windstar cruises vegan

Windstar Cruises Announces New Vegan Plant-Based Menu

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: March 14, 2023  - Last updated: March 20, 2023

Ultra-luxury cruise line Windstar will roll out a new whole-food, plant-based menu this summer aboard all of the company’s yachts.

Vegetarian and vegan cruisers —along with those who are looking to eat healthier—will find more menu options on Windstar’s luxury yacht cruises beginning this June.

On March 14, 2023, Windstar Cruises announced it’s partnering with the National Health Association to create a new vegan menu on board all six of the small ship line’s yachts.

Windstar Cruises’ new vegan menu

Windstar’s new plant-based menu, which started as a special offering for groups and charters, will roll out fleetwide this summer.

The menu items will not only be vegan but will also be prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar—and are gluten-free .

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler .

Related: How to Eat Whole30 (ish) on a Cruise

“We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint —a major goal of Windstar’s—allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.” continued Tobler, who oversees food and beverage operations for the cruise line.

Windstar has begun training its culinary team on the new vegan menu and plans to launch the program fleetwide in June. Lacto-ovo vegetarian options , as well as the line’s existing omnivore menu items , will continue to be served as usual.

Wanda Huberman , executive director of the National Health Association, worked closely with Windstar’s culinary team. Huberman shared NHA expertise and discussed Windstar-developed recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle .

Related: How to Avoid Gaining Weight on a Cruise

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman said in a press release. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.”

The new vegan menu on Windstar evolved out of hosting several plant-based groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic.

Lisa McCarl , a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, has booked several plant-based groups on Windstar and says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options.

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality,” said McCarl.

What to expect from Windstar’s new plant-based menu

Windstar has released a sneak peek at some of the dishes from the new menu, including:

• Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with baked pumpkin seeds
• Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with salsa verde and sautéed spinach
• Penne Rigate Pasta with crisp vegetables and Espelette pepper sauce
• Veggie Enchiladas with black bean & cilantro sauce
• Chia Seed Truffles with dates & coconut sauce
• Tahini Brownies with fresh strawberries

The cruise line also reports that fresh smoothies will also be available daily at breakfast as part of the new plant-based offerings.

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six boutique ships and sailing yachts carrying 148 to 342 guests each. The cruise line offers two ship classes: Wind Class sailing ships and the all-suite Star Plus Class , which are motor powered.

The company’s ultra-luxury small ship cruises sail throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal , Asia, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada & New England , the US west coast and Mexico, Arabia, and the South Pacific.

Related: 10 Scenic Ports You Can Visit on a Canada and New England Cruise

Windstar maintains one ship, Wind Spirit , year-round in Tahiti. In 2024, Wind Spirit will be replaced in Tahiti by Star Breeze , Windstar’s newly-renovated 312-guest yacht.

In 2019, the company launched the $250 million Star Plus Initiative to transform the three Star Plus Class yachts with new suites, restaurants, and a world-class spa and fitness center.

Windstar is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program.

Related: Which Cruise Lines Have All-Inclusive Cruises

What do you think about Windstar’s new plant-based menu initiative? Does it make you more likely to consider cruising with them? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below!

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Windstar Cruises Launches Vegan Menu

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Despite the abundance of buffets and restaurant choices on cruise ships, until now Vegans have not had much choice.  That is changing with new plant-based menu items aboard all six ships of Windstar Cruises.

The menu rolls out fleet-wide in June.  In addition to being plant-based, dishes also are prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar and are gluten-free.  That’s good news for passengers with high blood pressure, diabetes or pre-diabetes, and celiac issues.

Of course, there are still plenty of menu options for passengers who prefer non-Vegan meat, fish, eggs and cheese, which the press release we received says “will continue to be served as usual”.  That’s good news for Omnivores like me.

Windstar Cruises Vegan Menu

The new menu items are a partnership between Windstar Cruises and the National Health Association.  It includes these items –

– Daily Smoothies at Breakfast

– Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with Baked Pumpkin Seeds

– Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Salsa Verde and Sautéed Spinach

– Penne Rigate Pasta with Crisp Vegetables and Espelette Pepper Sauce

– Veggie Enchiladas with Black Bean & Cilantro Sauce

– Chia Seed Truffles with Dates & Coconut Sauce

– Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

Background of Vegan Menu Creation

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler, who oversees the fleet’s food and beverage operations.

“We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”

Wanda Huberman, executive director of the National Health Association , worked closely with the Windstar culinary team to share NHA expertise and discuss Windstar-developed recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle.

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman said.

“Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.”

The menu evolved out of hosting several plant-based groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Lisa McCarl, a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, has booked several plant-based groups on Windstar and says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options.

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality.”

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six boutique all-suite and sailing yachts carrying 148-342 guests. Small ship cruises sail throughout Europe; the Caribbean; Costa Rica and the Panama Canal; Asia; Alaska and British Columbia; New England and Eastern Canada; the U.S. West Coast and Mexico; Arabia, and the South Pacific, including a ship year-round in Tahiti.

Windstar launched the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to transform the three all-suite Star Plus Class yachts with new suites, restaurants, and a world-class spa and fitness center.

The award-winning line is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program.  Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, a group of global hospitality and travel companies, one of which traces its history back over a hundred years of operating our country’s iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Death Valley.

For more information, visit  Windstar Cruises.

About National Health Association 

The National Health Association (NHA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the benefits of a whole-food, plant-exclusive diet. The Association provides an advertisement-free quarterly magazine sent to its members titled Health Science , educational materials, educational events, and services to thousands of people around the world.

For more information, visit www.Health Science.org

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA) and is a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Contact me at [email protected].

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter

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Windstar Cruises Announces New Whole-Food, Plant-Based Menu

• March 14, 2023

Windstar Cruises has partnered with the National Health Association (NHA) to create a new vegan menu on board all six of the small ship line’s yachts. The offerings are not only plant-based but also prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar and are gluten-free.

Windstar has begun training its culinary team on the new menu and plans to roll out the program fleetwide in June. Vegetarian options, as well as the line’s existing omnivore menu items, will continue to be served as usual.

Sample dishes from the new menu include: 

- Daily Smoothies at Breakfast - Braised_Asparagus_Watercress_Aioli (pictured) - Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with Baked Pumpkin Seeds - Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Salsa Verde and Sautéed Spinach - Penne Rigate Pasta, with Crisp Vegetables and Espelette Pepper Sauce - Veggie Enchiladas with Black Bean & Cilantro Sauce - Chia Seed Truffles with Dates & Coconut Sauce - Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

Wanda Huberman, executive director of the National Health Association , worked closely with the Windstar culinary team to share NHA expertise and discuss Windstar-developed recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle.

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman says. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.”

The menu evolved out of hosting several plant-based groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Lisa McCarl , a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, has booked several plant-based groups on Windstar and says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options.

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality.”

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com .

For more details on Plant-Based Travel, visit https://www.healthscience.org/plant-based-travel/ .

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Home » Cruise » Windstar Cruises » Windstar Cruises Announces New Plant-Based Menu

Windstar Cruises Announces New Plant-Based Menu

Windstar Cruises announces a new plant-based menu rolling out fleetwide in June, along with vegetarian and more traditional menu options.

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Windstar cruises announces new whole-food, plant-based menu in partnership with the national health association   .

