vcdarty

We like El Convento. Historic building, great comfort and location, super service--almost luxe European. Wine/cheese happy hour. Highly recommend. (We're on the 3/27 Sky TA, too.)

I'm aware of Viking's generous bring your own wine policy with no corkage fee. (Query--is this unique among other lines? I've never seen it before.)

But it would be most helpful to get a look at the Viking Sea wine list and prices, if available, before deciding what if any wines to bring aboard. Oenophile friends just off Viking Sky were unhappy with the offerings.

Thanks. If this has been addressed already, apologies. We just booked a Sea TA and are new to this forum.

Finest hotel in all Europe. And among the $$$ priciest. And unforgettable. Palacio Belmonte. You won't regret it.

Better late than . . . I guess. Now that it's Boxing Day and things are calming down slightly . . .

Had never Windstarred before. Essentially--would do it again. Details:

Spent a few days pre cruise at El Convento in Old San Juan. V highly recommend the hotel. Restaurants not so much, but many swell places nearby.

Embarkation: Smooth and swift. One bag misplaced. Staff anxious to help. It appeared right after the efficient muster drill.

Cabin: 133, deck 4. Plenty of room and beautifully refurbished from Seabourn days. Pale oak, clever mirrored panels, fine fabrics and subtle, sophisticated color scheme in taupes, tans, greys, deep blues. A bit smaller but comparable in style and finish to, say, penthouses on Crystal and QG on Cunard. Hard pillows, but splendid steward, Jajat, replaced same with softer.

Food: Room service for brekkers, always save disembarkation morn. Speedy, hot, courteous, just as ordered. Okky, the rs steward, excellent. Generally good meals in Amphora, esp. seafood risotto, little lamb chops, great osso bucco, beef filet, first rate soups and decent starters. Service horribly rushed first two nights, with everyone showing up at stroke of 7, grumpy servers and dumped-down plates. Daniel, maître d', working hard but too busy to be personable. Understaffed. Disliked Verandah. Really disliked Verandah. Servers usually attentive. Salad makings OK as were desserts when simple. But steam table cafeteria style doesn't please. Food quality average at best. One lunch ordered grilled fish. Never arrived. Execrable hamburger: Frozen spam-like pressed meat substance. Often loud-mouthed adjacent tables too near. Same for Candles. Loud and less than pleasant. Ordered fish--Big Mistake. Frozen, tasteless mess, as was the "lobster carpaccio." Left without dessert.

Public Spaces: generally v well, fresh and attractively done. Liked Yacht Club a lot. Comfortable seating, never crowded, a calm cool interior (though those Britannicas scattered about the barren bookshelves seem silly). The deck 5 Lounge never used except for Myron's 6:45 briefings and as staging area for tenders. Handsome enough room except for the shabby stage curtain. Compass Rose doesn't work. Large cold room with dark corners, the casino in a corner, a long uncongenial bar, an unused forlorn piano probably intended as piano bar, and bad acoustics. Always deserted.

Ports: a mixed bag. Culebra a mistake. "Our weakest port" as a senior officer confided. Jost likewise lacked much appeal for us. Monserrat worthwhile, esp when Captain R sailawayed along the island to show the disastrous volcanic landscape in gathering dusk. Brrrr. Liked of course Gustavia (shopping! Hermès!) and Marigot (do Not miss lunching at Tropicana). Prickly Pear most pleasant. Soso buffet, strong drinks, beautifully organized, lovely beach w/water sportings.

The Tenders: we had no problems whatsoever. Others did. And let you know all about it. The captain did his best, considering the situations, but Windstar let him and his guests down badly.

Entertainment: another mixed bag. "Double Malt," a talented young Welsh couple--Kathleen and Scott--she a singer and both on acoustic guitars did their v low keyed best, but not a good fit for this cruise. Tori and Dave, a live-wire duo, much appreciated.

