Snow cat

What I was curious about was the known number of times this particular cruise itinerary is scheduled to be at anchor. With only two relatively small tenders (sometimes augmented by fun Zodiac transport to shore) the wait for tender rides can sometimes be lengthy - especially if you're waiting on shore in rain and your ship is moored far off shore. Quick access to and from shore via the ships gangplank was the main focus of my question. Also, if the sea state is too feisty to safely load the tenders the captain might be forced to abandon that port completely and move on. That issue pretty much disappears when you're dockside.

As mentioned, we only tendered at Portofino and there we tendered using local tenders. Presume that's a negotiated arrangement since others have mentioned it. But other than that I'm sure it tendering vs. docking can vary cruise to cruise.

I believe the only port we tendered at last year was Portofino, but I think the situation can vary cruise-to-cruise; I know our captain seemed pleased that we were able to dock at Cannes.

Again, another fan of Rome Cabs.

I agree with the previous poster. I am super early booker and have been subject several times to being "bumped" to a different cruise, different ship - if I recall because of charters. In all cases they were very fair with me, (and now I can barely remember what I had originally booked :)) I am sure if you remain firm but fair you'll be fine.

Leaving from Venice on a cruise ship is magical; what ports do you have on your trip?

Thanks Snow Cat. Did you stop at SanarY also? That is the next port on the itinerary.

No, we didn't - ours was the Glitter and Glam as well, but they do mix it up a bit. Our stops were Elba, Portofino, MC, Cannes, Marseille, Port Vendres.

I agree its difficult getting info on the smaller, less visited ports.

We stopped at Port Vendres last October on our Windstar cruise. It wasn't the best day weather-wise since it was a bit rainy, so wasn't our favourites stop, but it was pleasant regardless. We had wanted to do some hiking, but as a result of the weather we decided to take the cute tourist train over to Coullioure (the next town over). So glad we did; Couillioure was pretty but it was actually the tourist train ride back up the hillside, through the vineyards, past the fort and back down into Port Vendres that was the highlight. Was it my favourite stop?..No, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was about our 4th or 5th beautiful little med port in a row, but if that ever gets old for me, time to have a talk with myself :)

One gets a little concerned when one hears,"There has got to be a morning after" in the lounge at Midmight

Classic!

Yes, the Yacht club area has specialty sandwiches, fruit, cookies.

Quick thoughts:

1. Snorkeling: Didn't try snorkeling off platform so maybe others can respond, but did take catamaran snorkeling tour in Jost Van Dyke and enjoyed that.

2. Travel Agent transfer: Not sure, never tried.

3. Booking Time: I like to book early, but that's just me. If the price goes down I haven't had any problem re-faring or upgrading instead.

3b: Beds: Have been on the Windsurf several times never seen bed up against the porthole wall.

4. I believe the tours are lined up to return in time for the BBQ.

5. Cocktail dress would be fine; except maybe for the on-deck BBQ dinner. Generally though my 'casualness' increases as the week goes on :)

6. Spots up on deck to sit quietly; not sure the coffee starts flowing quite that early.

I think the one on October 1st probably is calling my name.

:D

Sounds like decision made (or close to it) :D

The best date for us will probably be right at the end of September or first of October. There's a good one on October 18th on Star Breeze, and that late in the season means lower traffic in Venice and probably lower fares -- BUT colder and wetter weather much of the time. So I think that trade-off isn't so attractive.

You're right about the weather of course, but like another poster in this thread we have been in late October, early November many times and had great weather and no crowds. Of course we mentally prepare for rain and hope for the best!

Pretty much a "no-lose" scenario either way.

I had a look at your ports for both; lots of different ports on Venetian Passageways, lots of great ports on Classic Italy.

Assuming you can't decide by flipping a coin, preferring one final destination over another (Rome, Venice or Athens) or choosing dates which will work best for you (I usually find that one itinerary meets all my other criteria perfectly and the decision is then taken from me), I've been on the yachts, and the new ships, and I enjoy both; but there is nothing like seeing your sailing yacht bobbing in the harbour.