What Started as a Special Offering for Groups and Charters Has Morphed into a Fleet-Wide Initiative Beginning June 2023

Windstar Cruises has partnered with the National Health Association (NHA) to create a new vegan menu on board all six of the small ship line’s yachts. The offerings are not only plant-based but also prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar and are gluten-free. 

Windstar has begun training its culinary team on the new menu and plans to roll out the program fleetwide in June. Vegetarian options, as well as the line’s existing omnivore menu items, will continue to be served as usual.  

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler, who oversees food and beverage operations.

“We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”  

Sample dishes from the new menu include: 

• Daily Smoothies at Breakfast
• Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with Baked Pumpkin Seeds
• Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Salsa Verde and Sautéed Spinach 
• Penne Rigate Pasta, with Crisp Vegetables and Espelette Pepper Sauce
• Veggie Enchiladas with Black Bean & Cilantro Sauce
• Chia Seed Truffles with Dates & Coconut Sauce
• Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

Wanda Huberman, executive director of the NHA, worked closely with the Windstar culinary team to help create recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle.  

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman says. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.” 

The menu evolved out of hosting several plant-based groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Lisa McCarl, a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, has booked several plant-based groups on Windstar. She says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options. 

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality.”

SOURCE Windstar Cruises

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Windstar Cruises introduces new vegan menu

What started out as an offering for small groups of passengers has turned out to be such a good initiative that it will be a permanent part of the company’s menus starting in June 2023.

Windstar Cruises has partnered with the National Health Association (NHA) to create a new vegan menu that will be offered on board all six of the company’s yachts.

Dishes will not only be vegetarian, but also free of added salt, fat and sugar, as well as gluten-free.

Food NHA[248]

The team of cooks and chefs has already begun training, and the company’s entire kitchen staff is expected to be ready by next June.

Of course, the “omnivorous” offerings of the classic menu suggestions will be the same.

 “The National Health Association emphasizes that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly healthy, they must also be minimally processed and prepared.”

Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations, Peter Tobler , Food and Beverage Supervisor, says:

 “We have seen an increase in demand for whole grain and vegetarian meals from our guests, and we are thrilled to be working with NHA to offer them something nutritious and delicious. As an added benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental impact, which is one of Windstar’s main goals – to leave a lighter footprint on the planet.”

Examples of some of the dishes on the new menu include:

– Breakfast Smoothies

– Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Baked Pumpkin Seeds

– Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Green Salsa and Sautéed Spinach

– Penne Rigate with crispy vegetables and pepper sauce

– Vegetarian Enchiladas with Black Beans and Cilantro Sauce

– Chia Truffles with Dates and Coconut Sauce

– Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

Piatti vegetariani

Wanda Huberman , executive director of the National Health Association , worked side-by-side with Windstar’s culinary team to share the association’s experience in developing recipes that meet the needs of a healthy, vegetarian lifestyle.

Huberman says she and the kitchen team are pleased with the results. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one leaves a meal hungry or less than satisfied.”

Food Windstar

The idea for this type of menu was developed by hosting several groups of passengers who needed this type of food, especially at the beginning of the pandemic.

There is a huge demand for travel bookings that include healthy menus, says Lisa McCarl , a former nurse who worked on cardiovascular issues and later became a travel consultant who has booked several groups with these dietary needs. “More and more people are changing their diets to prevent diet-related diseases. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while traveling? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job of making healthy cruising a reality.”

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Windstar announce brand-new exciting menu across whole fleet

We’re standing on the precipice of huge changes in not just the cruise industry, but the world in general. As climate change and sustainability become more prevalent topics of public conversation, we’re starting to see small changes in our day-to-day life. These small changes all add up to the bigger picture, helping us enjoy our wonderful world for centuries to come. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, land and resource conservation, mitigation of deforestation, water conservation, and reduced pollution are all part of a positive climate impact that a vegan diet can have. That’s why Windstar have introduced a new vegan menu on their cruises to go alongside their traditional, omnivore menu.

What started out as an offering for small groups of passengers has turned out to be such a good initiative that it will be a permanent part of the company’s menus starting in June 2023. Vegan entrees, sides and smoothies were created with assistance from the National Health Association.

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals. Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.” 

- Wanda Huberman , Executive Director of National Health Association

Menu highlights look fresh, healthy and sustainable but hearty and filling.

• Daily smoothies at breakfast
• Roasted butternut squash velouté with baked pumpkin seeds
• Baked cauliflower croquettes with salsa verde and sautéed spinach 
• Penne rigate pasta, with crisp vegetables and espelette pepper sauce
• Veggie enchiladas with black bean and cilantro sauce
• Chia seed truffles with dates and coconut sauce
• Tahini brownies with fresh strawberries

What's more, Windstar Cruises have announced their first-ever voyage with only plant-based cuisine served on board. Star Breeze will be setting sail for the Dreams of Tahiti itinerary on 16th February 2025.

Call Panache Cruises on 0161 513 8200 if you want to learn more about Windstar Cruises.

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Windstar Rolling out Vegan Menus on All Ships

Windstar Cruises has partnered with the National Health Association to create a new vegan menu on board all six of the small ship line’s yachts. The offerings are not only plant-based but also prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar and are gluten-free. Windstar has begun training its culinary team on the new menu that’s available fleetwide starting in June. The choices add to menu options including vegetarian and omnivore choices daily. The menu evolved out of hosting several vegan groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Lisa McCarl , a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options. “More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality.”

Sample dishes from the new menu include daily smoothies and entrees such as Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with baked pumpkin seeds, Penne Rigate Pasta, with Crisp Vegetables and espelette pepper sauce or veggie enchiladas with black bean and cilantro sauce. Desserts include Tahini Brownies with fresh strawberries “The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s director of hotel operations Peter Tobler , who oversees food and beverage operations. “We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”

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Windstar Announces New Whole-Food, Plant-Based Menu

• March 14, 2023

Windstar Cruises announced a new, whole-foods, plant-based menu onboard created in partnership with the National Health Association (NHA) to be available onboard all of its six ships.

According to a press release, the cruise line started training its culinary team to prepare for the new menu program fleetwide in June. Windstar Cruises will continue to offer vegetarian options and the existing omnivore menu items.

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explained Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler. 

“We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.” 

Wanda Huberman, executive director of the National Health Association, collaborated with Windstar’s culinary team to develop recipes that meet the organization’s standards. 

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” said Huberman. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.”

The new menu is a result of the popularity of hosting plant-based groups on Windstar Cruises voyages. 

Lisa McCarl, a former nurse turned travel advisor, said that the demand for healthy travel options is growing.

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality,” said McCarl.

Sample dishes from Windstar’s new menu include baked cauliflower croquettes with salsa verde and sautéed spinach; penne rigate pasta with vegetables and espelette pepper sauce; and veggie enchiladas with black bean and cilantro sauce among plentz of other plant-based options.

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Specialty tours & events, windstar cruises announces new whole-food, plant-based menu.

by Katie Skrzek

© Ukrphoto | Dreamstime.com

Windstar Cruises partnered with the National Health Association to create a new vegan menu available on all six of the line’s yachts. The plant-based dishes are prepared without added salt, oil or sugar, and are also gluten-free.

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” said Peter Tobler, director of hotel operations, Windstar. “We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”

Guests can expect to see a variety of dishes on the new menu, including smoothies, baked cauliflower croquettes with salsa verde, penne rigate pasta with vegetables, veggie enchiladas, chia seed truffles and tahini brownies.

