r&rd

We do every new years on the Costa Rica sailing but the things we take into consideration are many. First, where is it easier to fly into? We have a nonstop from SFO to Panama so it’s easier - especially during winter or holiday travel. The Caribbean is much harder and riskier to fly into. Second, do you want the sailing ships or the yachts? We prefer the sailing ships but some prefer the yachts. Also, consider whether you want the canal to be day 1 or the last day of the sailing. We find that having the canal on the first day harder - not adjusted to time or heat and if you want to be prepared (if it is your first time in the canal) not enough time. We also enjoy staying in Casco Viejo in Panama- and the Marriott in Costa Rica. In spite of Costa Rica being our first choice, we will be doing Bridgetown to Panama in 2025. Any way you go will be wonderful!

Only the owners suite and classic suites have actual balconies although even those are quite small.

Only you can make that decision. But it sounds like you have thought this through and have your bases covered. We traveled on the Legend twice with solo passengers having preexisting medical conditions that needed medical attention on the ship. In. In both cases the medical team were extremely helpful. They will always take the safest course of action. I would bring a letter from her doctor clearly stating the diagnosis and treatment so they are not sending you off the ship for diagnostic reasons. When one of the people we were with clearly needed additional care the ship could not provide we were able to convince the doctor that sending her off alone to a hospital in Russia was not a good option. They allowed us to wait until Finland, informed the hospital we were coming, provided transportation to the hospital and wanted to insure that a family member would be meeting her in Finland. the second person needed to return home. The ship wanted to transfer him to a hospital which we knew was not needed. He signed a form refusing additional care. They escorted him to the airport and asked for the name and contact person who would be meeting him at the other end. You are at least will be in countries where communication is possible and health care is good. You will never be far from civilization so the ship will not have to make major changes to the itinerary and need to make them quickly.

As I recall, there is a designated smoking area on the port side by the pool bar. But I don’t know that anyone smoked there.

My preference is deck 5 as it is centrally located- but not much difference. Just depends - deck 5 just off lounge and reception, deck 6 off compass rose and one deck below veranda, deck 4 quieter unless it is a tender port.

We’ll see you on both of those sailings!

Usually everyone is allowed to make reservations for 1 night in Candles and 1 night in Cuadro 44 when you first board- after everyone has had a chance to book you can go back for additional nights if available. Depending on how full the ship is one or the other of the restaurants will be closed on certain nights. I have never had a problem getting reservations and often the Maitre D will offer us additional nights when there are openings.

You don’t always get the most convenient flights and you very seldom save money.

Yes, you get 20% off the listed price. I’ve done those cruises twice.

We have done over 45 Windstar cruises. Upgrades have absolutely no consistency. Before Covid we were given upgrades without knowing until we boarded, offered free upgrades prior to sailing, offered upgrades at a significant discount but mostly were not offered upgrades. Since Covid most of the upgrades have been offered onboard for a fee. Just yesterday we were “given” a three category upgrade for a September sailing. It took me over an hour to decline the upgrade and be reinstated into the old cabin. It was in a far less desirable location in a cabin type I did not want for this particular voyage. As sailings begin to sell out upgrades are offered to free up cabins they can sell but at that point the remaining cabins may not be in the best locations. I think your best bet is choose a cabin you will be happy with, hope “for an even better cabin” but enjoy the voyage none the less.

I have never done that tour (although I love sloth sanctuaries) since it is fairly new. I have done 10 Costa Rica cruises with Windstar and absolutely love them. Even with a 2:30 flight I have done ship tours and been fine. I have also gone directly to the airport and found the wait not too bad - especially if you like shopping for coffee. I have also booked a private tour from the ship to visit a few stops with a drop off at the airport. It is at least an hour from the ship to the airport. Ship tours usually get you to the airport 3 hours before your flight. We are going again this winter and will be staying overnight at the Costa Rica Marriott by the airport. I love the hotel and flights the next day were several hundred dollars less than the Saturday afternoon flight.

My girlfriend and I did it several years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it - excellent guide and only 5 people on the tour. I have also done Istanbul on my own several times - saw many of the same places but not easy to get everywhere and certainly a higher stress level. On the tour we were able to see everything that would have taken us far more time to see on our own. Pricey, yes and I don’t do the cruise tours on most cruises but I think Istanbul was worth it.

Take that offer - better than you will get onboard if it is after the current promo

You also get a reduced deposit.

You’ll usually get $100 OBC and 5% (you’ll get that anyway after you get back as a welcome home discount). Not necessary better than some of the promotions offered online. But it is combinable with other promotions if they are still being offered.

While I haven’t had ro deal with this myself, I have seen other guests at our table receive their menu the night before and have things customized for them the next day. We also met a couple who had extremely strict plant based diets. The chef met with them personally a day into the cruise, took lots of notes and made them special meals every day. I think Windstar goes out of their way to make sure everyone has what they need.

Check on the regulations regarding bringing meat products back into the US

We have done three sailings on the yachts since the stretch. Although the ships were not full it did seem crowded in colder weather. The other issue that has occurred lately is that if the ship has several not full sailings and then has a full ship there are not enough crew. Staffing issues (which we did experience on one sailing) made it seem more crowded because service was slower. The veranda is definitely crowded in cold weather when there are more people and no one wanting to eat outdoors. Another consideration is port intensive cruises may not seem as crowded than cold weather cruises with a lot a sea days. We are doing Iceland and the transition from Iceland to Montreal in September. Hoping the ship is not full!

I have never had a problem bringing wine onboard from ports. I brought on 5 bottles in Lisbon, in Italy and Croatia I brought on two or three bottles on different days. You have to pay corkage if you drink it in the dining room but they are fine with it. Not sure what you mean by “stocking up”. But then each ship May handle things differently. One hotel manager said it was a requirement for ships to have an alcohol policy but as long as it doesn’t become a problem they wouldn’t make it a problem.

Deluxe Suite We stayed in the new deluxe suite on deck 5 (531). It is a good use of space but had some drawbacks as well. Pros: Liked having both a picture window by the couch and a balcony by the bed (deluxe Suite on deck 4 has no balcony). Good central location - heard no noise from the elevator. Great dressing room/closet Cons: There is both a tub (with a shower) ad a walk in shower. The walk in shower is extremely tight (2 ft by 3 ft with all the hardware smack in the middle). Location of the bathroom is odd. It is by the front door and not connected to the bedroom.

Air conditioning fixed - all is well. Arrived in Miami after a lovely cruise!

Colin says hi - you’re one of his favorite people!

The cruise on the Legend has been great. Today things have shifted a bit. The seas have gotten very rocky and we were not able to dock in Costa Maya since the pilot refused to get on the ship. We are heading to Cozumel and will dock there at 4 pm today for an overnight stay. Also, the air conditioning is out for much of the ship - in addition, the mid ship elevator has not worked since we left port on embarkation day.

The towels and books are there early and then the people show up a few hours later. By lunch all the chairs are full

We are currently on the legend with 232 passengers. This is the first time in all of my Windstar voyages that I have actually encountered the chair hog phenomenon. There are lots of sun loungers but most are in the full sun. The pool men said I should probably get there at 6 am. By 8 am all the “shade” chairs have been “saved”. So a full ship may be problematic in a very warm climate.