Verbiage recently added to Windstar's Health and Safety section of their website. The CLIA recommendation they refer to aligns with the Conditional Sail Order in effect at least through November 2021.

Shore Excursions

All shore excursions will be vetted by our expert team to ensure best practices in health and safety protocols are followed. Shore excursions will operate at a reduced capacity and masks will be worn when according to local regulations and when unable to social distance. For the near term as recommended by the Cruise Lines International Association, guests will need to book a Windstar shore excursion to go ashore. Changes in shore excursions offered may occur due to evolving regulations and conditions in a destination. Tenders, motor coaches and smaller boats will operate at 50 percent capacity and be cleaned between each use. Staggered departures in port will aid in social distancing.

ARTICLE

During the initial return to sailing, guests will be restricted to excursions or activities led by vetted tour operators who maintain Carnival’s level of COVID-19 controls. Self-exploration or non-Carnival sponsored excursions will not be permitted.

Guests will be able to pre-purchase shore excursions through Carnival.com, the Carnival HUB app, or on board, subject to availability and capacity restrictions.

We're thinking of booking a 27 night TA on the Legend for Nov of 2021.  We don't need a lot of night time entertainment,  and have cruised on Windstar before, so I know they don't have a lot-lol, but I'm wondering if there would be more than just a little music, or a crew show, on such a long crossing. Thoughts?

Thanks

I would love a quick rundown on sailing Windstar.  Especially the new Star Breeze.

The older and very much smaller ship just was not quite enough for us.  But this looks really really great.

We have mostly sailed Princess, and really like Regal Princess, but are afraid that they have gone then wrong direction with the newer ships!!!  Loss of Deck Space, Adult pool area, etc...  So any comparison to Princess would be appreciated.  Absolutely love The Sanctuary on Princess.  I would imagine that the entire new pool deck on this new ship would be very very nice.  Would there be any padded loungers?

We were ready to choose a great itinerary that happened to be on Oceania.  But, of course, that didn't work out.

Now I am very interested in the refurbished Star Breeze!   It seems to have that simple classic look.  New and improved in most every way.  Brand new much bigger pool and what looks to be like a teak deck area.

One thing we really think Princess got right was the Piazza and the International Cafe specialty coffees and small eats.  Of course, I realize that we will not find anything like this on Windstar.   What would be the nearest thing.  Where would one go to find specialty coffees and a few moments of cruising relaxation?

I guess a big question would be about the vibe onboard.  Princess does have some presence of a 'FUN' vibe.  Sailaway Party,  Band on the huge pool deck, etc.   And, that was plenty enough for us.  Do not need a family or 'party' ship.  But do not want a 'funeral home' vibe.  Hahahaha!!!   What type of music and entertainment might there be onboard.

And, last but not least.   Can anyone compare the food offerings.  Would there be a lot of the expected classics?  Would it be really upscale gourmet 'frou-frou'?

Can you find casual comfort foods like ice cream, pizza, etc....  are those really good?

Thanks so much to you experts!

Anything else we should consider before we switch from Crystal’s all-inclusive experience? Thanks!

Windstar's website has the Star Pride doing 7 day cruises leaving on March 5 on March 12, 2022 with each cruise doing the exact same ports.

They also have a 14 day cruise on Star Pride leaving San Juan on March 5, 2022 doing a different route on the first half of the cruise.

How is this possible?????

My travel agent forwarded me the list of covered supplier for Allianz insurance should there be a cease in operation. Here is text https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/about/covered-suppliers.htm

Here is the link in the text for the covered suppliers https://azcontent.us/covered-supplier-list-pdf?source=travel&medium=referral

How concerned do I need to be that Windstar is not on the list? Do you all have trip insurance through another company that does have Windstar listed?

Because the website doesn't have a way to do a dummy booking, I don't even know how much money would be at stake in a deposit. Do you have a rule of thumb like the deposit is 20% of the fare? My last three cruises have been on Azamara so I am not up to date on Windstar deposits. This would be for 6 people so it could add up to real money. (The Azamara deposits for the cruises I have been looking at are running about $1100 per stateroom of 2 people.)

Thanks for all advice and opinions.

In November, Star Breeze completed her stretch and transformation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative.  After seeing the 50 new suites, restaurants, spa and fitness center and other new and updated public spaces, I can’t wait to sail aboard her again. We know your clients were also looking forward to their 2021 cruise aboard Star Breeze. Unfortunately, we must change her deployment due to recent regulations for U.S. cruises released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under the CDC conditional sail order expected to remain in effect through the 2021 summer season, no cruises visiting U.S. ports may be longer than seven days. Since most of our itineraries are longer by design, changes are necessary.

We are cancelling our cruises in and out of U.S. ports in 2021. Instead, Star Breeze will sail in the Caribbean when she begins cruising again in May 2021 and then transition to Tahiti in the fall. We are currently working on updating itineraries and expect to release them for booking by December 16, in time for a two-week Bon Voyage 2020 sale beginning December 17 for cruises in 2021 and 2022. I highly encourage you to check back with us to present your clients with options on these new itineraries scheduled for Star Breeze or another one of our yachts. 