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” said Wanda Huberman, executive director, National Health Association. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.”

Windstar Cruises began training its culinary team on the new menu, with plans to debut the offerings fleetwide in June. Existing menu items will still be available to guests.

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Windstar Cruises Announces New Whole-Foods Plant-Based menu

Today Windstar Cruise has shared its latest partnership with the  National Health Association  (NHA) to create a whole-food and plant-based menu onboard all six of the brand’s yachts! 

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler, who oversees food and beverage operations. “We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”  

MORE ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

• Windstar Cruises has started to work with the brand’s culinary team on the new menu and plans to roll out the program fleetwide in June.
• All food is gluten-free and will be prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar. 
• The line will have vegetarian and meat options.
• Wanda Huberman, executive director of the National Health Association, worked closely with the Windstar culinary team to share NHA expertise and discuss Windstar-developed recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle.  

NEW MENU SAMPLE ITEMS

– Daily Smoothies at Breakfast

– Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with Baked Pumpkin Seeds

– Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Salsa Verde and Sautéed Spinach 

– Penne Rigate Pasta, with Crisp Vegetables and Espelette Pepper Sauce

– Veggie Enchiladas with Black Bean & Cilantro Sauce

– Chia Seed Truffles with Dates & Coconut Sauce

– Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman says. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.” 

Julie Bouchner

Julie Bouchner is the Digital Editorial Manager for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie.

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• Windstar Cruises

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options

By aaaaa , October 23, 2023 in Windstar Cruises

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Good day.  I read that, in March 2023, Windstar enhanced its plant-based food options.  Can any recent Windstar cruisers -- pre- or post March 2023 -- advise on the variety and quality of the vegan and gluten-free options on-board (e.g., tofu, veggie burgers, gluten-free pasta).  I'm specifically considering the Wind Surf, but any advice would help.  Thank you!

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You beat me to this topic! I have yet to hear any reviews/feedback on vegan options. I would like to know if the outside grill has vegan burgers as options and if there is a variety of vegan desserts. We hope the vegan menu is creative and includes classic vegan comfort foods. Thanks!

new_cruiser

I'm on board Wind Surf now - cruise started yesterday. I noticed that Amphora menu last night had both a "plant-based" item and a vegetarian item. There was also a plant-based dessert. There were plant-based items on the lunch buffet yesterday (I remember there being a chili and cookies) and on the breakfast buffet this morning (including a tofu scramble and plant-based muffin). 

Sorry, I don't know what classic vegan comfort foods would be so can't speak to that.

Second seating

I tried some of the plant-based items that were GF on our cruise in May on the Legend, some were very good taste wise. Some the texture was lacking for the described item. Please note not all plant based items are GF.  I am an excellent cook and baker who now is gluten free (not vegan) so I am picky! Second seating

ridethetide

I found the plant-based menu to be interesting and tasty. I am vegetarian, not vegan and not gluten-free. The only place where plant-based options were missing was in the serving of hors d'oeuvres with cocktails. My recent cruise in Iceland was my 10th WS cruise, and I have always mentioned this lack of vegetarian options on my surveys. I guess nobody has taken my suggestions seriously. The vegetarian meal options, however, are plentiful and delicious.

12 hours ago, new_cruiser said: Sorry, I don't know what classic vegan comfort foods would be so can't speak to that.

Hi new_cruiser,

Thanks for the information - this is helpful! By "vegan comfort foods," I was simply referring to junk food - i.e., burgers, hot dogs, fries, nuggets, pancakes, tacos, french toast, etc. 

1 hour ago, ridethetide said: I found the plant-based menu to be interesting and tasty. I am vegetarian, not vegan and not gluten-free. The only place where plant-based options were missing was in the serving of hors d'oeuvres with cocktails. My recent cruise in Iceland was my 10th WS cruise, and I have always mentioned this lack of vegetarian options on my surveys. I guess nobody has taken my suggestions seriously. The vegetarian meal options, however, are plentiful and delicious.

This is not good news for vegans. We are a bit concerned that we will be forced to eat the same food day in and out due to a lack of variety. If this is the case, I know that WS will not be our cruise line of choice. 

I am an accomplished cook, I love food, the history, the culture, the chemistry, the creating. I love real, unprocessed food. When I travel food and  immersing myself in the cultures through food is important to me. On my last cruise with Windstar the food was delicious but I was mystified with " plant based ". We tried the " cheese cake " and it was grim that is being nice. Not the fault of the chef because naming an item "cheese" when there is absolutely no cheese or dairy is in my opinion odd. Name it what it is a brown cake that is heavy, with a whipped topping some kind of oil made to look like, but not taste like frosting. I perseverated  on this and did research these two words showed up time and again " ultra processed ". What is wrong with real food,  Mediterranean Diet, nothing healthier. I wrote Chris Prelog about this for I have never seen it on WS's menus until this year. His answer was they have had requests. 

Who am I, but for the life of me given the chemicals, the whipped oils, some coloring I do not see how that is good for anyone. We were disappointed in the Tapas restaurant it seemed the " plant based" made the menu for us lacking. I have been to Spain many times never heard of " plant based " tapas. Each to our own... Happy Sailing.

1 hour ago, Strenz said: I am an accomplished cook, I love food, the history, the culture, the chemistry, the creating. I love real, unprocessed food. When I travel food and  immersing myself in the cultures through food is important to me. On my last cruise with Windstar the food was delicious but I was mystified with " plant based ". We tried the " cheese cake " and it was grim that is being nice. Not the fault of the chef because naming an item "cheese" when there is absolutely no cheese or dairy is in my opinion odd. Name it what it is a brown cake that is heavy, with a whipped topping some kind of oil made to look like, but not taste like frosting. I perseverated  on this and did research these two words showed up time and again " ultra processed ". What is wrong with real food,  Mediterranean Diet, nothing healthier. I wrote Chris Prelog about this for I have never seen it on WS's menus until this year. His answer was they have had requests.  Who am I, but for the life of me given the chemicals, the whipped oils, some coloring I do not see how that is good for anyone. We were disappointed in the Tapas restaurant it seemed the " plant based" made the menu for us lacking. I have been to Spain many times never heard of " plant based " tapas. Each to our own... Happy Sailing.

Besides the obvious health benefits to limiting your consumption of animal fats, many who eat plant-based diets, myself included, do so for ethical reasons. I personally would rather that an animal did not die for my dinner.  I do not criticize those who choose to eat meat or fish, but I want to maintain the option to be vegetarian at home and when I travel. I applaud WS for adding the plant-based diet to their menu. It might not meet with your approval, but I am certain that it has pleased and will continue to please many WS passengers. I strongly believe that you are mistaken that the plant-based menu items on the WS ships are "ultra-processed" and are simply whipped oils, chemicals and coloring.

The good news is that WS now offers menus that will suit the dietary needs and desires of those who choose to be plant-based and will not affect the menus of those who are omnivorous.

Happy Sailing!

7 hours ago, gsutiger2 said: This is not good news for vegans. We are a bit concerned that we will be forced to eat the same food day in and out due to a lack of variety. If this is the case, I know that WS will not be our cruise line of choice. 

@aaaa  and @gsutiger2  Have you heard of these dedicated plant-based Windstar cruises? Sounds like it may be what you are looking for in a cruise!

