Hi. I've read some very mixed reviews on Cruise Critic about Woodwind snorkeling. My communications with them have been excellent, but before we book I thought it might be best to get some current info. We are three families, so too many folks for Renee. Anyone been on a trip with Woodwind in the last few months that can give it a thumbs up or down and reasons? Bonaire sounds too great to get stuck with a bad excursion. And does anyone have other suggestions for a group of up to 12, should those of you in the know feel we might best be directed elsewhere?

Thanks.

first of all,welcome to bonaire talk.

we have gone on the woodwind numerous times but not since her renovation last summer. all our experiences were positive. we've done snorkel cruises and sunset cruises with woodwind and loved them all. i would highly recommend them.

This past May, my husband and I went on a night snorkel on the Sea Cow, an excursion we booked through the Divi. We went with 4 other ladies we met at Divi. Other than me not being a confident snorkeler, it was still a very positive experience and a lot of fun. Kerstin and her helper were fantastic. The homemade soup afterwards was good, too!

http://www.seacow-bonaire.com/

I've met Dee and she seems great. Darlene was in the next room this past week and loves going with both Renee and the Woodwind.

If the sea cow only has one boat it's out of the water by the airport.

(Message edited by raxafarian on October 18, 2008)

Thanks so much for this information. While I would certainly love to hear more opinions, right now I imagine I have nothing to worry about.

David, I was on Woodwind for one of their 5-hour cruises in August. I was set to go last week for another one, but the weather was bad and so we all decided to wait for another day.

The August trip was awesome. I'm a dive instructor, so I would imagine I'm a bit harder to please than the average person, and I was awed by Dee's abilities. Not only is she a certified divemaster, but she has great patience with those who are not as comfortable in the water as say us dive instructors. She found 25 turtles during our two snorkel stops, but she says her best is 32. We were hoping to beat that last Tuesday, but it wasn't meant to be.

Dee provides great briefings, which seem to set even the most nervous person at ease. The sailing is easy--being a trimaran, it's very stable. Dee serves drinks, snacks, and the hot lunch after the final snorkel stop tasted really good. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled the lunch.

All in all, I think you and your family really can't go wrong by booking with Woodwind. Dee can handle 12 persons with one fin tied behind her back.

Susan

David, I searched Cruise Critic to find the negatives about the Woodwind. I found several positive comments and one group that said it was the highlight of the trip.

Anyways, we have done the Woodwind on every one of our five trips and have always had a wonderful time. Dee and Ulf do a great job.

I did my first Woodwind snorkel cruise on October 7. I've never done a snorkel tour before (I'm a diver) and have only done one other guided snorkel with Renee (which was amazing).

The Woodwind was excellent, Dee is fantastic and an amazing freediver (think mermaid!!). She goes out of her way to point out unique fish to the group and does a great dive briefing. My only complaint was that I couldn't always hear her since she gave the briefing on the bow of the boat and I was seated at the stern. Other than that it exceeded all expectations

Hi,
I am just getting back from Bonaire. I sailed three times on Woodwind and would have sailed more if weather would have permitted !! Dee is trying different sites for drifts over at Kline and they are all incredible!!!! The amount of turtles she spots is unbelievable!!! We even got to see a turtle eating a jelly fish!!!
The Woodwind holds 25 people and Dee and her crew do a fine job on board and in the water!! You and your family will have a great time!!

Cecil:

The comments I was referencing were in the following threads:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=615132&highlight=woodwind

Posts 4, 16, 17, 20, 23

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=606133&highlight=woodwind

Post 9

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=464035&highlight=woodwind

Post 19

In the first linked thread there were also quite a few positive posts about Woodwind, Dee and Ulf, so that is why I was looking for help here. And it seems that those of you who really know the Woodwind and its operators have nothing but good things to say, so I am sold.

Most of the negative comments seem to be from people that didn't actually go on the Woodwind, and that could be attributed to the infamous ship time versus local time (I have no idea if there is any difference), or simply they were tardy and refused to acknowledge it. Who knows. All of your comments have been most helpful.

David, if you go with Dee and Ulf, I need to warn you that Dee is possibly the most beautiful woman you'll ever meet. My jaw dropped every time she led a group of snorkelers past. And I'm a girl...

CB - I've got to agree with you, and that island lilt to her voice... She is stunning

You've sold it to me!! Where do I book for a trip in May 09 ?

CB, Beck-ee, I told Dee the same thing! She is so fluid and beautiful, not only on land, but in the water! And I'm a girl, too!

David --

I have met Dee and found her a delight. That said, I have never been out on the woodwind so cannot offer any insight on the sailings. I think you will find tons of positive reviews here on BT.

Cruise Critic is a bit more mixed but, when you sort through it, the negatives are actually not that many. I would summarize the negative posts in this way:
a) Link 1, Post 16, 17, 18; Link 2, Post 9 are all the same poster. Poster didn't see any signs or find anyone when he left the cruise ship. Called and felt he was treated rudely and given the runaround. Woodwind had already left.
b) Link 1, post 20. Woodwind "use to be a great deal" but was sold. (Not certain if the person was implying that it is no longer great or just simply stating the fact that it was sold.)
c) Link 1, Post 23. Very cryptic. "...snorkeling was fantastic, and Dee was extremely charming. I don't want to post what I didn't like, but trust me on this one...it's not the best."
d) Link 3, post 19: Woodwind wanted to delay the cruise by two hours. They didn't like that and instead went to Klein via Seacow and had a great time.
e) Link 1, Post 4. Poster had lots of issues - Didn't see anyone at the cruise ship dock. Had trouble connecting with them. Cruise was shorter and only snacks not lunch were offered. (Ad said cruise would be longer and lunch offered)

Only (e) and perhaps (c) were unhappy with the actual cruise.

Oh, the reason I have never gone on the woodwind is that I devote my time more to diving than snorkeling.

I always offer the same suggestions to anyone who wants to do a guided snorkel (and they have always returned with a smile on their face):
a) Renee for shore based; and
b) Woodwind for boat based.

I am sure you will have a great time.

DJ:

I agree with all of your comments. After really looking at the posts with a more logical approach, I came to the same conclusions as you. We are booked with them now.

This has been tremendously helpful and reassuring. Thanks to all who posted.

David

Hi,just returned from a week in Bonaire and the Woodwind is awesome. We did 2 drift snorkels off Klein Bonaire on a Thursday morning from 9:00as-1:00pm and it was the best of the trip: turtles, black durgon, angelfish, porcupine fish, barracuda, etc. Dee is so nice and knowledgeable. She and helper (Tina?) each took a group of about 6 and pointed out much that I would have missed. Served fruit, whatever beveragee you wantted, and a yummy Bonaire lunch for a very reasonable price.
Definitely recommend a snorkel trip on the Woodwind.

www.tripadvisor.com has quite a few great reviews on Woodwind. I just discovered it and I posted one too! I will be sailing on her in just a few more weeks!!!! I will also be doing some guided snorkels with Renee and can't wait!! I hope the sea horse that she spotted is still there when I get there!! I ditto what Dave said... Renee for shore snorkels and Woodwind for sailing and snorkeling

I totally agree! Just returned from our first visit to Bonaire and did the woodwind with Dee and Tina, all I can say is WOW. They are so attentive to everyones needs that whether you are new to snorkeling or have been doing it forever, they really cater to you. We had the best time ever and HIGHLY recommend going with them. They point out things right in front of you that you would miss on your own, she finds all the turtles and dives like a mermaid!!! As for Renee, love her too, we did a day time snorkel and a night time one as well, both fabulous, would go again in a heartbeat. She has an eagle eye, and love when she calls "who-who"