This goes on too long. Quick summary: we'll do Windstar again--p

Agree with posters. Unpredictable at best. But our last two eastbound crossings--early April--were calm, prosperous, comfortable. Hoping for the same on March 16. Just checked weather for Funchal, Cadiz, Civitavecchia: highs in the lowish 60's. OK by me.

Totally concur re E-day lunch. That chaotic scene in Lido? Thank you, no.

And about Neptune perks: appreciate them all, especially the abundant and varied cocktail snacks the concierge gals provided when we threw a little party in our suite for our swell trivia team. Alpha Plus.

Thanks, Hank, for the advice. We did a QM2 crossing a year ago and thought the bands were fine. Despite the large dance floor in the ballroom, it was often too crowded for comfort. Dance lessons were seriously jammed-up, so much so that we gave up on them.

Some of this may have been due to rough seas. (Decks were closed 5 of 7 days.) And this may partly account for the discomfort we felt generally in the crowded public spaces.

Yes, Ruth C. Loud, indeed. Raucous, indeed. And very very cold two weeks ago. Not quite the thing for stodgy fox-trotters like us'ns.

On previous crossings with other lines, dancing has been a big feature: the Glenn Miller band, Artie Shaw band on board, for example. We're contemplating a transatlantic on Zdam in March and realize that no "big band" will be with us.

But we presume that a group (HALcats?) will be on duty in the Ocean Bar every night, yes? Will that be the major venue for live dance music? And will the ship's show dance troupe be offering daily lessons?

Just off Westerdam. Spent time each night at Oceans Bar for the dancing--excellent experience. Query: one or two talented gents escorted, each dance, ladies of a certain age, each seated at front of the space. Quite in the manner of dance hosts on other lines. An acquaintance mentioned to DW that several women had clubbed together to engage the services of said gents.

Inquiring minds . . . . Is this the case? Thanks.

Hey Elyce--the screen name isn't too tough for us opry buffs, yes? And when I say a two-star, that's 2 out of 3, max. Like Michelin. All that 6 star stuff is, well, silly arbitrary pointless. Pure PR nonsense.

Annabelle: the piano man was Jimmy Maddox.

Capt van der Hoeven had called it a "brochure cruise", and it pretty much was: kind seas and fine weather for the most part. Far too little time in San Juan and high winds at Grand Turk prevented snorkel/scuba activities. Overcast there, too, but GT is such a hohum port at best. A personal summary of the week follows:

The ship's in good shape--carpets, curtains and fixtures in good condition with little of the glitz that's crashing into the industry these days. Stateroom decor a bit tired, but well-maintained as is the case everywhere. Our cabin stewards just fine even though they must tend to 30 cabins each day. Too many, IMHO. Morale is a growing issue.

In MDR, too--to an extent. One hardworking DR steward per table, not a couple as in the past. And a steward mentioned that he'd been up till 3am the precious night trying to get his personal laundry done: broken washing machines on both A and B decks with consequent long lines.

Food OK, esp rack of lamb and duck. Beef tended toward tough and gristly. Soups and breads excellent as always. Service professional if rushed at times. Except first night dinner a disaster: slapdash, careless, even rude servers. A serving tray grazed my head. Not anywhere near HAL standards, and the server knew it. His exit line: "See you tomorrow night . . . Hopefully."

'Twas not to be. I spoke with the DR manager, efficient pleasant chap, and we received 1) a written apology, 2) a plate of chocolated strawberries, and 3) a different table that suited the three of us perfectly. The manager and various subordinates visited often to check up on our experience.

DR and elsewhere on ship-- far less dressy than in past. Sign of the times, I guess. Except, generally, at Oceans Bar where dancers looked pretty good, made the effort. HALcats just fine, esp Gabie the girl singer.

OTOH, the Adagio violin/piano duo were execrable, soul-less and tone-deaf. Once even announced Haydn, then played, badly, Boccherini. A happy surprise: the BB King Blues folks. Wonderful musicians and classy entertainers.