Plant-Based Travel - National Health Association (healthscience.org)

2025 Windstar WFPB Tahiti Cruise - Papeete to Papeete - National Health Association (healthscience.org)

2024 Costa Rica & The Panama Canal - Colon to Puerto Caldera - National Health Association (healthscience.org)

5 hours ago, ridethetide said: Besides the obvious health benefits to limiting your consumption of animal fats, many who eat plant-based diets, myself included, do so for ethical reasons. I personally would rather that an animal did not die for my dinner.  I do not criticize those who choose to eat meat or fish, but I want to maintain the option to be vegetarian at home and when I travel. I applaud WS for adding the plant-based diet to their menu. It might not meet with your approval, but I am certain that it has pleased and will continue to please many WS passengers. I strongly believe that you are mistaken that the plant-based menu items on the WS ships are "ultra-processed" and are simply whipped oils, chemicals and coloring. The good news is that WS now offers menus that will suit the dietary needs and desires of those who choose to be plant-based and will not affect the menus of those who are omnivorous. Happy Sailing!  

I sometimes have to make things that are dairy free. I can make a reasonable cream cheese substitute from cashews and I've used dairy substitute products from companies such as  Mykonos and Kite that have simple normal ingredients so it doesn't have to be over processed to be vegan.

I fear that Windstar may be trying to cover too many dietary limitations at once with it's plant based items. The description of the indicator on the Amphora menu says they are also free of gluten, sugar and oils. 

The additional exclusions probably don't affect items such as chili and tofu scramble much. They normally wouldn't have gluten or sugar. (Sorry, I can't taste those to check the quality - They contain an ingedient that I have an allergy to.)

It's desserts where the extra limitations are likely to change the nature of the product too much. I tried one of the plant based chocolate cookies. I wasn't a fan of the texture. It wasn't terrible but oddly gummy. 

8 hours ago, gsutiger2 said: This is not good news for vegans. We are a bit concerned that we will be forced to eat the same food day in and out due to a lack of variety. If this is the case, I know that WS will not be our cruise line of choice. 

There has been lots of variety in the plant-based items offered, but I haven't seen any of the junk food items you mentioned so far. There is a vegetarian burger, but not a vegan one.

• 2 weeks later...

Any vegan options for room service breakfast?

Any vegan pancakes or waffles in restaurants?

• 1 month later...

For vegans searching for information about Windstar offerings, allow me to share my 2023 experience. We were on Pride and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise line! We will never go back to monster ships. However, the food (which I know is subjective) was a major major issue for us.

Please note we are fully aware and understand that plant-based and vegan are different. We eat and enjoy both. 

While we did not expect the same level of variety as non-vegan or vegetarian passengers, we were disappointed to find that we were often left with no other option but to eat salad, beets, or chili for lunch almost every day. Our food always felt like an "afterthought." 

This lack of variety became particularly frustrating when we were served what appeared to be frozen Dr. Praeger's burgers. We informed Windstar of our vegan dietary requirements well in advance and even confirmed this information with our travel agent closer to the departure date to ensure they had time to order/cultivate a menu if we were the only vegans onboard. However, the galley seemed unprepared to cater to the dietary restrictions, and they appeared to have to devise a plan of action once we were on board. As a result, we felt we were not given the same consideration as non-vegan or vegetarian passengers.

We were disappointed that the money we paid did not translate into a minuscule -comparable range of options to those enjoyed by non-vegan or vegetarian passengers. For instance, we had to request vegan pancakes for breakfast and rely on room service as the buffet offered no hot plant-based/vegan breakfast items.  Moreover, we were disappointed to find that deck hors d'oeuvres, beach BBQ, and the ice cream social offered us no plant-based/vegan options.

Let me give you clear examples of how the money we paid did not in any way come close to the options as vegetarians:

Vegan Options Offered/Provided

• Breakfast – I had to ask them if they could make vegan pancakes. We stuck with room service as the buffet had no HOT plant-based/vegan breakfast items readily available.
• Beach BBQ - Salad and chips
• Verandah Lunch – Salad, beets, chili (some days), mushy Dr. Praeger's "like" burger
• Dinner – Salad, Asian tofu and rice (3 days), mushroom pasta that seemed thrown together with leftover prepped items. We were presented with a bowl full of mushrooms with sauce! I dislike mushrooms, but unfortunately, that was my ONLY option for dinner!
• Dessert - The cruise offered no vegan ice cream warm plant-based/vegan options (i.e., apple pie). The plant-based desserts were all cold, weird textures, and lacked flavor.
• Deck Hors d'oeuvres – never any plant-based or vegan options offered to us.
• Ice Cream Social – no vegan ice cream

Easy replacements I compiled based on the ingredients I saw used onboard:

• Beach BBQ – BBQ jackfruit burgers, grilled BBQ tofu, BBQ beans, grillable vegan quinoa and chickpea burgers, grilled vegetable skewers, pasta salad, etc. For vegan - impossible or beyond burgers is an easy option!
• Lunch – tacos (rice, beans, etc.), vegan pizza (add vegan cheese), falafel, harvest bowls, tabbouleh salads, black bean nachos, avocado tacos, vegan BLT sandwiches, marinated tofu kabobs, tofu popcorn chicken, vegan tuna, chickpea burgers, HUMMUS, plantains, rice and peas (Caribbean), sweet potato tacos, tofu caprese, pesto pasta, tofu and pineapple sandwiches, buddha bowls
• Dinner – Pasta (remove the meat)! Fettuccine Alfredo (cashew cheese), vegetable lasagne, olive tapenade, pasta with Asian style dressing, lobster rolls with hearts of palm, vegetable fritters, rice pilaf, herb bread, lemon roasted potatoes, black bean stuffed sweet potatoes with guacamole, vegan caesar salad, Singapore noodles.
• Dessert – vegan cookies and ice cream

I looked at the food they offered the general public and could EASILY identify plant-based/vegan options with no new ingredients. We really liked Windstar and hope they will take recommendations into consideration and expand the plant-based/vegan options on their menu in the future. Having only 1-2 options per day was frustrating, and I couldn't wait to get to a vegan-friendly restaurant at ports. 

The dining crew was amazing, and you can tell they really tried to find other options available. 

If the food situation is rectified - Windstar would have easily been a solid 10 for us. 

On 11/5/2023 at 5:34 PM, gsutiger2 said: Any vegan options for room service breakfast? Any vegan pancakes or waffles in restaurants? Thank you 

You need to write in "vegan" on the room service card. However, I would have a conversation with the dining manager before you do this to ensure the galley knows how to cook this. By the 7th day - the pancakes got better. 

I did not see any vegan pancakes or waffles in the restaurant. The only hot plant-based/vegan item I found in the breakfast buffet was potatoes. 

Would you consider taking one of the NHA Vegan cruises I mentioned in post #10?  That sounds like a good solution to have the large variety and quality of food you want with a Windstar ship's crew service and amenities.  Is there any reason you know of for a person who eats a vegan diet to NOT take that group's cruise?

Nearpost345

I was on the Legend last spring, and got the sense there was some passive aggressive push back going on from the kitchen. The vegan, plant  based and sugar free options were abysmal. As mentioned previously, the plant based burger was not to be taken seriously. I’ll eat anything and am well pleased with my dining options on Windstar, but I empathize with passengers who have special dietary requirements.

