MTJtraveller

sb44, hope this helps:

Here's what we did on shore, we were travelling with another couple so we were able to split our guides for cost efficiency.

Invergorden- Windstar offers the Culloden complimentary excursion in the afternoon. When we docked my husband met up with a fishing guide I prearranged and fly fished for Atlantic Salmon. He had a great day, missed Culloden but caught a fish and enjoyed his time with his guide. He did this by himself. I decided to walk the town which really doesn't have much to see or do. This was ok for me after three days of busy in Edinburgh.

Kirkwell- we had a private excursion with Orkney Uncovered, Kindley. We were able to do the church in town, highly recommend, saw the WWII sights on Scapa Flow, Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. This was our most expensive tour (don't remember how much though) but well worth the price. Kindley scheduled our sights to alleviate bus tours so we were virtually the only people at the sights. Great day, all day.

Portree- we utilised Skye Day Tours and our guide was Doug. This tour was in a minivan and we shared it with two other couples from our ship. Skye Tours put us together. One of the other couples cancelled last minute but our price remained the same, £35pp. Our guide was sweet and took us all over the island. There are such beautiful spots there. Some people rented cars and hiked, that would have been nice as the landscape out of Portree is spectacular.

Tobermory- my husband and I enjoyed a non-excursion day here. The weather was beautiful and the town was sleepy but picturesque. We had a wonderful sunny day. Walked to end of town and had fish and chips, along with free wifi, on the pier. Then we hiked to the lighthouse, a muddy hike but were rewarded with spectacular views of the sound, our ship and the lighthouse. All to ourselves. It would be cool to have the ship pack a picnic lunch and enjoy that spot. A favourite memory.

Portrush- a great excursion with Alister from City & Causeway Tours out of Belfast. Unfortunately can't squeeze in Belfast and the Northern Coast. Alister took us to Devils Causeway (gave us a hint how to see without "paying), a viewpoint of Carrick-a-Rede Bridge (wait time too long to go over), Bushmills and a drive on the Antrim Coast no tour bus can ride on. Alister was professional and his minivan was immaculate. Highly recommend. Cost was £300 (total) for the full day, and I mean a full day. We were there during a bank holiday and traffic in town was a bit of a mess. Alister had a handle on it all.

Isle of Mann- we used Steve from wildlife@manx.net. Steve was a very nice guide, obviously loves his island and was able to take us all over the place via a circular route of the southern part of the island. While we didn't tour any castle, we were able to go see some ruins not visited by the tour buses, saw places from one of our favourite movies filmed there, Waking Ned Devine. Steves car was a bit tight but the places we saw and the stories we heard gave us such an appreciation for the Isle of Mann. Full day tour was £45pp. Steves specialty is wildlife so if that interests you I'm sure he'd be happy to help with that also.

Couple of helpful hints

Edinburgh dock was really Dundee, at least for our cruise. I was surprised at the number of unhappy people that thought they were meeting the ship IN Edinburgh. I'm an excessive planner so I was prepared. We booked a car to take us from our hotel to the ship, Airport-Transfers-Direct.com. Cost was £120 which is probably a bit expensive but it was immaculate, on time, great driver and made a couple of sightseeing stops along the way. He had returned from taking someone from the Surf to Edinburgh before us so he was well aware how to get to the dock, which seemed to confuse some cabs.

Do the Royal Tattoo if you are able. What a great experience. Purchase tix online from their website as soon as you are able because they do sell out. Tickets came to my home a couple months ahead of time, I tucked them in my passport for safekeeping.

We stayed at the Apex Grassmarket hotel. I highly recommend. Not fancy but very, very nice. The location couldn't be better, at the foot of the Castle. We were there during The Fringe Festival and it was so much fun.

I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have. What a fantastic cruise!

Jean

Can you give an update on your tours? We are doing same itinerary in June and have booked a couple of private tours but would love your input.

 

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Sure, give me a couple days and I'll list who we used. I was very happy with ALL our tour guides and tours. We split the cost with another couple we were traveling with which made the costs equal to or often less than ship excursions. And being private we often times combined two or more ship excursion itineraries into one.

