LTC Dan

Okay guys. We all know that Windstar is awesome, right? At least that's true for all you veteran Windstar devotees, and now I can put myself on that list. We did the “Venetian Passageways” cruise from Venice to Athens, 9 nights on board the Star Breeze, starting on September 30th. This was a second choice for us, because we originally were bound and determined to do that sailing thing on board the Wind Surf. And I think all of us would agree, she is an extraordinarily beautiful ship. But then came the proverbial moment when "they made me an offer I cannot refuse" -- an extra night on an all-suite motorized yacht, with all the bells and whistles -- and all that for several hundred dollars less. Go figure. But we will sail on Wind Surf the next time around.

Our only headaches were at the beginning and end of the cruise, and in both cases Windstar was blameless. Have any of you gone through the nut roll of getting from the Venice port entrance to San Basilo Passenger Terminal? When we arrived at the gate, the guard refused to let our shuttle driver continue to the terminal. We had no idea how to get a taxi (water or land version), and so with the weather being perfect we hoofed it. That's one LONG epic walk. So here's TIP No. 3. If you don't already have a pre-paid transfer set up with Windstar, find out how to get to Piazza Roma to hire a taxi, or figure out how to find the vaporetto line and go by water. That'll save you from getting drenched on a rainy day, or sweating buckets on a real scorcher.

And what was the problem at the end of the cruise, you might ask? Athens, that's what. Athens is, in my opinion, a dump. In my experience it’s run-down, grimy, and burdened with lots of economic turbulence these days. I think it has very little redeeming value to start with. One day before we were supposed to disembark, we heard the stunning news that Greek air traffic controllers were going on strike. We almost became stranded in country for several days. Windstar's staff busted their collective fannies to try to help us make alternative plans. KUDOS, Windstar!!!!! And then about three hours before the deadline, negotiators made a deal and the strike was called off. By then, the damage had been done. It was enough uncertainty for Air Canada to blink, and because they pre-emptively cancelled our flight it caused us a one-day delay in getting home. But things could have been much worse. So what's the moral of the story? TIP No. 4. If you have a choice, avoid Athens, at least until economic conditions improve. The Western Mediterranean is much more stable from what I've seen. Book that cruise on board Wind Surf, and enjoy a stress-free trip from Venice to Rome.

Okay, here's some more juicy tidbits. Renting a car in Slovenia is awesome and fairly cheap, even with insurance and gas factored in, but don't plan on crossing any borders. It'll be too expensive, because the surcharge for dropping off in another country is really steep. So how do you get from Lake Bled to Venice? Travelling by train from anywhere in Slovenia to Venice is much harder to do than you can imagine (multiple connections to switch trains, long timeframes, and even a taxi connection thrown in at the border). What about flying? Fuhgetabouit. That's really expensive. So here's the deal. TIP No. 2. There happens to be a great private shuttle service that can get you from point A to point B just about anywhere in Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia for a really good price. Everything is arranged online, you pay in advance, and 24 hours before pick-up they will e-mail you saying exactly where the van will be to get onboard. They have a superb reliability rating. If you want the convenience of a truly private, custom trip (no other passengers sharing the ride), you can do that too, for a additional fee. My wife and I took the intermediate option, which is to say we paid to be picked up at an exact time instead of waiting. Cost? A little over 100 euros for the two of us, and we made it to the port in less than 4 hours. Contact me at curlydano2005@aol.com if you want specifics.

Hi guys! Here's the deal. The dw (Curly Montana) and I just finished a wonderful anniversary trip to Europe, and we'd love to share some inside tips on what made it so special. I've written a full review, and hopefully it'll surface on the Cruise Critic review section real soon. I have many beautiful photos, and if I have figured this our properly then you'll see them right here.

This was our first Windstar cruise, and we chose the Star Breeze as our introduction to informal luxury. We decided to make it a two-part vacation -- a five day & night "land" component in Slovenia, and the a nine-night "cruise" component in the Mediterranean. The first part started out as an afterthought: we figured it would be wise to have at least a couple days to relax before the cruise to get over jet lag. Venice is horribly expensive, and we're just adventuresome enough to create our own land excursion package. No pre-packaged land tour for us. But before long I figured out that Slovenia is an absolute treasure. If you love the alpine beauty of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, then you'll adore Slovenia's Julian Alps. And a five-day stay was surprisingly affordable. Really, you must put this on your future travel list.

