Wouldn't you like a chance to take a holiday that has the best of both worlds?

Then consider a Trans-Atlantic Crossing aboard a WindStar vessel.

14 days of sheer bliss at sea and your journey begins or ends in the Caribbean or Europe!

Welcome Aboard!

Court travel Is pleased to offer special group preferred rates on the following sailings:

2011 Pricing

You have 3 ships to chose from to make your crossing:

The WindSurf, The WindSpirit & the WindStar

2011 also presents us a very special opportunity to enjoy a 3 week crossing: 

Sail the WindSpirit for 7 nights on Nov 13, departing from Lisbon to Tenerife, cruising along the African coast with exotic ports of call in Morocco and the Canary Islands.  Then continue your journey with the Trans-Atlantic departure above. What a great way to visit Casablanca, Agadir, Lanzarote, Las Palmas & Tenerife!

Fares for the 7 nights from Lisbon to Tenerife start from $2204.00/pp

But whichever you chose, you will be joining  the members of a very special club for a very special experience.

 Spring Crossings will begin in the Caribbean, sailing from either St Martin or Barbados to Lisbon.   Fall crossings will sail from Lisbon and return to either Barbados or St Martin.  The crossings take 14 days and there are no scheduled ports of call.  Crossings provide the "best of both worlds", where you can enjoy both a caribbean and european holiday on the same vacation. 

The smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years.The border is almost imperceptible, and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. Four boundaries testify to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible.

All the same, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. St. Maarten, with its busy cruise port (Phillipsburg) and bustling commercial district, has long been an active center for trade and tourism. It is on this side of the island where you will either begin or end your Trans-Atlantic adventure. More developed than the French side and at the same time more informal, St. Maarten is very Dutch in flavor and still has strong ties with fellow compatriots in the other Netherlands Antilles.

On the other hand, the French tend to emphasize comfort and elegance. The beaches are secluded, the luxury resorts provide lavish accommodations, and the restaurants offer the finest dining experiences anywhere in the Caribbean. The latest French fashions can be found in many of the shops, and the smell of fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indian cooking. Small cafés and charming bistros add a decidedly Gaelic and cosmopolitan flair to the place. Between the two different cultures in St. Martin and St. Maarten, vacationers will be able to find just about every kind of activity they might want for a perfect holiday in the sun.

Barbados is a coral island; on its West coast, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. Along the East coast a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds give Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate.

Aside from the beaches, the terrain consists also of rolling hills and many deep ridges and gullies, with an interesting distribution of flora and fauna. A vast array of caves and underground lakes provides an excellent supply of drinking water that is amongst the purest in the world. Geologically Barbados is unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years.

Beautiful and diverse, Barbados offers an abundance of art, activities, night life, music, history, and some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special, and the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after year, is the people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls, always ready to greet you, making you feel welcome with a sincere smile.

In short, Barbados is a unique Caribbean paradise: surprisingly sophisticated, friendly, fun and always naturally charming!

Lisbon is the Atlantic capital, blessed with natural beauty and steeped in fascinating history. Lisbon is the only European capital with Atlantic beaches.  Considered one of the smallest world capitals of Europe, Lisbon is a rich patina of cobbled streets, historic grand buildings and colorful storefronts.  Trolleys traverse the streets on orignal tracks and and Portugal's connection to the sea and pedigree of exploration is present everywhere.  Lisbon has a rich and colourful seafaring heritage. In the 16th century, ships set sail from the beaches of the River Tagus to chart a route to far-off India. And the city’s passion for the sea continues to this day. Visit the Parque das Nações and you’ll discover Europe’s largest aquarium. 

Eating out in Lisbon is always a delight.  Seafood is king and options range from family style to elegant fine dining.  Coffee lovers can rejoice--Portugal as the "parent" of Brazil,  there is no better way to experience Portugal than to sit down in a street cafe with a bica (espresso) . Portuguese wines may just be the best bargain in Europe—even the best bottles rarely cost more than 20 euros in grocery stores. Most of the wines are red, with the best ones coming from Alentejo.

Court Travel suggests spending at least 2 days in this delightful "old world" capital.

Setting out to sea from Lisbon is always a "stirring" event as you pass under the largest suspension bridge in Europe.  Eveyone holds their breath just a bit as the ship's mast will clear the bridge by only a few feet!

How do you spend a "Day at Sea" when you have 14 to enjoy?  You savor each one!

Start your day with a fresh expresso delivered to your cabin, then step out on deck to breathe the freshest air in world.  That will get your appetite going!  Relax over a leisurely breakfast, filled with a bounty of fresh fruits, eggs cooked to order, waffles, pancakes,  the list is endless!  Perhaps a walk on deck as you chose your deck chair for the day - the best seat in the house with a 360 degree view of the open sea before you.  

Now sit back and relax like you haven't relaxed in years.  No phones, no email, no text messages, you can disconnect from it all on your terms.  (No one needs to know that they can reach you if they need to).  Feeling Energetic?  Then join a Yoga or Pilates stretch class.  Feeling Creative?  Then join a needlework circle. Feeling Chatty?  Then gather around with your sailing companions and discuss world events  Feeling Inquisitive?  Then stop by the bridge for a one on one chat with the First Officer or Captain.  Why not, the bridge is open 24 hrs a day. Feeling Lazy? It's OK, just watch as the water slips by at 9 knots an hour!

 You can do it all or nothing at all. 

Midday brings the noon report,  the ship's position, how many miles traveled and how many to go.  Then it's time to pick up a glass of wine and head off to the Veranda for lunch.  Dine outside with a gentle breeze and the waters edge just a few feet below.  What's for lunch?  Could be a themed lunch or an outdoor barbeque.  Join a table with newly found friends, you're allowed to linger.  After lunch it might be time to get back to that book you've been trying to read or stay in shape with some laps around the deck.  But before you know it-- it's time you shower and change- you want to make it back up on deck to see the sun set!  Cocktail in hand as you raise your glass to a perfect day.

 Dinner is relaxed,  join friends in the Lounge,  on this ship there are no strangers, only folks to get to know better.  In the "Restaurant"  enjoy a dinner that exceeds your expectations and enjoy impeccable service.  Remember you dine when and with whom you want with no need for formal ware. After dinner stroll the moonlit deck, listen to the sound of the waves lapping against the side of the ship, feel the rise and fall of the bow, gaze at the white sails full of wind gently pushing you to your destintation.

 This is what sailing is all about.

Spend your evenings and "quiet time" in comfort and luxury. The ships feature beautifully appointed "nautical" themed cabins, complete with all of the amenites you would expect in a fine hotel. Plush bedding and sumptous L'Occitane en Provence products await you in the bathroom. Flat panel TV's, DVD and Bose Sound and IPOD Docking systems are standard in each cabin. for your entertainment delight. Ample closets and drawer space finds a home for all of your belongings. And if you can't tear yourself away from your cabin, then room service will serve dinner in your room with all of the polish and attention found in the Restaurant.

Now before you know it land is in sight and there is an anxious feeling that civilization is just round the bend. 

 Wait! how could it have gone by so fast?