmphorA

Other noteworthy appetizers at AmphorA that will leave your taste buds tingling, were the ceviche, scrumptious Polpettine meatballs, and decadent crabcake adorned with fresh radish slices.

But wait, the pièce de résistance is the heavenly layered mushroom puff pastry – trust me, it’s a must-try! Speaking of mushrooms, you’ll find many mushroom-infused dishes on the ship, which must mean they are locally-sourced easily in St. Maarten. It was definitely a treat for this mushroom lover.

You’ll also love that AmphorA offers daily rotating soups and salads, but don’t worry, their delicious French Onion Soup and Caesar salad always make an appearance. In fact, their Caesar salad is so good that your partner may become obsessed with it – as mine did — no shame in indulging every night!

As for the main courses, you’ll have plenty to choose from with five to six tempting options every evening. Take it from a pro traveler, let your server be your guide, as they’ve already tasted and can recommend the perfect dish for you.

Two of our favorites were the grilled filet of branzino with potato confit and the irresistible herb-roasted chicken and truffle risotto. Bon appétit!

I chose steak dishes many nights because they were great cuts of meat with yummy sauces. The pork tenderloin and butter-poached lobster tail were other dinners I greatly approved of.

Pasta and Dessert Done Perfectly

Let me spill the beans about pasta on Windstar cruises. You know how cruise ship pasta can sometimes be a letdown? Well, not on Windstar, my friend! I had an absolutely mouthwatering pasta dish: the tantalizing pesto pistachio pasta (pictured below). It, and a scrumptious sliced beef over potatoes were my favorite of the entire cruise.

Now, about dessert (our favorite, right?) – Windstar did not disappoint! We indulged in heavenly crème brûlée and soufflé almost every day. The tiramisu was an airy delight – not overly sweet, just perfect.

But, my dessert highlights were a luscious mango-topped milk chocolate mousse at AmphorA and a sophisticated dark chocolate ganache bar with sea-salt caramel ice cream at Candles. Pure extravagance, both in looks and taste!

So go ahead and give your sweet tooth a treat on your next Windstar adventure!

Windstar Cruises Food for In-Room Dining

Imagine this: you’re on the fabulous Star Legend, and your stomach starts rumbling. No worries, room service has your back 24/7 with mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night options. Eddie and I dug into a hearty Chicken Quesadilla, filled to the brim with chicken, cheese, and sides like salsa, guac, and sour cream. And that’s just one option – there are Cobb salads, hand-cut turkey clubs, and even a delectable crab, spinach, and artichoke dip to satiate your cravings.

Our room service was delivered within 20 minutes.

Breakfast Option: Veranda

If you’re in the mood for a lovely breakfast or lunch with a view, head on over to the Veranda on deck seven. The Windstar culinary team doesn’t mess around when it comes to Eggs Benedict – perfectly poached eggs and heavenly hollandaise await you.

And if you’re craving something sweet, fear not! There are scrumptious options like waffles, French toast, and pancakes calling your name.

Choose from a bountiful selection of buffet options, featuring everything from sliced meats (including turkey sausage) and cheeses to smoked salmon and yogurt. Enjoy baked beans – an European morning favorite – as well as cooked-to-order eggs & omelets.

You won’t go thirsty either, with unlimited fresh squeezed orange juice or coffee right at your fingertips, thanks to the attentive waitstaff who are sure make you feel welcomed each morning onboard!

These ladies in my picture made sure that every need was met each morning, with friendly professional service.

Veranda has indoor and outdoor seating, with most of our cruisers always dining outside. Use caution when the winds are strong as things tend to blow away or spillover. As you can see, the indoor table setting is beautiful and still afford views of the incredible scenery.

Lunch Onboard Windstar Cruises

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure at Veranda! Each day, you’ll be tempted by their mouthwatering selection of mains, salads, sides, and gourmet carved meats. But there’s more! An entire counter of sweet treats awaits you.

A standout hit? Don’t miss the Indian meal starring crowd-favorite Chicken Tikka! For those craving something from south of the border, the Mexican buffet with its build-your-own tacos, tortilla chips or bowls, and heaps of toppings will satisfy your hunger. It was my favorite lunch of the week.

Cozy up to the scrumptious Greek dish Moussaka for some ultimate comfort food. And of course, it wouldn’t be a cruise without indulging in some delectable desserts. Choose from sugar-laden or sugar-free options, and don’t feel guilty sampling a few smaller sweet treats during lunchtime.

Pictured here were my favorite after-lunch options. The iced chocolate brownie (or cake) was sensational, and the daily mousse, light and fluffy, and who can pass up a classic creme brûlée? Windstar, thanks for adding to my waistline on my vacation, and I genuinely mean that.

The Star Grill by Steven Raichlen is a unique dining option across from Windstar’s Legends outdoor bar. I didn’t get to eat there, but the food looked good coming out to guests. I was tempted by the daily quiche and rotisserie chicken options, but the buffet always won out.

Coffee Bar: Yacht Club Café

Explore the almost hidden gem that is the café located on deck 8; it’ll put all other coffeeshops ashore to shame thanks its delicious assortment of coffee drinks, teas, smoothies and much more.

Be warned though: once you try one of the toothsome biscotti (that looks like glazed bacon?) from Yacht Club Cafe, you won’t want anything else. Trust us when we say they are unparalleled crunchy goodness at its best, and not too sweet.

There are also cakes, puddings, and other assorted dessert choices in the Yacht Club Café, which can be enjoyed in the beautiful library with seats overlooking the ocean. It was my favorite place to be on the Star Legend.

I spent plenty of time reading, doing social media, working puzzles, playing games, and chatting with other passengers there.

A Beachside BBQ

Windstar pulled out all the stops for a fantastic beachside BBQ extravaganza on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Filled with lively steel-drum tunes and an incredible feast, it’s a true foodie’s paradise.

Picture mouth-watering grilled meats, tofu skewers, scrumptious mac & cheese, vibrant veggies, hearty seafood paella, colorful fruit kabobs, and irresistibly cookies – nobody left with an empty stomach.

The dedication and effort taken by Windstar to transport everything from the cruise ship to the beach is truly commendable, and it made our experience even more special.

I cannot imagine how much trouble it was to tender (ship by small boat to a pier from our cruise ship anchored in the ocean) every dish, utensil, tablecloth, and food item to shore to serve us. It was much appreciated and very fun, plus the food was quite tasty.

