ridethetide

1 hour ago, lonestarmikeb said:

Did you feel one side of the ship might be better than the other?

There is no better side since each cruise is different. You never know your destination until you are there. Captain's choice!!!!

Every ship has a spa.

You definitely want to be on deck when transiting the canal. If you are looking out a window or balcony from your cabin, you will miss so many of the interesting views.

1 hour ago, CulverCityCruisers said:

I think that extra cabins might be added where the current casino is, if Windstar continues to have ships without casinos.  That would definitely give space for more capacity like the Star Portholes added to the triplets.

There are no casinos on the current Atlas ships.

16 hours ago, new_cruiser said:

I'm wondering if the new engines are clean enough to meet the coming strict requirements for Norwegian fjords. I was booked on a Windstar cruise there that got canceled due to COVID and haven't managed to fit another into my schedule. 

 

Two additional ships might also give flexibility to go back to Asia or try some South American itineraries.

The following came from the Atlas Ocean Voyages website regarding these ships: "Our intimate yachts realize the possibilities of environmental stewardship with the latest hybrid power management and propulsion systems, maximizing fuel efficiency and consuming as low as one-fifth the fuel compared to conventional cruise-ship systems, reducing our impact on the environment. We minimize underwater noise that stresses marine wildlife by using a hydro-jet propulsion system that allows us to cruise virtually silent up to five knots for incomparable, up-close encounters while keeping the sensitive ecosystem in mind. It’s also our responsibility to prevent damage to the fragile ecosystems on ocean floors. That’s why we avoid using anchors to maintain ship position by using a GPS-based Dynamic Position System."

33 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

One difference (which may or may not make a real difference) is that these new ships were designed for polar voyages (meaning the interior spaces are heavily used) and Windstar says they aren't going there – in warmer climates many people will be outside. 

Did I miss something? Did WS state that they will not be doing polar itineraries? Why buy ships that are rated for ice if you don't need that function?

I completed an 11-day expedition to Antarctica in January on Atlas World Traveller, a sister ship to the ships WS will be purchasing. The ship was absolutely beautiful inside and out and had the same warm, accommodating service as WS. It was a trip of a lifetime and I am hoping to travel to the Arctic as well. Perhaps, the Arctic will be a WS itinerary in the near future. If not, Atlas Ocean Voyages promises an amazing expedition.

2 hours ago, jeb_bud said:

I’m curious about the excursion boots. I suffer from “foot drop” and normally wear braces to help avoid tripping over my toes. I find that my work boots provide enough support for short walks though. 
 

The website says they provide knee-high boots for excursions. Did they fit well and were they supportive at the ankles?  I would love to see a photo if you have any. 

Not sure if this is the exact model of Muck Boot that is provided, but it should be close enough for your purpose. I found the boots to be quite supportive in the foot and ankle. They are quite warm and provide great traction in the snow.

Read, swim or soak in the hot tub, go to the spa, play games, sit on the deck and take in the view...

Petoonya, I am sending you healing energies. My hope is that these recent misfortunes will not discourage you from future travel with WS.I unexpectedly lost my husband and cruise partner two years ago. I know he would have wanted me to continue cruising. I have since taken WS cruises with a friend from high school who I hadn't seen in 50 years and my daughter. I also took an Atlas Ocean Voyages cruise to Antarctica with a friend. I am booked on a WS cruise to Tahiti in 2025 with my son. My husband would be thrilled. You have suffered much physical and, I can guess, emotional pain this cruise. The next cruise will be awesome. Keep smiling...

2 hours ago, Petoonya said:

@ridethetide  and @rjp50

Hope you find this email from Aimee helpful.

This is the email I use to reach her, yet you're probably using the same.

h2oborabora@gmail.com

 

Also- have another pricey but AMAZING suggestion for private snorkel tour in Moorea. If you're interested let me know. Another for Huahine too.

Here's Aimee:

 

"Hello Nancy,

Thanks for your reply.

The arrival time of the StarBreeze is listed as 9am.  She is always here earlier and our excursion for the AM starts at 8h15 with the guests being brought across on the first tender.

 

Our excursion is described as "Eco Snorkeling Sites and Manta Rays Adventure"

Hope this helps 😊

Many thanks,

 

Aimee"

Petoonya, thank you so much for reaching out to Aimee. There is a WS excursion called "Half Day Eco Snorkeling Shared Boat" in Bora Bora. I guess that is the one she referenced. I would be interested in the contact information for snorkeling on Moorea and Huahine and any other recommendations you have for excursions. Our cruise is not until September 4, 2025, and I am traveling with my grown son, who adores the ocean. Thanks. 

22 hours ago, rjp50 said:

Petoonya, thanks for your comment and endorsement of H2O Bora Bora.  I have read other endorsements of this company as well.  However, in looking at their web site, the only time that they are still available for excursions is the first morning that we will be in Bora Bora.  According to the Windstar published agenda, we don't arrive until 9:00.  Between that arrival time as well as time waiting to tender and actually getting ashore I assume that a morning excursion on the first day will not be possible.  I have contacted H2O Bora Bora to see if they have any suggestions around this but have not heard back from them.

