2LoveToTravel

We have been on the Surf and do not recall ever seeing a shower.

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We have been in rooms everywhere on the Surf. The lowest deck forward is the best, since the forward rooms are quite far back and the price is right!

There is no question that they can still be built, it's the huge expense of building them. We have spoken with a number of WINDSTAR officers over the years and they say it doesn't seem to be feasible....especially the smaller sailing yachts (150 passengers) Maybe the Surf size with 300 passengers would work. Still would like to see them buy the Club Med. Who knows? It could happen.

We love the Compass Rose, and around the pool. The outdoor space front to back, on this ship is really unique and provides lots of spaces for relaxing. We will be aboard again in just a few weeks. Can't wait.

O my goodness! We love WINDSTAR having been on 14 voyages. They are all light years away from our original sailing ships....the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria!!!

We have used Rome Cabs many times for transfers to and from port to airport in Rome. They are reliable and on time. You can book on line.

Without a doubt, the Surf is the more open ship....with more outside deck space. The Surf is a horizontal ship, unlike the "cake layer" vertical architecture of all the motor yachts, Having been on the Legend recently since the renovation, the pool was removed, and replaced with a very small pool so that the Veranda could be expanded. The "new" pool is hardly a pool at all. The pool on the Surf, while not huge offers a large enough area to cool off. For anyone with mobility challenges, the Surf is the best because the tenders load from midship on deck 1, which is more stable than the stern quarter loading of all of the motor yachts. Also, the Wind Spirit, currently on the Tahiti run does not have elevators. We will be on our 15th and 16th voyages with our beloved Wind star Cruises in February, unless we go sooner! You will love it.

Old ships have innate beauty and good bones. I think the sailing ships are lovely and graceful. You see them and compare to any motor yacht they are a WOW. On the ocean I want grace, I do not need top heavy, skating rinks, fake climbing walls, chandeliers, Shopping malls. I want peaceful space, to look up and see grace of sails, to look over the railings and see the expanse of the mighty ocean. As for the WS motor yachts small, lots of lovely space, pretty lines, grace in the water. I loved the deck aft off the Yacht Club, I loved the bow space with the hot tub leaning over and being so close to the water, seeing her gliding over the water. I was in a veranda room, the slidung glass door worked, the water worked, it was quiet, never noticed rust, it is salt air and water after all. I would love it if the old SS France sailed again, old can be pretty in different ways. I love the sense of civility these ships present, people civilized, whispering so not to intrude on the space of others, no hogging chairs, politeness, friendly and civilzed. That is what we want on the water that is why we so enjoy the " old " ships sails and motors of WS. Happy Sailing

Beautifully said Strenz. these sailing ships may be old, but they have staying power and are very special. In the Caribbean, we love the Surf....just booked back to back in Feb. would love to meet you at the cape, on Facebook.

I've been told by captains that there is no way to build more ships like the star at a cost that makes sense. True or not? I don't know.

We have been told the same thing. That size ship is cost prohibitive to build. Was also told the purchase of the Club Med was in the works. We will see!

Moonglow! It's the best. Enhances the cruise experience. We always check moon phases before booking! No charge for the enhancement.

We were on the Star Legend room 100 in February in the Caribbean. We liked that the size of the room was slightly larger and shaped a little differently being in the very front of the ship.There is more movement in the front, and you will hear the anchor being dropped when coming into port in the AM. Having said that, all of the rooms are suites, and are lovely. Have a wonderful trip!

I agree, Strenz. The purchase of the Club Med ship would be a real asset to WINDSTAR since the Wind Surf is still their premier ship. The motor yachts are coming along, and expanding their itineraries to other areas would be helpful.

We have stayed at 3 hotels pre Windsurf trips, and each hotel has its own attributes. All have views of the Windsurf coming into port around 5am if your room is waterside.

1) Divi Little Bay is a time share property, offering multiple types of accommodations (1 to 3 bedrooms) and feels like a village with pools, restaurants and outside bars, and a beautiful beach on the southwest portion of the property....great for sunsets. It is a secure environment with gated access, approximately 1 mile from the heart of Phillipsburg.

2) Sonesta Great Bay has the least attractive rooms, but offers a great pool and beautiful beach with beach toys, and an interesting and fun beachfront buffet followed by a movie on the pool terrace under the stars. It is located about 1/4 mile front the center of Phillipsburg pier.

3) Holland House is right on the beach, approximately 500 feet from the pier with modern European style rooms. The lobby and bar are open air facilities leading to a handsome elevated teak deck outside lounge area. The outdoor restaurant has a buffet breakfast and the staff was very pleasant and accommodating. Unlike the others it doesn't have a pool, but has direct beach access across the boardwalk.

We have not tried Pasanggrahan, but it sounds lovely.

