Questions about Treasures of Spain and Portugal
We have gone on many Tauck tours but never a small ship. We’re thinking about this trip for 2026. The cabins on the Wind Star’s lower decks look pretty small. Can we fit 2 large suitcases under the bed? Next, how are things different for the Tauck passengers? Would we get a drink package automatically? Any other differences? Whatever info or hints you have would really be appreciated!! Thanks!
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I’m actually unsure which ship is doing this tour. Is there a big difference in the wind star or wind surf?
We were on the Windstar, late July to early August visiting the Greek Iles. Our group of about 25 people, wore magnetic Tauck pins on board and our drinks were complementary. Additionally, at every port of call, the Tauck group disembarked first, whether at a dock or by tender. I remember another passenger on board being annoyed at this, but our tour director just calmly explained that this was a tour group and therefore had priority.
Windstar is a smaller ship. I think it had a capacity of about 150 passengers. I believe we had about 100 guests, just coming out of the pandemic. Windstar had no elevator. Yes, rooms “cozy”. We will be on the Wind Surf for Treasures of Spain and Portugal, June 20, 2025 thru July 2. Wind Surf is larger, 342 guests (and has elevators!). All cruises we have been on, luggage is stored under the bed. Plenty of room. Nest them inside each other if needed. If you will bee sailing on a Windstar ship, do investigate their sail away from each port. Magestic music is played and one by one, the sails are unfurled.
The Wind Star ship is 40 years old. The cabins are small and there's no elevator. You have to go outside to get to the restaurant. I hope you get the Wind Surf - it's got to be a better ship. The standards for cruise ships, and the expectations of the guests, were different 40 years ago.
I was on the Wind Star for a Tauck cruise.
[I just looked up Wind Surf. It's bigger than the Wind Star, but it's 36 years old. Here's a link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Surf ]
[Windstar used to have the ship Wind Song, about the same size as the Wind Star. It's an interesting story - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Song_(ship) ]
Treasures of Spain and Portugal is on the Wind Surf, It is three times the size of the Wind Star, and it is the largest sailing vessel (MSY) in the world. The standard rooms are 188 square feet. The suites are twice as big, and there are a few ‘special’ suites. The public areas were renovated in November of last year. It is actually our favorite ship, and we will be aboard her in less than two months for Venice and Croatia. It is a sailboat. It is not for everyone. If you are expecting something that looks like a modern cruise ship, this is not your ship. If you like a nautical experience. with excellent service and food, this is it.
@kareninsureme My wife and I are on this trip June 20th 2026 and looking forward to our first sailing cruise. We plan to arrive 5 days early to spend time in Marbella before heading to Lisbon for this tour. We are leaving next month on the Grand Australian & New Zealand tour for our 50th wedding anniversary. See you in Lisbon!
On Tauck’s Spain and Portugal land tour, we had a free day in Marbella while staying at the lovely Don Pepe Gran Meliá. We strolled the seashore promenade, enjoyed the old town and some of the amenities the resort had to offer. We enjoyed a delicious seafood salad while dining outdoors with another couple we met on the tour. I wish we could have stayed longer. It was such a wonderful day.
Have a great tour and please consider sharing your thoughts of the trip. Happy anniversary.
Be aware that it is technically a motor sailing yacht (MSY) which means it is only rarely on sail power alone, although I have seen it going ten knots on sail power alone in the Caribbean. How much sailing you do of course depends on the direction of the wind. They normally raise the sails when they leave port, but if they don’t have ‘good’ wind they will put them away. In the Mediterranean it is often a masted motorboat. It is still very ‘nautical’. When they sail out of port to the melodies of “Conquest of Paradise”, it is worth it to be on deck. I have seen people who “dressed” for the occasion and popped the bubbly. I rarely miss the sail away.
We will be on the Wind Surf in 35 days in the Adriatic. I will try to send reports and pictures about how our “sail” is going.