So here's TIP 1. By all means, if you have to fly overseas for the cruise, DO book at least a couple days beforehand in some special place to rest up. And if you want my advice about a stunningly beautiful place to go before sailing out of Venice, check out Lake Bled, Slovenia. Rent a car and drive through the Julian Alps. Go in early to mid-October when the crowds are gone and the leaves are beginning to turn. Want to know where to stay, what to see, and how to get around? Check out travel guides by Lonely Planet, Fodor, and or Rick Steves. They'll tell you.

Hi acwmom. We've mused over this very same conundrum. Dodged the question this year and booked a Mediterranean cruise instead. But next time -- and I hope it won't be very long -- the wife and I want to hop on board the Wind Surf for a back-to-back in the Caribbean. The answer to any impossible dilemma is to do the James T. Kirk thing and break the rules. :D

Hi folks, me again. I was over-exuberant in one of my last posts, and stepped over the line. I forgot the cardinal rule that one must not endorse a specific product. :o That wasn't my main point anyway, so let me clarify.

To Pathi: The point I was trying to make is that you can qualify for a lot of good deals because of your prior (or current) military status. There are many good places to go, and some helpful sites can keep track of all your demographics and list the best offers based on what works best. My wife is a teacher, I'm retired military, we both have been on cruises with other companies so we can get "loyal customer" status, and she used to work as an employee with an airline.

Each cruise line will make offers based on the demographics they are pursuing, and they start to happen quickly when the sail date is on the close horizon and they have unused inventory. So have fun, and see what kind of great deals are out there based on your own qualifications.

As a side note - my dress uniform still fits -------- as long as I pay attention to my gut (ha!)

Magnum60, you are too funny! Sadly, I do not still fit in my dress mess uniform. Too many post-retirement lattes I guess. :D:p And oh by the way, thanks for being a Vietnam-era veteran. My dad served in Vietnam in the very earliest days (1963) -- roommate in Saigon with none other than LTC George Patton Jr., who was a rising star in the Armor community and an arrogant egotist in his own right. Sadly a lot of Americans disrespected our war heroes during that era, but I appreciate your service.

Pathi, I thought I'd mention one more thing. Being connected to the military, I'm sure you can appreciate the pros and cons of a formal night. In the military, we have our times when it's fun to get dressed to the nines, such as a dining-in, regimental ball, military gala, or whatnot. My wife and I are rather no-nonsense in the scheme of things, but once in a blue moon it was cool to wear the dress mess uniform (and the wife would slip into a nice evening gown) and we'd schmooze with the other military folks. By the end of the evening we'd be really happy to unwind and get out of all that upscale gear. But it was fun along the way.

As you know, some cruise lines still adhere to that formality, more or less. (Cunard, Crystal, Silversea, and some others like those traditions a lot.) On both Holland America and Carnival, I opted to wear my dress mess uniform on formal nights, which is an entirely permissible custom. (One kind lady came up to me and gushed how much she was enjoying the cruise, and I had to thank her for her enthusiasm and confess that I was not the ship's captain.) So if you choose a cruise line with a traditional approach, that's something that might be up your alley. Windstar's relaxed nature is opposite from that.

Now that I'm retired, I'm relishing the idea that the Windstar experience will be so laid back. Sunglasses and sunscreen will be the required equipment. (We're going on our first WS experience in late September.)

So choose what floats your boat.

Hi Honumaui. I lived in Genoa for a semester studying architecture, and the weather can be iffy from about mid-October on. But I never stopped enjoying my time in the Mediterranean, and traveled a lot (by train, back then). For me, the excitement had everything to do with seeing new places in a totally spontaneous way. I'm so controlling and obsessed with planning the perfect vacation now, but back then I was a carefree single student.

As I recall, mid-September to mid-October had many beautiful days. But nothing is guaranteed, and you have to hope for the best.

I can't predict which ship you'd prefer. Others have experience on both types and can make recommendations.

