This was a 30th anniversary / 60th birthday trip for my wife and I, and up to departure it seemed everything was going wrong. The original departure was Istanbul, then there was an airport bombing and a coup in Turkey! Windstar immediately moved the departure to Athens and issued us a flight credit. We missed out on Turkey, but that was certainly for the best given the circumstances. Hope to go back if that country ever stabilizes.

Finally in Athens for hotel pickup and boarding the cruise and from then on everything was superb! The ship had 121 passengers and 91 crew and we were treated like royalty. Everyone knew our names, everyone knew our events, the crew from top to bottom (and I talked to the captain and our steward) were personal and friendly, and everyone wanted the experience to be the best possible. Even though the cruise had to adjust its ports of call on the fly, every stop was lovely and there were wonderful shore excursions available, as well as wind surfing, water skiing & sailing off of the boat in certain ports.

Don't miss the crew improv night, I laughed for hours! Thank you Philippe & Wesley, and crew! Read more