Windstar
Oct 10th, 2006, 11:07 AM
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Windstar
My wife and I are scheduled on a Windstar Cruise over the New Year, St. Thomas R/T. We have cruised a fair amount on Ocean, River and Canals. We have come to really enjoy small low key enviroment. After some reaearch we think Windstar may be the cruise. However, I have read some mixed to bad reviews--has anyone sailed with them recently? I am also wondering about shore excursions,should we book early, should we book through Windstar or should we book independatly? (On our last Batic Cruise we booked independantly and found it very convenient.) I also would like to know about "extra costs". We were on a Celebrity cruise this past summer and were suprised by wine and beer costs(we had primairly sailed all inclusive on previous cruises). Are there extras I should know about other than shore excusions?
Oct 12th, 2006, 03:34 AM
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I have only cruised on Windstar once in the Mediterranean, but I have never heard a bad review of the ships. After the first one (on the Wind Star, which is the same size as the Wind Spirit you will be on), I vowed never to go back to a big ship again. It was the best cruise I've ever been on.
The shore excursions are listed - and can be booked - on the Windstar website. On our cruise, pre-booking wasn't available, but we had no problem getting the tours that we wanted while on ship. We are also sailing the St.Thomas R/T in December, but we probably won't use any of their excursions. We've been to most of the ports or islands before and are really looking forward to being on our own.
As far as the extra charges: I don't remember paying for anything other than shore excursions, drinks (wine / liquor) and laundry. (This was our second week of vacation, and we needed to get some things cleaned.) The cost of wine seemed to me to be in line with what I would have paid at a restaurant here. I was underwhelmed with the wine list, though. We were looking forward to getting wines in Europe that aren't available here, but the wine list didn't really reflect the locale. No problem, we picked up a bottle while we were in port. Although there is supposed to be a corkage fee, we were never charged one.
I'll try to remember to post back here after we return.
If you haven't done so already, check out the Windstar section on Cruise Critic.
The shore excursions are listed - and can be booked - on the Windstar website. On our cruise, pre-booking wasn't available, but we had no problem getting the tours that we wanted while on ship. We are also sailing the St.Thomas R/T in December, but we probably won't use any of their excursions. We've been to most of the ports or islands before and are really looking forward to being on our own.
As far as the extra charges: I don't remember paying for anything other than shore excursions, drinks (wine / liquor) and laundry. (This was our second week of vacation, and we needed to get some things cleaned.) The cost of wine seemed to me to be in line with what I would have paid at a restaurant here. I was underwhelmed with the wine list, though. We were looking forward to getting wines in Europe that aren't available here, but the wine list didn't really reflect the locale. No problem, we picked up a bottle while we were in port. Although there is supposed to be a corkage fee, we were never charged one.
I'll try to remember to post back here after we return.
If you haven't done so already, check out the Windstar section on Cruise Critic.
Oct 12th, 2006, 09:36 AM
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I have been reading less than positive reports on the condition of the bedding, cabin furnishings, etc. and these are scheduled for upgrades.
Windstar will have the same "extra" costs as does X, though I cannot speak about bottled water and specialty coffees. They are not all inclusive.
As for excursions, I always go independent as I prefer to do my own thing and not be herded about. I also like the flexibility.
Windstar will have the same "extra" costs as does X, though I cannot speak about bottled water and specialty coffees. They are not all inclusive.
As for excursions, I always go independent as I prefer to do my own thing and not be herded about. I also like the flexibility.
Oct 17th, 2006, 04:27 PM
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And Carnival owns Holland America...
see below: (Google on "Holland America;who owns it"
________________
"Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise line group in the world. It consists of several cruise lines from which the Carnival Cruise Lines Inc., Holland-America Line (HAL), Costa Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line are the largest."
see below: (Google on "Holland America;who owns it"
________________
"Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise line group in the world. It consists of several cruise lines from which the Carnival Cruise Lines Inc., Holland-America Line (HAL), Costa Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line are the largest."
Oct 18th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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We took our first Windstar cruise last summer in the Med. Just got back from our second one to the Med and we are sailing the pacific coast of Costa Rica in December. I'd be thrilled to never get on a mainstream large ship again.
Things like the linens have all been recently replaced and upgraded. Lots of other new things like new mattresses, new flat screen tv, Bose ipod docking stations. New wine list too, better though still not fabulous, especially when sailing in the Med. Specialty coffee is included. The menu was very different from last year and we personally thought the food had improved. Of course, food satisfaction is very personal and varies from menu item to item and sailing to sailing. Personally, I'd say all is much better than you found on Celebrity. But I don't think I have been on Celebrity since 2004.
For your itinerary, do the excursions on your own unless there is something really unique through Windstar or if there are risks of running late. I haven't look at your cruise, but it would surprise me if there was anything that you could not do better on your own.
As Go Away suggested, join us over on Cruise Critic boards and you will find a lot more information.
Things like the linens have all been recently replaced and upgraded. Lots of other new things like new mattresses, new flat screen tv, Bose ipod docking stations. New wine list too, better though still not fabulous, especially when sailing in the Med. Specialty coffee is included. The menu was very different from last year and we personally thought the food had improved. Of course, food satisfaction is very personal and varies from menu item to item and sailing to sailing. Personally, I'd say all is much better than you found on Celebrity. But I don't think I have been on Celebrity since 2004.
For your itinerary, do the excursions on your own unless there is something really unique through Windstar or if there are risks of running late. I haven't look at your cruise, but it would surprise me if there was anything that you could not do better on your own.
As Go Away suggested, join us over on Cruise Critic boards and you will find a lot more information.
Oct 19th, 2006, 04:16 AM
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My wife and I sailed on the Windstar several years ago in Tahiti and had the time of our lives. Beautiful ship, no lines or crowds getting on or off the ship and crew were wonderful. Going on another large cruise will never be same and may no longer be an option after seeing how the other half lives. We truly felt like royalty.
The ship was is good condition at the time as it had recently had work completed on it.
As far as excursions, we did our own thing most of the time.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
SD
The ship was is good condition at the time as it had recently had work completed on it.
As far as excursions, we did our own thing most of the time.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
SD
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