Wind Surf
Sails from Piraeus, Greece · Fly into ATH
Page updated
Wind Surf in the Giudecca Canal, Venice, 2015 · Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Wind Surf
Wind Surf is a Windstar Cruises cruise ship of the Wind class, in service since 1990. She measures 14,745 gross tons and carries 342 guests with a crew of 213. She sails Mediterranean, Caribbean, Transatlantic itineraries. We rate her 3.7 out of 5.
Wind Surf is a five-masted staysail schooner and Windstar's largest sailing ship, carrying 342 guests on a 187-meter hull that also has electric propulsion motors. She was launched at Le Havre in 1989 as La Fayette and sailed for Club Med as Club Med 1 from 1990 until Windstar bought her in 1998 and gave her the name originally planned for her. The first phase of her Setting Sails refurbishment was done in November 2024 at Navantia in Cádiz, and the second is scheduled there in December 2026. She spends most of the year in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, often sailing from Athens (Piraeus), and winters in the Caribbean from St. Maarten.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 342
- Crew 213 · 1:1.6
- Entered service
- 1990
- Refitted 2024
- Length
- 187 m
- Longer than 56% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 6
Wind Surf is smaller than 68% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 53%. At 43.1 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 70% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 4/5, fleet average 4.1
- Dining
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Value
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Windstar Cruises fleet average across 7 rated ships in service.
Sister ships: Wind class
Wind Surf is one of 3 Wind class ships. Wind Spirit (1988) and Wind Star (1986) are in service.
| Ship | Year | Gross tons | Guests | Space | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Surf this ship | 1998 | 3.7/5 | |||
| Wind Spirit | 1988 | 3.7/5 | |||
| Wind Star | 1986 | 3.7/5 |
Deck plans & cabin locations
Official published layout · Published edition. Confirm the edition for your departure with the cruise line.
Explore the deck plans
What’s above your ceiling matters as much as the view. Compare the decks around your cabin, then use the location notes to build your shortlist.
No exact sailing-date window is supplied. Confirm the plan and any refurbishment changes with Windstar for your departure. Cabin cautions describe layout relationships, not confirmed noise reports. For navigation, Main Deck is shown as Deck 4, Bridge Deck as Deck 5 and Star Deck as Deck 6.
All decks
Official published layout · bow to the right
Cabin-number search becomes available as verified cabins are mapped. All published deck diagrams are available below.
On this deck: Star deck · Stella Bistro · Veranda / Candles · Fitness center · Terrace Bar

On this deck: Bridge deck · Owner’s Suite · Broadmoor / Sea Island Suites · World Spa · Compass Rose Bar

On this deck: Main deck · Amphora Restaurant · Lounge · Reception · Yacht Club Café · Pool / Pool Bar / Whirlpools

On this deck: Accommodation

On this deck: Accommodation · Marina

On this deck: Accommodation

Cabins to avoid & quieter candidates
Midship Deck 2 between cabin decks
Start with central Deck 2 accommodation
Compare a central room with accommodation above and below, then check lift, stair and connecting-door positions.
Why we flag this
The official plan shows accommodation on Decks 1–3. A cabin-sandwiched central position is a layout-based shortlist, not proof of quiet. Check the source plan.
Deck 3 below the Main Deck restaurant, lounge and pool
Check Deck 3 beneath main-deck public areas
Compare the exact suite with Amphora Restaurant, the lounge, café and pool-deck footprint overhead. Timing and individual position matter.
Why we flag this
The plan places Amphora, the lounge, Yacht Club Café and the pool area on the Main Deck, directly above portions of Deck 3 accommodation. Check the source plan.
Deck 5 suites below Star Deck venues
Check the Bridge Deck suite surroundings
Before paying for a larger suite, compare its position with Stella Bistro, Veranda / Candles, the fitness center and outdoor areas above. Also consider same-deck spa and bar access.
Why we flag this
The official plan places the Owner’s, Broadmoor and Sea Island suites on the Bridge Deck, with Star Deck public venues above and World Spa / Compass Rose aft on the same deck. Check the source plan.
Location-based guidance, not measured noise or a guarantee of quiet. Flags identify areas to investigate, not every cabin on a deck. Check the exact room, connecting doors, accessibility and the plan for your sailing date. 26 March 2026 Wind Surf plan. For navigation, Main Deck is shown as Deck 4, Bridge Deck as Deck 5 and Star Deck as Deck 6. . Reviewed 2026-10-21.
Photos

