How to Take a Windjammer Cruise

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, unlike their other cruise cousins, are very informal. The company's fleet of four vintage sailing ships plies the Caribbean and the Bahamas year-round, and offers a casual, friendly cruising experience. Below are some of the unique features to be found on a Windjammer Cruise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Sleep on deck. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises encourages guests to spend the night under the stars on their ships' large wooden decks. They even provide the sleeping bags.
2. Learn to sail. Experienced sailors, or those wishing to learn, are welcome to assist the Windjammer crew with the riggings, in manning the helm or in hoisting the sail. The ship also offers introductory classes for the truly uninitiated.
3. Make friends. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises casual, unpretentious atmosphere is one of its trademarks. Whether you're traveling alone or with a group of companions, it's a great place to meet new people.
4. Sip a rum swizzle. Another Windjammer trademark is the free rum swizzles offered during the cocktail hour. The line also offers complimentary Bloody Marys at breakfast time.
5. Enjoy the smaller ports. Because Windjammer ships are much smaller than most of the mega-cruises that cruise the Caribbean, they are able to call at smaller harbors. Thus, guests of Windjammer Cruises can enjoy less crowded—and less over-developed—ports.
6. Explore the historic ships. Windjammer wooden sailing ships are all steeped in history. The fleet's flagship, the 236-foot Mandalay, was originally built in the 1930's for financier, E.F. Hutton. All of the ships have a unique personality.