7 hours ago, oakridger said: Would you consider taking one of the NHA Vegan cruises I mentioned in post #10?  That sounds like a good solution to have the large variety and quality of food you want with a Windstar ship's crew service and amenities.  Is there any reason you know of for a person who eats a vegan diet to NOT take that group's cruise?   Thanks, ~Nancy 

What are  NHA Vegan cruises?

FlaviaOfTheMonth

We sailed the Wind Spirit in 2021 and I found eating as a vegan to be fairly easy. At that time they did not have any specifically vegan creations but a ton of the regular menu and buffet stuff worked. At that time I don't think I would have even considered asking for "vegan pancakes" as it is too much to ask the kitchen to cater to a couple, or in my case, the only vegan on the ship.

I'm glad to hear they are increasing the options for vegans. In particular the beach BBQ events -- lunch and dinner -- in the South Pacific could have used a vegan option other than salad.

19 hours ago, oakridger said: Would you consider taking one of the NHA Vegan cruises I mentioned in post #10?  That sounds like a good solution to have the large variety and quality of food you want with a Windstar ship's crew service and amenities.  Is there any reason you know of for a person who eats a vegan diet to NOT take that group's cruise?   Thanks, ~Nancy 

19 hours ago, Nearpost345 said: I was on the Legend last spring, and got the sense there was some passive aggressive push back going on from the kitchen. The vegan, plant  based and sugar free options were abysmal. As mentioned previously, the plant based burger was not to be taken seriously. I’ll eat anything and am well pleased with my dining options on Windstar, but I empathize with passengers who have special dietary requirements.

Hi Nancy - yes, we checked out those cruises. We are pretty well traveled and have visited most of those locations.  In addition,  there is a large vegan cruise with top vegan chefs and experts in March 2024. We decided against that as it is on a monster ship and during spring break. We ultimately chose Windstar as they had been advertising their new plant based offerings.

Nearpost- I totally agree and that's the vibe we got. Everyone was nice, but I ultimately felt this plant based push was from corporate and not truly thought through. 

2 hours ago, FlaviaOfTheMonth said: We sailed the Wind Spirit in 2021 and I found eating as a vegan to be fairly easy. At that time they did not have any specifically vegan creations but a ton of the regular menu and buffet stuff worked. At that time I don't think I would have even considered asking for "vegan pancakes" as it is too much to ask the kitchen to cater to a couple, or in my case, the only vegan on the ship.   I'm glad to hear they are increasing the options for vegans. In particular the beach BBQ events -- lunch and dinner -- in the South Pacific could have used a vegan option other than salad.

Lactose intolerant people or those with dairy allergies may also ask for "vegan pancakes". Believe me, breakfast was the only hot meal we could eat and get somewhat full from. After I realized the weak plant based offerings,  I had to rely on pancakes for breakfast and rice for dinner. We rarely eat pancakes at home. 

They had plenty of plant based milk available which was good news!

We were on a 10 day crossing via Greenland in the fall on the Star Pride. My hobby and interest is food, love cooking and experimenting and the culture/ history of food.  I love pure food, eat organic at home but realize on a ship that is not possible which is fine. We tried the vegan cuisine once, I was curious because I have read that a lot about this food and the ultra processing.  We tried the Vegan Cheese Cake and it was inedible. I do not understand why it has to be called " cheese cake " , no cheese. I was hesitant to try anything else and what  I have  read about vegan meat like dishes is the processing. I respect people's tastes, dietary  and religious needs, beliefs, health issues etc  it seems to me real vegetables, fruits, grains,  seeds, olive oils, pastas of terrific quality,  is far better health wise than these made up ultra processed foods. I was told on my cruise of 190 people there were no vegans and was  told from a crew member there was a lot of waste. 

Perhaps people should state their food preferences to the cruise line prior to  so the ship can judge how many vegan eaters there are or kosher folks,  etc so there is not as much waste. This was the first WS cruise we saw with vegan items and our 28 th WS cruise. Happy Sailing

2 hours ago, gsutiger2 said: Lactose intolerant people or those with dairy allergies may also ask for "vegan pancakes". Believe me, breakfast was the only hot meal we could eat and get somewhat full from. After I realized the weak plant based offerings,  I had to rely on pancakes for breakfast and rice for dinner. We rarely eat pancakes at home.    They had plenty of plant based milk available which was good news!

I must have gotten lucky as the chef on our cruise came to me each morning to discuss an option for dinner that night. Generally it was just a variation of something that was already on the menu. I will say they subbed tofu for meat several times but we were on board for 17 nights. That seems like the best "recipe" to me -- make normal items that can be slightly modified for vegan or no-dairy guests.

18 hours ago, ridethetide said: What are  NHA Vegan cruises?

They are detailed in post #10 above.  Basically, on the Tahiti itinerary the whole ship has only the plant-based food offered for the whole cruise.  I wonder if the sponsor group brings on their own chef to supervise or provide recipes?  I checked yesterday and the February 2025 cruise is listed as already sold out and waitlisted!   The 2024 Costa Rica/Panama Canal trip is offering both separate plant-based meals and also regular Windstar meals in a separate dining room (?).

I was going to take that cruise, but when Windstar told me about the food offerings, I decided to spend the week on Moorea instead.  I do like my seafood and other meats!

Good luck everyone!

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The Plant-Based Guide to Cruise Vacations

By Lindsay Morris ,

Healthy eating might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider taking a cruise. But as demand grows for more healthful vegan options, several seafaring companies are getting on board with special menus and themed voyages that celebrate a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. We’ve rounded up a list of the top cruise lines that cater to WFPB eaters as well as mealtime tips for smooth sailing on any ship.  

Cruises That Cater to Vegan and Plant-Based Diets

Windstar Cruises

Big news over at Windstar : In partnership with the National Health Association, this line of boutique cruise ships is launching luxury whole-food, plant-based menus aboard all their vessels starting in June 2023. Windstar sails small groups of passengers (less than 350 people per trip) through the most beautiful water passages in the world, including the Caribbean, European rivers, and the coasts of Alaska. The menus feature dishes with no added salt, oil, or sugar, and they’re also gluten-free to accommodate as many guests as possible. Think veggie enchiladas with black bean and cilantro sauce, roasted butternut squash velouté with baked pumpkin seeds, and tahini brownies with fresh strawberries. If you want to travel with other WFPB eaters, the NHA also organizes plant-based group cruises so you can bond with like-minded travelers, embark on incredible on-shore excursions, and experience life at sea like never before.

Holistic Holiday at Sea 

The 100% plant-based Holistic Holiday at Sea , offered by MSC Cruises, is a seven-day retreat for those looking for delicious food, fun, fitness, and vegan inspiration and insight. HHS offers ample opportunity to rub shoulders and attend presentations from some of the biggest names in the plant-based lifestyle community, including physicians, nutritionists, chefs, and athletes. But there’s also plenty of downtime to relax and enjoy island life, whether that means shopping in Nassau, bicycling and kayaking in St. Maarten, or snorkeling Antigua's Deep Bay. Meals are prepared from scratch using whole foods, maple and rice syrups replace white sugar and artificial sweeteners, and oil-free and gluten-free options are offered. Menu highlights include sweet rice and millet porridge topped with hazelnuts and watercress; lentil-walnut pâté with Belgian endive; vegetable paella; and chocolate-orange cake with chocolate-orange sauce.