Windstar Cruises Drinks

Looking to sip on some delicious drinks without breaking the bank during your Windstar cruise? Look no further!

Choose between two amazing options – the Topmast Discoveries Beer & Wine Package for $49 a day or the Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package for just $59 a day.

The Topmast package boasts 33 fascinating wine options and a mix of domestic and imported beers. But why not indulge a little more by upgrading to the Captain’s Exclusive? You’ll get all those wine and beer choices plus a variety of cocktails, liqueurs, cordials, and aperitifs – even the fancy ones!

And guess what? You can even enjoy beverages from your stateroom mini-bar with this package at no extra cost. In either case, you’ll get 30% off bottled wines from an array of countries like Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, Chile, and the USA.

Now get ready to dine like royalty aboard the Star Legend, because the meals will be absolutely unforgettable! Bon voyage!

Check out these posts for fun things to do at cruise ports:

Guide to Packing for a Cruise

Key West, Florida

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

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Windstar Cruises Beverage Guide

This guide contains all of the beverage options available on Windstar Cruises, covering everything from the packages, bar menu, wine list and what’s available in the stateroom minibar. I’ve also included a couple of money saving tips, bottoms up!

Beverage Packages

Windstar signature cocktails, classic cocktails, modern with a twist, the perfect nightcaps, coffee cocktails, zero-proof cocktails, zero-proof spirits, white wines by the glass, windstar minibar price list, windstar cruises drinks faqs.

Windstar also offers two beverage packages which can be excellent value depending on how much you drink whilst on a cruise. They also have an ‘All-in’ package that makes the cruise become all-inclusive and is actually a really good deal as it includes gratuities and Wi-Fi. I highly recommend working out how many drinks you think you will have a day and then seeing if the package makes sense for you. As a lighter drinker I generally use buy drinks individually and find the onboard credit I receive from the Yacht Club loyalty scheme covers most of if not all of my drinks bill.

Top tip: if you are cruising to some EU countries like Italy and Spain Windstar are forced to apply VAT to any beverage packages or drinks purchased if you don’t have a package. The VAT rate is 22% but this can be avoided by purchasing your package at the time of booking or on the Windstar website before the sailing date.

Top tip: The All-in package is $89 per person per day if booked at least 7 days before the cruise starts but $99 per person per day if purchased onboard.

Prices accurate as of March 2024

Windstar Bar Menu with Prices

One of my small Windstar gripes is how limited the beer selection is. Sometimes the bar manager will stock a local beer, for example on our Indonesian cruise there was a wonderful local beer called Bintang but in my opinion the selection is too limited. I come from the UK where we have access to a lot of very interesting craft beers even in big chain establishments. I just wish Windstar would have a more expansive selection, like they do with wines. Also why do they only have one cider and why has it been shoved in with the beers? One cider isn’t good enough either.

Windstar Wine List with Prices

I am a big fan of how the minibar works on Windstar. All soft drinks and bottled water in the bar are complimentary and so are the alcoholic drinks if you are on a beverage package. Your cabin steward will adjust how the minibar is stocked to your preferences. If you don’t drink alcohol they will restock it with the soft drinks or bottled water of your choice. On my recent Mediterranean cruise my wife and I consumed many bottles of San Pellegrino, which were replenished twice a day by our wonderful steward Sunni.

You will also find two jugs of still water which are replenished twice a day, along with an ice bucket and tongs and a variety of quality glassware (not shown in picture) so you can make a cocktail in the room. Room service can also deliver drinks to the cabin , another nice touch.

Prices do not include gratuity, VAT in certain EU destinations and will not necessarily apply if you are on a beverage package.

Prices accurate as of March 2024 .

Is there a service charge on drinks?

Yes, if you are buying alcoholic drinks outside of a beverage package there is an 18% service charge.

Is there a minimum drinking age?

Yes, you have to be at least 21 year old to drink on any Windstar cruise regardless of itinerary.

Is the cabin mini bar complimentary?

Soft drinks and water from the mini bar are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages incur a charge unless you have purchased a beverage package.

When can I buy a beverage package on a Windstar cruise?

Packages can be purchased before the cruise or during the first two days of the cruise.

Do Windstar sell tobacco?

Yes Windstar sell Marlboro Red or Gold from the bars. The price is $8.00 plus service charge.

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Recommended Posts

I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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• Windstar announces winter Mediterranean cruises for 2025-2026...

Windstar announces winter Mediterranean cruises for 2025-2026 season

The premium travel brand Windstar is set to offer an impressive array of winter Mediterranean voyages for the 2025-2026 season, showcasing a diverse lineup of itineraries and special offers to entice travelers.

The small ship cruise line, one of the few to operate in the Mediterranean during winter, is leaning into the trend of off-season travel with 6 unique itineraries and 6 Star Collectors, which combine multiple itineraries for deeper exploration.

Winter 2025-26 voyages (now available for booking) range from 3- to 8-night and feature destinations such as Valencia , Crotone , and Catania . The season also introduces a brand-new port: Genoa, Italy , where guests can explore maritime museums, Europe's largest aquarium, and historic palaces.

Windstar is also offering an Early Booking Offer, which includes a US$200 OBC/onboard credit per stateroom and a complimentary upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares, covering Wi-Fi, gratuities, and unlimited beverages. This offer is valid until October 31, 2025. Additionally, the Winter Mediterranean sailings are part of the Star Group Sailings incentive program, where group leaders can earn a free berth for every seven sold, along with a 10% savings on listed fares and other perks.

Highlights of the itineraries include overnight stays in ports like Dubrovnik , Venice , Nice , Barcelona , Malaga , and Livorno , providing ample opportunities for extended exploration and local dining.

All sailings are aboard the 312-guest, all-suite Star Legend , offering luxurious accommodations and innovative cuisine in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation.

Travelers can enjoy shore excursions tailored for both first-time and returning visitors, and the winter season presents a unique opportunity for wine tours and visits to Europe's sparkling Christmas markets . The combination of smaller crowds, personalized attention, and off-season charm makes these voyages particularly appealing.

The detailed itineraries for the 2025-2026 winter season include:

• 8-day Myths & Marvels of the Aegean
• 8-day A Piece of Greece, a Slice of Sicily, & the Corinth Canal
• 7-day Southern Spain Winter Escapes
• 7-day Europe Winter Riviera
• 8-day Winter in Italy & the Dalmatian Coast
• 8-day Winter in Italy & the Adriatic
• Star Collectors from 14 to 24 days.

