Ski Mom 2

We stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino following our cruise on Wind Surf in February 2020 (just before the world shut down). We chose that hotel because of their private island with the flamingos. We booked a cabana for the day and had a wonderful time.

When we docked, we missed our tour guide who picked someone else up instead but we were able to literally walk off the ship and roll our luggage down to the hotel so you could walk if needed. In fact, we could see Wind Surf out our hotel window!

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance too.

The only problem with that hotel is it is typically booked as a time share and by the week so there are a limited amount of rooms they give out for just a day or two. Our original room was in a horrible location and I insisted on a better location which we finally were able to come to an agreement upon. The pool is nice but the beach is part of their private island. We didn't eat much at the hotel; too many other yummy restaurants near by. There is a very small Italian restaurant very close that was delicious!

Typically boarding on most WS ships is the published time. In Barbados last year we arrived around 12:30 and many folks were already gathered in the holding area. But they pretty much waited until close to 1 pm to start calling numbers (first time with numbers we had that happen). In Lisbon a few years ago we arrived at 12:30 and waited in line until 1 pm. The same happened in Venice. 
 

Most of the time they ask that you be off by 8 am; they do need some time to turn the boat around. Why not ask if your hotel can hold your luggage and if you can hang out by the pool until closer to the time?

OK I thought of something else...

How did the included excursions work? We are looking at a fall 2025 cruise but I see the same cruise in 2024 so I can see excursions with pricing. If you book the excursion price what did you get included? Was it by price point? Thanks again!

Could you tell us a little more about the Premium Beverage package? It says premium wines; just curious if it's wine by the bottle or by the glass, especially at dinner? We don't usually purchase the beverage package but if it includes wine by the bottle at dinner that may make a difference.

I’m not sure you’re interested but here is the third installment of our back to back to back review (Rome to Rome). We had a marvelous time!!
 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=648607

I hate how little time CC gives you to edit your replies!

In the fall of 2018 we sailed on 3 back to back to back cruises on Wind Surf: Lisbon to Barcelona, Barcelona to Rome, and Rome to Rome (Sicilian Splendors). Each cruise was special and we had a marvelous time! On some ports we did ship tours and some we just got off the ship and wandered around on our own which we really enjoy. It’s a wonderful itinerary.

Ours included Tangiers where we hired a private guide, met up with friends in the Peace Corp working deep in Morocco and had the most fascinating day.
 

If it also includes the stop with the tour of the Alhambra I highly recommend booking WS’s tour ahead of time. It’s an all day affair and just stunning!

I think my reviews are still up if you look under Wind Surf back to the fall of 2018. Here is the first part which may be close to your itinerary.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=637112

If you’re interested here is part 2 from Barcelona to Rome. 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=638116

We left out of Barbados last season. I bet they mean they arrive into the port at 5:00 a.m. but they still have to go through all the processes before unloading passengers. I would think maybe 7:00 a.m. would be the earliest you could disembark but I agree, you should just call WS.

I did the survey. I just put around a 7 when I didn’t really know the answer 🤣

Has anyone been on a theme cruise (like a golf cruise) but only because you wanted to be on the cruise and had no interest in the "theme?" Wondering how it would be to not be a part of that group. (One of the cruises I'm looking at is a golf cruise but I don't golf).

Windstar does not allow shorts on men  in the dining room. My husband wears khaki pants with a nice short/long sleeve shirt depending upon the time of year. 

Windstar has sailing yachts and motor yachts. Those that love the line love them all. Personally I would find an itinerary you find intriguing and try which ever yacht that happens to land on. Sailing yachts have smaller cabins overall but the sails make them in a class by themselves. Motor yachts have bigger cabins that include suites and a bigger bathroom. Both have fantastic crews, delicious food, friendly folks that travel on them and great itineraries. You can’t miss!

We thought the location was perfect. No complaints! Enjoy. 

We sailed South America and Antarctica last year so I’ve got my “Antarctica layered coat and warm hat” ready to do!

We have signed up for an Iceland cruise in 2025 but are waiting for 2026 itineraries and hope to transfer to a different cruise. 
 

When our son was in college, he and his then girlfriend flew to Iceland and rented a car and drove around Iceland hiking and camping along the way. They had a wonderful time and got some spectacular photographs. My theory is I’m too old and spoiled to back country camp or spend nights in hostels anymore and the thought of being on the cruise ship is right up my alley! I think it will be a different experience than my sons but one we will enjoy nevertheless. 