VeganTravel

The Germany-based VeganTravel offers fully vegan cruises throughout Europe and has slowly expanded their list of destinations around the world. Upcoming voyages include the Danube river, France and Normandy, and India via the Ganges River. Complete with daily yoga classes and an on-deck spa, these cruises are a luxurious way to indulge in the plant-based lifestyle. Vegan meal offerings include a daily breakfast buffet and fine-dining sit-down dinners in the evenings.

Oceania Cruises

While it isn't a strictly vegan cruise, Oceania offers a total of 250 thoughtfully-created vegan dishes aboard all six of its cruise liners. Developed in collaboration with vegan chef Christophe Berg and inspired by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican cuisines, the offerings have been integrated into menus on the ships’ Grand Dining Rooms and Terrace Cafes. Dishes include green apple müesli with pistachios, pecans, and yellow raisins; penne au pistou with broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes; and green papaya kelp noodle salad. For travelers aspiring to a serious spa experience on the high seas, the plant-based menu is a key feature of the luxe Aquamar culinary and wellness spa programs on Oceania ships. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises , a luxury, all-inclusive cruiseline, offers 200-plus vegan dishes across its four-ship fleet serving more than 450 ports of call. The selections—also developed by vegan chef Christophe Berg—are fully integrated into daily menus. Highlights include chickpea pancakes, chia-cashew yogurt breakfast bowls, falafel fritters, plant-based power and poke bowls, and basil-scented fruit minestrone. Regent Seven Seas tours include excursions to Tasmania, the Arctic, the Mediterranean, Bali, and Cape Horn, among other stunning destinations. 

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Windjammer Cafe, a buffet-dining option aboard Royal Caribbean ships, offers plenty of options for plant-based guests. In addition, the Main Dining Room features a nightly vegan menu that provides WFPB guests with several scrumptious options for starters, entrees, and desserts . Highlights include edamame-stuffed portobello mushrooms, vegan spaghetti Bolognese, and toffee "cheesecake" with dark chocolate and a peanut-butter crust. Royal Caribbean Cruise destinations include Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Cozumel.

Princess Cruises

Fusing gourmet cuisine with eco-conscious ethics, Princess Cruises is now offering an expansive vegan menu across their fleet of 15 ships. And while it can often be slim pickings for plant-based travelers, Princess Cruises has cooked up extensice offerings to satisfy every palate. From soups and starters to pastas and main dishes, you can expect to have just as much choice as the omnivorous guests. A few options include Baja-style cauliflower tacos, green goddess salad with tofu and endive, fettuccine with walnut sauce, and plant-based shepherd's pie. Set sail and take your taste buds on the trip of a lifetime!

SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club makes a point to pamper discerning and health-conscious travelers with gourmet vegan food that rivals Michelin star restaurants. Whether you're set to tour the polar regions, island-hop the Caribbean, or sample wines on a Mediterranean voyage, you can expect to find pumpkin and zucchini lasagna, tofu cakes on sautéed zucchini with mint and basil sauce, and pumpkin-carrot mousse with roasted pumpkin seeds as standard fare. A DIY salad area for lunch and a cold-pressed raw and vegan juice smoothie bar offers refreshing beverages. 

Costa Cruises

Costa offers special vegetarian and vegan menus upon request and also allows passengers to bring their own food products and have ship chefs prepare meals out of them . The company offers tours of the Caribbean, South America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean, among other fantastic destinations. 

Tips for Eating Whole-Food, Plant-Based on a Cruise

Booked your cruise with another company? No sweat; there are many ways to “work the system,” says Steve Lawenda , a family physician at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clarita, California. Lawenda recently put his whole-food, plant-based diet to the test on a cruise. Here are his best tips for navigating uncharted waters.  

Do Your Homework 

Check your cruise line’s website for menu options or give them a call, recommends Lawenda. “Consider a Google search for your cruise line and/or specific ship and include the term ‘vegan’ or ‘plant-based.’ There are many useful third-party sites with tips, some sites of which consist of consumer/traveler reviews that also may be helpful.” Lawenda recommends perusing the message boards on CruiseCritic.com . 

Don’t be shy, says Lawenda. “Once you board your ship, it’s most helpful to acquaint yourself with the dining room’s head waiter or maître d' and explain your specific dietary needs. I have found they will either recommend items on the menu that are already compatible with your needs, or they will ask their chefs to create custom dishes for you.”

Hit the Buffet

Most cruises boast a large all-you-can-eat buffet. Use this to your advantage; it’s a great place to assemble a tasty meal from the vast array of side dishes and salad fixings. “The challenge was sometimes knowing which dishes were vegan, which had oil and/or refined sugar, or other added sweeteners,” says Lawenda. “In my experience, the head chefs will be more than happy to walk the buffet with you, pointing out existing options that fit your criteria, and in many cases, they will also be happy to make something custom for you.”

Remember: You’re the Customer  

Cruises want you to enjoy yourself, write rave reviews, and recommend your experience to your friends, says Lawenda. “This typically means they will do whatever they can to not only accommodate your dietary requests [but also] make your food as delicious as possible. There seems to be a decent amount of competition in the cruise industry these days, and customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to the dining and culinary experience, is a top priority.”

Editor’s Note: Megan Edwards contributed to this article.

This article was originally published on August 23, 2019, and has been updated.

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Windstar Cruises is growing again with 2 new ships

Small-ship specialist Windstar Cruises is finally back in growth mode.

Windstar President Chris Prelog on Wednesday said the brand would add two new vessels by the end of 2026 — a 33% expansion of its fleet that would end a decadelong drought in new ship additions.

"This is going to allow Windstar not only to grow but to go back to favorite destinations where we have been before and explore new destinations," Prelog told cruise writers at a press conference in Miami Beach, Florida.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Prelog called the acquisition of the two vessels from another company "an amazing opportunity" that would allow Windstar to double the number of ships it operates in French Polynesia, one of its core markets.

The press conference took place at Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry's annual meetup at the Miami Beach Convention Center. More than 10,000 executives from cruise lines, shipyards, suppliers and destinations attend the event.

2 new all-suite ships

Windstar is acquiring the two new vessels from Portugal-based Mystic Invest Holdings, the parent company of small-ship operator Atlas Ocean Voyages , Germany-based Nicko Cruises and several other brands.

The first of the vessels, to be called Star Seeker, is a still-under-construction, 224-passenger vessel that Mystic was originally building for its Atlas Ocean Voyages brand to operate under the name World Seeker.

The ship was to be a sister vessel to the three Atlas Ocean Voyages vessels currently in operation: World Navigator , World Traveller and World Voyager .

Mystic was building the ship for Atlas Ocean Voyages at a shipyard in Portugal that it also owns.

The second vessel Windstar is acquiring is a 4-year-old ship in the same series that Mystic has been chartering to expedition cruise specialist Quark Expeditions. Currently operating for Quark as World Explorer, it'll be renamed Star Explorer and also have room for 224 passengers.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The two vessels will join the Windstar fleet in December 2025 and December 2026, respectively, after the addition of several signature Windstar elements to each of them.

For example, both of the vessels will get water sports platforms, something that isn't currently part of their design. Water sports platforms are a signature feature of Windstar vessels.

Other changes to the current design of each of the vessels will include adding a new pool and a two-story spa. Windstar will also add a whirlpool to the bow of the ships.