Sailings will depart from Athens-Piraeus , Barcelona, Malaga, Rome-Civitavecchia , and Venice, running from November 2025 through March 2026.

Travel Trending with Kathy Witt: Windstar’s Tahiti is closer and more remote than you think

I ’m standing waist-deep in the clear blue waters of the caldera off the shoreline of Bora Bora, munching passion fruit, sipping a rum punch and watching our guide, Sebastian, hack a coconut in two. Watching manatees floating beneath the surface and luxuriating in the lagoon’s gentle swish-swish, I realize that this is what a vacation should look like. And it’s all due to Windstar Cruises and its “180 degrees from ordinary” philosophy for connecting us with Sebastian, the captain of the Loveboat 5, and this perfect moment and memory.

The Star Breeze , Windstar Cruises’ newly renovated (to the tune of millions of dollars) and lengthened all-suite yacht brings laid-back but refined year-round cruising to its homeport of Papeete, French Polynesia, not to mention an increase to five dining venues, a new spa and fitness area and infinity pool.

Because it carries just 312 passengers, the yacht can snuggle into places bigger ships can’t, like the Tuamotu Islands and their crystal-clear lagoons. Life onboard feels relaxed, never regimented, but personal—like traveling with a large group of friends, because passengers generally become friends within days of boarding, bonding over shared experiences like braiding headpieces and joining in a “Patiafa” demonstration (javelin throwing) on excursions that sometimes have as few as six or eight people. It’s one of the many perks of cruising with Windstar.

Here are highlights from my experience aboard Windstar’s Star Breeze to Papeete:

A SUITE LIFE

Star Breeze suites are gorgeous, spacious and thoughtfully organized, with separate seating and bedroom areas that can be closed off from each other with curtains. Fresh fruit and tropical flowers grace tabletops and a glass-shelved cabinet filled with assorted glassware (very daring, I thought, for a yacht plying the waters of the South Pacific) adds an upscale flourish to the room. Our suite’s balcony had just enough room for sitting and catching the sunrise.

My favorite part of the suite was the walk-in closet. Not a cubby-closet, but a full closet with plenty of space for two people to hang their island wardrobe plus shelves and hooks for robes and outerwear. The closet is roomy enough that you could get dressed in it you chose to. The tiled bathroom is also a decent size, with full shower with glass doors, a mirror over the double sinks that doesn’t fog up, and more than enough shelf space for toiletries and cosmetics for two passengers. It was heavenly.

CLASS IS IN SESSION

A French Polynesian cultural ambassador sails with Star Breeze to organize experiences throughout the cruise. Our ambassador was Pearl, who originated the program, which includes French and Tahitian language lessons, Polynesian dancing and arts and crafts sessions like making floral headbands and bracelets and ukelele classes.

I own a ukelele and have struggled to competently move beyond learning three chords, and transitioning smoothly between them, and joined Pearl for the first lesson. Let’s just say, during the next lesson, I was happily floating in the gorgeous aqua waters off the ship’s Watersports Platform and chose to be in the audience rather than a performer during the special guest presentation at the end of the cruise.

THAT WATERSPORTS PLATFORM AND OTHER FUN

Four words: Foam flotation magic carpet. When the watersports platform opens for the day (pending safe weather and operating conditions), the magic carpet unfurls. What a treat to suit up and jump off the stern of the ship into warm blue waters, splash around, lounge on the float and drink in shoreline views. We spent many pleasant hours bobbing on the magic carpet and getting to know other passengers.

Other onboard activities included nightly trivia, and fast friends were made as strangers team up for the cruise director’s very challenging questions, lectures about ports on the itinerary, sunrise yoga, deck parties, live music, a galley tour, cooking demonstration and wine tasting.

Ashore on Motu Mahaea, during a private beach day exclusively for Star Breeze passengers, everyone on the ship spent a thoroughly relaxing day reclining in shaded lounges, sipping rum punches, photographing the views, splashing in the water and enjoying live music courtesy of Pearl. The culinary headliner was Star Breeze’s signature beach barbecue; burgers, grilled chicken and fish, salads, salsas, fresh veggies and fruits, cookies and other sweet treats lined the tables. What a scrapbook-worthy memory.

DATE-NIGHT DINING

Dining in Star Breeze’s two reservation-only restaurants feels like a special-occasion outing. Candles is al fresco dining by candlelight and moonlight on Star Deck, the inky black of ocean and sky providing a dramatic backdrop. During the day, this space hosts the hustle-bustle of the Veranda buffet but at night, the white linen tablecloths come out, conversations tend toward inside voices and a romance-is-in-the-air ambience prevails.

The steak and seafood specialty menu highlights dishes created by chefs as part of Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Dinner unwinds slowly, as languid as the gentle ocean breezes ruffling the ship’s large white sail that anchors the space. The entire experience is magical, a chef’s kiss.

Cuadro 44 is tucked off the staircase on Deck 6 and features tastes of Spain’s coastal regions on a menu developed by Michelin starred chef Anthony Sasso. Gourmet morsels of edible art like potato tortilla arranged in a swirl of parsley crème fraiche and Moroccan cauliflower and broccoli sprinkled with hazelnuts and mint are served in an intimate setting splashed with primary palette of reds, yellows and blues courtesy of the framed art.

There are no upcharges for either restaurant; reservations are required and should be made the first day of the cruise for desired nights.

TAHITIAN-FLAVORED TURN-DOWN

On three different nights, we returned to our suite to find a small locally sourced gift: all natural Bora Bora Handmade Soap in a mellow sandalwood scent; Monoi Oil, described on the gift card as a “sacred elixir blending fresh Tiare Tahiti flowers with refined coconut oil for a harmonious infusion of sensuality, purity and authenticity;” and (my favorite) a bottle of Brume Parfumee’s Reva de Tahiti, a body mist mirroring the colors as the waters of Tahiti and with the most delightful soft, floral fragrance. Every time I spritz it on, I’m immediately taken back to the islands and my Star Breeze experience.

Like the suite’s welcoming fresh flowers and the fruit bowl restocked as needed, these personal touches set Windstar apart from other cruise lines.

SHORE EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS

In Bora Bora, a special private feast followed by fire dancing is a standout event. Guests are ferried by catamaran to a motu—one of many tiny islets surrounding Bora Bora—just as the sun slips into the lagoon and arrive to a lavish beach barbecue and picnic tables set up on either side of a natural stage.