Just sayin'

Having said that....9 days > 8 days!

Thanks Strenz. We felt the same way, but in the end enjoy both experiences.

Thanks Mark, look forward to it.

Not sure if this has been said before so my apologies for repeating this. Windstar is not and has never been a "luxury" cruise line as implied by the subject of this thread. I would not sail on the new 3 WS ships. They are outdated, no real balconies and the pricing is at a premium.

I concur with what Sunprince says...I would only describe it as "casual elegance" (as Windstar does) not luxury so anyone looking for luxury would likely be disappointed.

On the other hand, I was very pleased with our cruise on the new WS ship. Enjoyed it very much and would sail on any of them again in an instant.

The question is, as one reviewer noted, how long can they stay in business running at half capacity... And how would the service have been with a full complement of pax?

 

We usually don't buy trip insurance, but we might for our March Legend cruise :o

 

Just for curiosity, what is the average occupancy rate for cruises? At least for those lines that turn a profit.

Most cruisers understand that lower occupancy rates are not unusual at this point in the med season (end).

Princess: Love pizza and hamburgers on deck, International Café, MUTS done properly (at night).

RCCL: While I prefer the relaxed atmosphere on Princess, when I go on RCCL I try and get in the swing of things and enjoy the pool competitions, line dancing, and watching people wipeout on the flowrider.

I can't comment on Island Marketing specifically, but it is quite common to put 20% down and pay the remainder at the hotel.

Thank you Snow cat, I look forward to reading your review. I have also been concerned about the negative reviews as of late and a bit perplexed and I am so looking forward to our trip on the Star Breeze on 12/5. We have done 18 cruises WS, we are adventurous, independent travelers, some of our best trips and certainly our best vacations ( I make a distinction between a trip and a vacation ) with and without friends and family have been with WS. Some of the reviews I really do not understand. I am relieved to know that as past WS cruisers you have enjoyed the new motor yachts. We are not wealthy, we love fine, pure quality, imaginative tasty food, for us WS is luxury without being ostentacious, the service is beyond excellent, we have always felt the ships have been well taken care of and impeccably clean, we love the informal and the small, for us it has always been perfect even when things might go a bit wrong for that is life. So, we were happy to read this and are doubly excited. Happy Cruising. Susanne

Susanne - I look forward to your review when you return.

I haven't been on Seabourn, Amazara or Oceania so I freely admit I can't comment on how the WS service etc. compares to them; I can only compare to other WS cruises I have taken and there was no difference.

We did miss the sails at sail-away!

Did the ship still feel understaffed, or does that appear to have been corrected (as was implied recently by the CEO)?

Certainly no lack of staff attention, but the cruise was only about 67% full (it was the last of the season from Rome to Barcelona - the ship moves on to Lisbon, Canary Islands and then over to Caribbean).

Posted a review of our Star Legend med cruise; couldn't say enough good things about it. As mentioned in my review, we have cruised Windstar 5 times (through 3 different owners); we are Windstar fans, but it also means we know what the experience should be like.

Our cruise didn't disappoint; everything was up to the previous level of service that we have experienced before.

I am sorry that some other reviewers did not have as positive an experience as we did (but happy ours went so well :). Even the weather co-operated.

I agree with all the response posters.

I honestly thought I was reading a joke about the wine and the purchases.

Some great comments - looking forward to my next Windstar cruise next month.

It does say clearly on their website that alumni discounts don't apply to flash sales.

Yes, you leave the station just as you have in the past and walk in the same direction, north.

 

When you get to McDonald's, instead of going straight into the port as you would have in the past, turn right. Make the second left onto Via Cavour and stay on it until Via Lazzaretto where you turn left. The port entrance and bus stop will be just ahead on the right.

 

If you look at a google map you'll see that there are a couple of small streets you could use that are slightly more direct - the directions I've given are the main roads and have the fewest turns.

Thanks euro cruiser; appreciate it.