Our First Sailing Cruise: Wind Surf in the Mediterranean

We arrived back on the ship to get ready for the local cultural show by local flamenco dancers - such a great display of talent and great entertainment, they were just marvellous. Tonight was Windstar's signature BBQ and we enjoyed a special onboard feast of foods and international flavours held outdoors on deck 6, with a range of fresh meats, fish, a variety of salads, fruits, desserts, and local dishes, accompanied by a live band which added to the lively atmosphere. And, it gets better, as we enjoyed another signature Windstar experience, gathering on deck as the sails were raised accompanied by music from 1492: Conquest of Paradise to add a bit of drama! There was a celebratory toast as we watched in delight.

I decided to join one of the various fitness classes the ship offers and at the crack of dawn I headed to the well-equipped gym for a workout before my yoga class. Our fitness instructor, Giovanni, was just amazing and is one of the best yoga instructors I have encountered at sea. For our first breakfast on board, we headed to the Veranda restaurant where you can choose to dine indoors or al fresco, with a buffet that includes a selection of cold and hot items, while the menu features made-to-order dishes like waffles, pancakes, French toast, and even steak if you fancy! For the late risers, fresh sandwiches, teas, and coffees are available throughout the day at the deck 4 Yacht Club, which resembles an upscale coffee shop with its plush, deep ocean blue velvet armchairs; it's a popular spot to relax with a good book or to socialise with newfound friends.

Our next stop was Almeria today, a city and municipality of Spain, and one of Andalucia's emerging destinations with plazas, old churches, several interesting museums, and an array of tapas bars; it's easy to explore and navigate on foot. If you prefer to stay on the ship, there are quite a few activities to keep you busy, from quizzes to seminars, or of course just chilling by the pool, which offers plenty of sun loungers and seating to indulge in your favourite cocktail. As we prepared to sailaway, there was an element of excitement each day to see the raising of the sails, which takes place every time you leave a port, weather permitting.

Tonight we sampled Candles, one of Windstar's speciality restaurants - there is no additional charge for this though a reservation is required - transformed from the daytime venue Veranda into a romantic, candlelit steakhouse under the stars with breathtaking views of the ocean. We enjoyed an intimate, romantic, fine dining and al fresco experience, with dishes curated by the James Beard Foundation. Another delicious meal!

Our next port of call was the picturesque Cartagena and this city has so much to offer. We were docked in the heart of the city so just hopped on a quirky City Train Tour for just 10 euros which took us to the Old Town and the New Town, lasting 40 minutes in total - and as we were only in port for four hours, this was a popular choice. There are lots of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in the main square, along with lovely, quaint boutiques to indulge in a spot of shopping. With a free afternoon, this was a perfect opportunity to explore the ship. There are so many intimate spaces dotted around this small ship and although the vessel was nearly at full capacity, it didn't feel crowded.

Stella Bistro, this speciality French-inspired restaurant, was for me a highlight of the ship's dining and we were delighted when we managed to get a table for the time we wanted. This elegant dining room is light and airy with brightly coloured chairs and crisp white tablecloth creating an opulent atmosphere. The service is warm and attentive, and we enjoyed another delicious meal and dining experience.

Our last port was Palma de Mallorca, the capital and largest autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. We enjoyed a beautiful view of the picturesque cathedral from the ship - not your usual breakfast vista! We were in port until late afternoon and so enjoyed exploring the city on our own, including a lovely tapas meal at a local restaurant, which we stumbled upon while walking through the city's charming back streets.

On our final evening on board we joined some friends for farewell cocktails at the Compass Rose bar. The Mediterranean sun was still out so warm enough to sit outdoors - the perfect spot to capture the golden sunset. As we headed to Amphora for dinner, we were blown away by the sheer size of the ship's main dining room. The lovely warm champagne colours complimented the funky patterned carpet and our waiter, a charming gentleman from Indonesia, guided us through the menu and made some superb recommendations. The delicious food was beautifully presented, and the service was second to none. Overall, my first sailing ship experience exceeded my expectations, and a personal highlight for me was seeing the ship's beautiful sails in action. Sun, sea, and surf - we thoroughly enjoyed it!