Following dinner, the drum beat of the music brings out the loin cloth-clad dancers performing their acrobatic feats while spinning flames of fire hot enough to be felt at the tables. One of the entertainers was an 11-year-old boy, already a master in fire dancing, a long-held tradition of Polynesian culture.

On our excursions, we tried launching spears toward a mounted coconut in Fakarava, visited a marketplace for a demo of tying a pareu—a sarong made of beautiful and colorful printed cotton cloth worn by Polynesians—and joined Sebastian on the Loveboat 5 excursion in Bora Bora for history lessons and a refreshing dip in the warm, pristine waters of the lagoon.

Plan your travels

Windstar’s Star Breeze sails year-round in Papeete. Reaching the island is a very accessible seven-hour flight from San Francisco, comparable to flying to European destinations including London and Paris from New York. Due to flight times to and from Papeete, cruisers need to book an overnight preceding their cruise and should consider booking a dayroom following their cruise.

We chose the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially after we disembarked the ship, for a long day of lunching and lounging by the pool the day – and relaxing and showering in our room — before leaving for the airport that evening for our return flights home.

For more information about Windstar Cruises, the Star Breeze and its voyages to Papeete, Tahiti, and other Windstar destinations, visit windstarcruises.com .

©2024 Kathy Witt. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Windstar Cruises unveils 2025 & 2026 Winter Mediterranean Sailings  

As one of very few cruise lines to sail in the Mediterranean during the winter, Windstar Cruises is leaning into the growing trend of off-season travel. The small ship cruise line announces its 2025/2026 Winter Mediterranean voyages and sail dates including six unique itineraries plus six Star Collectors, which are sailings that combine itineraries for more in-depth exploration. Windstar has learned that many guests wish to make the most of their travels, and these competitively priced Star Collector sailings (which also include complimentary laundry service) entice travelers to stay longer and experience even more of Europe.

Along with the opening of new sailings, Windstar is pairing an Early Booking Offer which includes a $200 onboard credit per stateroom plus a complimentary upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares. That means Wi-Fi; gratuities; and unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails are provided at no additional charge. The offer expires on October 31, 2025.

Additionally, Winter Mediterranean sailings departing from December through February are part of Windstar’s Star Group Sailings incentive program, where group leaders (aka tour conductors) can earn one free berth for every seven sold. Typically, tour conductor credit is set at one free for every nine sold. The groups offer also includes a 10 percent savings beyond the listed fare, a guest amenity of $100 per person shipboard credit, and a $100 per person Travel Advisor Bonus Commission with Tour Conductor Credit earned.

“Winter in the Mediterranean is a fantastic time to see a different side of this magical region, get to know the locals, and celebrate special holidays like Christmas in Florence, New Years in Dubrovnik, and Carnevale across Italy,” says Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “Sailing year-round in the Mediterranean has been very successful for Windstar, so much so that we are now expanding our winter offerings due to its popularity.”

Prelog says it’s worthwhile to note that airfare to Europe in the winter season is a great value.  Windstar’s winter sailings highlight ports that Windstar doesn’t normally visit during the summer like Valencia, Spain; Crotone, Italy; and Catania in Sicily.  A full complement of shore excursions will be available to book in each port and offer experiences for first time and returning visitors. Windstar’s 2025/2026 season also debuts a brand-new port: Genoa, Italy. There, guests can visit the most important maritime museum in the Mediterranean, experience the biggest aquarium in Europe, or wander the Palazzi dei Rolli, a group of stunning palaces from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. In addition, the season boasts overnights in Dubrovnik, Venice, Nice, Barcelona, Malaga, and Livorno (Florence) making long days of exploration possible, as well as late drinks and dinners while in port.

All sailings take place aboard 312-guest, all-suite Star Legend, which has a minimum of 277 square feet accommodations – all with ocean views and some with step out verandas. As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, guests dine on innovative cuisine in five dining venues: Amphora, Veranda, Candles, Star Grill by Stephen Raichlen and Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso. Chefs continue to shop for fresh seafood, produce, and local specialty items to bring the flavors of the destination on board even during the winter months. Additionally, sailing just after the harvest is a plus for wine tours when winemakers have more time for personalized attention amidst the cellar season. Not to mention, guests have a chance to savor treats from the region’s sparkling Christmas markets during this time of year.

Sailings depart from Athens, Barcelona, Malaga, Rome and Venice from November 2025 through March 2026

• 8-day Myths & Marvels of the Aegean
• 8-day A Piece of Greece, a Slice of Sicily, & the Corinth Canal
• 7-day Southern Spain Winter Escapes
• 7-day Europe Winter Riviera
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Senior living features, travel trending with kathy witt: windstar’s tahiti is closer and more remote than you think.

Published in Senior Living Features

I’m standing waist-deep in the clear blue waters of the caldera off the shoreline of Bora Bora, munching passion fruit, sipping a rum punch and watching our guide, Sebastian, hack a coconut in two. Watching manatees floating beneath the surface and luxuriating in the lagoon’s gentle swish-swish, I realize that this is what a vacation should look like. And it’s all due to Windstar Cruises and its “180 degrees from ordinary” philosophy for connecting us with Sebastian, the captain of the Loveboat 5, and this perfect moment and memory.

The Star Breeze, Windstar Cruises’ newly renovated (to the tune of millions of dollars) and lengthened all-suite yacht brings laid-back but refined year-round cruising to its homeport of Papeete, French Polynesia, not to mention an increase to five dining venues, a new spa and fitness area and infinity pool.

Because it carries just 312 passengers, the yacht can snuggle into places bigger ships can’t, like the Tuamotu Islands and their crystal-clear lagoons. Life onboard feels relaxed, never regimented, but personal—like traveling with a large group of friends, because passengers generally become friends within days of boarding, bonding over shared experiences like braiding headpieces and joining in a “Patiafa” demonstration (javelin throwing) on excursions that sometimes have as few as six or eight people. It’s one of the many perks of cruising with Windstar.

Here are highlights from my experience aboard Windstar’s Star Breeze to Papeete:

A SUITE LIFE

Star Breeze suites are gorgeous, spacious and thoughtfully organized, with separate seating and bedroom areas that can be closed off from each other with curtains. Fresh fruit and tropical flowers grace tabletops and a glass-shelved cabinet filled with assorted glassware (very daring, I thought, for a yacht plying the waters of the South Pacific) adds an upscale flourish to the room. Our suite’s balcony had just enough room for sitting and catching the sunrise.

