What are some of your “unfinished” cruise destinations? What ports or countries are you dying to visit even as you dream of new places? I think there’s always at least one place we’ve visited that we’d like to visit again (Helsinki, Finland, pictured above). Sometimes it’s just because we didn’t have time to see some places. For me, it’s often more about the experience I had at the destination than what I missed.
The more a place stirs my senses, the more I want to go back. I’m drawn to the cobbled alleys of the old town, with its wooden doors and interesting hardware. I wander the markets and study the fruits and spices—of course I have to smell and taste them. I love looking at the sea and the boats from land—putting the immensity of it all on display.
As a travel writer, I have an excuse to research cruises almost every day. But the reality is that I spend as much time online fantasizing about my next cruise as I do actually working. New, unexplored ports often clash in my daydreams with my own unfinished business. Talking to real people about their destination experiences is often the best way to discover what other people find interesting about a place. Facebook makes this easy. One of my favorite groups is – Windstar Cruises Passenger Yacht Club — filled with long-time and new Windstar travelers sharing their thoughts and questions.
I recently decided to pose the unfinished cruise business question to the group. Here are the destinations members would most like to return to. Feel free to join the discussion and add your own answers to the following questions Topics on Facebook Or share your unfinished business in the comments section below.
What’s the biggest surprise for people who haven’t been there? Bequia
Valerie Aaron has this to say about the small Caribbean island south of the Grenadines: Bequia – I don’t go back often, and I don’t stay long!
I totally agree. Bequia It’s one of those postcard-perfect island destinations that has somehow remained untouched. It’s an idyllic place for snorkeling, scuba diving and beach dreams. The best Bequia story I know is about a passenger who was turning 90 and was on a Wind Star cruise with her two sons. She walked from the boat to the beach using two trekking poles, supported by her two sons. She found a perfect spot on the sand where the waves could wash over her feet, and her sons lowered her onto the beach and then joined her. It was one of the happiest things I’ve ever seen.
Not so surprising – Alaska
Peggy Sweeny Potochar once said: Alaska! Hopefully Windstar will come back. We did a 10 day land cruise from Fairbanks and it was amazing!
Windstar agrees with you, Peggy. The new Star Seeker will bring Windstar guests back to Alaska in the summer of 2026. The best way to avoid missing out on these flights is to make sure your name is on the Windstar Email List.
And Tahiti
I must admit, although I think of Windstar Cruises every time I see it, I have yet to go on one. Tahiti However. Facebook group members made a compelling case for squeezing into the topic. Jan Womack Hughes said:… At 61, I said I probably wouldn’t go anywhere else, but I would definitely go back to Tahiti. I left my heart there! It’s so beautiful!
Debbra Dunning Brouilette says: French Polynesia… Bora Bora! …scuba diving and even snorkeling in the lagoon is amazing! I haven’t dived in a long time though and I miss it so much!
You know you got me into diving and snorkeling, Debra.
Another popular spot: Europe’s Baltic Sea
This post just came out (I love posts where people keep commenting!): Northern Europe, specifically places like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Carolyn Spencer Brown writes, “I wanted to add another destination I’ve traveled to on the Windstar: Northern Europe/Baltics! Helsinki has become one of my favorite ports in the region, and I keep coming back whenever I can. Plus, there are cool surprises here besides the more well-known ports like Stockholm and Copenhagen (Tallinn, Estonia is also a favorite).”
Mediterranean lovers tell the truth
One destination I’ve always wanted to visit again is Sicily, which sparked my love for Italy as a whole and made me deeply curious about it.
Chris Olthoff started an interesting series of responses with the following comment: Interested to see this. We were passengers on the Windstar and saw theSicily Splendor” is one item on our bucket list but I’m wondering if 10 days in Italy/Sicily would be too repetitive. Would love to get opinions from anyone who has done this. This is something that interests us.
Everyone agrees that there is no such thing as “too much” ItalyElliana Vera responded to Chris: Of course, I’ve been to Italy many times because my family is there, so I’ve basically traveled all over Italy, but there is so much to see, so much to do, but most importantly… there is good food to eat!!! The Amalfi Coast is so different than places like the Rome area or Sicily. I’ve been on a few WS cruises to different parts of Italy and I loved them all. A must do!
Several Facebook users also expressed a desire to return to Croatia. I had no idea I would fall in love with Croatia until I sat on the marble steps of Zadar’s amazing Sea Organ. The clear waters below the steps and the melodious song of the wave-driven pipes made me want to stay all day. Adriatic Islands and Greek Goddesses If you’re interested in experiencing it for yourself, the cruise will visit four Croatian ports, including Zadar.
Eliana Vera in Japan and Greecesaying this: I would have to say Greece is one of them, Japan is definitely one. I have been to both of these places many times with WS and other occasions but have always wanted to go again and feel there is so much more to see there. Just did another WS Greece cruise in April and am already planning my next trip there. There are so many different islands to visit!
So where is your unfinished cruise business?
