Bobbie, welcome back! Seems like a slam-dunk for me, especially if they prefer a balcony cabin, which I don't think the Windspirit has. I have been on cruises in the same ports with them, and the pool area was small from my vantage point. Then again, most of those areas on the Diamond are not visible! I would just go with the Diamond because of reading these boards for several years with posters comparing them. Yes, I think RSSC has a company-wide policy of allowing drinks (and wine) with dinner in the dining room. The cabins are going to be much smaller on Windstar from what I have read on previous postings.