My favorite part of the suite was the walk-in closet. Not a cubby-closet, but a full closet with plenty of space for two people to hang their island wardrobe plus shelves and hooks for robes and outerwear. The closet is roomy enough that you could get dressed in it you chose to. The tiled bathroom is also a decent size, with full shower with glass doors, a mirror over the double sinks that doesn’t fog up, and more than enough shelf space for toiletries and cosmetics for two passengers. It was heavenly.

CLASS IS IN SESSION

A French Polynesian cultural ambassador sails with Star Breeze to organize experiences throughout the cruise. Our ambassador was Pearl, who originated the program, which includes French and Tahitian language lessons, Polynesian dancing and arts and crafts sessions like making floral headbands and bracelets and ukelele classes.

I own a ukelele and have struggled to competently move beyond learning three chords, and transitioning smoothly between them, and joined Pearl for the first lesson. Let’s just say, during the next lesson, I was happily floating in the gorgeous aqua waters off the ship’s Watersports Platform and chose to be in the audience rather than a performer during the special guest presentation at the end of the cruise.

THAT WATERSPORTS PLATFORM AND OTHER FUN

Four words: Foam flotation magic carpet. When the watersports platform opens for the day (pending safe weather and operating conditions), the magic carpet unfurls. What a treat to suit up and jump off the stern of the ship into warm blue waters, splash around, lounge on the float and drink in shoreline views. We spent many pleasant hours bobbing on the magic carpet and getting to know other passengers.

Other onboard activities included nightly trivia, and fast friends were made as strangers team up for the cruise director’s very challenging questions, lectures about ports on the itinerary, sunrise yoga, deck parties, live music, a galley tour, cooking demonstration and wine tasting.

Ashore on Motu Mahaea, during a private beach day exclusively for Star Breeze passengers, everyone on the ship spent a thoroughly relaxing day reclining in shaded lounges, sipping rum punches, photographing the views, splashing in the water and enjoying live music courtesy of Pearl. The culinary headliner was Star Breeze’s signature beach barbecue; burgers, grilled chicken and fish, salads, salsas, fresh veggies and fruits, cookies and other sweet treats lined the tables. What a scrapbook-worthy memory.

DATE-NIGHT DINING

Dining in Star Breeze’s two reservation-only restaurants feels like a special-occasion outing. Candles is al fresco dining by candlelight and moonlight on Star Deck, the inky black of ocean and sky providing a dramatic backdrop. During the day, this space hosts the hustle-bustle of the Veranda buffet but at night, the white linen tablecloths come out, conversations tend toward inside voices and a romance-is-in-the-air ambience prevails.

The steak and seafood specialty menu highlights dishes created by chefs as part of Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Dinner unwinds slowly, as languid as the gentle ocean breezes ruffling the ship’s large white sail that anchors the space. The entire experience is magical, a chef’s kiss.

Cuadro 44 is tucked off the staircase on Deck 6 and features tastes of Spain’s coastal regions on a menu developed by Michelin starred chef Anthony Sasso. Gourmet morsels of edible art like potato tortilla arranged in a swirl of parsley crème fraiche and Moroccan cauliflower and broccoli sprinkled with hazelnuts and mint are served in an intimate setting splashed with primary palette of reds, yellows and blues courtesy of the framed art.

There are no upcharges for either restaurant; reservations are required and should be made the first day of the cruise for desired nights.

TAHITIAN-FLAVORED TURN-DOWN

On three different nights, we returned to our suite to find a small locally sourced gift: all natural Bora Bora Handmade Soap in a mellow sandalwood scent; Monoi Oil, described on the gift card as a “sacred elixir blending fresh Tiare Tahiti flowers with refined coconut oil for a harmonious infusion of sensuality, purity and authenticity;” and (my favorite) a bottle of Brume Parfumee’s Reva de Tahiti, a body mist mirroring the colors as the waters of Tahiti and with the most delightful soft, floral fragrance. Every time I spritz it on, I’m immediately taken back to the islands and my Star Breeze experience.

Like the suite’s welcoming fresh flowers and the fruit bowl restocked as needed, these personal touches set Windstar apart from other cruise lines.

SHORE EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS

In Bora Bora, a special private feast followed by fire dancing is a standout event. Guests are ferried by catamaran to a motu—one of many tiny islets surrounding Bora Bora—just as the sun slips into the lagoon and arrive to a lavish beach barbecue and picnic tables set up on either side of a natural stage.

Following dinner, the drum beat of the music brings out the loin cloth-clad dancers performing their acrobatic feats while spinning flames of fire hot enough to be felt at the tables. One of the entertainers was an 11-year-old boy, already a master in fire dancing, a long-held tradition of Polynesian culture.

On our excursions, we tried launching spears toward a mounted coconut in Fakarava, visited a marketplace for a demo of tying a pareu—a sarong made of beautiful and colorful printed cotton cloth worn by Polynesians—and joined Sebastian on the Loveboat 5 excursion in Bora Bora for history lessons and a refreshing dip in the warm, pristine waters of the lagoon.

Plan your travels

Windstar’s Star Breeze sails year-round in Papeete. Reaching the island is a very accessible seven-hour flight from San Francisco, comparable to flying to European destinations including London and Paris from New York. Due to flight times to and from Papeete, cruisers need to book an overnight preceding their cruise and should consider booking a dayroom following their cruise.

We chose the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially after we disembarked the ship, for a long day of lunching and lounging by the pool the day – and relaxing and showering in our room — before leaving for the airport that evening for our return flights home.

For more information about Windstar Cruises, the Star Breeze and its voyages to Papeete, Tahiti, and other Windstar destinations, visit windstarcruises.com.

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Travel | Cruise line creates near-exact replicas of…

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Travel | cruise line creates near-exact replicas of broadmoor hotel rooms, one of colorado billionaire philip anschutz’s companies owns both the hotel and windstar cruises.

Now, fans of the historic resort can spend the night inside one of its guest rooms — while sailing around the world on a cruise ship.

Windstar Cruises , a sister company to the 106-year-old hotel, has created near-exact replicas of Broadmoor rooms onboard several of its ships. Both brands are owned by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, under the parent company Xanterra Travel Collection .

Today, guests will find one Broadmoor suite each on Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride, three 312-passenger ships in Windstar’s six-vessel fleet. Those ships also each have a suite designed to look like a room at Sea Island Resort , the Broadmoor’s sister property in Georgia.