A helipad that is currently part of the design of each of the ships will become a large Owner's Suite, with a wraparound balcony.

Like the three ships of similar design currently sailing for Atlas Ocean Voyages, the new Windstar ships will be all-suite ships where most rooms come with either a private balcony or a window wall that slides open to create a balcony-like space.

Windstar said each of the ships would have an Amphora dining room, a Windstar signature, and a more casual Star Grill. Each of the vessels will have a no-extra-charge specialty restaurant and offer 24-hour room service, too.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Windstar ship

As is the case for all of the vessels in the series that have operated for Atlas Ocean Voyages and Quark, the ships will have ice-strengthened hulls that allow them to operate in icy polar destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic's Svalbard Archipelago. But in response to a question from The Points Guy, Prelog suggested the line didn't have plans to deploy the ships to the most remote parts of the polar regions.

That said, the ice-strengthened capabilities of the ships could be of value when sailing to places such as Greenland and Alaska, Prelog said.

First new Windstar ships since 2015

Windstar last expanded its fleet in 2014 and 2015, when it added three small motor vessels that were formerly operated by Seabourn.

Windstar currently operates six ships — the three former Seabourn vessels, all of which have been significantly renovated and lengthened over the years to have more cabins and venues, as well as three sailing ships.

Related: Don't miss these loyalty perks when booking a Windstar cruise

During Wednesday's announcement, Prelog said the addition of the two Mystic vessels would allow Windstar to send one of its sailing ships, the 148-passenger Wind Star, back to French Polynesia starting in 2027. Wind Star will join the 312-passenger Star Breeze in sailing year-round in French Polynesia, a major expansion for Windstar in the region.

Prelog on Wednesday did not say where the new Star Seeker and Star Explorer would sail. But he said itineraries and pricing for the first of vessels scheduled to debut, Star Seeker, would be announced in June.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Things to Do in Chusovoy, Russia - Chusovoy Attractions

Things to do in chusovoy.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Park of History of River Chusovaya

2. house-museum of v.p. astafyev.

3. Chusovskoi Museum

• Park of History of River Chusovaya
• House-Museum of V.P. Astafyev
• Chusovskoi Museum

