Treasures of The Agean

Daisydennie

My husband and I have booked "Treasures of The Agean" for 2019. We will be traveling on "The Windstar." Our cabin will be on the first deck, midship. We have sailed on Tauck's riverboat, but never on a yacht. I would appreciate any feedback on the location of our cabin. Is there a significance difference between deck one and two? Also, any feedback for this particular trip, including what to pack would be appreciated. Thank you!

wildcat03

Having a cabin amidship lessens the chance of 'seasickness' as it will rock less. I do not think it will be a problem for you. Have been looking at this trip for 2020. Look forward to your review of the trip. Enjoy!

Ken from Vegas

We did this tour in 2008, when it included Istanbul. The Windstar has be refurbished since then so some things may have changed. We were on Deck 1. It is just above the waterline (I think the deck is actually below the waterline). We could see the waves break on the portholes now and then. On this cruise the cabin is really just a place to sleep, shower and change. For the most part you're off the ship during the day. We had one full cruising day, but that is no longer part of the itinerary. I believe that the Deck 2 cabins may have larger windows rather than the two portholes we had. For a small cruise ship, the storage was very good. Plenty of space for your clothes.

Our cruise was very smooth. However, we had very calm seas (they only used the sails once). The ship does have stabilizers, but it is a small ship. If you're prone to seasickness, I would bring something along, just in case.

Hope this helps.

joycesw

Like Ken, we did this trip in 2008 when it included Istanbul...one of our favorite trips as Istanbul was a real winner for us! My disclaimer is always that we are not patient cruisers and are not particularly into "cruise mode." With that said, we loved our experience on the Windspirit and would happily do a trip with Windstar again. We had a room on deck 2 (we were very happy with that deck as it was a bit higher), midship and had no problem. For our trip, the majority of travel was done at night, and we felt as if we were rocked to sleep if the waters were a bit choppy. We have been on a few small ships since that time (with Tauck) and have noted that no stateroom measures up to the efficiency of the cabin we had on the Windspirit (we haven't splurged for suites on our other trips as we agree with Ken's comment about a cabin just being a place to sleep, shower and change), but we really liked deck 2. Windstar ships have a platform off the back that allows swimming and other activities...a group of us tried to swim off the back in Didym and the water was so rough, we had to hang on to a rope, rather than being swept away into the Aegean, including the guy who was a lifeguard in his youth! Later at Mykenos, we were able to swim in calmer waters to check "swimming in the Aegean" off our bucket lists (if that was ever on there...)! And, the best part of all (minus food, service, sights, etc...and, perhaps Ken will agree) was when we departed from each port...as we slowly departed from the slip, Vangelis' 1492 Conquest of Paradise came over the loudspeakers (sails came up, sort of, although they were under power)...VERY dramatic, and I half expected to see the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria headed for us over the horizon! I don't think we missed one departure from the deck! Check out the song, if you are not familiar with it, to get the idea. Fun times!

AlanS

Joyce, when in 2008 did you go and how was the weather and especially the air and water temperature?

joycesw

Hi Alan,
My journal shows June 1 - 17, 2008. As I recall the temps were moderate, no need to layer-up and not uncomfortably warm, except in few spots among ruins (those rocks really suck in the heat) as we got closer to Greece. We were only in the water twice, and the temps were moderate.
We really loved this trip, but Istanbul and our adventures there were a big part of the enjoyment! This trip was part of our "Explore the Antiquities of the World" adventures, and it certainly fulfilled a great part of that piece.

Ken from Vegas

Alan,

We went the second and third week of September. A great time to go. Air temps were warm, but not oppressively hot. People are wearing shorts and short sleeves in most of my pictures. The Aegean was comfortably swimmable. A little cooler in Istanbul, but the tour no longer goes there.