M.Travels

11 minutes ago, gsutiger2 said:

Did it ever feel crowded to you?

Not at all, not that I can recall anyway … the ease of the cruise combines with the layout of the boat so that it’s rare that everyone is in the same place at the same time. 

We boarded the ship last year on December 27, having spent Christmas on another cruise line. The passengers who continued on to a second cruise on Windstar talked about their Christmas experience positively, but I cannot remember any details.

I can say that the NYE experience was really wonderful. They gave us all funny hats and had a series of events and parties throughout the night, and we great enjoyed dancing with new friends. I would do NYE on a Windstar again anytime!

The Viking home base in Prague is the Hilton Prague hotel, which is a large modern hotel and very wheelchair friendly. The Viking desk is on the first floor and they are happy to book you on Viking tours but they flat-out refused to help with any other city info, even recommendations between Uber and Bolt. This was our experience with the Viking desk in Berlin as well so I am under the impression it’s some sort of corporate change (sadly). If anyone else has a different experience from the past few weeks please post.

We found Prague beautiful but we were shocked at how difficult and dangerous the city was for anyone with mobility challenges, and that was true of most of the older cities in Germany as well. “Gorgeous but slippery” was the term often used by our market cruise friends. In our small group of 100 we had four serious falls that required hospitalization and/or immediate return to the US for surgery. Granted this was in December when it rained the whole time, but those old stone stairs and cobblestones are not to be underestimated.

The buses used by Viking in Europe are all very nice but they do have steep stairs to get on and off each time. 

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted helpful information, especially about the walking excursions on AMA … we did a Viking this year and are glad we went but would never do another Viking River. It was simultaneously exhausting and too sedentary, even for my mom. We would like something with more walking and more choices next time and are thinking Emerald or AMA.

13 minutes ago, dd57 said:

All V, DV, and PV staterooms an send laundry out and pay for it.  In the morning you fill out a form, put the items in the provided bag, and leave it on the bed.  The cabin steward will take it to the laundry. 

 

I don't have the prices handy but it is less than most hotels we have stayed in.  Not cheap either.

Yes this is correct. You use the same form you use for the pressing.

Yes, I think we all knew what website it was as soon as you said there were only 2 categories of cabins.

My question to you is why are you saying “bad on you Windstar” and “buyer beware” when Windstar’s information is transparent? You booked with an agency and the agency did not give you all the information, which is frustrating sure … but your blame seems mis-aimed here.

Luckily it’s Windstar so you will likely still have a wonderful time!

5 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

I seem to recall that some poster has stated that they have replaced some of the older machines on at least one ship (Sea?) with combination washer/dryers. As a result of the poor drying capability, there is a shortage of dryers on other decks.

Maybe that is the discrepancy, because we sailed on the Viking Sea in December and our deck had three large, combination washer/dryer units (not four). 

The “no extra charge” DIY laundry is in the middle of the ship on decks 4,5, and ? (there is at least one more, I think it is 3 but it could be 6). It is on the starboard side and there are three larger-than-average washers and dryers in there. Supplies are provided, and there is also an ironing board available for general use as well as a small couch, television, and remote if you want to entertain yourself while you wait. 
 

But most people did not wait … they left their clothes and came back right when the machines were done. It’s Viking so no one needs to steal your clothes, and the machine will tell you how many minutes until it is done with the cycle so you can set an alarm on your phone and come back. 
 

If you come back later you might find someone has removed your clothes and put it in a provided laundry basket. This happened to us once, we were really enjoying talking to someone and came back about five minutes after the cycle was done and someone had put our stuff in a basket and put it on the couch. 

1 minute ago, LindaS272 said:

Not me! Not going to find me under that bucket willingly! The best I can do is the aforesaid snow grotto for 30 seconds and up to my ankles in the cold pool after the sauna in the locker room! 🥶

Understandable! The warm options are the most popular for very good reasons … and warm feels so good!!
 

Someone told me once they like the cold pool, bucket, etc. more on the cold voyages because they are used to the temps outside and I thought that was an interesting way to ponder people’s preferences. 

On 3/20/2023 at 12:07 PM, LindaS272 said:

I go into the snow grotto and count to 30, then get out 🥶

This is my MO too! Although I really like using the bucket on the first day onboard, it is good for getting the circulation going a bit after travel … and then I get back in the warm water :).

1 hour ago, zalusky said:

My definition of luxury is much more simple.  Individual attention.  They all know you and accommodate your needs quickly almost without asking.