Perm, Russia General info on the city of Perm A short intro... Perm is the most Eastern city of Europe, and therefore its province is often referred to as Eurasia. Having a population of 1 million, Perm' is one of the largest cities in Russia and the second largest in the Urals. The city was formerly called Molotov, after the minister of foreign affairs during Joseph Stalin's ruling. Perm stretches 65 km along the impressive Kama River - Europe's 4th largest river by length. The Perm province, "Permskiy Krai", or "Prikamye", is around two-third the size of the United Kingdom and covers a great area in the very heart of the Ural Mountains. Perm is internationally known as the name for the geological period (290 - 245 million years ago) in which the Ural Mountain Range was formed. In contrary to the Urals, Perm itself is rather young. Although the first settlement of Perm dates back to 16th century, officially it got its city status in 1723. Citizens still loudly celebrate Perm's birthday on 12th of June, with street parades, concerts and fireworks throughout the whole city! In spite of being a relatively young city, Perm played an important role in the history of Russia. Not the least part of this role was played by Ermak, who was from the Perm Province. Ermak, by order of the Stroganov family, gathered an army here and led it through the Urals, later to succesfully conquer Siberia for Russia. Afterwards, when a road was needed to connect Siberia with the west, construction was started in Perm, which was at that time the capital of the Ural region. The new road, together with the construction of the Trans Siberian Railroad, allowed development of the places east of the Urals - current big cities such as Ekaterinburg, Omsk and Novosibirsk, were merely peasant or miners' towns by that time. Nowadays, Perm basically owes its existence to two factors. Firstly the large amounts of natural resources (minerals, oil and timber) that are present in the region, and secondly (but not less important): its location. The mighty Kama River, the Great Trans Siberian Railroad and main motorways from Moscow/Kazan to Siberia all cross in Perm, making Perm a main Russian transportation hub. The city is the doorway from Europe to Asia and to Siberia in particular. During Soviet times, Perm was a proper fortress because of the huge military industry in its region. All artillery and rocket vehicles, as well as (intercontinental) ballistic rocket launching systems, engines for MiG jetfighters and canons of all ranges were (and in less proportions still are) produced in Perm. The Soviets did an excellent job in hiding Perm and keeping it secret. Most people from outside the Urals simply did not know of the existence of the - at that time - 1 million citizens of Perm. Until the end of the cold war, Perm did not appear on certain Soviet-made maps, nor did the roads towards it. Nowadays, Perm is obviously accessible to all. Actually, it currently is one of Russia's fastest growing cities because of its economical prosperity. Click here for specific information for visitors: Perm sightseeing / excursions and Perm hotels . Perm - 101% Russian, yet multicultural For Russian standards, Perm is one of the most multicultural places in the whole country; it is a home of many ethnic groups who have lived together in Perm ever since its existence. While taking a walk through Perm’s huge central bazaar one can easily distinguish Russians at the many typical small kiosks, Georgians and Armenians selling their original spicy kebabs and shoarmas straight from the barbecue and Tatars operating from most of the simple but colorful jewelry stands. Furthermore, Russian orthodox churches, a mosque, a synagogue and several Catholic churches (some dating from the 17th century) all exist next to each other in Perm. The multicultural character of Perm also shows in its dining possibilities; one does never have to go far to experience the Russian, Uzbek, Georgian or Caucasian cuisine. In spite of its multicultural character, Perm is “Russian till the bone”. Wide avenues, big squares and parks, many statues, dominant Soviet architecture, countless little kiosks, huge theatres and trolley busses everywhere - all make Perm as Russian as Russian can be. Being some 1400 kilometers away from the big influential cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Perm is a relaxed place, where people have kept the typical Russian way of life and traditions. The Perm opera and ballet theatre After St. Petersburg and Moscow, Perm is Russia's leading city for opera and ballet theatre. Not only has the city got a wide range of stages and theatres, its educational bodies like the Russian Academy of Theatre Art and Institute for Culture and Art as well as its many international relations in theatre performances and education still give Perm the name of theatre city. One of the most famous stages is the Chaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre Perm. Among its repertoire are internationally known performances (for example Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra, Aida, Cinderella, Le Nozze di Figaro) as well as Russian ones: most works of Chaikovsky have been staged here. Since 1948 the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre has been on tours throughout the whole world, performing in countries such as UK, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany and China. During its history, the theatre has received numerous (inter)national prizes. Another leading stage is the Perm Academic Drama Theatre, founded in 1927. Like the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Acamedic Drama Theatre has staged the world’s most prestigious Drama plays (for instance Ostrovsky, Shakespeare, Gorky and Tolstoy) and has it won many prizes for its work. Museums The Perm Art Gallery boasts a large collection of arts. Apart from numerous paintings of Flemish, French and Italian masters, it also has modern art collections on exhibition. The museum's collection is among the very largest ones in Russia. The museum is located in a former cathedral, now a landmark of Perm in the centre of the city. For those who are interested in the history and the culture of the Urals, the Regional Museum of Local Studies and History (founded in 1890) is definitely worth to visit. The museum boasts a wide variety of armory, coinage, pottery, handicrafts, archeology and minerals. It also tells about the Permian period, the geological era in which the Urals were formed. The partly open-air artillery museum at the northern end of the city centre displays all generations of rocket and artillery (vehicles), as constructed in Perm, as well as a wide range of information of the history of the industry. Actually, the city is known for its large war industry ever since late 1800’s. All cannons and artillery of former Soviet Union as well as engines for Tupolev and MiG aircrafts were (and in less amounts still are) manufactured in Perm. The museum offers detailed information on its wide range of warfare. The outside part of the museum can be entered free of charge at any time. This museum is a part of our city excursion . “ Khokhlovka ” (Open-air museum of and Wooden Architecture and Ethnography) is in fact a collection of original structures as they existed in the 17th century. Inside the buildings, all kinds of tools, handicrafts and clothes of that time are exposed. The guide will take you around the museum, telling about the hard life 300 years ago. You will be amazed by the beauty of the site; Khokhlovka is located on a green hill and offers great views over the Kama river and nearby villages. Architecture As for architecture, most profound buildings are situated in the city centre. The heart of the city is very unlike what one can expect from a city of over one million inhabitants. It completely lacks the usual modern glass buildings and tall skyscrapers that make up for most big cities’ centres. In fact, Perm’s centre is mostly made up by colorful, classic 3-storied mansions of Soviet architecture, making the centre breath a rather relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Among the most prominent buildings in the city are the centrally located "Young people's theatre", the Feodalyevskaya Church and the Dyagiliev Mansion. Furthermore, the Perm I train station is worth a look, as it is proper ancient (17th century). In the provincial towns surrounding Perm, such as Kungur, Solikamsk, Usolye and Osa, architectural highlights are dominated by mansions and factories which were built by the Stroganovs and Demidovs in the 17th century. In similar style, a large number of remarkable churches and cathedrals can be found throughout the Perm Province. Famous people In spite of Perm being a relatively unknown city, the city and its region brought forward many famous people. Ballet impressario Sergei Dyaghilev was born in Perm and spent early years of his life here. He became a sensation in Europe during 2 decades of his "Ballets Russes". Dyaghilev's former mansion in the centre of Perm is now a museum. Chaikovsky, one of the greatest composers ever, was born in a small town just south of Perm. Furthermore, Perm was home of Popov, the inventor of radio, and of Boris Pasternak, who wrote Dr. Zhivago here. The Stroganovs, the Demidovs and Tatishchevs in Perm make up for Russia's famous industrials. Ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev wrote history when he produced the ballet sensation "The Rites of Spring" in Paris in the early years of the 20th century. Sports For those who are more into sports rather than theatre, Perm has many possibilities. Especially in weekends, the offer is large. Football games of Amkar (promoted to Russia’s premier league in 2003) and “Molot-Prikamiye” (see club logo on the right) ice hockey matches take place frequently. Click here for all matches of Perm sports teams. Shopping Shopping in Perm is an experience on its own. Like most other cities in Russia, Perm has not got obvious Western-style shopping streets, although the central “Komsomolsky Prospekt” is steadily developing into one. New and modern stores are appearing in and around this proper avenue at a fast rate, among which mostly fashion, jewelry and dining places. For daily needs, the huge central bazaar is the most popular place. For any tourist, a visit to this site of countless little stands, shops and kiosks simply cannot be missed. The whole city comes together here, making the bazaar probably the most vivid place in Perm. Fruits, vegetables, clothes, cleaning products, tools, audio, sunglasses, kebabs, carpets, almost ANYthing can be purchased here, and usually for very little money too. The large building in the centre of the bazaar is the place where all kinds of meat and milk products are sold. For those looking for cheap clothing, the Chinese-Vietnamese market is the place to go. Decent but cheap is the main subject among the mainly Chinese trade-people at the market. Furthermore, several smaller markets (“rinki”) can be found all over the city, mainly at the crossings of major streets. A number of shopping malls serve those who like to have everything in one building. The biggest one is “Univermag” on the corner of Lenina and Komsomolsky Prospekt. Just across the road are many bakeries, cafés and kebab stands for a short break and a quick snack. Public Transport Perm has an extensive public transport system, operated by busses, taxi busses, trolley busses and trams. They take you to wherever you want to go in the city, even to far outskirts. The standard fare for any means of public transport is 13 rubles, to be paid to the conductor on entrance. Taxi busses start around 6:30 am and stop at 21 pm. All the other transport starts at 5:30 am and goes until 0:30 am. Taxis, naturally, drive 24 hours. If you do not know the city well, it might be difficult for you to find your way through the complicated public transport network. The best thing you can do is to ask the hotel receptionists or your host family which bus or tram number you need. Just remember the name of the stop you departed from, so it will be easy for people to give you directions back, just in case you are not sure which one to take. It is also possible to buy a city transport map at any paper/magazine kiosk, they cost around 2 euro. Events in Perm Events in form of sports and theatre take place nearly every day, one shall not get bored! Most interesting performances of ballet, drama and opera are staged at the Drama Theatre, which is located on Lenina Street, at the central square. The Perm Academic Theatre offers all kinds of famous plays, both Russian and international, and has a full events calendar every day of the month. Matches of Molot Prikamye (ice hockey) take place at the Molot Stadium, which is loacated in the eastern part of Perm. Amkar plays Russian premier league football in stadium "Zvezda", which is in the city centre. Celebrations throughout the city often take place on Russian national holidays: December 31st, New Year January 7th, Orthodox Christmas February 23rd, Day of Defender of Motherland (fireworks) March 8th, Women's Day May 1st, Spring and Labour Day May 9th, Victory Day (military parades in city centre) June 12th, Independence Day and birthday Perm city! (huge fireworks at midnight) November 4th, National Accord Day Furthermore, several occasional as well as annual music, theatre, folklore and anniversary festivals take place in Perm and its region. There is always something to celebrate in Perm! Perm city map A map of Perm city centre, as well as a province map, you'll find on a seperate page. Click here for Perm city map . Perm Weather & Climate Russia is renowned for its long and cold winters. In case of Perm in particular, this is only partly true. Perm has a temperate continental climate: winters are by far not as harsh (average day temperature in January is -15C) when compared to the more eastern parts of the country. Summers are usually very sunny and warm, averagely +25C in July- and August day times. During those months, many citizens can be found sunbathing on the Kama beaches. Current weather:   -->

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Just in case you mistakenly heard that it was all ice and snow in Russia, take a peek at the Big Bikini Exposition. This is right on the river Moskva in Moscow!Moscow has been the capital of Russia for almost its entire history. The exception is during the period of the Russian Empire, which lasted from 1721 until the Russian Revolution 1917. For these two centuries the capital was St. Petersburg. The Russian Empire was the second largest contiguous Empire in world memory; only the Mongol Empire had been greater.Check out what's happening north of Mongolia these days, in ChitaAlthough you may not have heard of Sochi, on the Black Sea, they're building up quickly and hope to host the 2014 Olympics.Other periods of Russian history include the Tsardom of Russia, from Ivan IV to Peter the Great, and the Grand Duchy (14th-16th centuries).The earliest period of Russian history was ruled by the Novgorod Republic and Kievan Rus, which was the first Russian state dating back to 800AD in Kiev.Modern Russia remains one of the world's superpowers. They launched the earth's second satellite, called Sputnik 1, and were the first country to put a human being into orbit around earth. (The first one is called the Moon.)After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a federal republic of 83 states.Text by Steve Smith.