cooee

Just an extra word of helpful advice for any UK guests who may be driving down to the Cutty Sark Gardens or getting a taxi from their home.

Our local taxi firm and driver were not familiar with the exact location and our journey summary (received a few days before leaving) did NOT include a post code.

The ‘chat’ line couldn’t find one and then gave us the one for North Greenwich Pier!
 

I scoured this forum and found a similar discussion, thankfully.

The post code for sat navs is: SE10 9HT.

There are plenty of Viking staff in hi-viz jackets around at the taxi drop-off and baggage handlers quickly take the luggage.

‘Just a short walk to the building where you are processed then an Uber Clipper to the ship.

We’ve arrived in Bergen today after a lovely cruise.

The weather was mixed.

The stops at the Lofoten Islands and Olden were amazing.

On 7/17/2022 at 1:14 AM, SempreMare said:

Very helpful!  Even though it’s closed, it’s still listed on Google maps.

 

One word of warning though –

 

There are 2 permanently closed Byron‘s burgers in Greenwich.  

• Both are near Nandos.
• Both are near what look like major Piers
• Only one however is near the Cutty Sark. 
   

Make sure you navigate to the building near Cutty Sark if you’re using a closed Byron‘s Burgers for the Google maps Viking check in address.

 

This is where all luggage is dropped off, correct?  
In other words, i  would not  need to check in there and then take luggage to a secondary location?
 

 

Well, that explains why we haven't received anything from Windstar. This is our first cruise with WS and we were expecting the same type of documents and luggage tags along with shore information as we've received from Seabourn and Oceania.

 

Not sure if there is more than one cruise terminal in Barbados but will find out. We sail on 2 December which is fast approaching!

Yes, no tags sent. Just print off your WS confirmation email which arrives a short time before you sail.

At the terminal, they have a WS desk with your details to match up.

When we went from Barbados, we took a taxi to the cruise terminal which is also next to the bus station.

We went inside the departure hall, found the Wind Star meeting point where we were checked in, had our luggage tagged and kept to one side and were given a time to come back and wait for the minibus to take us round to the ship.

Boarding doesn't start until 1pm so we had an hour to look around the small selection of shops inside the terminal ........ 'nothing grand ....... 'like an indoor market place but handy if you need some last-minute items. We purchased our allowance of two bottles of wine to take on board from the duty-free shop.

You will have a wonderful time on you first WS cruise.

Enjoy!

:)

I signed up for the Thursday Specials by email but they have not been arriving now for about the past month. I'm wondering whether its been quietly dropped or whether its something to do with my email address? I tried re-registering with a different email address, but still nothing. Just wondering whether everyone else is still receiving these emails each Thursday?

Hello,

Since our last cruise, May 2017, neither my husband nor I have received ANY Windstar email-offers!

NO '7 for 7' ones, no 'Sales' ones.

We have tried signing up on the Windstar website again but, living in the UK, we can't add our post (zip) code!

We have emailed guest-relations and still nothing.

Anyone else missing emails?

We didn't disgrace ourselves on the cruise so, we don't think we've been crossed off their contact list!

Is anyone else in the same situation as we are? Since our last cruise (Star Pride, Rome to Barcelona, May 2017), we have not received a single email-offer from Windstar, no '7 for 7' deals, nothing.

We have tried signing up again on their site but ....... nothing.

Thanks. I'll definitely check the website weekly.

Agreed that is a nice touch to offer options after full payment. The last cruise on a larger line I booked with dropped the price 1 day after final payment was made and offered nothing. To cancel and rebook would have negated any savings. : (

Take a look on the Windstar website and in the Terms and Conditions, it explains what their Price Assurance Policy is, the number to call and what different options Windstar can choose to offer you.

Windstar chooses.

This way, you can book a cruise early, get the cabin etc. you want, and they will honour any price-drop with this price assurance policy.

You just have to be aware that you may lose some of the initial offers given at the time you first booked.

It's worked for us regarding the cruise we have booked.

What do roll calls have to do with the ability to book private tours?I've never participated in a roll call and I always book private tours.

Perhaps it's because SHARING a private, self-arranged tour would halve the cost if it was two couples instead of one.

We have organised 'shares' via roll calls before.

'Just a thought.

Hi Jemicruiser,

I will be on this sailing at the end of May, Barcelona to Lisbon.

Do you have any suggestions on ports visited or tours that

you enjoyed?

Any other tips would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Have you checked the postings on the Star Pride roll call . . . . . or whichever ship is doing this cruise?

(Sometimes, they swap the ships around.)

Also, I look back at past reviews on the review board and read what has been written about ports visited.

I think there may be another board about different ports.

We finish our cruise in Barcelona . . . . . . the day you begin!

Have fun!

Jnj

:)

I will hang on to my zip pouches. It's too bad but I guess that's the way of the world.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Here in the U.K., we get no paper documents or useful Windstar pouches! :(

All details are via email for us to print off.

It would be really good if Reception on board the ships had a supply of them to give on request!

I hope someone from Windstar is keeping up with these posts!

We still have our sturdy cotton Windstar bags from our first cruise on Wind Surf.

A few years later, they were made of much cheaper, flimsy fabric.

