CruiseOrLand

We had Star Legend #527 for Around Iceland in July, 2023. We prefer the bed near the bathroom, but the bed is startlingly close to the bathroom door. I agree that the built-in drawers seemed older, but worked fine. We find the cabins spacious and comfortable.

As a practical matter, the new dual sinks in the bathroom don't have enough floor area enough to make dual occupancy of the bathroom practical! Our nicely huge shower stall, was pretty enough, but the floor was laid wrong, accumulating water at the end opposite the (perfectly good) drain end. Our steward must have squeegeed it out every day. A few tiles near one end were cracked, presumably leaking into the wall (?)

I was surprised that there still was only a single 120V outlet. (We have plenty of Shuco adapters for our multi-voltage chargers, I'm only trying to speak for the less electrically sophisticated ... ) I am glad that I can put a micro-current nightlight in the shaver outlet and it still works with the bathroom light OFF. Our air conditioning could not cope with direct sun on the wide-view fixed cabin window.

It's tricky to make Caribbean recommendations for someone from the Pacific Coast. Our Windstar cruise ended in Costa Rica, where we had (once) spent a winter week's vacation. But Costa Rica is such a varied place that one trip would not be much like another trip there.

Personal opinion: OTOH, we found that Aruba was the most "Americanized" island we'd ever been to in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos, for example. We did not dislike Aruba, and did some nice (big group) snorkeling trips. But the main reason we chose Aruba (besides not having been there before) was that it was a single nonstop for us from NYC.

It is fair to point out that Costa Rica has cultivated its connections with the U.S. into a robust economy, with drug plants as well as high tourism. But it remains a rugged natural place, which is not a fair description of Aruba (or St. Maarten, or ...  ).

Although we flew to Panama City a day early, it's important to note that Panama City is not crime-free, although the area around the Windstar hotel is perfectly safe. Our Embarcation was from the other end of the canal, so Windstar (as arranged) bussed everyone to Colon, which is an otherwise unsafe city. Only talking about your local options, not bad-mouthing the Windstar trip at all.

Regarding euro-style plugs: I presume you mean that the voltage was 240 volts, although there are some 120 volt plugs in Tahiti. The vast majority of cell phone chargers and laptop "bricks" (power supplies) say on their molded (black on black) nameplates that they are "100-240 volts 50/60 Hz." But a tiny number of devices (like the cheapest electric toothbrush charges, for example) are NOT dual-voltage.

(Windstar motor yachts have a bunch of 240V receptacles, and a single 120V receptacle in the cabins, not counting the electric razor, current-limited one in the bathroom.)

The pictured adapter makes it possible to plug an American 120 volt device into 240 volts. Although I use similar adaptors (not "converters"), it requires vigilance not to make a mistake.

I perceive in the same photo that the pins are smaller diameter than an actual "Shuco" euro-plug, and may not fit as tightly as real Shuco adapter. Since a phone or camera "wall-wart" is not grounded anyway, we don't have to ask if the pictured device actually makes the ground pin connection.

You have to make your own decision, but I've been on 3 Windstar excursions in 9 cruises (admittedly, they were all ambitious outings ... ) that were late coming back. I don't subscribe to the idea that only losers book the ship's pricey excursions. In one case, the ship had to free up its pier for the next ship, so the guides on the three busses were told by phone where to deliver us.

I think it's important to consider the actual location of the cruise port, and what the next port is. For example, we once chose to be on the very last Tender ride from Sorrento. But we were only having a high-end dinner with relatives, at the top of the long flight of steps down to the marina where the tender was.

We've never noticed it either. Have not been on one of the sail ships in a dozen years, due to itinerary choices. They do make an effort to run under sail as much as possible/convenient, since it both saves money and pleases the customers.

I have NOT been on a wooden "windjammer" cruise, but these 400' and over, steel, computer trimmed ships are not the same kind of experience as that, I'm sure.

Because it's a relatively small company, with small ships, both company-sponsored and web-user-experience reporting is limited. It may also change too much from year to year. (For example, last month we used two different cruise ports in Reykjavik, one right downtown, and one on the outskirts.)

