Hotel CA

Hotel CA, see post #65 above.

 

We received a similar email notice from Seabourn, and you should get one from Seabourn and/or your TA.

 

All Caribbean cruises that were to start in St Maarten now are round-trip from Barbados.

 

Seabourn specifically said: "Guests who booked their flights independently will need to make new arrangements. Be assured that we will cover any reasonable air change fees they may incur."

Thank you-- right after I posted my TA called and sent the new IT--Great tips on Nevis by the way Thank you so much.

If the cruise would change a bit, I really wouldn’t be concerned, that happens all the time. Missing a few islands is not a problem, we’ve been to most. So I can understand people indicating that Seabourn will make the most of it.

 

My main concern is that our Embarkation / Disembarkation port is completely destroyed, including virtually all hotels on the island.

 

And if Seabourn suddenly decides to skip our Embarkation / Disembarkation port, that would be a serious problem for us.

 

And even if they decide to not skip our Embarkation / Disembarkation port, we need to arrive a few days early, to ensure any flight issues will not make us miss the ship, and if that is a location where most hotels are closed until further notice, that worries me.

 

 

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I couldn't agree more. This is the point I have been trying to get everyone to understand. Changes to embarkation ports have serious impacts to travel plans (flights, hotels) and Seabourn should be proactive in making decisions where this will be the case. There are not many alternate ports to use in the Caribbean for embarkation (need a major international airport nearby, hotel capacity, port that can handle embarkation services etc).

 

 

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This IS the issue-- we are not willing to wait until November to see if the flights we have booked into SXM and then out of Barbados are still the correct routing based on usability, slow decision making or unwillingness to make a decision. We need to know now or we will seek other plans to some route on some other cruise that is predictable. Too bad as we were looking forward to giving Seabourn a second try. We realize that the disaster was not the lines fault-- their response to it is though and we cannot or will not risk our airline tickets on their apparent indecision. Does anyone believe that they will help defray the costs of re routing the embarkation? Nor do we -- so looking for an alternative for the Feb 24 -7 day cruise is the order of the day.

We had a flight into sxm for late Oct. AA refused to cancel the ticket saying that the flight would go. They did not care that the resort no longer existed!

And this is the real issue for those of us with Feb cruises-- we also have to plan/pay for flights into SXM and out of Barbados-- the sooner we can get info the better or we will be forced to cancel before final payment or risk losing airfare costs-- a difficult problem without info from the cruise line

Restaurants on the beach on Playa Los Muertos (old town Vallarta) donot have showers, but they have bathrooms. You need to bring your own towel (get it on your ship). Just order food and drinks.

Hotel Tropicana in old town has a daypass for Pesos 200,- of which Pesos 100,- is for food.

You need a cab or local bus to get there.

 

Walking distance from the cruise terminal is Hotel Krystal where many cruise passengers were welcome to have a drink/meal and use their pool. However since contruction is going on there I am not sure they still do.

Not too far from the terminal (on the other side of the Marina, so you need cab or local bus for a short ride) ) Hotel Mariott has a deal for (price might be higher now) for US$ 35,- you can have a daypass. Not all but most of that amount if for food and drinks.

Nuevo Vallarta is about 30 minutes north by cab (longer by public bus) has a nice beachclub ETC. Just pay for food and drinks. They are on one of the nicest beaches in the area.

 

Playa los Animas is mentioned but since you need bus and boat to get there, which takes time, it is a bit too complicated if you need to be back in time.

Marriott (Grande) is absolutely beautiful with a fabulous pool By the way

Just ask/follow the crew members on board the ship--they will know all the nearby free wifi spots at each port.

we prefer Nov thru March for the Carribean--For one thing it is winter here and summer in the Caribe. For another Hurricane season is over so only weather issues are getting to the departure port. Early to mid November seems to be less crowded--late Feb best of all times (height of winter)--but truth be known--any cruise week is better than any regular week whenever it occurs

Nonstop Flights on American from Mia to San are priced way low and have decent service options FYI

We are due to sail on the Wind in May next year, our first with Silversea. I saw that it had a refurb last year but now am somewhat worried by a review from May this year. The reviewer says that it lacks some of the nice touches you expect on a luxury cruise, it looks tired, the TVs are old and outdated etc. Can any recent Wind travellers give any more info please? Am I going to be disappointed?