In retrospect there is so many wonderful places to see at these ports, just touched on many rather than lingering as I wish could. This seems to happen every trip I do and I almost look at our Cruises as previews of places Id go back to and spend time.

This trip was spectacular and I'd do it again in a minute.

Indeed there are now two Daddy's. "Big" Daddy we first met in 2005 on our first cruise and he took wonderful care of me with blueberry pancakes every morning in the Veranda. We have run into him since and he moved up on the world which we were so very pleased to see. Each time we sail we look for him. The crew is one of the reasons we return and Big Daddy is hard to beat.

I visit my daughter in NYC fairly often and have found it easier (and a bit less expensive) to Manhattan from LGA. You might look at ground transportation options to make your final decision. I flew home early morning flight on Monday from LGA and from Manhattan to LGA was 15 minutes. If your inbound I wouldn't worry so much about traffic and leaving yourself extra time to get to the airport. I used a car service and it was flawless.

Thanks to guest relations for responding so quickly. Good to see that new management is paying attention. As a business owner I certainly understand that a corporation cannot respond nor litigate a position as a private individual can on social media no matter what a poster might say, but its good to know that Windstar is responsive.

 

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Thanks Windstar for responding here on CruiseCritic. Another plus as far as I'm concerned, responsiveness. Now...if you could make your website just a bit more reliable, intuitive and user friendly. ;) Can't wait to see the Surf in August!!!!

Was your upgrade complimentary? We've always been quoted a price except when the change was to an identical cabin but in a higher level.

Yes, the upgrade to a "balcony" room from a second floor room was complimentary. (Sorry I don't know the category designations). I was offered a suite for a $ amount which I found too high. The sailing wasn't full, perhaps that is why I lucked out? I have no idea but I had paid for the lowest level room and sailed in a "balcony" room. I was taking my mom on a special trip and Windstars generosity certainly made it extra special.

After final payment last year on my Star Breeze cruise there was a price reduction. My TA obtained an upgrade for me, a cabin in the lowest level to the next floor up, as well as some OBC. Upon checking in I inquired about an upgrade as a returning customer and I was offered an upgrade to a "balcony" room. It worked out fabulously. I would say never say never.

Snowesha,

I am on the same itinerary as you and have booked private tours at all ports of call except one. This itinerary is difficult to find a lot of information I think given the nature of such small ports of call. Great resources were the roll call for this itinerary on I believe last years sail, ports of call threads here on cruise critic and tripadvisor. I believe all ports are easy to do something on foot but it seems that most sights are accessible via transportation.

6rugrats suggestion of utilizing Windstars excursion list is excellent in order to determine points of interest. You may have difficulty receiving answers to your question here because this itinerary is not sailed as often as others.

A special memory of mine...Going to Sunday Service at St. Marks Basilica. I'm not Catholic and don't understand a lick of Latin. BUT the bells before the service are outstanding, oh my goodness, makes me shiver thinking about it. Just before service line up and enter from the left of the Basilica, thru the "exit door". We did so with the choir and were able to bypass the line of tourists. I think Rick Steves gave this advice. Anyway, they light up the Basilica during Service and the gold mosaics should not be missed.

Also the Venice Biennale is going on at that time, excellent art installations in various church's, free admittance. Go to http://www.labiennale.org to see all the events going on while you are there. (Sorry I don't know how to post a real link). Venice is magic as others have said, especially for walking. There is a vaparetto stop right across a small canal from the San Basilio Terminal. Easy to return after a day/night of exploring.

Congrats LTC Dan,

I did this cruise on the Breeze last year and it was fabulous. We boarded 10/12 and the main thing I would say is be prepared for all types of weather. We had rain leaving Venice and raining on and off until we left Kotor. BUT it never spoiled one minute of this spectacular itinerary.

I loved the excursion to Delphi do not miss the site. My husband and I usually do excursions on our own but on this trip I was traveling with my mom so we did WS excursions. It was fantastic to Delphi.

We missed Hvar the first day because of weather, had a nice day in Split instead. They substituted last minute but handled it well.