On a Japan cruise, we were told several times that "The shuttle is provided by the port authorities." That was mainly in the context of the possibility that no extra bus would be provided if the scheduled bus filled up. I suppose it's a special case, but when our cruise excursion was over an hour late returning, in Central America once, they had moved the ship some distance, to free up a berth promised to another ship. Of course the tour contractor brought the bus to the new location.

It's also important to specify that some cities are some distance from the associated port, like Seoul, Korea, or Beijing, China. I was astonished that people on our cruise took an excursion from Busan to Seoul, which involved many hours on a high-speed train.

Sorry if this is not news to you, just trying to provide some response on a rather quiet newsboard! We tend to use Windstar for island destinations and similar, where the shuttle may not be so important. It was easy enough to walk into town from the Corsica port, which looked more like a marina. But because it was late October, or a weekend, even the TI lady was unable to find any taxi driver willing to take a half- or full-day hire away from his family! Maybe you're asking about Athens and Istanbul, for example. I can say that the Hong Kong pier was right downtown, if requiring an exit through a luxury shopping mall!

We won't consider any of these cruises, but simply because we once stopped a few nights in Dubai, on the way to East Africa. It was such a disappointing tourism experience that we have no interest in the other Emirates. Oversimplification, besides the crushing heat, a building that is over 40 years old in Dubai is just about "historic."

I wonder if there is some sort of "subsidy" from the Emirate governments, to promote tourism and increase awareness of these destinations. I also wonder about air conditioning on the ships that I've been on!

Just returned 2023 from "Around Iceland" on Star Legend, Cabin 527. Seemed the same cabin as before the stretch, even to having only one 120 volt outlet. (I travel with plenty of Shuco adapters, but I know this is a problem for others.) Large bed very comfortable, no perceptible ridge in the middle. The bed does come close to the bathroom door, but we prefer having the living area by the panoramic fixed window. Nice enough pillows. Duvet with two sheets. Very good cabin care.

Air conditioning could not keep up with sunshine on our window side. Acceptable on other days. Huge rectangular shower stall with rain and handheld options, loads of pressure and hot water. The shower floor was laid wrong in the shipyard, so the steward has to squeegee 1.5 cm of water from the end without the drain when he cleaned the room. No problem with the drain itself. (Round drain, centered under faucet, not linear like American mini-mansions.)

Minibar refrigerator is so full that I could barely fit a single tetrapack of soymilk (but the ship has plenty of soymilk anyway.) Life Jackets were not required to be worn during the safety drill. Facial masking 2% or less of passengers. No captain's dinner on our run (not complaining, just reporting. But I brought a tie.) Deck Barbecue was Wednesday LUNCH, had to be moved to Amphora because of Iceland rain. Perfectly nice there.

It seemed like the vacant cabin (198 passengers on ship) beside us (common hallway niche) was perhaps offered to meritorious crew members (???). We heard the door slamming ten times a day, but never at night. Looked unoccupied every time the door happened to be left open.

I would expect most excursions from Colon to be associated with the canal itself, or with Panama City's area. So what you are (?) doing at the Panama City end of the canal is a factor. We happened to Embark from Colon, and the bus ride (from the "Windstar" hotel in Panama City) made it quite clear that there is nothing safe to do in Colon. In other words, we were bussed to the other end of the canal to start our cruise. i.e., You report to Panama City to embark in Colon.

Isn't there a symbol or color on the official deck plans in the large Windstar catalog that says "twin beds possible", for certain cabins? That's the kind of thing a well trained phone associate should have close at hand when you call to book.

On 4/27/2022 at 4:10 PM, Dbld777 said:

If you are not early to the BBQ, you will have to sit on the upper deck where there was absolutely no lighting. We literally couldn't see what we were eating. We eventually moved forward to the Star Grill area so that we could see to eat.

I smiled when I read this because we had the same experience. I actually packed a battery book-light on our 8th WS cruise for exactly this purpose. It is a lot quieter on the upper deck, but of course much farther to go for refills. It can also be windy up there.

Theoretically we are talking about the food itself, but I'd add that it's harder at the BBQ to strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. But that may also be because dining groups have already formed by the time the BBQ comes up.

