We are back...from our first cruise and it was great! I have been wanting to do this ever since I first heard about Windjammers and it was better than I expected. It was also better than my honey expected since his recollection of those early cruises involved hammocks, galley dining and tiny quarters!<br><br>The ship, the crew, the food and the passengers all lived up to my expectations. The only downside was the storm that dumped snow all the way down the Eastern seaboard the week of Jan 20th continued to blow thru the Caribbean making for high swells and choppy seas in some places. Thus we were not able to sail to Buck Island,snorkel the Rhone or tender onto Virgin Gorda. At first I was disappointed but decided that the experience on the Legacy was the thing and the adventure is what you make of it. The fact that we have previously been to all the island stops except Jost also helped.<br><br>The Legacy is the largest of the fleet and our rooms were more spacious than I expected with a double berth, short double closet and 6 small drawers. The bathroom was also bigger than I expected; for those who haven't been on board, when the shower is on, the toilet next to it as well as the sink, if you are a splasher, does get wet...the water all runs down the drain in the center of the bathroom. Now of course, we know about showers on board and in the islands: shower on to get wet, shower off to scrub, and shower on to rinse. But there is plenty of hanging space for wet bathing suits, etc. as there is a extendable clothesline. I had also brought a few clothespins that have hanger tops so they held items too on the towel racks. There are 3 levels with cabins, with the most spacious on the main deck where the bar and the evening's events were held; this level also had a large sunshade. Tthere was an aft and stern upper deck where most of the deck loungers were. You could sleep in these at night if you wished; I meant to but when I remembered, rain was forecast so I opted out.<br><br>The weather was consistenly 76-84 with a rain shower evry day lasting 5-20 minutes with lots of rainbows and one double one over Jost.<br><br>The food was very good and plentiful. Meals were either buffet with lots of choices or plated with 2 main entrees, with one lunch BBQ on Jost and one dinner BBQ on deck. In addition to B,L,D, there were always coffee, sticky buns and bloody marys early in the morning, 5 o'clock rum swizzles and appetizers, and snacks about 10 (usually fresh popcorn, tropical fruits and nibbles). There were freshbaked breads, muffins, rolls, and desserts. Coffee, tea and cocoa was available all day. I've become a lover of nutmeg jam from Grenada so now I have to see if I can find it; I tried several shops in St John with no luck and was told that even Sunny Carribee in Roadtown didn't have it.<br><br>The crew were all friendly and helpful and very good at their jobs. Capt. John, First MateTrevor, Stokey, Nicki at the bar, Chief Steward Popeye, and Purser Laurie were all very nice, welcoming and engaging. There were tours of the bridge, the engine rooms, a sailing lesson, knot demo, and Chef Strokey did a great and funny veggie-gami demo. The activiites director, Michele, was a whiz at her job, constantly in motion and make the week lots of fun. There was enough to do, but no pressure to participate at all. There was plenty of privacy and opportunity to play or to veg out.<br><br>The passengers ranged from 20's up with the most in the 35-60 range. It is always so interesting to me how in a large gathering of people, so many manage to gravitate toward like interests. etc. <br> <br>Sailing was lovely, such a great feeling either standing at the rails watching the stars or lying in deck chairs on the top decks with the US and British Virgin Islands all around. Having spent many great vacations on the USVI and BVI, it was great to see it from the water. I was able to hoist sails twice, getting a round of applause from the crew because I was the only one up early one morning; we had decided to set our alarm to catch the hoisting of anchor and sails and to see the sunrise. I enjoyed every moment at sea!<br><br>There were only about 84 passengers tho' the ship holds 118 ( the previous week had been full) which was a nice number and turned out well when we realized on the first night that sleeping directly over the engines was more noise than we wanted. That first night was a sort of test as we were scheduled to sail to St Croix but motored; when the Capt encountered choppy seas (which woke most of us), he decided not to continue to Buck Island. So he took lots of razzing in the morning when we awoke to discover that although we were moving all night, we were only about 1/8 mile(Water Island off STT) from where we started (Crown Bay Marina on STT)! It was the one night that we rocked and rolled so you can imagine what it would have been like under sail. Sailing in general was a very soothing feeling esp at night...must be like what a babe in the womb feels.<br><br>After Water Island on Mon, it was St John on Tues, Jost on Wed, Roadtown on thurs and Norman on Friday.<br><br>There were lots of opportunities to swim, snorkel and hike; there were 2 dive and 2 snorkel excursions as well. The launches also went back to shore at night for trips to various locals hangouts such as Duffy's Love Shack on St John and Foxy's on Jost. There were also planned activities on board - the "not so newlywed game", the costume party( I won), the crab races (sorry, you had to be there) it was hilarious!<br><br>We never really got out od bathing suits/shorts/tees until the last night when the Capt invited everyone to dress if they wished "or just wear a clean tee shirt or if you don't have one, turn one inside out."<br><br>It was truly a great birthday present. It further convinced me that small ships are my thing; we saw a 12 story 3400 passenger ship in STT the first day; there is no way I want to be anywhere with that many people.<br><br>By the way, we arrived on Sat and stayed overnight in STT at the Island Beachcomber (next to the airport and a short ride to Crown Bay marina), then after the cruise, took the ferry back to StJohn until late Monday at the St John Inn. It was perfect to arrive the day before (just in case Boston was snowed in) and not to have to head right home.<br> <br>It is not hard to think we can get hooked on this. My honey wants his birthday presentto be in St John in November, but we are both up for another Windjammer experience!! If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer. JudyG