How important is the weather factor in your decision-making? We are doing a cruise in the Adriatic starting 30 September, and Windstar has a number of great ones throughout the Med during September and early October.

If the itineraries you mentioned are really important, you may consider sailing on Wind Surf when they do those trips in September. The sequence is reversed -- Lisbon to Barcelona on September 8th, and Barcelona to Rome on September 16th. Have fun!!! :D

I love this sentiment expressed by the Windstar guy in the article that was just posted (page two): "A dream would be to build a new Windstar vessel from the keel up with a new sail system making it the most efficient vessel afloat.”

So let's keep our fingers crossed. We'd all love some more sailing ships, right? :cool:

I just looked and Breeze is doing the Italy and Dalmation Coast right before your Venetian Passageways. I'm just saying.. . [emoji634]

 

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Right you are, sir! Now if I had some cash laying around idle, I'd be all set!:):p

Oh by the way, sarj04, please check out the video posted on another thread, "Tell Me About the Sailing Ship Wind Star". It shows highlights from the "Jewels of the Windward islands". I found it to be very interesting, and now I know what to expect from that particular itinerary. :cool:

Welcome, sarg04. Prior military, I would guess, so hooah. You've posed a really good question. There are several regular posters that have been on countless Windstar cruises, so they are probably best to answer the questions about specific ports.

Both of these itineraries sound really wonderful and I think you'd love them, but for different reasons. We'll probably get around to doing each one eventually. I think I'd choose the Wind Star "Jewels of the Windward Islands" out of Barbados for my first one. The romance of the sails is something I really want to experience really soon. Plus, I have been to Puerto Rico, and the port of San Juan has more negatives than positives, IMHO. (Old San Juan is nice, but the city proper is pretty dirty, crowded with traffic, tourists are everywhere, and there's lots of urban blight, especially for a Caribbean island). I would have to guess, but Barbados might be a better starting point for the relaxing, low-key experience you're craving.

Having said that, the Star Legend will give you a suite for the same money. And if you have time for a few days to unwind before sailing, the remote areas in Puerto Rico are lush and scenic. Find a nice B&B or resort and take the time to explore the rainforests.

For us, we decided our first Windstar cruise will be on the Star Breeze, because it has a perfect 9-night itinerary and the price couldn't be beat. But we will definitely go for something on the Wind Surf or Wind Star next time.

Whatever you decide, please post a thorough review so that we get your first timer impression. Like you, we have decided to leave the big boats behind, and we can't wait to do our first cruse on Windstar (102 days out, but who's counting?)

That sounds fantastic, BBQ Lover. What a concept. In the pantheon on outstanding B2B cruises, you may have selected the best possible combo out there. Well done! (Actually, you probably like your stuff medium rare, but you know what I mean.) :p:);)

Dang it, I am so intrigued by these new offerings I may STILL sign up for one in the future. Hot, sweaty weather and hoards of tourists notwithstanding. :p;):D

This is inspired marketing by Windstar. First of all, for years they've sent the Wind Star into the Aegean for summer residency. By now, I imagine the novelty has worn off, and returning customers may want something different. I do expect something like this will attract some new customers as well. The latest turmoil in Greece has always been a turnoff for us, and I think others might have had pause about taking a trip focused exclusively on that region.

Geopolitical strife aside, Croatia is the new "it" scene from what I've heard. The 8-night itinerary concentrates just on that part of the Adriatic, and hits a bunch of smaller coastal ports most people have never visited before. And think about how cool that 12-night itinerary would be -- a longer, leisurely sailing from Venice to Athens (or vice versa), with every cool port in between (especially Rovinj, Dubrovnik, and Kotor).

Forgive me for giving my opinions when we haven't even sailed yet on WS, but my perspective is the one of a new customer. And this marketing move is exactly what people like me have wanted for years. A prediction -- these itineraries will be so popular that WS will also make them available in the spring and fall, a time when the weather is more pleasant and fewer tourists are in the way.

Thanks for the heads-up, everybody. Carla and I looked for years (no exaggeration) for the perfect cruise to celebrate our 30th. And we've locked in our first Windstar cruise for 30 September on Star Breeze. These new itineraries would have made the decision much harder, even though it would have been smack dab in the middle of summer. Other than the heat and the crowds, the 8-day version is just about perfect, and virtually identical ones have been offered by Azamara and Silversea at various times. And now WS creates it on that lovely jewel the Wind Star! And with optional side trips into Croatia and Slovenia, including a chance to visit Lake Bled!