Hope this helps. We always fly into St Maarten the day before, because we are concerned about the weather in the northeast. Wherever you stay, the best part is watching the beautiful Windsurf come into port in the morning, and the time spent on board! We love WINDSTAR....our 15th voyage is coming up soon.

When reading about the all inclusive fare, it depends! We have done the caribbean cruises many times, and rarely take excursions. There are beaches every day, one nicer than the last. The drinks on Windstar are moderately price, and we have never taken the package. You need to figure how much alcohol you consume to see if it is a good deal. We just booked on Vacations To Go, and prices were good, but not all inclusive. I believe Windstar is responding to those who have been on Seabourn (Windstar now owns 3 former Seaboard ships) and like everything included.

We had previously posted a response about Suite 501 in November, 2013.

We have stayed in 501 several times, as well as the suites on Deck 3, and other regular rooms on board the Surf.

Suite 501 is an original suite, while the Bridge suites are newer and were converted from conference rooms. The Bridge suites are twice the size of 501 and all other suites, and much costlier.

Suite 501 has the same square footage as the suites on deck 3 and has one bathroom. It has 2 sets of windows. One has reflective glass (can’t see in from the outside) and the other does not.(you can see in at night) It has one bathroom with a tub and shower, and the living area is larger than the suites on deck 3….but the deck 3 suites have 2 bathrooms which is very appealing to many people. You do have to access 501 from the outside, but in inclement weather the room steward will escort you to the dining room via an inside staircase….as stated previously. We were in 501 in February, and will be again in October. Whatever room you choose on the WindSurf you will have a wonderful voyage. The room is less important than the overall experience. Attached are some pictures of Suite 501.

The pictures of the Star Breeze look lovely. They did listen to what was said about the Star Pride redo. We cruised on the Star Pride in May 2014. As said, the suites were lovely, and removing the pool to enlarge the Veranda Restaurant was a necessity. Having been on the sailing yachts many times, we were used to dining out on the Veranda for breakfast and lunch....and the small Veranda Restaurant on the Pride could not accommodate the guests, so we had to have breakfast in the main dining room. Very disappointing. Having said that, the overall experience was up to the Windstar standards, with the crew as wonderful as always!

We have never been rushed either, and tend to leave about 9AM. They do have a quick turnaround and much to do in a short period of time....but most importantly is to be out of the guest room, as the public rooms have already been cleaned for the next cruise.

We have done various things the day we leave. When traveling with others we hired a driver and van....kept our bags on board, and drove us to beach,shop,etc. We have also taken a cab to the Holland House Hotel in Phillipsburg (very near the cruise port) and they had a room to keep our bags. The beach is in front, and they have a lovely restaurant for lunch. You can also shop in Phillipsburg. Our flights were about 1PM, so we did not have sufficient time to do the land excursions offered by Windsurf.

We are on the Legend in Scotland in July. Did not book a balcony for the reasons you mention and information from Seabourn boards. The more frequent comments I found were that a "balcony" was a waste of money on these ships. Maybe it is "sour grapes" but it makes sense.

We were on the second cruise following Windstars purchase of the Pride...in Rm 107....beautiful suite ....no balcony, large windows. The balconies are French balconies, not really usable. Not worth the extra expense.

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Wildcat68

 

 

 

I have been selling Windstar quite often in the last few months. The cruise line does not require full payment until 90 days prior. I have never asked not heard of requiring a client to pay gratuities in advance. Just letting you know that this is not Windstar policy. It must have to do with the agency you booked with but even groups do not require you to prepay that far in advance. Do you live in the US?

We have been on Windstar twice this past year, and will be sailing next week for b to b caribbean cruises o the Surf. Never required to pay gratuities in advance!

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We generally do not book ahead in the Caribbean, but if it is something you really are interested in, do book ahead. You can cancel if need be. We will be aboard Feb 7 as well.

You won't be disappointed with Star Pride. It is a beautiful ship, with an overhaul just before her inaugural voyage. We were aboard in May for Sicilian Splendors. The suites are beautiful, and service on a par with all Wind Star ships. The crew is delightful.

Considering a back to back cruise in the caribbean on the Surf. Has anyone done this and does Windstar discount for this option?

We will be on the Rome to Rome cruise May 11 aboard Star Pride. This trip circles Sicily, Also visiting Capri and Malta.Suggest you arrive a few days early and see Rome, if you have not done so before. You will love Windstar. Always a special experience....totally different from large ship cruising. Windsurf offers a few more amenities...suites, 2nd dining room, larger gym, elevators. Starboard or Port really doesn't matter. I agree that Monte Carlo will be a zoo in May, but the ports are lovely. Any choice that you make will be wonderful. You can tell that we love Windstar. This will be our 11th voyage.

We will be aboard the newly Christened Star Pride on Sunday for Sicilian Splendors. Can't wait!