 

Dressing up and the various inclusions very so much with each of the supposed lines I just don't look at it that way anymore.

Yes! Luxury to me is the individualized attention, and the ability to get what you want/need without feeling like a bother. Along with that comes the power to

make individual choices, such as what to wear. If someone wants to wear a tux, great, and if someone else does not, great too. When we all have to do the same thing at the same time it stops feeling like “luxury” and more like one of the galas we go to for work … but I understand others may feel very differently. 

2 hours ago, zalusky said:

I swear that some people will look for a way to tip extra even if the billed gratuity was $100/day.

I used to wait tables back in the day, so I confess I might be guilty of this …

We do the grat that is added and then I will tip extra for our steward team and maybe a couple folks who are really good, but that is a “cash in a handshake” situation.

On 3/23/2023 at 2:17 PM, 6rugrats said:

Assume they would have tested you, and if you had a positive result, you would have been quarantined.

Yes, definitely quarantined. You could still order anything you wanted from room service and they would bring it to you and leave it on a tray outside the door, and then you call and they come pick it up when you are done. 
 

But no more activities or interactions or housekeeping or anything else (obviously). 

1 minute ago, KBs mum said:

 

Turns out our 'snoods' were 'topless hats' 😁

Thought occurs, in the 1980s there was a fashion for boob tubes, which resembled an oversize neck warming item, could this be where the calling it a bra confusion originated? 

I think you may be right! I remember those tube tops … what were we thinking??? 🙂 And I did once see someone wearing one of these things as a top while hiking in Utah, so that is probably it. 

On 1/7/2023 at 3:17 PM, travelbug4 said:

 

That's fantastic news!  Was your cabin in the new section or the old section?  We are booked in the old section which I believe is the area that had issues so curious if those cabins have AC.

 

We were in the old section, on the fourth deck, and were very comfortable the whole time.

This is where they did the BBQ yesterday as well.

We are getting off this cruise this morning and it is absolutely our new fave cruise line! We loved the whole experience and cannot imagine not sailing with them again. Everything was nice and the crew was amazing. 

On 1/5/2023 at 5:26 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

The best call center personnel seem to be transferred to the Travel Agents' private lines.  Don't fight it – use a TA!

This is probably good advice and explains a lot. I have not found a good TA yet, but I have another referral to try for next time.

We are getting off the Star Pride this morning and we loved it! Looking forward to following your pics!

Getting off the Star Pride this morning after 11 days and the A/C worked great the whole time! Absolutely no A/C issues, and I was pretty nervous about it after this thread … but all was well and we had a great cruise.

8 hours ago, Donald said:

They are forced to hire American employees for these entry-level jobs.

The entry-level employees are not entirely motivated to do their jobs well.

It is frustrating to me that we can’t get basic questions answered sometimes … it’s not just Windstar, we had a recent issue with Viking as well. In the past we had Viking operators who knew the line and the ships and were very helpful. Now we get someone who is clearly a contractor working from home, reading a script and making guesses because they may never have even seen a ship much less been on a cruise.

If you treat workers like they are disposable they will work accordingly. And the lines have mostly decided that customers who prefer to do business by phone deserve low-tier disposable service.

Currently on board the Star Pride in the Caribbean and it was open last night for dinner. Reports were that it was lovely.

On 8/28/2019 at 6:10 PM, Emhk13 said:

No more themed cruises for either of us. I can go to a lot of other fiber festivals for classes. If I cruise, I want to enjoy the cruise experience.

 

Ellen

 

Ellen thank you for this post!! I love cruises and I love crafts, but I often don’t even bring out my stitching on board because I am having too much fun. Not everyone feels this way which is why crafting cruises are popular … but I think I will stick with land-based craft trips for now.

On 4/22/2019 at 5:52 AM, ozzienurse said:

Hello Fellow Cruisers I need your help, 

 

my HH loves cruising and I do enjoy it especially the Knit, Needle and Hook  group.

 so was looking a maybe future cruise and found a Knitting cruise, which looks very exciting 

for me but I worried about hubby. Has anyone cruise as a knitter and a no-knitter 

do they still have non crafty activity? 

Has anyone cruised as a couple on one 

 thanks 

Very curious about this group! Do they do regular sailings?

I know someone who has done several Virgin cruises already and loved them. She usually sails Celebrity otherwise. I love an adults-only cruise but prefer a small ship.