And, soon, Windstar will add the specialty suites to another vessel, the 342-guest Wind Surf.

Several hotels have announced or launched their own cruise lines in recent years, including The Ritz-Carlton and The Four Seasons. But Windstar is one of the only cruise lines around the world to tackle the reverse — and put a land-based hotel room onto a ship.

The specialty suites are so innovative that they earned Windstar a coveted industry award: best suite design at the Cruise Ship Interiors Awards in December 2023.

“It was a brilliant idea that was executed perfectly,” says Jack Damioli, the Broadmoor’s president and chief executive officer. “The sense of place they were able to achieve in the suites with the wallpaper, art and color tones is pretty astonishing.”

An ambitious idea

Windstar is unlike other cruise lines you may be familiar with. For starters, its ships are small, accommodating just 148 to 342 guests at a time, depending on the vessel. They feel more like private yachts than cruise ships.

There are no waterslides, no casinos, no raucous pool parties with hordes of sunburnt-to-a-crisp tourists. Guests tend to be affluent, well-educated folks in their 50s, 60s and 70s; they’re mostly married couples or small groups traveling together.

Against this backdrop, the idea for the Broadmoor and Sea Island Resort suites was born during a March 2022 meeting of executives from Anschutz’s various businesses.

Windstar, the Broadmoor and Sea Island Resort all have similar guest demographics so, at one point during a brainstorming session, Windstar’s president Chris Prelog mentioned: Wouldn’t it be great to have Broadmoor and Sea Island suites on the ships?

“Immediately, we fell in love with the idea and thought it was fantastic,” says Damioli. “But we also wondered if it could be pulled off. For one, there is just not the same square footage on a ship as in our hotels — could it be done and done well? Would you really get enough of a sense of each property to have it translate, especially for those who had stayed at the resorts?”

When Prelog returned from the meeting to Windstar’s offices in Miami, he tasked his team with bringing the ambitious plan to life. It would be wildly challenging for several reasons, on top of those Damioli mentioned.

For one, cruise ships must adhere to strict design and construction rules that are intended to keep guests and crew members safe. All materials must be non-flammable, which means interior designers couldn’t simply grab an extra roll of wallpaper from the Broadmoor’s storage closet and slap it on the ships’ walls.

“Designing ships is very different from designing residential or hotel spaces,” says Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s vice president of hotel operations and product development. “We have the most stringent regulations — there’s a whole 1,000-page book that says what types of materials we can and cannot use. You cannot just go to your corner antique store and pick up a few pieces. Everything has to be made specifically for cruise ships, really.”

They were also working on a tight timeline. The first ship to get the specialty suites, Star Legend, was scheduled to undergo an intense, two-week renovation period — called “dry dock,” in cruise ship parlance — in Cadiz, Spain, just eight months later. The team needed to work out a plan before then, so that construction crews could complete the work before the vessel returned to service.

“These things need to be planned out meticulously,” said Creupelandt. “The ship is in a certain location, all supplies need to be shipped in advance and coordinated with plumbing, electrical and everything else. There’s demolition, there’s buildup and then there’s time to clean it and put it back into operation. It’s a very coordinated effort.”

Experiential research

But first, before they could dive head-first into the complicated logistics, the Windstar team needed to conduct some hands-on, experiential research. Creupelandt and Seattle-based interior designer Liz Schneider took a whirlwind trip to Georgia and Colorado to check out the two resorts.

They explored each property thoroughly, making careful notes about the architectural features, the color palette and, perhaps more importantly, the overarching vibe.

“It’s not just about the looks, because obviously you can see photos,” says Creupelandt. “It was really about getting the essence of the property and how it feels. We wanted to pick up some common elements that would make you feel like you were at the Broadmoor, versus just copying and pasting.”

When they returned from their research mission, Creupelandt and Schneider began tackling some of the design challenges. They found a vendor who could reproduce the Broadmoor’s signature bougainvillea wallpaper (designed by Broadmoor co-founder Julie Penrose herself) so that it met maritime specifications; they also designed custom furniture and fabrics in the Broadmoor’s unique Europe-meets-the-American-West style.

In the end, they managed to get everything ready by the time Star Legend entered dry dock. From there, it was just a matter of repeating the process on the other ships — Star Breeze in March 2023 and Star Pride in April 2024. On each vessel, crews stripped two classic suites down to the studs, then built them back up again in the style of either the Broadmoor or Sea Island Resort.

Positive reception

The specialty suites are located at the very front of the ships, an area called the forward. They have large windows that offer unobstructed views of the water and, depending on which way the ship is heading, colorful sunrises and sunsets. The ships sail all over the globe — from French Polynesia to Iceland to Greece and nearly everywhere in between — so guests can also gaze out at the local scenery.

Each suite has a bedroom, a living room with a comfy couch, a cozy dining nook and a private veranda. Inside the Broadmoor suites, archival black-and-white photographs of the historic resort hang in gilded gold frames on the walls.

The response from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, even from those who have no previous connection to the Broadmoor or Sea Island Resort.

“They are very different from what you expect from a cruise line,” says Creupelandt. “They make you feel at home.”

Spencer Penrose, the late founder of the Broadmoor, likely would’ve enjoyed the suites, too. Penrose and his wife, Julie, were jet-setters who made many transatlantic journeys together, according to Damioli. They even drew inspiration from their international travels when they designed the Broadmoor, so the Windstar suites are a bit of a full-circle moment.

And Anschutz?

He’s “very pleased,” says Creupelandt.

“The design award we received is actually on the way to his office because he’s very proud,” he adds.

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Live updates, martyrs inc. in rafah as hamas gets just what it wants: civilian deaths.

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Hamas is getting just what it wanted.

On Tuesday, IDF tanks entered the heart of Rafah , inevitably causing more Palestinian civilian casualties and deaths. 

Savagely, Martyrs Inc. is open for business in Rafah — exactly as intended by Hamas and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sponsors in Tehran and overlords in Moscow.

Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar have never sought to govern Gaza.

Rather, they have plotted to turn it into a land of futile martyrdom in their jihad to destroy Israel.

The  IDF’s Sunday attack , which killed 45 civilians, underscored just how drenched in innocent blood the road to Rafah has become at the hands of Deif and Sinwar.

The images were horrifying.

Flames from hell, burned bodies, dead children — all proudly served up on social media by Hamas.