We have been through the Panama Canal twice on Windstar. The first time was during the holidays 2014/2015 on Wind Spirit and the second time was in January 2024 on Star Pride. Here is my take on our passage through on the Star Pride. 
 

We got up very early and found two loungers that we knew would be mostly in the shade that day. This was our last stop (we started in Barbados and ended in Panama City for a lovely two weeks on board) so we knew where we wanted to be.

We started through at the Gatun Locks. Many folks went to the bow of the ship to watch the spectacular unfold. There was plenty of room to wander from the bow to the stern, from port side to starboard. It is an incredible sight. And it takes lots of time to go through the three locks that make up the Gatun Locks. It was nice having our loungers as our “home base” for hanging out. 
 

Sailing through Gatun Lake was magical and very calming. When we arrived at the Pedro Miguel locks there were perhaps half the number of people hanging out at the bow of the ship. Once at the Miraflora locks there was practically no one up front! I love being outside by the Miraflora locks since there is usually a crowd in the late afternoon from various tours starting in Panama City and they wave and cheer at you as you go by and it’s very festive. 
 

I can’t imagine being on a large ship going through the canal. On Windstar you can roam around the ship and watch from every angle. Back in 2015/2015 we had our two teenage sons with us and we all went from the bow to the stern as we went through each lock to watch the water rise up and the locks open. The engineering of the entire system is mind blowing! This is a great advantage of being on a small ship and having the entire ship as your “balcony.”

While I saw the Windstar info and posted it on the WS CC page, I didn’t receive the Azamara email. Granted my first cruise with them isn’t until January 2025 but I did just pay in full a few days ago to take advantage of the extra on board credit. Guess I better go check their webpage! 

Did you see that they will be sending one of the sailing ships back to Tahiti in 2027 because of these new ships?

12 minutes ago, cwd79 said:

I stayed in that cabin on the Zaandam and I am the one who took those pictures from our August 2023 cruise. Would not hesitate to stay in that room again. Very spacious.

Thank you! I've had my eye on it for a few weeks but haven't been able to wrangle all our friends yet into pulling the plug to sail 😄

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/windstar-cruises-welcomes-two-new-ships-to-fleet-including-first-star-class-newbuild-302113155.html

On 1/13/2023 at 5:52 AM, carnivaljunkie said:

Sorry, I am mixing up my cruises.  We will be in 1877 on Volendam in January 2024. Probably not a help for you.

Did you take this cruise and stay in 1877? Did you by chance get any photos? Thanks. 

We were recently on Star Pride 542. Great location and we enjoyed the large window, the living room when you walked in so I could drop all my stuff and the fabulous bathroom. 

Well considering I haven’t really ever snorkeled and am pretty lazy in my normal life I better pick going out on the second day! Thanks so much for your input. I will definitely tell her hello!

On 2/28/2024 at 4:44 PM, TheDarkestBlue said:

Hi 🙂

 

Being that we also had the overnight in Bora Bora, it gave us the opportunity to get back to the ship later than usual on the first day, so we did an afternoon snorkel with H2oBoraBora which was great, highly recommend 

 

https://boraborah2o.com/index.html

 

We went to a large coral garden, then off to find Manta Rays, after we went to a lagoonarium, very beautiful - next, our guide found a group of eagle rays that we swam over, tracking them a bit, so serene and graceful 😊 We had a good time and felt we saw a lot. Unfortunately, the next afternoon was the only rain we had all week and missed the private beach.

 

I would add that if you go on any snorkel excursions, you should bring your Paul Gauguin snorkel gear with you, even though the private companies say they can provide equipment, it was much easier to use your own stuff that you've already fitted and is good quality. 

Thanks for the recommendation! We will be on Bora Bora for two days in January. I have emailed with h2o and need to choose when to set up our snorkel 1/2 day tour with them. I can choose either day, morning or afternoon. What would you recommend? I do want to go out to dinner the first evening off ship but other than that we have no plans. 😁

Thank you Nancy for all of your wealth of knowledge about Tahiti. We are headed that direction and I was thinking I would have to go and re-read all your posts to find out this info. 😄

Nancy! You are one brave and fabulous woman! I am so very impressed with all you are going through and how your are powering through! You are an inspiration to us all! Stay strong and thank you for sharing your story with all of us. ♥️