Begin with the Atlantic Ocean, mix in a James Beard Award–winning chef and a world-class sommelier, pour the contents into a sleek power yacht with 310 lucky passengers, and you’ve got the recipe for the first-ever James Beard Foundation cruise. Presented by Windstar, this eight-day foodie extravaganza started in Lisbon, Portugal, and made its way to Barcelona, Spain, with stopovers in Morocco and five Spanish cities, including Málaga, Almería, Cartagena, Ibiza and Tarragona.
For the maiden voyage, three-time James Beard Award winner Michel Nischan acted as culinary ambassador, hosting cooking demos, leading market tours and creating gastronomic experiences from the foodstuffs procured at each port of call. Sommelier Steve Olson served as drinking guide, hosting cocktail demos and fine-wine tastings as well as leading a tour of the landscape of Spanish wine. With the help of the Wind Surf culinary crew, these two talents turned out a steady stream of five-star experiences — think Spanish tapas, luscious jamón, Moroccan tagines, outstanding Tempranillos and rich Riojas.
Wind Surf offers 122 staterooms, 31 suites and two deluxe bridge suites, all replete with ocean vistas. Guest quarters feature flat-screen televisions, DVD players, Bose SoundDocks, private safes and Wi-Fi access. Bathrooms have full-size showers and are stocked with L’Occitane products.
There’s a nearly 1:1 ratio of passengers to staff members, and each stateroom has a dedicated personal steward. Fresh fruit and flowers greet guests after a day of sun or sightseeing. Other luxury amenities include the Elemis spa and a well-equipped fitness center with sweeping 360-degree views.
Windstar passengers are active, worldly adults hailing predominately from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand; note that traveling with children is discouraged. Guests enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a smaller ship and embrace the idea of traveling under sail and power.
You never go hungry on Wind Surf. There are multiple dining venues as well as 24-hour room service. AmphorA, the ship’s main restaurant, features a continental menu with meats, pastas and vegetarian offerings. Candles is an alfresco eatery where guests can enjoy steak and other specialties under the stars. A reservation-only spot, Stella Bistro focuses on classic French fare with a contemporary twist.
Windstar offered some 25 shore excursions on this journey, from riding camels in Morocco to viewing rare Picasso works in Málaga. Guests are free to do whatever they please at each port and can create custom explorations. Optional onboard activities abound, and entertainment is refreshingly devoid of Vegas-style revues.
This cruise is a foodie’s paradise. Leave it to Windstar to combine culinary excellence and unusual native experiences to create an uncommon adventure.