Hamas would not have it any other way.

In its demented world, Palestinian men, women and children are simply a means to an end.

Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, told us as much last October. 

Safely tucked away in a luxury hotel 1,100 miles away from Rafah in Qatar , Haniyeh perversely reveled in the loss of Palestinian civilians as Israel began to strike back against Hamas targets in Northern Gaza, arguing that “we need this blood [of the children, women and elderly] so that it will ignite within us the spirit of revolution.”

Palestinian civilians in the eyes of Hamas are their first line of defense, Geneva Conventions be damned.

Martyrs Inc. under Deif and Sinwar’s evil management is a mass-production enterprise — and grotesquely, the younger the fallen, the better.

None of this is new.

Weaponizing civilians — Palestinians and Israelis alike — is a Hamas specialty, one shared by Tehran and Moscow.

Hamas has used Gazans as human shields since 2007.

It does so to enable the firing of rockets into Israel, often siting their weapons near schools, hospitals and mosques.

Ditto “locating military or security-related infrastructures such as HQs, bases, armories, access routes, lathes or defensive positions within or in proximity to civilian areas,” according to NATO StratCom COE, a military think tank.

Far from protecting civilians, as evidenced on Oct. 7, Deif and Sinwar have made non-combatants their targets of choice.

Terrorize, kidnap and kill Israeli civilians — and then flee back to Gaza and hide behind Palestinian men, women and children to ensure mass casualties and garner international condemnation of Israel. 

We are living in a perverse dystopian reality.

Hamas is being rewarded for weaponizing civilians — and Israel condemned for taking steps to ensure that Deif and Sinwar are never again able to target Israeli civilians.

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Since Oct. 7, Spain, Ireland and Norway have declared that they would recognize a Palestinian state.   

Days ago, the UN General Assembly voted to bestow upon Palestine additional “rights and privileges,” while university campuses across the US have been besieged by organized anti-Israel protests. 

Equally disturbing, President Biden appears poised to reward Hamas for using Palestinian and Israeli civilians as human shields.

National security has taken a back seat to November politics and Biden’s electoral pressures in Michigan. 

According to reports, here’s the Biden administration’s hoped-for plan: Israeli hostages would be released. Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel. And Hamas essentially would be allowed to survive, but perhaps not technically in charge of a post-war Gaza. 

It is fantasyland thinking. 

Iran and Hamas are simply playing the Biden administration.

Biden, led badly astray by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, still naively believes he can cut a comprehensive deal with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

This is a dangerous and deadly game for Biden to be playing just to win a presidential election on Nov. 5.

On Monday, the IAEA reported that Tehran now has  313.2 pounds of HEU  enriched to 60% — enough to build at least three nukes if enriched to a weapons-grade 90%.

Despite this, the White House is reportedly pressuring Britain, France and Germany to halt their efforts to get the IAEA to condemn Iran yet again.

Plus, Biden is said to be offering Iran and Hamas Benjamin Netanyahu’s head through backchannel negotiations led by Brett McGurk — if the mullahs agree to an overall peace deal. 

Translation: Hamas’ policy of weaponizing Palestinian civilians works for Biden’s White House.

Deif and Sinwar, as a result, have every incentive to continue using Palestinian human shields in Rafah as a means of weakening Israel. 

Moscow is no doubt pleased.

Biden is cutting the legs off a US ally and rewarding Russia’s allies in the Mideast. 

It’s madness — and could condemn future generations of Palestinians and Israelis alike to more of the same under the thumb of Hamas’ Martyrs Inc.

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Russia is gaining ground in Kharkiv with daily 'glide bomb' attacks and there's not much Ukraine can do about it

Launched from the sanctuary of its own airspace, Russia has been using 1.5-tonne "glide bombs" to help gain ground and wreak havoc on Ukraine's second-largest city.

And there's little Ukraine can do right now to stop them.

Russia's big, cheap, retrofitted Soviet-era bombs have become one of its most effective weapons in the full-scale invasion.

They contributed to the fall of the strategic city of Avdiivka in February, and are now being used daily in devastating assaults in Kharkiv .

Local police in the region have referred to them as a "super weapon", saying they've wiped out entire streets in one fell swoop.

Two were used in an attack on a   crowded DIY hardware store in Kharkiv City over the weekend, which killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more, according to Ukrainian authorities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says they are now the main tool of Russian warfare.

Moscow's renewed attacks in Ukraine's north-east come as Kyiv still reels from stalled Western aid.

And Mr Zelenskyy has warned the situation is about to get worse.

On Sunday he said Moscow's forces were massing for a new ground offensive in the region , urging the West to speed up support.

But even with the right weapons, Ukraine faces US restrictions to defend against the cross-border attacks.

Analysts say the war has reached an inflection point, and whether Ukraine wins or loses could be decided in the next few months.

What are glide bombs?

Glide bombs generally start out as old-fashioned "dumb bombs", which are fitted with wing kits and satellite navigation guidance systems to give them "smart" precision.

Russia has been digging into its old Soviet stockpiles to give its heavy, iron FAB-500 and FAB-1500 bombs a new life.

Rather than being dropped from overhead, their pop-out wings allow them to glide 50 to 70 kilometres through the air at high speeds to reach a target.

And they come with explosives of up to 500 kilograms, which leave craters about 20m wide and 6m deep.

Malcolm Davis, a senior defence analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, says Russia is using these weapons for two main purposes.

"To terrorise the civilian population by hitting civilian targets — hospitals, schools, that sort of thing," he told the ABC.

"And secondly, they're using these to support manoeuvres by ground forces."

While their range is nothing compared to cruise missiles, glide bombs are significantly cheaper.

They can reportedly be fitted out for as little as $US20,000 ($30,000).

Mr Zelenskyy said more than 3,200 guided bombs were used against Ukrainian targets in April alone, calling them Russia's "main instrument" in its attacks.

Authorities in Kharkiv told Al Jazeera over the weekend that the bombs were being flown towards the city every 10 to 20 minutes.

Why can't Ukraine stop them?

Glide bombs aren't particularly sophisticated, nor are they new.

Marcus Hellyer from Strategic Analysis Australia says they are a standard weapon that even Australia has in its supplies.

Ukraine has more accurate versions from its Western allies, including the US Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and new long-range GLSDB bombs.

But the ground-launched GLSDB glide bombs are reportedly being taken out by Russian electronic jamming.

What has been making Russia's glide bombs particularly effective are positioning and policy.