Wind Surf in the Giudecca Canal, Venice, 2015Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- MediterraneanWestern Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic, mostly April to November
- CaribbeanEastern, Western and Southern Caribbean islands, sailing year-round from Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico
- Transatlanticcrossings between Europe and the Americas, mostly in spring and autumn
Home port: Piraeus, Greece.
Flying in for your cruise?
Wind Surf sails from Piraeus, Greece. The airport is Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), with 9 lounges to wait in before you board.
- Aegean Business Lounge (Non-Schengen)ATH Main Terminal3.8 ★
- Aegean Business Lounge (Schengen)ATH Main Terminal3.6 ★
- Goldair Handling Lounge x AIAATH Satellite Terminal3.3 ★
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Wind Surf?
Wind Surf is operated by Windstar Cruises and belongs to its Wind class.
What are Wind Surf's sister ships?
Wind Surf is one of 3 Wind class ships. Wind Spirit (1988) and Wind Star (1986) are in service.
How big is Wind Surf?
Wind Surf measures 14,745 gross tons and 187 metres in length, with 6 decks.
How does Wind Surf compare in size with other cruise ships?
Wind Surf is smaller than 68% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 53%. At 43.1 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 70% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Wind Surf feel?
Wind Surf has a passenger space ratio of 43.1: 14,745 gross tons for 342 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Wind Surf feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Wind Surf carry?
Wind Surf carries 342 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 213 (about 1.6 guests per crew member).
When did Wind Surf enter service?
Wind Surf entered service in 1990 and was last refurbished in 2024.
Where does Wind Surf sail?
Wind Surf sails Mediterranean, Caribbean and Transatlantic itineraries. Her home port is Piraeus, Greece.
Which airport should I fly into for Wind Surf?
Wind Surf sails from Piraeus, Greece. Fly into Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), which has 9 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Wind Surf?
Windstar Cruises publishes the deck plans for Wind Surf; this page links to Deck plans (PDF).
How is Wind Surf rated?
Cruises Frog rates Wind Surf 3.7 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (5/5) and lowest on entertainment (2/5).
Which cabins are good choices on Wind Surf?
For the “Official published layout” plan, start with these quieter-location candidates: Midship Deck 2 between cabin decks: Compare a central room with accommodation above and below, then check lift, stair and connecting-door positions. Compare the exact cabin with the decks above and below, nearby lifts and connecting doors. These are layout-based suggestions, not a guarantee of quiet.
Which cabins should I avoid or check carefully on Wind Surf?
For the “Official published layout” plan, review these flagged locations before booking: Deck 3 below the Main Deck restaurant, lounge and pool: Compare the exact suite with Amphora Restaurant, the lounge, café and pool-deck footprint overhead. Timing and individual position matter. Deck 5 suites below Star Deck venues: Before paying for a larger suite, compare its position with Stella Bistro, Veranda / Candles, the fitness center and outdoor areas above. Also consider same-deck spa and bar access. These flags are not measured noise reports or a warning about every room on a deck. Read the sourced cabin advice for the evidence and any explicit operator warnings.
How can I check whether a cabin is under a pool, nightclub or theatre?
Find the cabin on the selected plan, then compare the same fore-and-aft position on the deck above and below. Check the full venue footprint, including outdoor seating, stages, service areas and entrances. Nearby activity can be a reason to investigate, but does not by itself prove a cabin is noisy. Use the cabin advice and its sources to distinguish layout cautions from operator warnings.
Where can I find Wind Surf deck plans?
Use this guide’s deck selector to compare the decks around your cabin and open available diagrams in the zoom viewer. The full ship PDF and source links are listed for each plan edition.
Which deck-plan edition applies to my sailing?
Select your sailing date before comparing cabin locations. Editions can change after a refit. These answers use “Official published layout”, reviewed 2026-10-21. No exact sailing-date window is supplied. Confirm the plan and any refurbishment changes with Windstar for your departure. Cabin cautions describe layout relationships, not confirmed noise reports. For navigation, Main Deck is shown as Deck 4, Bridge Deck as Deck 5 and Star Deck as Deck 6.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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