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After the cruise, I called customer service and asked to talk to Isabel. I did not discuss anything with the woman who took my call. I was told that Isabel was in a meeting and would call me back. That was over a month ago. No call back. Guess that Windstar has long meetings or really doesn’t care.

On Breeze in September. Never announced any Covid cases. However, we did notice small tables with food trays in front of some cabin doors. There was a cabin close to us that had the tray table for most of the cruise. Covid? Maybe those people just ordered room service?

Bermuda system states that you should get your travel authorization a week before your cruise. Applying and waiting was stressful. However, I didn’t call. Got travel authorization as stated. Once onboard, we met people who called a few weeks after filing. They were angry that they had to wait on hold for long time. Some used 800 toll free. Some called the direct number. They all got their authorization. Relax and wait.

The therapy pool for concierge and up isn’t a great thing. It is at the bow. Often it is windy. Also, no bar service there. If I use that pool, it’s use and leave. Not worth paying extra. Use the hot tubs midship. They are free.

Often use laundry facilities on embarkation day. Many people arrive having traveled before the cruise. It can be very busy.

Just back from Star Breeze. In June, cruised on Summit. Crowded and uncomfortable. Spouse got Covid. Stress level was really high. Windstar is completely different. They advertise 180 degrees different. No crowds. We had 130 guests. Maximum would’ve been 312. There was lots of space. It felt relaxed and comfortable. I am a mask wearer. On WS I felt ok without a mask. Crew wore masks. Had a fabulous time and didn’t get Covid. Have a great time on Windstar.

My travel agent lists the taxes and port fees separately on my invoice. Port fees aren’t much. While I agree that Oceania should refund them, it’s not worth the effort to get a refund.

If you plan on taking excursions, pick excursions. Listed excursions cost under $200 are yours to select. Do it early. They do sell out.

Relax. Went to Bermuda in June. Yes, they charge you when you make application. Then wait patiently. I applied 4 weeks before cruise. My spouse got Bermuda travel authorization 2 weeks later. Not me. Mine came a few days later. Strange? You might think that if you both apply at the same time that you would get the authorization on the same day. Just keep the email saying that you applied. There is an 800 phone #. Only call of you are less than a week out. Many people on the cruise had similar things happen. It all worked out.

It might be better if you could make reservations as soon as you pay final payment.

Happened to me. On other cruise lines, when we missed ports, we got refund for port charges. It isn’t much. We have missed ports on Oceania for many reasons. Never any refund. It really didn’t bother me. Port charges should be refunded. However, the amount is small. It’s not worth making it an issue. That was until our Sirena cruise in March 2020. We were on the last cruise when the pandemic put a halt to cruising. That cruise should’ve been canceled. We missed most of the scheduled ports. After the cruise I contacted O customer service to request refund of port charges. I was told that there were no port charges paid. None would be refunded. What? Oceania insisted nobody paid port charges. Sounded crazy. We did get some fcc. It wasn’t much. We have tried using it. We booked, got canceled, rebooked, etc. we are booked to cruise in December or we lose the fcc. Looking forward to sailing on Oceania again. I agree that when ports are skipped, the port charges should be refunded.

Wash hands more often. I discovered the wash basins in the buffet area half way through my X cruise. They are hidden. Once found, I used it. I seldom saw anyone else washing. Just took a cruise on Windstar. On day 1, when you entered the buffet area, you were asked to wash you hands at a very visible wash area. On following days, most people washed hands. No Covid. On X, my spouse got Covid.

Since you will pay gratuities, it might be better if it was automatically included in the cruise price. Unlike many cruise lines that let you use OBC to pay the gratuities, Windstar will not let you use OBC. It seems that there are people at the end of the cruise unaware that they cannot use OBC for tips. Often they seemed surprised and mad that their OBC has restrictions. By the time that they realize it, it is often too late to spend that OBC.

We were on the Breeze. Luckily all of the elevators were working. There was a man in a wheelchair who always used the elevators. His wife went with him to push the wheelchair. At times opening doors was a problem since there are no automatic openings. People often stopped to help them. It would be helpful if the doors to veranda had openers.

When we booked All In was it. Although we are elite plus and get enough WiFi and drinks from Captains club, we had to buy the cruise with the classic beverage plan and unlimited WiFi. Beverage plan was lame since many liquor choices were unavailable. At least we got water and some soda. No ginger ale, Sprite Zero, or club soda. Wine was iffy. The All In WiFi seldom worked and if it did , it was very slow. We used our CC WiFi time and got connected faster. Future cruises, I would book cruise only if available. We had a good time in spite of the supply shortages. We went on another cruise, not Celebrity, and there were also supply shortages. It’s happening everywhere. Accept it and enjoy!

