JM0115

We will be going on the Wind Spirit in October for the first time. We would like to avoid smokers. It seems like the ship is too small to have a smoking area? Is there one and where is it on the Wind Spirit? Has anyone had issues avoiding second hand smoke?

Upon further review of the T&C for Tripmate: 1) For CFAR, it clearly states that "The maximum amount covered under this “Cancel For Any Reason” Waiver is Your Trip Cost. Trip Cost is defined as “Trip Cost” means the amount you paid for your Trip. 2) For Trip Cancelation (for a covered reason such as illness) it states: Coverage We will reimburse you, up to the amount in the Schedule, for Trip Cancellation Covered Expenses, if you are prevented from taking your Trip due to any of the Unforeseen Covered Events listed below. ... 1. forfeited, prepaid, non-refundable, and non-refunded published Payments that you paid for your unused Trip. Should you elect to reschedule your Trip instead of cancelling, in lieu of covering these expenses we will pay for Change Fees charged by your Travel Supplier; 2. the monetary value of your travel voucher that you redeemed for your Trip So, if you go by what is clearly states it would not cover the monetary value of your travel voucher for CFAR but would for Trip Cancelation. And as others have stated, you need to go by what it states in writing and not what anyone at Viking tells me.

I have read the terms and conditions of Tripmate. It is absolutely true the it is in two parts but for CFAR it does not clearly state whether or not the monetary value of the vouchers used to purchase the cruise is covered. For a covered reason, for cancelation or trip interruption, it DOES clearly state that the monetary value of the voucher is covered. How do I obtain written confirmation for the CFAR to cover the monetary value of the voucher?

The person I spoke to at Viking did not know the answer. Will call again next week to see if someone else knows the answer. Unfortunately, the person I spoke to gave me incorrect information about the policy in general. She was very nice but was not fully informed about Tripmate.

I see and have been told that Tripmate will now cover the monetary value of vouchers used to purchase a cruise. "Coverage We will reimburse you, up to the amount in the Schedule, for Trip Cancellation Covered Expenses, i..... the monetary value of your travel voucher that you redeemed for your Trip." This is for trip cancelation and for trip interruption. However, will Tripmate cover the vouchers used if you cancel for any reason? I do not see this in the T&C's.

What ship is that?

Love Viking and their food and their bakery, but in my experience they aren’t so good at pita bread.

I canceled a cruise on June 28. So I guess I need to wait at least another month to receive a refund?

What is the email address for Carol please?

Good idea to file an extension. Yes you have to be sure you have paid all tax liability. Can send money in when you file the extension. alternatively you can do your taxes onboard during a few sea days.

Andy, thanks for the suggestion. I did find some good charts.

Hi there - we are in Colorado Springs. Do you know if they will deploy the sails during this transpacific? From what I can tell the trade winds seem to mainly come from the east unless I am reading it wrong?

What is a good source of nautical charts to plot our course while crossing the Pacific from Tahiti to Costa Rica?

I generally try to get at least 2c per mile. For economy this is $1629/68500= 2.3c, for Premium economy $2289/127000= 1.8 c per mile, and for Biz $4585/167000= 2.7. These are decent. Not great but decent.

Have a wonderful trip!

If cost is not an issue, go with the Penthouse Junior Suite or PV. All PVs are the same as far as booking excursions and specialty restaurants are the same. PV1, PV2, PV3 are all the same - only difference is location on the ship. I would not worry so much about specialty dining reservations unless you are really picky about when you want to dine.

Are you sure he can get past it even without the bump out in a DV. It’s a pretty tight fit.

I do need to apologize to all for the mistake of asking about opening the portholes. When I looked at images of the portholes I saw the hinges and clamps and assumed that they opened, with no idea that those were for the covers. I realize now that there is no way they would allow these to open! I am also assuming that one could close the covers on their own if they wanted complete darkness in the cabin? Nevertheless, we are looking forward to our first Windstar cruise and first sailing ship cruise in October!

Thanks for sharing. I will have my cannon and oars ready!

Thank you for the information. Now I get it. The portholes do not open but the covers may be shut in really bad weather.

Has anyone done this tour from Puerto Caldera port to SJO? Looking for what time it drops you off in the airport. Can I make a 2:30pm flight out of SJO. The descriptions says 3pm or later. Hoping to avoid staying in a hotel that day and flying out the next day.

Was it difficult to sleep with the waves hitting the windows?

Hope you have a great trip too!

Wow 27! Thanks!

Sounds wonderful- thought the portholes did open?? did you arrive 2 days early? Did they end the cruise early?