Yes, I agree that summer heat would have probably been a deal breaker for us. I think the late September and October season will be more our speed. But kudos to Windstar for dreaming up new options.

And Pudgesmom, I did make some judgments regarding the ships and itineraries, which are based on many reviews from folks like you on Cruise Critic. Come October I'll be able to speak from personal experience. The reviews for Wind Surf are really good, so I'll make sure to try it out as soon as we can.

Opinions are easily disregarded if you want to do that. Take care.

Excuse me if I'm missing something here, but iTC Dan, are you not planning your first Windstar cruise? I'm noticing you are sharing quite a few opinions about how to deal with the company, as well as opinions on which ships are "better." Or have you had experience in these areas?

 

For the record, we have had excellent results dealing with the main office when we have had admittedly small issues. We LOVE the Windsurf, have been on it four times. We're looking forward to our first trip on the Legend in July.

Thanks. Yes, although I'm a newbee, I did have one situation with the booking folks, and it was resolved. They booked us on the wrong cruise after I had spelled out the particulars in writing. :) But we resolved it with no drama. I do have opinions about negotiating based on my career experience. My opinion about Windstar is sky high, that silly mistake notwithstanding. I think everyone has their own style for resolving issues, mine is not perfect but it has served me well when dealing with contracts and resolving disputes. I think the original poster has a legitimate beef, and I suggested one way to stand firm and get a fair deal.

Well said, all of it, Strenz. I'm glad that you went to the trouble and lodged a diplomatic complaint with management. It started out as a personal issue, persistent failings that were keeping you and your husband from being completely happy with Windstar's service. But it was bigger than that. In a way you became our spokesperson, because the stuff that bugged you clearly had been bothering many other people for a long time. GOOD JOB. You were clear, had a productive discussion with someone that could make a difference, and you had examples.

Basically, you decided to take action and voice your concerns rather than be silently annoyed. You found an approach that worked. We can all learn from that.

I know this isn't a political venue, but I enjoyed the chat about Mister Golden Hair Surprise. I have many other names for this hateful man, and maybe if we are on the same cruise someday we laugh about his escapades, along with other political junkies over drinks in the lounge. And hopefully neither of those terrible candidates (I'm including the Evil Madam Secretary, of course) will have destroyed the country in the interim. :D

Hi Strenz:

Fair enough, I certainly see what you're saying. There's no point in going in with both guns blazing right off the bat. My mom always said, "....you'll attract more people with honey than with vinegar". She could pour on the southern charm like nobody's business, and yet nobody ever took advantage of her. And I can see how you'd get the impression that I can be too eager to be confrontational from my advice. I'm pushier than most customers.

So let me elaborate. I think a measured, but firm approach, always can work wonders. That's especially true with Windstar, because most of the time they seem quite fair. Working in good faith means just that -- both sides avoid the drama and work towards "yes". But it also means you have to say "no", firmly, if the other side is not honoring an original good faith bargain. In this case, I think Windstar has unfairly warped the agreement in their own favor. By contrast, they owe it to the customer to "...make them whole" again, not gouge them for more money.

When both sides agree that a proposed trade is a fair one, then you can declare success. Everyone wins. It's not about exploiting the other party.

In my opinion, it doesn't hurt to be frank right upfront if they have offered something unacceptable. In the original poster's remarks, it seems Windstar really low-balled kuldalai by offering lesser accommodations, and had the gall to ask for $2,000 more. That's not fair in any world.

So, bottom line, kuldalai can and should be polite. And firmly say "...no, this isn't fair. What are you willing to do to make things better?" I tend to be very frank and unequivocal when I'm offered a lousy deal, and usually tell them what I think is acceptable in the alternative. That leads to negotiations, and the final terms are whatever both parties see as fair. I think Windstar will offer something better, and their initial offer was a trial balloon.

