Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.10 $; site infoswx Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!infoswx!linda From: linda@infoswx.UUCP Newsgroups: net.travel Subject: Re: Orphaned Response Message-ID: <12300001@infoswx> Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 23:43:00 EST Article-I.D.: infoswx.12300001 Posted: Tue Oct 29 23:43:00 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 08:03:37 EST References: <288@mb2c.UUCP> Lines: 56 Nf-ID: #R:mb2c.UUCP:-28800:infoswx:12300001:000:2934 Nf-From: infoswx.UUCP!linda Oct 29 22:43:00 1985 My hubby and I spent two weeks on windjammer cruises for our honeymoon. What a treat! There is so much to learn and so much to enjoy! If you know what you are looking for, Windjammer can provide it if you just get on the right ship. There should be a local Windjammer rep in a major town near you. They will know more than a typical travel agent unless that agent has been on multiple trips. They have 8 or more ships. Each does a different course and has its own personality. For example, the Polynesia is the PARTY ship. Best for singles who are hot to trot. I think it's the Yankee Trader that is a hard-core dive ship. We went on the Mandalay. It is the newest addition to their fleet and is the only one with hot water. The personality was mellow and very friendly. If you're looking for a big ship, the Polynesia is a four masted schooner. The Mandalay is smaller, a 3 masted schooner. One of them isn't a sailing vessel at all. On all of the ships there's a no locked door policy and there's never any theft. Every time the sails go up, Amazing Grace plays over the PA system. The crew we had was a fabulous bunch. Mostly local islanders. They take care of rooms and serving meals but nothing is pretentious. On our trip we sailed every evening and pulled into a port late at night. After breakfast the following morning the captain tells you a little about the island you're docked at then your on your own. The day was open for scuba, snorkeling, beach-fun and general tourism. We brought our own regulators and bc's etc but expected tanks to be readily available. They weren't. Tanks were only easily available on 2 islands that we visited. On most islands, you'd have to go far out of your way to get a fresh tank. Instead, we mostly snorkeled - which was still incredible. If you're really looking for a diving vacation, ask to go on the dive ship. That ship is set up to service your tanks or provide you tanks. Late afternoons there was always a happy hour back on board ship. After dinner a band performed on board or we went back to the island to attend a local hoopla. Our route was around the West Indies. Some British Islands, some French Islands. The islands were distinctly different. On the British islands things are quite proper - woman are expected to wear skirts covering the knees. Anything goes on a French Island. Any dress code will do. Bathing suits are "unisex" - bottoms only. An outstanding part of the trip was that the captain and first mate were happy to teach you how to sail!!!!! As soon as the trip starts you can start helping with the lines. Then they'll teach you about setting courses and steering. Soon you can be keeping night watch. All you have to do is volunteer. All in all, I'd say it was a great trip. If you're looking for more details, I'll be happy to respond. Linda Lucas Gettier 214-644-0570 ihnp4!infoswx!linda