I would stay with the ships special event in Butrint as it was lovely. The port town was very depressing and I was so glad I hadn't planned on doing anything other than the ships special event. I came out of this port with a greater appreciation of the Albanian people and its recent history out of communism. We had a superb guide, wish I could remember her name, she had such stories to tell of living in the area and a perspective of her fathers, hers and now her sons experiences. The ruins are special.

We enjoyed Hydra immensely. Lovely little village, no cars, nice walking. I'd go back there in a second. Please

And of course the Corinth Canal is spectacular.

Welcome to WindStar! You will be blown away!

I have used a major airline website to book my last couple of WS cruises, after having booked directly and having booked with a large TA firm. I have been very happy as I "collect miles" on this airlines as a "hobby" and have taken advantage of special offers for bonus miles. Honestly, I collected over 100,000 miles in just 2 WS cruises and now always fly Business to Europe. I've built a relationship with my agent and she was able to help me take advantage of a price decrease after final payment via a room upgrade and generous onboard credit. I honestly think I could not have done this on my own.

As for insurance, I had never purchased it until a few years ago. I had put together a WS cruise Barcelona to Lisbon with lots of time in Europe before and after the cruise. Less than a week before we were to leave it was determined I needed surgery and I had to cancel. Everything was covered and I think I was only out $50 and cost of insurance. I have purchased insurance ever since. I can't imagine what I would have done if we were already on our trip and this had happened. I'm no longer willing to take the chance.

As an aside:

I have booked excursions that are important to me well in advance, paid for them in advance, but noticed the price went up at a later date online. I had the excursion locked in at the lower price. I tend to book my trip a year or so out, once I decide on a trip I purchase it, watch the price for adjustments.

The good news is once you've sailed it auto fills the info, don't have to do it again. :D

Plus when you receive docs in the mail you receive Windstar logo luggage tags, along with disposable paper tags in a logo zipper pouch. I like the cruise docs, which really aren't necessary for boarding, for my scrapbook. At least this was how it was for my October 2015 cruise. It came direct from Windstar, the travel agency should not be involved in the shipment of the docs nor should they require payment. Boo! :mad:

I believe usual delivery method now is electronic. You or your TA can request to receive them in the mail. I enjoy receiving the blue pouch and nicer luggage tags. :)

Jean, we toured with George the day after you this past October. You were truly dear to him! He showed us pictures with you and told us all about your day together.

 

He told us about his illness and that we would be his last tour before he retired because of his medical treatments that were to begin. I wish his family peace and comfort and wish Takis all the best as he tries to fill George's shoes. George was unlike any other tour operator I have ever been with!

Thanks for this Camlott. I'm just so sad George succommed to his illness. He counted us all as his friends and I think we were lucky to do the same.

I have to tell a story of George because he was a rarity in his services to cruise passengers.

In 2005 my husband and I took our first cruise, one of our stops was Katakolon. I was such a rookie back then. I had hoped we would rent scooters and make our way to Olympia on our own. I had read warnings of taking taxis and additional costs being added on for returns to the ship, I was spooked. My husband decided scooters weren't a good idea so we walked down the length of the town and began making our way back up and to the ship, I feeling a bit of defeat.

As we began making our way back a taxi driver was parked, asked us if we would like to go to Olympia, good price. I said no, my husband went to listen to his offer. That taxi driver was George.

We end up having a fantastic day with George. George was everything so many people have made comment on over the years on TripAdvisor and CruiseCritic; kind, honest, proud of family and his country, eager to show the beauty of Katakolon and surrounds.

When I got back to the states I answered a question on CruiseCritic for recommendations on guides in Katakolon. I gave an honest review, nothing really special. A few years later I started to get emails and phone calls from customers of George's telling me George said to say hello and send his regards from Greece. I was curious and looked at George's website. There at the bottom of his page was a small paragraph:

"From the bottoms of my heart a huge thank you to Jean Baker first and then to all of you who with your words make me known and gave me the opportunity to make so many friends from all over the world!!! George."

I felt honored that I could have been a part of seeing George be so successful, just a small part really.

