Misty Morning

Star Link has yet to be implemented in French Polynesia (expected in 2024) so I would think it's not great. Probably some cell coverage on the islands but at sea, on the ship, probably very slow

Surprised no one has responded to this as there are a lot of Wind Surf fans out there. Leaving in January

Mopion is a small spit of sand coral with lots of fish and turtles. There is an excursion that goes to it from the ship and that's really the only way to get there. There is some snorkeling at both ends of Saline Bay (where the BBQ is held) which are more rocky and have some fish. Love Mayreau and Grenadines. Tobago stop looks interesting

Does anybody know if StarLink is now available on the WindSurf? I know the Star ships have migrated and everyone seems to be happy, just not sure about the sailing ships. Thanks

Yes no issues once they give you your ship card, you can get off and wander around

We have gotten complimentary upgrades on the 2 cruises we have taken since end of COVID and on our last cruise we got upgraded from 109 to 309 on the Surf. On the surface it looked great and took it right away however we realized, once onboard, that 309 is above the propellers (whereas 109 is further to the center of ship) and in the morning, the room would shake (I mean shake) strongly as the propellers backed up the ship during anchoring operations (added in room sticky at the time). Should have stayed in 109. We are in 119 on our January cruise and unless the upgrade is also in the ships's mid section, we're not taking it.

We were on the stretched Pride last November. We had lots of rain initially (Caribbean) and 270 onboard and even though we had to squeeze in to avoid the rain sometimes at the Star Bar, it never felt crowded. We are late diners (i.e. after 8pm) and never had an issue getting a table. If there's a deck BBQ, you may need to come in a bit early to secure the table that you want, but the layout of the Star Ships is better for the BBQ as everyone is in the same area and every table has a good view. I can understand some people may be worried about capacity but it wasn't an issue on our cruise.

Loved your live reports. Glad you enjoyed the Star Legend. We are long time Windstar cruisers (4 stars) and have done both the Star ships (pre and post stretch) and the sailing ships and given the renovations on the former, I would say we prefer the layout of these to the sailing ships (hope they spruce up the WindSurf soon, Club Med just spent $10mm on Club Med 2 and it looks great) The Star Bar area is where we would spend most of our time pre and post dinner as for us cruising is being on top deck and outside feeling the air. That being said, we are booked 2 weeks on the Surf in January and I am sure we are going to love it just as we do every time we board a Windstar ship. Like a second home

Wonder where it will get re-deployed for the winter

They typically have other beers such as Carlsberg, Stella, Corona, plus some local beers at times. Also if you have a favorite and it's available in port, if you ask, they sometimes can pick it up and stock it in their bar. I've seen that done and most of the time they are also not too picky if you bring back wine onboard (beer not so much however)

Maybe but it's pretty banged up, but you don't see it after a while. I like the old configuration better. The lighting in the new cabins is also much brighter than the old cabins

Has anyone heard if any changes have been made to these itineraries given the recent developments in Israel?

Thanks Flygod for bringing the Welfare Fund to everyone's attention. We will make sure to contribute to it in the future

See you then and be careful with the remnants of Tropical Storm Philippe coming your way,,,don't go swimming!! lol

Funny that you mention that you went swimming today, my wife did the same at the lake (we live on a lake northwest of Quebec City) and the water was still close to 20C. Looks like our summer is now slipping into September and even October, climate change at work. We are Pierre & Nathalie and we will likely be easy to spot as the only Francophones on board. Santé

Thanks Strenz for your info. Look forward to bump into you in January. Just like you we love the Windsurf itineraries in the Caribbean. Total relaxation. Very much looking forward to get back on our favorite island Anguilla which has now become a regular stop on the Yachtmans Caribbean. À bientôt

Strenz, did you find the ship crowded i.e. Yacht Club, bars, restaurants, when weather was less cooperative?

We reached the 4 star on our last cruise last February. The 4 star perks will only start on our next cruise in January as you only get them after you have reached the threshold not when you reach it.

I am also looking at this itinerary which I find interesting but would likely do it from Barbados to Panama given the prevailing winds blow from east to west

They still have individual sized bottles on the sailing ships. Only the Star Ships have the dispensers and the scent is not the same

I noticed that too. Looks like 2023 is the last year for Alaska. I guess that after sailing 6 years, they felt their clientele was looking for something else. Will be interesting to see how they do with their new Middle Eastern itineraries to which they have committed 2 winter seasons in 2024 and 2025 and are really pushing hard. They also have 2 ships committed to Greece so still lots of demand for those itineraries. Will have to do Alaska with another line.

I have never been in a Bridge Suite but one of the things I remembered is that they were located next to doors that were used by people to go to elevator and these shut loudly in the wind. It was less noisy this past March when we were on but I thought I wouldn’t like to have paid that kind of money to be in the middle of the traffic as that entrance is used often as it leads to the Bridge

The difference between the 7 and 10/11 day cruises is that the ship will actually leave at 6pm for the 10/11 day cruise as the first day is a sea day to get to the Tuamotu Islands. This is not the case for the 7 day cruise as the ship only needs to cross over to next island Moorea, a 2 hour sail, which is why they can afford to leave only the following morning.

I would give him something discreetly. I have done it in the past

We were on the Pride for 16 days in November. Amazing ship since the stretch and amazing crew. Just came back from a week on the Surf and the difference is stunning. The Surf's is great and the crew just as good but the ship is looking a bit tired. Looking to book on Star Legend Panama Canal next year. Was "Speedy Jack" still running the Star Bar?