Travel Maven Blog ...... David Molyneaux posts from TheTravelMavens.com

Breezing into a larger fleet of small ships on Windstar Cruises

With two additional ships in the Mediterranean Sea after major drydock renovations this spring, the course is clear for expanding Windstar Cruises.

At a time when many lines are building bigger cruise ships, Windstar intends to be the leader of the world’s small ship fleets.

Star Breeze at Elba Island in the Mediterranean

Windstar now owns and operates six small vessels, ranging in passenger capacity from 148 to 310. Three are predominantly sailing ships, though they use engines as well. Three are motor yachts, with more luxurious accommodations.

If you love the sounds of wind on canvas, choose the sailing yachts. If you prefer a walk-in closet and a big bathroom with marble, go for the motor yachts.

Exploring family origins and a castle on a European river cruise

David Molyneaux visits Moulineaux, France, on the river Seine, where his family lived 950 years ago

Robert the Devil, a Norman duke of yore, probably was not one of my direct ancestors. But our families were close, and his castle ruins are visible from the river Seine, between Paris and the Atlantic beaches of Normandy. 

Ruins of the Norman castle belonging to Robert the Devil, above the Seine riverside town of Moulineaux, France (Photos by David G. Molyneaux, TheTravelMavens.com)

In March 2015, from the new, 128-passenger riverboat Avalon Tapestry II, my wife and I set off on a private excursion so we could check out the castle, known as Château de Moulineaux in the 10th century, and my ancient homeland near Rouen, France.