Misty Morning

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

But I question the refit – why not take the next new-build instead of sending this back to the shipyard for 'some work'?

They probably got the existing one on the cheap.  These ships cost EUR71mm each when they were ordered in 2017, so they were not too expensive to start off with when you compare the US$250mm+ cost of extending the 3 Seabourn ships.  This is excellent news.

One time we asked reception if it was possible to get our passports back for the day as we wanted to go from Sint Maarten to Anguilla. There was no problem for them to do this. In the end we did not go but understood it was possible

Tendering is always a tricky operation.  On our last cruise we have a few ports with higher swells and the tendering took longer as it took people a bit of time to get the OK to get into the tender.  The tenders have been renovated and hold approx 45 guests each.  On longer tenders ports (Virgin Gorda, St Barths, Falmouth,), they sometimes run 3 tenders at the beginning.

We were on Wind Surf for 2 weeks in January and would say there was probably a dinner or two that were OK but the rest was great.  Well cooked steaks and veal chop at Candles, French onion soup, rack of lamb, Coquille St Jacques at Stella Bistro, Beef Wellington (cooked to perfection), lobster bisque and scallops in Amphora.  Deck BBQ food is fine.  Paella is good, so are the suckling pig, lamb chops and a great selection salads.   Desserts are somewhat weak but they had a huge blueberry pie/cobler with ice cream that was delicious.  We have sailed Celebrity and the food is certainly a step above Celebrity.  You can't cook for 3,000 people with the same care and quality as when you cook for 300.

The Lattes are as now as good in the Veranda as it is in the Yacht Club now that they (the Veranda) have the same machine as Veranda.  However the Yacht Club has its Barrista.  I always get my lattes there.

Well you are in luck because the Wind Spirit's drydock is from March 10th 2025 to April 22nd 2025 and in the case of the Wind Spirit, they are doing all the refurbishments in one longer drydock (not 2 like the Wind Star and Wind Surf), which means it will be fully renovated (incl. staterooms) when you hop on in September.   We are on the Wind Spirit this coming May.  It will be interesting to see in what shape it's in.

First drydock for the Wind Surf is scheduled for Nov/Dec 2024 and the 2nd one will likely be in 2026 but given cruise schedule is not out yet for 2026, we do know when this is going to take place but for your cruise, the public areas should have all been renovated.

4 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Kind of good news bad news story with that, they removed the lobsters totally from both due to the rising cost of lobsters, but there was a big uproar that they were removed so they will be returning just unsure when

They removed them from the BBQ because there was too much waste.  So now they usually have it one night in Amphora (usually the last night).  Makes more sense

Nearpost345,

While the museum may be closed, you can walk around the Dockyards as the fortifications are quite extensive.  There will also be some of the nicest sailboats on the planet in the harbor so boat watching is certainly on the agenda. You can also take a cab for the 10 minute ride to Shirley Heights and take in the spectacular view.  If your ship stays late, then you can go to the Shirley Heights Sunset Party which happens only on Sundays.  Food stalls, temporary bars and several bands are on site.  We have been a few times and usually a few hundred people show up to this thing, pretty busy and lively.  You could also go and have lunch on Pigeon beach right next door at Catherine's Café.  Nice French fare and great location under the trees on Pigeon Beach. If you are more adventurous, Half Moon Bay is nicest beach on the island but it's a 45 minutes taxi ride.  If you go. there's a small basic beach shack nearby and locals renting chairs and umbrellas on the beach itself

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Quick question, is it still open bridge except when pilots are on board?

Yes bridge is open when out to sea.  Not when in port and also not when entering and exiting those ports

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Is the notch (top left on the deck plan) where the anchor is?  That would certainly amplify the sound!

Based on pictures, the anchor is one deck down and about midway between the actual cabin and the bow.  Even if it's not as close as you thought, it will still definitely wake you up in the morning

On 2/24/2024 at 6:04 PM, FlorenceItaly said:

I think I know of who you speak(JD).  I understand completely and look forward to hearing ALL about it.  I have no doubt it will be a wonderful reunion and cruise.

Dear LAFFNVEGAS,

We were on the Wind Surf in January and had dinner with Hotel Manager JD.  I totally understand why you would want to meet him again.  Such an interesting individual with an atypical background.  It was a really a pleasant evening.  Watch out for his white chocolate wasabi Kit Kat bars he brings from Japan.  Delicious.  Enjoy your first cruise on Windstar.  We were Celebrity cruisers until we sailed Windstar in 2013.  We have never looked back. The casual and unpretentious atmosphere, the amazing staff and the small ports is what brings us back, like a second home.  We are sailing on the smaller Wind Spirit in late April in the Med.  It will be our first cruise with them in Europe as we have only sailed with Windstar in the Caribbean.  Should be interesting to see the differences.