In connection with this change in deployment, we are offering a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at 125% of monies paid to Windstar Cruises. From there, your clients have two options.

Option 1:             Book another Windstar Cruise. Your client will have 24 months from the issue date of the FCC to sail with their FCC.  Given the volume of cancellations, please allow up to four weeks for your clients to receive their FCC certificate.

Option 2:             Receive a Cash Refund. Should your client wish to convert their canceled voyage FCC into a cash refund, they may do so once the FCC certificate is received. They may contact Windstar to request this option after receiving their FCC certificate. Windstar will deactivate the FCC valued at 125% and process the refund to the original form(s) of payment at 100% of the monies paid to Windstar Cruises. Your clients will have 24 months from the issue date of the FCC to request the refund.

Please note Windstar does not reimburse third party (non-Windstar) travel expenses or fees.

In a press release, the High Commission indicates that "  any traveler coming from or going to French Polynesia will have to justify that his situation falls under one of the three imperative reasons personal / family, health, professional from February 03, 2021  ".

I saw this on internet this morning. I just copy and pasted. I hope it is okay.  

 

Since this Sunday, January 31, France has closed its borders to countries outside the European Union. But, it is not until Wednesday that Polynesia will be impacted. In a press release, Saturday, January 30, the high commission indicates that "  any traveler from or to French Polynesia will have to justify that his situation falls under one of the three imperative reasons personal / family, health, professional from 03 February 2021  ".

© HC

 

"The validity of the supporting documents presented by travelers will be strictly controlled", informs the press release. All the necessary information, details and forms are available on the website of the High Commission . The High Commission nevertheless recalled that tourists who are currently traveling in Polynesia " can continue their stay, returning to their home constituting an overriding personal reason ".

The Franceinfo site publishes the list of reasons as well as the documents necessary to be able to justify them

 

For compelling personal or family reasons

• Death of a family member in the direct line of a brother or sister; visit to a person whose prognosis is in danger, for direct line family members. Required documents: act or certificate of death, medical certificate establishing the situation of the person whose vital prognosis is engaged.
• Custody of children by the parent vested with parental authority or whose custody right is recognized by a court decision. Required documents: court decision and supporting document for the place of residence
• Summons by a judicial or administrative authority. Required document: summons by the administrative or judicial authority
• Legal or economic impossibility of remaining in the territory in which the person is located. Execution of an expulsion measure from the territory. Required documents: Expiring residence permit, act of dismissal, etc.
• Students at the start, resumption or end of their studies. Required document: school certificate issued by the establishment

For an overriding reason for health

• Vital medical emergency (for the person as well as an accompanying person if their presence is essential). Required documents: medical certificate, proof of scheduled hospitalization, etc.

For compelling professional reasons

• Missions essential to the pursuit of an economic activity, requiring an on-site presence which cannot be postponed and whose postponement or cancellation would have manifestly disproportionate consequences or would be impossible (including transport professionals). Required documents: employer's certificate, professional card for international freight transport crews, international passenger transport, international maritime transport
• Health professional contributing to the fight against Covid-19 or participating in cooperation operations of major interest in health matters. Required document: professional card
• One-off missions linked to the exercise of public authority prerogatives (including diplomatic missions) that cannot be postponed or postponed. Required document: professional card, mission order
• High level professional sportsmen for participation in meetings validated by the Ministry of Sports. Required document: professional card, certificate issued by the organizer in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports

How much does the WiFi cost per day, or is even limited access free? Also what about non-alcoholic beverages, what are the prices for soda and water?

Long story, cut short, I am not drinking any alcohol at all, so I am not sure if the All Inclusive package is worth to add in my case!

Happy cruising, hopefully soon!

First up:  a spreadsheet showing all cabins before and after the Star Plus renovations.  The old information is on the left, with the corresponding information following on the right.  This should help long-time Windstar cruisers see how their notes and memories from prior cruises map onto the new numbering system.

All info was taken from Windstar's official deck plans:  Voyage Collection 2019-2020 brochure for old, website as of Aug. 15, 2020 for new.

It prints on Legal size paper. 

Windstar Power Vessels Cabins (old vs new).pdf

Royal Caribbean Group to Sell Azamara

I've been expecting this sale for some time, as RCG clearly had no interest in maintaining Azamara.  But it seems even less likely to prosper as a standalone under Sycamore, which has a reputation as a vulture.  My best hope at this point is that this is a holding action until Sycamore can sell Azamara to another cruise operator – and Windstar seems best positioned (IMHO) for that.

My Pacific Princess cruise was cancelled due to the ship being sold.

Now all I have to do is hope it's a go and lose 10 lbs.

Thanks for any information; they did not give me another number to call with a question,

Penny