On Summit in June 10 nights. Food was very good including prime rib roast on 2 nights. Lobster and beef Wellington were served on the next to last night. No complaints about food. We also lucked out getting a table for 2 every night. Same waiter staff made it easy. We were in Select dining and reserved dining times before boarding. It was a pleasure.

No. Had to pay extra for some cocktails. It wasn’t much.

Sadly, your experience is not limited to Celebrity. There are supply shortages everywhere. Getting experienced help is also a challenge. Everywhere you go, there are signs looking for workers. When I go food shopping, it’s amazing if I get most of my desired items. The pandemic has changed the world. Accept it. We all remember prepandemic cruises and many expect pandemic cruises to be the same. Sadly, it isn’t happening now. Maybe things will improve.

My spouse also has mobility issues. Star ships can be a challenge. Luckily the new tender platform is part of the stretch. It is accessible by a large elevator to the loading area. However, depending upon the tides, there may be some steps to board the tender. The new stretch added handicapped restrooms in the veranda. However, there are no accessible doorways anywhere. The new pool area has ramps to get to the pool. Unfortunately, to get into the pool, you have to use a ladder. No lift for access. The real challenge for everyone is gangway angles. At times, due to tides, the angle can be very steep.

I had to do lots of precruise stuff for my last 2 cruises. In June, we stopped in Bermuda. Getting all the required things done to get a Bermuda travel authorization was a hassle. In September, flew into Canada to embark. At that time, ArrivCan was in force. Getting all of Canada requirements completed was a challenge. While I hated the inconvenience, I admired the safety regulations. Luckily, those programs have mostly expired. While you may be inconvenienced having to get tested, it gives you some reassurance that people with Covid will not embark. Of course, between time of test and embarkation, somebody may get infected. Testing helps identify problems for travelers.Even though Oceania doesn’t require testing to embark, I plan to test at home before I go to my next cruise. If positive, stay home. Hopefully your cruise will be safe.

Actually it didn’t seem like an upgrade. It seemed like a way to fill the cabins in the most undesirable locations. Deck 11 is a bad location. Original deck 11 didn’t have cabins. Anywhere cabins were added later is not a great location. Many of the deck 9 cabins get noise from above. Deck 10 has the buffet, pool, spa, etc. my choice is deck 8. After trying aqua class, we decided it wasn’t for us. I know people who were comped aqua and loved it. Different strokes for different folks.

I am elite plus. On one cruise, we were complimentary upgraded to aqua class deck 11. We had never booked aqua class previously. Usually book concierge on Summit. Ok, a complimentary chance to try aqua. Deck 11 cabins are noisy and vibrate. Often we could smell food from the buffet which was under us. The veranda is tiny and uncovered. It rained and flooded the veranda. Aqua class cabin got one bottle of water and a smelly twig in water. To get to the pool, had to pass through the buffet area. Not a buffet fan. Also we weren’t allowed in the MDR. That included missing the concierge embarkation lunch. Blu was ok for breakfast. For dinner, we often asked for MDR items. Having tried aqua class, we knew that it wasn’t for us.

Teachers and kids cruise on school breaks. It’s popular, crowded, and expensive. On mass market ships ,Christmas cruises often get big family groups. If you are traveling as a couple and want a break from kids, avoid mass market ships during school breaks. There are cruise lines that either don’t book kids. Some cruise lines accept kids, but don’t have any kids activities. We just sailed on Windstar…no kids. For a nice couples only vacation, try adult only resorts. All inclusive resorts for adults are like a cruise ship on land. While I like cruises, our best vacations were land based. Pick a city and go. There are many options. Enjoy!

On WS, we adjust to the late dinner by either eating lunch later or having a snack. Lunch options onboard include Veranda lunch ends at 2, grill closes at 2:30, room service 24/7, yacht club open from 6am to 6 pm. If we are off the ship, we find local places to relax and eat lunch. Often we enjoy time at the Yacht club in late afternoon. They have interesting small sandwiches and pastry. Ate way too many cookies. They are delicious.

It’s school vacation. Expect lots of family groups with lots of kids. We did it. We brought our kids. Not the best time to travel as a couple.