This must happen on other cruise lines, but it's annoying when people don't follow the food safety rules, like getting a clean plate or glass before getting more food. There aren't always enough employees around to catch every offender. And of course, some people who don't understand the rules take offense, or plead "water conservation." Which of course is not the point.

I think the food is quite good. We usually skip soup or appetizer at dinner to reduce our food consumption. And sometimes skip dessert. But if you are dining with others, this does not speed up the meal. (We would prefer to eat earlier, simply for elderly stomach issues.) We always look forward to the rotation of Bread Puddings at lunch.

The complaint about breakfast variety interests me. Over a lifetime, I've noticed that most middle-class Americans "want" to eat precisely the same breakfast every day of their lives. They won't settle for an empty omelette if there are no scrambled eggs.

My experience is a few years out of date, but when we did back-to-back cruises from Tokyo to Hong Kong, many ports had shuttles. in some cases they were run by the port company, in some cases they were busses hired by Windstar. When the Port provided them, Windstar always said that the Port set the schedule, not Windstar.

It was disconcerting to be told that there were not backup busses, so that if the first bus of the day was full, you'd have to wait an hour to get the next one. But we didn't have any trouble. In Hiroshima, I think we took the shuttle downtown and took a taxi back to the ship. I forget if they gave us a card with the port location or what we showed to a non-English speaking driver. But it went fine, not a negative experience.

Some ports, like the one "for Beijing" are two hours from Beijing. So the "city" you visit if you're not embarking/disembarking, is not the same as the advertising name of the port. (That is, our two back-to-back cruises met in "Tianjin, for Beijing.") Again, I'm not whining, just reporting. Tianjin was simply, "satisfactory" for a part-day tour that may even have been "free", I forget. It was kind of like docking in Sandwich, MA, and being taken to Plymouth, instead of Boston, if that's any help.

Obviously there are exceptions, like (actual offer) visiting Seoul from an overnight port in Busan, which is like visiting New York from a Boston port stop! Luckily or unluckily, one of our China ports was cancelled, and we went to Incheon instead, which is a reasonable port for Seoul, our unscheduled second stop in South Korea.

I don't have a CPAP, but I'm surprised that the manufacturers don't find it cheaper to make only 100-240 volt units for worldwide sale - like most computer and phone manufacturers.

It depends on how much traveling you do, but I would mention that I have a small transformer for 240->120 use with small devices that aren't 100-240. I use it mostly for my Phillips toothbrush charger (some Phillips units are dual-voltage, but I think the cheapest models are not.) It's only rated for 50 Watts, so it would not run most CPAPs. I used bigger transformers at home (in the reverse direction) for traveling musicians, but they get VERY heavy above 100 watts. I mean like toy train transformer heavy, if you remember them. My 50w transformer weighs 10.5 oz., and is about as big as a child's fist. I should also say that it's so old (I started traveling in 1987) that it's the old slim bi-pin configuration (I call that, inaccurately, Italian), not the Shuco (northern Europe) style on Windstar.

I remember the same pre-refit wall configuration, under the big bureau mirror. That single 120 volt parallel-blade outlet was roughly opposite the feet of the bed occupant closer to the bathrooms.

Although I am unlikely to book a cruise at all right now, I certainly would not book unless there was a requirement for masking indoors and in congregate areas. I just have to look at current infection rates and increasing "Breakthrough" infections. (9 Windstar cruise history)

The world (and America, especially) is becoming more informal. I would suggest that your age and line of work at home might make a difference. I'll comment that if I got invited to the Captain's table, or sat with an officer in uniform (which happens more often than a Captain invite), I would personally feel more comfortable in a sports jacket with, likely, no tie.

I know that Hedge Fund Lords won't enter a restaurant unless they are welcome in a polo shirt. (An expensive looking one, not like my discount ones.) And I'm in favor of no-dress-code cruising. I'm just suggesting that special occasions do exist. I never had to dress at work. But now that I'm retired, I often wear a jacket (and even a tie) when I go into New York City for the day. I love it when the museum guards nod to me as if I were (might be ...  ) some big donor! Half-kidding, of course.