The cruise was billed as a big Dancing With The Stars At Sea item, and that it most certainly was. Four or so of the major pros from the TV series were on hand as were their fans. Hundreds of them. Four competitive events whittled down 15 winners of dance contests on each HAL ship to 10 dancers, then to 6, then to 3, then to the Mirror Ball Trophy winner for 2014--a hugely talented young man from Halifax, NS. The DWTS dance pros served as judges, and put on an evening show that tore the roof off.

Fly in ointment: emcee for the competition, a brash, nauseating chap name of Jason. Grade-school innuendos, smug mockery of foreign accents, condescending if not insulting remarks about contestants' backgrounds--the winner's in particular. A disgrace to HAL standards.

But gotta go. Fine week at sea. Too bad about short stay at San Juan. A two-star, wonderful week. Way to go, HAL.

Yup. I spoke with a very pleasant and helpful Jennifer. Mission um accomplished.

Oh, and Aruba, oddly enough you cannot make hair salon reservations online using the booking number. I tried a while back. Only Spa services, and that does not include hair affairs . . . .

Righto, indokiwi. Just spoke to Guest Relations and got a polite referral to Ships' Services in Seattle: 800-541-1576. Problem, I hope, solved. On other lines (Cunard, Crystal) 'twas quicker.

What experience have you had with Guest Relations? I emailed them a week ago about MDR table assignments and a hair appointment for an upcoming cruise. No reply yet, save for a boilerplate automatic acknowledgement.

On other lines I've received a reply in a day or two. What gives?

Most helpful, Gina. Thankee. And we look forward with pleasure to the dancin', starry if possible!

Can't speak for HAL, sorry, but we did the Really Big Tour on QM2 a year ago, and it was excellent. Especially impressed by the medical facilities. If you can do it, Do It. Find out immediately (TA should know), and book as soon as you board--or better, get concierge or butler to do it for you. Probably only one tour per cruise and size is very limited.

We're on Westerdam 6 Dec, billed as DWTS playoffs or something like that. We all dance, sorta, and one of us is a major fan of the TV series. We'll be dining @ 8, MDR.

What sort of DWTS events are scheduled at what sort of times and, typically, where? Would they interfere greatly with meal times? Are they as big a deal as the promotional material suggests?

Inquiring minds . . . .

A few years back, sailing in early December on another line, we noticed an icon of St. Nicholas displayed prominently on the Bridge. The Captain and several other officers were Greek, and I commented that we'd just missed the good saint's day, December 6.

Many chuckles, with the information that Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and voyagers. We, too, hope to embark on Westerdam that day and shall raise a toast to the saint and all ships and passengers at sea.

(Incidentally, his "home" church at Myra, ancient and usually brimful of the Russian devout, is well worth a visit.)

And sad to say, Sail7seas, IMHO. Not only on HAL, of course, but also on our recent crossings (!) on Crystal and even, gasp, Queens' Grill. Slipping . . . .

But still have a warm feeling for HAL. After all, DW's third trans-atlantic crossing was on HAL, Rotterdam to NYC in December 1958. No dress-up. Everyone was beastly ill.

I am that "someone," and was neither pot-stirring nor attention-seeking. We haven't sailed from Port Everglades for a couple of years when taxis and Embarkation Lunch were of course on offer. Our TA informed us, emphatically, that this was the case no longer. I was incredulous and asked Judy to confirm--as she has graciously done, along with many of you helpful cruisers, that his information is false.

He also emphasized that the dress code is two formal, two informal, and three casual nights for a seven night cruise, which had always been our happy experience. Misinformation again, I find, but a code that we shall continue to observe.

Shall have a word with TA.

Apologies, since this has been discussed many times before, I'm sure. Last time we boarded a HAL ship at Port Everglades a couple years ago, we picked up a case at Total Wine and had it brought on board with checked luggage.

New policy, I understand. Could we now bring a case onboard if we pay corkage on the dozen bottles?

We're not boozers, but the wine lists don't much appeal.

Hello again Spike, aka keithm. Nothing Imperial here. Plain old stars & stripes. Just between us city slickers, the English language has been my bread and butter for years. (Block that metaphor!). Best wishes from

Beetle Bomb.