Petoonya, do you know if H2O Bora Bora provides the Half Day Eco Snorkeling or the Snorkel Safari & Stingray that WS offers? 

11 minutes ago, Petoonya said:

Thanks for your thoughtfulness @Host Jazzbeau and @HaveDogWillTravel

 

It's nearly 2am onboard and my tooth is not real comfortable, but my clothes are getting bigger, lol! Ran around Portofino in the rain, had a sublime massage, and wonderful conversations with new friends onboard. Yes, know it was all  wrong to travel immediately after a root canal but I'll share my reasoning with you.

Exactly a year before I boarded this cruise my wonderful spouse died by his own hand- and I was his horrified witness. It's been one hell of a ride, and surviving it made me intent on getting here. I got the shocking email, but also a caring surprise next day when I took my the dogs out for a walk. In my rain  jacket pocket was the invoice  for this cruise- he loved Windstar too and I think he wanted me to continue keeping this my happy place.

Boarding this ship was part of healing.

 

Anyhoo- enjoy the heck out of life.....give an extra hug/kiss to your spouse, partner kiddos, grandkids, buddies. Cruises come to us for all kinds of reasons.....mine have always been to expand my mind, gain some peace, and this is one's the same. Pain is pain and joy is joy, and living through whatever comes your way is just living. I'm choosing joy today. Love you guys!

I sure do wish I could hug you!!!!

11 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Yes, but you do what you have to do.  Emergency root canal, trip long scheduled – would you cancel?

Only in retrospect. It is a tough call. Similar, but different, we had to unexpectedly euthanize our dog the day we were flying to Panama to embark on a WS cruise. We opted to go despite our loss, and it was actually helpful to have the distraction as well as the time to grieve.

I am certain that Petoonya wishes her cruise had been a month later.

13 minutes ago, avalong said:

Hate to be a Monday morning quarterback, but from what I've read, it's best to wait 5 - 7 days after a root canal to fly. Maybe your flight and the change in air pressure caused some of your problems? Hope you're feeling much better after your appointment. 

It does seem that flying is not recommended for 5-7 days after a root canal. Hoping the issue was easily resolved by your French doctor.

2 hours ago, DLMinWA said:

Great review, thank you for posting it! We’re booked on the 11-night cruise next March. Can you let us know how the trip through the Drake Passage was? I know it varies wildly from trip to trip, but I’m interested in hearing your experience. Would also love to get recommendations from anyone with regard to seasickness meds - have never suffered from it but I think we should be prepared. 😁

I always take Scopolamine patches on all of my cruises, just in case. I did wear them while crossing the Drake Passage in both directions and was not seasick. There are some side effects, such as dry mouth, but to me it is worth it. You require a doctor's prescription for the patches.

2 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Thanks!

Off to dentist in an hour.

Fingers crossed!!!

2 hours ago, Strenz said:

 

I have used the laundry on 28 cruises, everything always comes back great but I bring very washable items. The laundry is critical for my goal to never check my luggage. Love it. Happy Sailing. 

LL Bean shirts are "washable items". Accidents do happen occasionally, but WS handled it well. 

Boarding time usually starts at 1:00 pm.

30 minutes ago, Redtravel said:

I love WS laundry.  I always send clothes to the laundry. However, I am careful not to send very delicate items. Now I also don’t send out clothing that I would miss if it were damaged.  On my last WS cruise on the Breeze, a shirt was missing.  We were visited by the laundry person who showed us that they had sliced the shirt.  They took responsibility and gave us $60.  That didn’t cover the cost of replacing the shirt. Their formula is 10 times their price to launder the item.  Keep that in mind.  

About 10 years ago, the laundry ripped one of my husband's LLBean dress shirts. They ordered its replacement directly from the LL Bean catalog and had it shipped to our home. It cost them more than $60 to replace.

19 hours ago, BigNance said:

Thank you all!  I appreciate the input.  We like adult beverages at the end of the day after our outings, and wine with dinner, and then maybe a drink after dinner if there is anything going on in a lounge.  

I agree, alcohol and water sports and hiking don't mix well!  

Did any of you take advantage of the SUP activity?  How was it?

 

SUP was not offered during my January cruise on the World Traveller, only kayaking.

I booked my recent Antarctica cruise through my own TA and everything was seamless.

26 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

One additional question on this topic, please.

 

If I understand the consensus correctly, the Horizon Deluxe Stateroom is preferable to Horizon Stateroom even for either a Caribbean or Western Med sailings?

 

TIA and bon voyage

The Horizon Deluxe Stateroom has the bed next to the horizontal sliding windows and I am not sure if the sitting area has any view.  The Horizon Stateroom has the sitting area next to the windows and the bed closer to the bathroom. I prefer the latter.

2 hours ago, MELSMOM47 said:

Did the cruise begin and end in Iceland?

Yes.

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

I think it was per person, so that's something!

Or is it per device?