The city of Kharkiv lies 40km from the border, so glide bombs can be used without Russian aircraft leaving their airspace.

"The Russians have lots of planes so they can sit outside the Ukrainian air defence network and simply glide bombs in," Dr Hellyer said.

Not only are they being launched outside the range of most Ukrainian air defence systems, there's another major problem: The US has imposed constraints on Ukraine using its weapons inside Russia.

"Ukraine is sort of fighting with one hand tied behind their back," Dr Hellyer said.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that the US policy restricting weapons use in Russia was "severely compromising Ukraine's ability to defend itself".

Since May 10, Russian forces have captured several villages near the border and entered the town of Vovchansk.

And Moscow continues to intensify strikes across the region, including on Kharkiv City, which is home to about 1.4 million people.

"It is not possible to defend Ukrainian territory without defeating the glide bomb threat," George Barros, the ISW's Russia and Ukraine portfolio lead, reported last week.

"Russian aircraft can strike Kharkiv City indefinitely without ever leaving the sanctuary of Russian airspace."

Is Ukraine losing?

When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Ukraine earlier this month, he admitted the country was facing a particularly "challenging time".

Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at University College Dublin's Clinton Institute, said: "It's the most serious position Ukraine has faced since the early months of the Russian invasion in 2022."

"But I think it needs to be put into perspective," he told ABC's The World.

Russia has been attacking the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, after taking the city of Avdiivka earlier in the year.

And it has taken about 1,000 square kilometres of territory in Kharkiv over the past two weeks, Professor Lucas said.

But he added it was not a "huge amount".

"This is a far more limited Russian advance than we saw in that opening phase of the invasion and it could change very, very soon," he said.

Pivotal months ahead

Dr Hellyer says it's hard to imagine a positive outcome for Ukraine unless things fundamentally change.

"At the moment, the Ukrainians are not winning on the battlefield," he said.

"They are sort of holding their ground on the battlefield with Western support."

Major shifts in Ukraine's favour rely on whether the US lifts weapons constraints and how soon new aid will arrive.

The Biden administration's $US61 billion military aid package finally passed in April after several months of delays.

And an additional $US275 million package was announced by the US Department of Defense on Friday.

But it did not include more air defence systems, which Mr Zelenskyy was pleading for.

Dr Davis says although these packages are helpful, the flow of support to the battlefield remains slow.

And they aren't expected to have a real impact until next year.

He says it's crucial to get the promised US F-16 fighter jets in the air as soon as possible and to start hitting inside Russia.

"In the meantime, the Russians are doing everything they can to make hay while the sun shines and make progress on the ground," he said.

"If Ukraine wins or loses really is going to be decided [in the] next few months."

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

From shaking beds to gender-neutral toilets, we’re flying the flag for these inclusive cruises

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A holiday isn’t a holiday if it makes life more difficult, right? And for many, a cruising trip abroad can feel like a bridge too far.

If you’ve ever gone away and been tutted at or gawked at while enjoying a moment at the bar, you’d probably rather stay home instead.

Well, a number of cruise operators have been thinking about how to make their trips more inclusive and accessible to a wider variety of guests, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Whether it’s gender-neutral toilets or sign language interpreters, we’ve plucked the boats that boast a better experience for everyone from the Sailawaze Excellence Awards .

Virgin Voyages

After a day of sightseeing, what can be more entertaining than a night of drag performance? It’s par for the course at Virgin Voyages, where all staff are encouraged to express their gender identity freely.

The company prides itself on being a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ passengers with its gender-neutral toilets and hospitable atmosphere.

Founder Richard Branson has a long history of supporting gay rights, beginning with legendary Heaven nightclub in London, and the celebrations on his ships ramp up in June as themed parties are thrown and guests are presented with pride-inspired cocktails and on-deck DJs.

Celebrity Cruises

If you thought cruises were only for the silver-haired, you’d be wrong. Celebrity Cruises are a riot of colour, flying every hue of the LGBTQ+ flag – especially in June, Pride Month.

The operation, which travels to every continent, even hosted the first legal same-sex marriage at sea in 2018 and regularly holds gay weddings.

Celebrity Cruises says it promotes diversity among both staff and guests and throws regular LGBTQ+ welcome events to get the party started.

Disney Cruise Line

Family-friendly operators Disney Cruise Line prides itself on making trips accessible to those with additional needs. Guests with disabilities have access to comfortable staterooms and suites, along with a full range of services, facilities, and amenities, including auxiliary aids.

Its liners are also home to specially designed communication staterooms for guests with hearing disabilities, including a vibrating bed shaker under the mattress and an indicating panel with light signals for the doorbell, telephone calls, general alarm and fire alarm.

The ships also provide sign language interpreters for shows and entertainment.

Saga Cruises

If a loud party isn’t for you, over 50s can enjoy a more sedate voyage, with Saga Cruises providing a number of options for guests with mobility issues. A chauffeur service to and from ports is provided as standard on all trips, rooms are equipped with hearing loop systems and hoists are available to help guests in and out of the pools.

Assistance is also provided to those who need help with baggage and large print is provided in the cinema guide and daily paper, alongside Braille playing cards.

A-Rosa Cruises

Meanwhile, A-Rosa Cruises are designed with families and multi-generational groups in mind. Under-15s travel for free and family rooms have been provided so up to five can share a room while they meander along Europe’s rivers, waking up in a different city each day.

Hosts are available to take care of youngsters in the kids club, where children can choose from a variety of activities, including crafting, T-shirt design and face painting while adults can enjoy a relaxing treatment at the spa.

The rest of the nominations

Food & beverage.

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

Sustainability.

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Hurtigruten

ENTERTAINMENT

Carnival Cruise Line

Marella Cruises

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

VIVA Cruises

This year, European river specialist VIVA Cruises launched its inaugural LGBT voyage, which took travellers to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam where they could visit the world’s largest archive of LGBTQ+ history by day and party at the city’s vibrant gay and lesbian bars by night.

VIVA is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, an organisation built to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism.

Autistic travellers, those with Down syndrome and other additional needs can benefit from a specially designed holiday with Royal Caribbean. Priority check-in, boarding and departure are available to those who need it and the Autism on the Seas programme offers ‘staffed cruises’ with specialised respite sessions and private activities and sessions.

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Guests can choose from Autism-friendly dietary menus and scooters, wheelchairs and walkers are provided for on shore excursions and service animals are welcome on board.

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