Island Windjammers Lyra Review from Toni Coleman — READER REVIEW of a Greek Isles Cruise

Island Windjammers Lyra Review

Reviewer

Toni Coleman from the US.

Cruise Line

Island Windjammers.

Ship

The 8-passenger Lyra.

Destination

Greek Isles.

# of Nights

10.

Departure Port

Piraeus, Greece.

Date of Cruise

September, 2025.

Ratings

(5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=poor, 1=terrible)

-Overall Experience Rating: 4

-Food Rating: 4

-Service/Crew Rating: 5

-Cabin Rating: 2

-Itinerary Rating: 4

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Island Windjammers Lyra Review

The crew was great. They worked hard to accommodate our needs and provide information and anything to help make our experience more comfortable and memorable. The other guests were great too. We all got along well and with such a small/intimate setting, I can imagine how it might have gone if that were not the case. So we got lucky.

The Downsides:

Our cabin was one of the smaller ones and just not set up for 2 people unless you are very young and/or really like a very campy kind of experience. The storage was almost non -existent. There were 4 “drawers” under the bed, but only one was actually a drawer. The other 3 were fronts for machinery/boat parts. There were 2 drawers in bedside table, but they were only about 3/4 of a drawer. There was a place in the wall above the bedside area with a fire extinguisher. When we opened it, we found a few hangers and space to hang some things with space below that to stack some clothes. There was also an area to one side of the bed with a panel you could lift and stow some things in there. Again, stacking and small area.

There were hooks around the cabin and we used all of these to put things. There was only one small surface for other stuff like glasses, phones, etc. and it was very crowded. We just got used to it.

When getting up to use the bathroom at night, one person had to climb over the other, in a very tight space. Being able to do this was not an issue for either of us. Being awakened several times a night was. Getting a good night's sleep was impossible, at least for us.

Our cabin was under the stern of the ship, where we all recreated. The hatches (2), that were over and to the side of the bed, were left open most of the time. So we could see folks moving around up there and it could get noisy. We were disrupted by both noise and light the first couple of nights, so we closed them and turned on the air conditioning, which helped quite a bit.

It rained towards the end of our trip and the bed got rained on. The hatch was closed and we tried to seal it, so did the staff, but there seemed to be a leak. Thank goodness, it only rained that one day for a short time.

The bathroom did not have a separate shower. The guest has to stand just inside the door and unhook glass panels on 2 side walls and create a shower, directing the handheld sprayer towards the glass and not door from the bathroom back into the main area, or water would get onto rug in main cabin area. When in use, the bathroom could only have one person in it showering and no one else could enter. It really was not big enough even when the shower was not in use for 2 people to stand and do anything.

Now for the indelicate information that I feel compelled to share in my Island Windjammers Lyra review. Greece has very old plumbing infrastructure, which we did not know. This may not be true in high end hotels with their own newly built pipes. When we were given our cabin tour, we were told that NO paper or any object could be flushed, none. Everything had to be disposed of in the trash can. So, we purchased wet ones at a grocery on the first island we visited. Wished we had known.

I will add that I grew up around sailboats and spent many a day/night on small ones, sailing with friends. I also was a camp counselor, living in tents and cabins for many summers. I love being close to nature and roughing it. However, at this stage of life and on a sailboat with other folks like this, it was just too hard to dress, put on any make-up, shower, and handle basic things. Not enough space in smaller cabins. The larger ones were great and would have worked just fine for us.

The Itinerary:

We had a plan for the islands we would visit, but the captain had to change course several times due to weather and take us to other islands where we could safely go. Sometimes we got to dock, but other times we had to drop anchor. When anchored, you have to take the dighny to shore in 2 different groups, so needed to plan and work around logistics. It could also be wet and windy going in due to water conditions. Docking was much better as we could come and go as we pleased into town or exploring on our own. The staff was very helpful in letting us know what there was to see and setting up tours when we wanted to do them.

Greece is a country of hilly islands. When touring around, any walking involves steep climbing and often many steps. Roads twist and turn and you are often looking out over steep drop offs. Not for the faint of heart. The history and some of the sights date back to centuries BC. We visited a church from the 5th century. We also visited an ancient temple where sacrifices were offered. If you love ancient history, you will like Greece.

We were there at the best time, fall. The water is still warm and the swimming is good. I brought a shorty suit and it was helpful. Nothing was crowded and the tourists were mostly gone, so we really got to interact with islanders along the way. We never saw a huge cruise ship.

Overall, this way of seeing Greece really gives you a non-touristy experience. But it is roughing it, especially in the small cabins.
Even if you don't suffer from seasickness, when below on a rough sail can cause a queasy stomach. I recommend a patch behind the ear. I used them.

I wanted to offer detailed information in my Island Windjammers Lyra review so anyone considering this cruise would really be prepared for what they will find. Overall, we really enjoyed it. But when I got home and climbed in my lovely, roomy, organic bed with feather and down pillows, I really appreciated the comfort and was excited about getting a good night's sleep!!

Bon Voyage …

How many small-ship cruises under 300 pax have you been on?

8.

Hope you found this Island Windjammers Lyra review helpful.

For another and more in-depth review, with lots of photos, about an Island Windjammers Greek Isles cruise aboard the Lyra, read Alison Abbott's story here.

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