Andi:
Comparing these two cruise lines is a bit like comparing two Chardonnays. Both Windstar and RSSC cater to passengers who appreciate the special advantages of being on smaller ships.

We have sailed on over twenty Windstar Cruises and keep going back primarily because there isn't a cruise line at Windstar's price-point that offers the combination of access to the water, romance of sail combined with good food and service. But we tend to like warm water destinations that capitalize on water and beach activities where one can capitalize on Windstar ships water sports activities.

Overall, Windstar passengers may be slightly younger than you will find on RSSC, depending on the itinerary. The Windsurf is the only ship in the Windstar fleet that has elevators and suites with two bathrooms as well a large, fully equipped fitness facility, and a multiple room treatment spa. About sixty percent of the repeaters seem to prefer the two smaller ships- Wind Sprit and Wind Star because of the smaller scale and slightly better food. None of the Windstar cabins have verandas.

Radisson is great too. For both cabin as well bathroom amenities and space RSSC is clearly superior. If it matters to you, RSSC includes complimentary wines with meals and a few other complimentary liquor amentias that Windstar does not. But then again, RSSC’s price –point is generally higher.

You are likely to feel more pampered on the RSSC ships; The RSSC ships are more spacious, the entertainment is superior and we enjoy the on board lecturers on RSSC not found on Windstar. On the cruises we have taken, we find the passengers generally older and more sedentary on RSSC.

Deciding on which of the two cruise lines to take depends probably would be influenced on the itinerary, price and ports of call. For the Med and Northern Europe we might first consider RSSC, whereas if we were choosing an itinerary with islands, beaches and warm water we would go on Windstar. Both cruise lines have a loyal following and in either case you will quickly make new friends or run into old friends you didn't expected to see. Hope this helps.