6 hours ago, Nearpost345 said:

Is it possible to check out snorkels and masks from the sports platform even if one is not going on a tour of any kind? We’re experimenting with not checking bags for this trip, so trying to save room.

You  can pick up snorkel gear when you board, keep it in your room all week and bring it back on the last day

1 minute ago, Misty Morning said:

given the strong easterly trade winds at your back when going east to Panama 

I meant west to Panama

Jazzbeau,

While we have not been on that cruise, I can provide some comments some ports. 

Mayreau and San Blas are Beach BBQ days with loungers and umbrellas (enough for everyone) set up on beach, bar and food brought onshore plus local band, a very nice and relaxing day (the Veranda and the watersports platform are not open during the day/lunch on those days).

Great stop in Soufrière, the restaurant looks fantastic, rated one of the best in the Caribbean and the world.  Also you can do the Tet Paul nature trail which is easy and has beautiful vistas of the Pitons. Never been to Tobago but it looks unspoiled and the forest (Main Ridge Forest), from what I hear and read, is one of the oldest in the hemisphere. Argyle Falls also look nice and you can swim in the lagoon.  Reminds me of Dominica.  Beware however, while the stop is scheduled in Charlotteville (Man O' War Bay), because of northeasterly winds and swells in the Bay, the ship will often divert to Scarborough in the southern part of the island.  This is a much more commercial port and is an hour by car from Charlotteville (similar to Antigua when ship diverts from Falmouth/English Harbour to not so great St. John's).  Given you will be docked, the watersports platform will also not be open.

Turnaround day:  Doesn't look like they have much scheduled.  Turnaround days are nice on the ship because there is no one on it and all services are available.

Transfers:  Windstar offers transfers but much cheaper to just cab it

Sorry I cannot comment on the other ports as this is one of the cruises we are looking to do in 2025 just like you.  I also recommend, like you have done, that this cruise be done from Bridgetown to Panama and not the other way around given the strong easterly trade winds at your back when going east to Panama (it can be very windy when going east especially from Panama to Aruba).  I am sure others will chime in

5 hours ago, Nearpost345 said:

By the way, your review of the Windsurf caribbean cruise destinations is also very much appreciated. Thank you again!

Let me know if you need more info on the ship or the stops as we have done all these islands several times on the Surf, Legend, Pride and Star.  

We were on the Surf in January and while we did not go, we spoke to people that had been on it and they were raving as they had encountered several dozen whales including one that went right underneath their boat.  We saw the pictures.  Wish we had gone

You are correct, the gap of March 9th to April 23rd 2025 is when the Spirit goes in for a full refurb drydock (unlike the Wind Star and Wind Surf which are being refurbished over 2 drydocks each. Wind Star went through its first drydock in November 2023 and Wind Surf is expected to go in November 2024)

Captain will advise next port 24hrs ahead and depending on the port, guests can book excursions, which will be offered concurrently with the announcement or decide if they want to do independently 

April weather should be anywhere from 18 to 24C (65-75F) and although it's only April, if you look at cruise schedule for Santorini, it's already getting busy by mid April with a caveat that most of the ships in April are smaller ones

3 minutes ago, gsutiger2 said:

I don't see the cruise advertised. 

It’s not yet but it’s the 2nd leg of the 16-day Star Collector cruise that departs Athens on April 11th. The 8-day cruise itself is not showing yet but if you click on the cruise above, you will see in the itinerary section that the 2nd leg is all sea days while the map still shows the previous Cyprus and Israel itinerary.

They are closer to King than Queen

32 minutes ago, Strenz said:

Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes a huge disappointment because of the crowds, this was in May few years back  

This cruise is on April 19th, so crowds should not be as bad as May.  This being said, the destination manager quoted in the article mentioned that they would all be new ports (a few in Crete would be nice as Windstar hasn't done that island much) so I don't think crowds are going to be an issue on this cruise

Good article attached.  This cruise replaces one that went to Cyprus and Israel.  They say most of the ports will be new ports and will be known only 24 hours ahead to allow people to book excursions.  This will also be a President's cruise with Prelog onboard and in the dark on the ports like everybody else.

Should be interesting.  

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/travelers-won-t-know-where-they-re-going-on-this-new-mystery-voyage-from-windstar-cruises

35 minutes ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Not entirely pleased with the Surf, I did want to try one of the "motor yachts"

What's your initial reaction to the Star Legend so far?