As it happens, on our day in Bora Bora with WIndstar, everyone else (well, it seemed like it) booked "Shark's Breakfast". As a result, we were the ONLY couple on the (locally run) snorkel trip. It was the best snorkeling we've ever had, and the guide carried our surf shoes for the point where he told us (!) to get out and walk on the reef (!) we were next to right then. He also coaxed out a moray eel for us. Anyway, he was a superb guide (if a bit fast-paced swimming for anyone less capable than I am, which is not a great swimmer. My wife swims very well.)

I regret very much that I did not put any money in my bathing suit pocket with which to tip him. There is no question that he deserved/earned a tip. I still think of it with a touch of shame. (Although I don't like the idea of adversely affecting local culture, I think it is naive to believe that primarily American cruise-ship passengers will surprise, startle, or shame locals anywhere by tipping them. I believe they expect to be tipped.)

OTOH, we tipped a local guide in Panama as he dropped us off from the bus, but it turned out that he should have gotten off the bus and delivered us all the way to the tenders, which were at a different place than they delivered us to. (I think Windstar was forced to use local tenders there. Not positive.) It was a huge mess in the marina (army crew cleaning up a fish kill), and he did not earn the tip because of that fiasco. We got back aboard within one hour of weighing anchor.

BTW, most currency, especially Americanski, is waterproof.

It may not be possible to tell the difference in a text-exchange that is "without affect." But there is a difference between making an observation and being a bully. I personally have tried to adopt public advice like listening more and talking less at cocktail parties.

Since the persons were not identified, I think my statement could be regarded as a generalized warning about one possible outcome of putting yourself in the Maitre d's hands.

I know you meant to ask a more general question about food itself, but I want to note that Windstar dinner is bit later and slower than we would like to have. The meal choices are sometimes a bit bland or pedestrian, but the ingredients and preparation are always restaurant-quality. Sometimes we speed up the meal by declining appetizers or dessert, which is a healthy choice for us anyway.

I don't have the background to know if this is the case all over cruising (10 Windstar trips), but some dining guests on Windstar always demand a private deuce (which is always possible and permitted.) Some groups of two or three couples always sit together. We usually offer to share a table when we check in with the Maitre d'. But we have been disappointed, often, to be seated repeatedly with the SAME [dull] couple, or to be put at a table of six or more, which is much less of our socialization objective-and adds a minimum of 45 minutes to the meal. I suppose we should demand to be put at a 4-top if we share!

This is an elderly message thread. But it was 2005 when we had #325 on Windsurf. No noise problems. We normally avoid potential problems like you describe in the naval architecture. Of course the extra space is wonderful, but it's a little off-putting to have two identical rooms put together, rather than a purpose-built "suite." Sort of a bowling-alley feel. In that sense, it was a slight letdown. For example, having two identical bathrooms (as far apart as possible in a giant room .... ) is convenient but not the normal definition of "luxury."

I don't mean to sound unpleasantly negative, it's just that it's an unsusual product that needs a detailed description. We chose the ship for its itinerary (Mayan Riviera), and that did not disappoint. I want to add that, while Windstar now has lots of 300+ passenger ships, in 2005 it was unusual, and I did feel that the crowd was less outgoing and more insular than the 140+- sailing ships.

I agree with the sentiments of the OP. But I would add that the individualistic, libertarian "12 passengers still on the island" deserve a bit of the blame. They are no doubt very proud of their "independent" tour plans, and will brag about them here or at cocktail parties. But they failed to report to the tender station when they had a duty to be there.

It's not "all about you". It's about the behavior of responsible adults. Yes, I'm saying they had a responsibility to leave their land activities early enough to allow for missed busses or unavailable taxis.

I urge you to log-in to your (forget the exact name) Confirmed Passengers page on the Windstar website to get a firmer announcement of the exact embarkation pier. You just can't take that for granted based on past cruises. If it is unclear to you, call the 800 number.

I would never get value from the All-In package, but I do think that the highest prices wine by the bottle or glass (they'll save used bottles for you) are not included in the base alcohol package. The laundry feature is just great, and simple to use. Windstar is so small you will have a personal relationship with your cabin steward.