With 17 months to go, kuldalai can be patient, because the closer the sailing dates is, the less leverage Windstar will have when cabins are empty. (I'd say the reverse would be true if it was a hot ticket, but that's not the case here.) And they need to negotiate from a position of strength, and that means they have to be ready to walk.

Hope that clears things up.

By the way, Kuldalai, don't get distracted by my tough tone. In real life I'm quite sunny, pleasant, and an optimist (way more than "glass half full" outlook on life), and willing to relax when on vacation. But in business dealings, whether you're buying a house or a car, settling a trade deal, or haggling for the best cruise package you can find, just throw away all that pleasantry and be "all business". Be tough, to the point of being annoyingly abrasive if necessary. There's a certain businessman/tycoon running for President, an utter jerk that I loathe with every fiber of my being, but his approach to deal-making is spot-on.

Work through your TA. Tell Windstar they have unilaterally changed the terms of your good-faith bargain, and the deal is off. (I was stretching the truth in my last message. Are they really in "Breach of Contract"? Legally and technically speaking, no, but that's your way of poking them in the eye to get everyone's attention.) Tell the company that you placed a deposit for "Sicilian Splendors" on Star Legend on October 11, 2017, and booked that deal months ago. Your expectation was for a SUITE. They now want to cancel that cruise, and now they want you to consider a new date and ship that you did not want. Rubbing salt in the wound, they have the gall to say they will place you in an Oceanview cabin unless you will pay $2,000 more for a Suite.

Tell them you are insulted and want your money back, every penny. Or, if they want your continued loyalty, then you expect to get the same itinerary on the Wind Surf on October 3, 2017 for a substantial price savings due to the inferior cabin accommodations, OR you will accept the same booking in return for a substantial perk: e.g., free cabin upgrade, free gratuities, or a $500 onboard credit.

BE WILLING TO WALK. You paid way more than a year and a half out for an itinerary that, frankly, they have always found hard to fill. (That's why they want to reschedule it to a more popular ship on an earlier date). Make them treat you with respect, and expect them to always deal in good faith. Their initial offer is ridiculous, so laugh at them. Make them cringe and cower in shame for mistreating you.

Hello Kuldalai:

This does seem odd at first glance, but I think it may sort itself out. You have about 17 months before sailing. First, not sure they can swap things out like that AND charge you more -- I agree there. That amounts to a classic "bait and switch" in marketing. But it is normal for the cruise line to shuffle itineraries that far in advance to improve their position vs. others. I'd be persistent, tell them you won't play ball, and won't fork over more money for something you've already locked in. Be tough. Tell them if they want to move you to a new date on a new ship, then they must honor the price deal AND give you an additional perk. If they don't, threaten to walk away over their breach of contract.

Having said all that, I think Wind Surf is a superior ship, moving up to October 3rd means better weather, and I think you'll love the improved situation all around. Just don't let them badger you. Force them to play ball with YOU concerning the price. That itinerary is not in high demand, so they will drop the price several times between now and your sailing date.

Hi ViennaLover. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely go to the website you mentioned and do some research. Better yet, make sure to tell all of us your latest experiences in Venice when you go in a couple weeks. You're going in an exceptionally nice period, weather-wise. (Oops, now I've gone and jinxed it.)

It's my husband's fault.

I literally did the LOL thing when I read this gem, Sujormik. That's why us hubbies tend to have the broad shoulders. We use them to support the weight of criticism that gets heaped upon us at odd times. :)

Trust me, I think your trip will be a blast. We're also taking our first Windstar cruise this Fall, and I cannot wait. There will be some rainy weather at times (helps the green stuff grow), but all in all I think it will be amazing. But then again, I'm the glass way-more-than-half-full kinda guy, the eternal optimist.

Thanks again, MTJtraveller! That's really good to find someone that did the exact same itinerary on the exact same ship. I may press you for more details as I come up with questions. Hvar will be cool, but I certainly wouldn't mind if we were forced into Split as an alternative haven. And Rovinj is calling me for a future visit. I think Kotor and Dubrovnik promise to be wonderful.

If this trip is anything like my previous overseas jaunts, my trip planning is always just something I have to do to build up anticipation. Once we start really experiencing new places, t:Dhe unexpected surprise is the rule rather than the exception, and I have enough of a spontaneous streak to revel in that.