linda_22003

They are completely different experiences, but we love them both (as you can see from my signature line).  Windstar has the edge on food, probably inevitable because they are cooking for fewer people, and they have the James Beard connection.

We also got the email cancelling our Star Pride in May 2025 from Barcelona to Amsterdam.  We will certainly check with our travel agent, but my "spidey sense" is getting a bit of a tingle.

On 1/29/2023 at 11:08 PM, LindaS272 said:

Bathroom plug only works for shavers. I bring a Euro charger and plug my electric toothbrush into the coffee plug outlet.

We brought battery powered toothbrushes.  Worked great.

We swear by our travel agent, and have used her since our first Regent cruise in 2006.  One good reason among many:  We had arranged through our TA to  have a private tour guide in Istanbul, who would meet us at the ship.  Well, no one was there when the ship docked.  We called the TA's 24-hour line, and by the time we took a taxi to our hotel, a replacement had been found who gave us an excellent walking tour of the city.  

17 hours ago, wine-wine-wine said:

What were the protocols to board? Are they testing?

 

Taking the December 18 version - very curious. 
 

Thanks!

We're on the same cruise! See you there!  🙂

On 10/31/2022 at 8:53 AM, oskidunker said:

I may bring a jacket a few ties. Used enjoy that when working. Sadly no one dresses up anymore. 

It's been a long time since anyone traveled with steamer trunks.  🙂  We have to check one suitcase and hope we get it at the end of our flight!

We don't usually get a drink package; we will on our upcoming Viking cruise because the price is moderate compared to Windstar ($60/pp/per day? really??) and because we have a lot of sea days from Santiago to Buenos Aires next month and we can sleep in!  For a port-intensive cruise we wouldn't do it.

22 hours ago, Mich3554 said:

Chile’s requirements were a nightmare.  I truly felt for the Viking staff in trying to jump through those hoops, because it was a total mess. 

We'll be there in December, and from what the US Embassy site says as of October 1, the requirements are no longer a problem.

On 8/27/2022 at 4:32 PM, Neptune2022 said:

I am LOVING these stories, keep them coming everyone!   We are soooo looking forward to our first cruise ever in December - 117 days, but who’s counting!  

We are doing our first on Viking in December, as well!  Really looking forward to it after covid years onshore!

3 minutes ago, The Other Tom said:

  I'm not sure about the booking time, though.  And it may be $150 now, I'm not sure.

Thanks for the info.  We are planning extra days in Santiago at the beginning and in Buenos Aires at the end, since we may not be going that way again (who knows?)  And our travel agent did quote us $100.

We will be on the Viking Jupiter from Chile to Argentina in December.  We have lots of cruise experience but this is our first with Viking.

Can anyone advise on the advantage to "AirChoice"?  My understanding that the $100 fee gets you confirmed flight reservations farther out than the usual 60ish days.

Is it worth it?  Compared to the rest of the cruise this is chump change, but I thought it was worth asking.  Thanks!

On 8/8/2019 at 3:53 PM, Spanky My said:

Linda22003...Previously I posted   "How many WET LANDINGS (zodiac) did you have on your cruise on your reverse panama canal trip and what ports did you like the best? " Did you have a response ?   🙂

They were all by  Zodiac.  The ports themselves were not the highlight of the trip for me, but the wildlife tours and the actual transit of the Canal were wonderful!

We'll be on the Pride next week, from Copenhagen to Reykjavik.  Does the Pride have dual voltage, or do we need a converter?

What is an "unfinished bottle"?? 🤣

Thanks for saving me the trouble of asking.

I'm with Mrs. Milepig, although the falls do not make me stay aboard.  The men assisting with the hand-in and hand-out on our trip were going very quickly, and launched me into the zodiac so I missed the steps completely, except for the ones that caught me in the small of the back.  I don't mind riding in them, but the getting in and getting out is not for someone who has crossed the bar of sixty.

We loved the Panama Canal trip!  We went from Puerto Caldera in Costa Rica to Colon, which was great since the Panama Canal was transited on the last full day, rather than at the beginning, since for me it was the highlight of the trip.  We were told the night before that our transit would start at 5.30 AM, and we started right on time.  We finished around 12.30 PM, with a complimentary glass of champagne as we went through the last lock.  🙂

It really depends on your consumption habits.  We were on Star Breeze in January, and the drink package was $60/day per person - both people in a cabin had to get it, so that would be $120/day.  We did not get the package, and found that our a la carte drinks came to about $50/day for the TWO of us.  If we had gotten the drink package we would have thought, "Challenge Accepted!" and would have started imbibing at breakfast!  😄  So "know thyself" is key.

We were on the Star Breeze in January of this year, doing that trip in reverse, from Puerto Caldera and through the Panama Canal on the last full day - wonderful, since for me it was the highlight of the trip.  The Pope was visiting town, so that gummed up transportation a bit.  

Star Breeze was going into drydock after our trip, and we did notice some rundown bits - so we will expect that this month on Star Pride, which has not yet been renovated.  Nothing major.  

People were friendly and the food was terrific.  But I HATED the Zodiacs, and won't take another cruise that employs them.  I was told they are only used in the Caribbean area, so I am not likely to encounter them again.

We're doing our first Windstar on 1/19 from Puerto Caldera to Panama City.  Really looking forward to it, and I'm on my third read of "The Path Between the Seas" since it came out in '77.   Can anyone tell me how 'dressy' dinner is?  

We've been wondering whether to try Oceania.  This thread is making me reconsider.  Thanks.... I think!

 

I don't want to debate anything...I'd just like to hear why some men are objecting to wearing suits?

Huckleberry Finn Syndrome. They don't want Aunt Polly "sivilizin' " them.

For travel, I carry a purse that is no larger than a wallet, on a shoulder strap. It carries a credit card, ID, and money. My lipstick goes in my pocket.

We love Regent - all of our cruises so far have been on that line - but we're considering SeaDream in the Med next year for our 25th anniversary. We're willing to become addicted, especially since Regent seems to be moving more toward longer (12,14,21 day) cruises. We're still in our working years and need shorter itineraries right now.

I spent one day in Cozumel on a cruise, and that cured me of any desire to see Cozumel or one more INCH of Mexico ever again.

It it's good enough for our Queen, it is certainly good enough for me.

I was under the impression that your Queen had her own boat. ;)