You will not have trouble getting a drink when you want one. You will learn when the live music hours are at the Star Bar. You may wish to note the cigar hours there, if you care about that. There is sometimes complimentary house wine for all at key Lounge events, with a few hot hors d'oeuvres. Personally, I think you will get better service (say, for the Port Talk in the Lounge) if you bring your drink down from a few minutes in the Star Bar. (But I have a vague idea they are not permitted to give you two drinks at the same time, even for cash!)

I don't mean to sound negative, and I really like Windstar: But Candles is just not special enough to do more than once. On cold or windy nights, it can be kept "indoors". Some travelers have been disappointed at the number of times the sports platform was open. (Tour traffic and water conditions affect use, among other things.)

Thank you for quite an interesting report. As I noted in my review a year ago, one of our (smaller ship) Star Breeze mule-engines broke down during one lock transit. Our captain refused to wait for a replacement or repair, saying in effect, "Thanks, I can keep off the walls myself."

All the more reason to have travel insurance. Even though I've had a flu shot every year for 40 years, it's not 100% protection.

And you could easily argue that this "opressive" rule is for the protection of the paying customers. How would you like to be on that quarantined cruise ship, confined to your cabin, and maybe not even getting all your meals? I presume there is a psychological burden of EITHER not knowing how many people are getting sick around you, or knowing from your internet or TV viewing.

I believe that I had to sign a health statement before my last (pre Coronavirus) Winstar boarding. But people (like those who come in to your office sniffling and coughing ... ) are notoriously poor about making decisions that go beyond their personal needs and interests.

2008 news item: " The makers of Airborne have agreed to refund money to consumers as part of a $23.3 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising. It does not admit wrongdoing or illegal conduct. "

Certainly, many posters here would always choose a private excursion if they can, perhaps for small-group size, cost, or good reviews. We personally tend to go with Windstar, because it's easier, and there is no worry about being back on time. Picking Panama Canal as an example, I didn't find the time waiting for a turn at the spotting-scope to be wasted time. There was plenty to look around and see. We have even chosen some fantastically expensive Windstar excursions, like Tikal from Belize City, which includes two plane flights. It was worth the money! In a city like Shanghai, we toured the city on our own, without any guide. Certainly, a lot of ports are inconveniently far from city centers, and even transportation.

I'll add that the written descriptions of WIndstar outings tend to be extremely accurate. You should read the description of a tour that interests you repeatedly, to make sure you catch all the nuances. Most (of the few) complaints I heard aboard could have been avoided by closer reading of the descriptions.

You should also go to the Port Talk (no, it's not just first-time-losers who go to the port talk - and sometimes there are passed hors d'oeuvres) to get updates and conversational addenda to the upcoming excursions. Just as an example, even if the tour is marked "Low Exertion", you might learn that you'll be boarding a Zodiac from a pitching metal dock, while wearing a life vest, which you hadn't considered! (Not a problem for me personally.) One thing you learn about at the port talk is whether there are Windstar, or Port-Authority shuttle busses, their departure times, and whether they promise to add a bus if one fills up.

In my experience, they don't delete booked-up excursions from listings. In fact, we have gotten onto excursions from the on-ship Waiting List, as well as having been disappointed to not get on. Given that the company operates with a la carte excursion fees, I don't find their pricing unreasonable. Some airport transfers seem overpriced, however. The question may be, can I get anyone else with the right to come to the side of the ship, in that port?

Note that electric outlets are likely to change when the ships are stretched. All old data are obsolete at that point.

Pre-stretch on the motor yachts, the ONLY 120-volt outlet (a single, with a spring-loaded cover) was under the waist-high mirror opposite the foot of the bed, about 3'-4' away from your toes. An extension cord there would trip one of the two sleepers when they get up in the night. The outlets closest to the heads of the beds are 240 volt. There are plenty of 240 Volt outlets, but you might have to unplug a lamp to get a free one where you want it.

Windstar and the stewards are very amiable, but I'm dubious about V8 and Dr. Pepper. In fairness to you, you did not present them as Financial Services Professional demands, but rather as hopes. But I had this looming memory of a guest at a tiny and luxurious Caribbean Resort refusing to eat the oatmeal because it was not "steel-cut." (Smiley)