In October of last year I had the extreme privilege to be reunited with George. George met my mom and I at the dock in Katakolon and spent the day with us. He was battling his illness so nobly, with such hope for the future. He was hopeful that his transplant would be successful and he would be able to retire. Gee whiz, I wish that had come to fruition for him.

All this time I had thought my review of Georges services had been the catalyst for his recognition. George told me it was his taking to heart my suggestion that he begin utilizing the Internet to offer his services. A word of encouragement had gone a long way.

I had a friend in Greece. We all have a friend in heaven. When I get to the Pearly Gates there will be George, a big smile on his face, standing next to his shiny new Mercedes, sign in hand "Welcome Jean Baker".

There is a minimum # you have to have in order to prepurchase. So grouping into groups of 10 (I believe that's the number) is the least risky for the person using their credit card. That would be easiest. Don't rely on purchasing at the dock, they run out quickly as the cruise ship reserves large blocks.

That was my experience.

Hi Susan,

I preordered and I guess would say pre purchased the 20 tix with the railroad with my credit card in NOK. If I remember right, there is a minimum for group orders...10? In retrospect I would have broken it down into 2 orders of 10 in the roll call in hopes that someone else would have taken "responsibility" for one of the groups. We were the largest party (8) in the group. I felt like 12 others would be easier. Yes, things happen, I had a no show couple when I was collecting NOK at our meet & greet BUT I did have names of a back up couple, that was good.

Also it would have been super easy to sell any extra tickets at the station as there were a lot of people who could not get tickets. I'm not a scalper, not know rules about that in Norway, but someone would have urchased them from me.

My best advice is to form multiple groups of 10 and spread the risk. Hope this helps in some way.

This from Windstar this morning:

On December 22, at approximately 6:15 am CST, Windstar Cruises, Star Pride, experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. All guests and crew are safe. Guests were disembarked as scheduled for the day’s private island event. Windstar’s technical team inspected the ship and identified some areas of the hull that are damaged, making the ship unable to sail.

As the safety and security of guests and crew is of the utmost priority, the current Star Pride cruise is canceled. Because of Isla de Coiba’s remote location (an island off the coast of Panama), the lack of infrastructure in the area, and the lack of other support vessels, Windstar arranged for sister ship, Star Breeze, along with the Terra Moana (also sailing nearby) to transfer the guests to the mainland. We are grateful and appreciative for the support of the Terra Moana in this time of need.

Star Pride guests are currently en route to Golfito, Costa Rica. From there they will be transferred to San Jose, Costa Rica where they have the option to stay in Costa Rica for the remainder of their vacation, or to fly home early. Star Pride guests were refunded 100% of their voyage, as well as a 100% of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit. The crew of the Star Pride will join the Star Breeze on Wednesday, December 23rd.

The ship will be towed to the port of Balboa in Panama for further inspections and repairs. At this time we are also cancelling the December 26th Star Pride voyage. Letters and call outs will start going out when our Vacation Planning department opens at 6:00 am PT.

We flew direct from Lisbon to Milan, award tickets that I was able to have in my itinerary without costing any extra miles. We then drove thru the Italian lake region and the Dolomites, flying home from Milan. It was an incredible trip addition. Highly recommend.

CuriousTraveler10

I'm sorry for my post if it in any way added to your feeling bad. I honestly have never been in a position of feeling taken advantage of while in a store abroad. I've been in uncomfortable situations where we have just walked away or never sat down.

I'm still a bit confused about the chocolates. All I've ever had were those blue and silver foiled squares, never anything special. I must be missing out on something! 😳

I for one will try to be more sensitive when responding. Glad you came back and responded. I think everyone can be reminded, especially in this day and age, to be a bit kinder. Sorry.

And to be honest, I suspect that you are either the OP, or the OP's spouse. You're just a weeee bit too invested in the whole issue.

I was thinking this too.

Oh boy. :(

Ouch!

Drinking wine and overspending hardly can be compared to drinking wine and being raped.

Welcome to CruiseCritic. You must have felt VERY strongly the need to reply as this was your first posting. I stand by my opinion that red flags go off when a first, second, third or even a fourth posting is a "rant, highly negative review, or a statement of anger or injustice".