I see you are an RCI D+-- as are we-- our first SS was the wind last March and upon our return, we booked 2 more cruises with SS. We found the Wind delightful, the staff second to none and the condition of the ship top rate. The differences between large ship and small ship cruising are substantial all favoring the Wind class ship on SS. we are hooked and are not likely to leave SS anytime soon-- We really liked our Seabourn cruise but we Loved the SS cruise

Just found a bunch of pirate costumes reasonably priced on the Big Jungle (amazon) and ordered for my wife and i-- we are going to use them twice as we are on a DCL Halloween cruise out of SAN with GrandKids

Well there is more to it than most being included. Two restaurants, tours, spa and premium liquor is extra. Their website will explain. Compared to a main stream line the ship is much smaller with more crew per passenger so it's more internment with better service. Food quality and presentation is better. Cabins are bigger. No constant selling of products. Its worth it to me. I really can not speak to the solo aspect. Give it a try.

 

 

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Quick question-- we sailed on the wind in early March and other than really fine wines, we had experienced no upcharge on any liquor. Were you talking about truly special/expensive Scotchs and bourbons or were you suggesting regular premium bar offerings like Grey goose and Genlivet 10 year old?

Jimmy:

Lovely video-- particularly enjoyed the soundtrack-- can you name the music used please?

Thank you

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The Good: 1. Certainly, the on-board staff makes this a luxury experience for us. 2. The food by Chef Jerome Foussier - superb.

 

The less than good: 1. Failure to enforce the dress code not just in the dining rooms but at the pool buffet where 15-month "pregnant" men are not encouraged to put on a shirt and shoes before approaching the buffet! Yes, it is a pool area, but it is also a restaurant. 2. The excessive air conditioning in the theater and main bar. 3. The sometimes jumbled service for breakfast outside on La Terrazza.

Change of heart

Pray tell--What does it say about the financial condition and the future?

If you read the posts made on the Wind t/a and subsequent Caribbean voyage you will see that there was still major air con problems in warm waters after the refurb. They did appear to be fixed by early Dec when we got off though.

Fingers crossed.....

Duct Tape has been on the Wind the entire month so far sailing around the Caribbean. Maybe she'll chime in here and put you at ease for your upcoming voyage.

well any info is always appreciated but we are not really too worried--it has been our experience that things seem to work out when you are patient-- after all, a bad cruise is better than a good day on shore, is it not?

OK Thanks-- we have a Caribbean cruise on the wind coming up so appreciate the heads up

agree with Wipro-- aer lingus 1 and my second choice might be Virgin Atlantic (code shares with Delta) to Orlando then on to SJU

Sorry I disagree with all.Being on a ship years ago does not qualify.We have taken 4 SS trips and the last one was not up to standards. Crew as usual was great but the Wind was in sorry condition.We had read about all the negative reviews but choose to ignore because of past experience.

We were on the Wind in Aug/Sept.Our side of the ship had no air conditioning the other side was freezing.The pool was closed for 3 days.Broken pump.The laundry if you used it was not functioning except for 1 machine for 11 days.Was told this had been an issue for months.

They used cabins for storage so if you were next to one(we were) it was noisy day and night.I am sorry it has taken me almost 5 months to report this but I would hate for a newbie to expect a five star cruise.Look at Seaborne.I see the hate mail coming but this is all true.

Was this before (or after) the refurb?

We used Park by the Ports last year. A little out of the way but excellent service and reasonably priced. They also offer car washing. They were there on time when we returned.

 

 

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Agree

Long Bay was a greeat beach day for us on Totorla--oh and the pain killers!!!!!!!!!

Well you inspired me to go back and read the mentions of Teking, and glad it was great, despite everything. The lack of water is unforgiveable, really, but if we decide to take this tour next year we will bring bottles from the ship (which we always do anyways). And money! Does he take USD? And the praying? Gheesh!

 

The lackadaisical approach to safety does not surprise me at all. This type of thing has happened in FP as well--First Aid, what's that? I wonder what the best impromptu treatment is for that type of sting? Baking soda? Vinegar?

Vinegar is the best treatment

Just spent 5 days in GS on Indy and must admit that even though we love the ship --all the little things and some of the big have disapeared from Royal suites (unless you are on Oasis class ship it seems)-- we will vote with our wallet and move on as it seems the Mass part of mass market has taken over Royal thought process-- very little of anything was bad just alot of OK and that wont fly for people spending the dollars needed for a suite.

Better coverage (no pre existing) if you purchase at time of deposit /payment

I generally do buy Ins and have experienced that it is easier, cheaper and better coverage if you buy it early.

Anyone know what the taxi fare is from Stellaris to the port?

As I recall, we paid 10-15.00 2 years ago from Stellaris to Port