Still, the friendliness of the crew will not disappoint . . . . . or the lovely large staterooms on the three 'newer' ships, or the food, or the company! :):) :) :)

:)

I recommend looking on Tripadvisor on the Venice forums for information about the vaporettos, getting a 24/48-hour pass, where to buy them and how to use them.

(I think there's a site called Europe for Visitors too with a section on Venice which is very useful.)

Also useful to read other posts.

Very useful to be warned to validate your vap. pass BEFORE boarding or, approach the 'conductor' to have it done as we did because we saw no response from the ticket machine!

Heavy fine if caught out! :(

I am a newcomer to Windstar and checked the cruises and prices for this summer. There is one where I like the route and the prices. I ask my TA to proceed with the booking, only to be told the cruise is sold out. I check again on the Windstar website, and the cruise is still advertised with prices against all cabin categories.

Is this normal behavior for Windstar? Advertising on their own website products that are not available? Certainly disappointing from my perspective.

If you get a Windstar member to refer you as a newcomer, both parties get OBC!

I'll gladly refer you to get this offer!

Let me know.

Janey :)

I believe some cabins on the sailing ships are cheaper if they are 'aft' or on the lowest decks or next to the place where the 'gangway' is sited for embarking and disembarking.

We had one of the latter on the Wind Surf but didn't find it too inconvenient . . . . . . less walking!

:)

Hi Marama,

 

Indeed, Johan and I were 2 weeks on the Pandaw II for the Christmas-New Year cruise on the irrawaddy river in Myanmar in december 2012 !

It was a wonderfull rivercruise.

 

I've to confess something :)

I don't see / know how to accept your friend request on cruisecritic

 

But don't hesitate to email me on dhoogheralfatyahoodotcom

( pleace replace at by @ and dot by . )

 

Hoping to hear from you,

ralf

Hi,

Is this a recommended 'safe' way to give email addresses? What is the advice re sharing details to give help with referrals to people new to Windstar?

We had already booked to cruise on the Star Pride, Venice to Athens, August 2016, when we read the posts and threads relating to the unfortunate reef-incident December 2015.

Following that, the ship was out of commission until April 2016 undergoing repairs and further refurbishments scheduled after her purchase from Seabourn.

We were slightly anxious to say the least. :confused:

We need not have worried!

Having sailed previously on the Wind Surf and the Wind Star, I don't think we could give up the experience of the roomy staterooms . . . . . one can hardly refer to them as 'cabins' as they are so comfortable and larger than the sailing ships' cabins.

She looked very smart and sleek.

The new public areas are beautifully done.

The staterooms are newly-refurbished (although some of the marble bathrooms are dated but, in marble with twin hand basins!) and the walk-in wardrobe is an added bonus.

We loved the small balcony and being able to have the doors open.

We loved the staff and their polite friendliness.

We loved the dining experiences.

We loved the Star Pride so much, we have booked virtually the same room for the Rome to Barcelona cruise in May 2017!

Whatever problems the Windstar site is having, the crew on the ship will make up for it, I'm sure.

Bon voyage! :)

P.S. We asked to move cabin on the Wind Star due to the excessive engine noise outside our aft cabin on Deck 1.

Thanks, all! What time do most folks plan to arrive on board day of sailing? Any particular benefit to getting there early?

Embarkation time is usually 1p.m. . . . . well, that's what it's been on our previous three trips.

'Enough time to get checked in, fill in the paperwork and then go for lunch.

Re getting documents, tags and a Windstar document wallet: we live in the U.K. and we don't receive anything in the post.

We received an email with our cruise-detail-documents this week for our May 20th Star Pride Islands of the West Mediterranean voyage.

Jane :)

Does anyone know about this port? From my map the Vaparetto # 2 and 82 go the the San Basilio stop. There is a small bridge very close to the vaparetto stop and the terminal, does the Wind Surf dock right there or is it further away? I ask because my husband has 72 year old goalie, hockey knees, yes he still plays goalie 2-3 times a week. I know Venice well but have never been to the port and I hate taking water taxis because they are so utterly expensive. We leave from Venice on 5/15. Thanks and Happy Sailing.

Hello, Strenz,

We stayed on Murano for three nights before our Star Pride cruise last year (2016). We caught the vaparetto from there to Piazzale Roma and then, just further along the landing stage, caught the 5.1 to San Basilio.

The small bridge you mention has a gentle, covered walkway over it so no steps to lug suitcases over! There are attendants waiting to direct you to the large sheds right in front of you where the suitcases are dealt with and you go through security and hand-luggage scanning.

Then we had a short ride in the waiting minibus to the ship.

Back in1999, we sailed out of Venice on the Wind Surf . . . . . . dined on deck at Candles and it was a late-evening departure . . . . . a truly magical 60th birthday present!

Enjoy!

Jane :)

Hi all,

 

Just FYI, Windstar has updated their dress code for Candles and shorts are no longer allowed. Not a massive change, but if you are on the Wind Spirit or Wind Star sitting around the pool on a hot night for dinner, it is not really the most logical dress code update.

 

(Found this out on my last WS cruise)

I wonder if they will also update their menu and offer an option of a cheese plate instead of a dessert on the Candles' menu?!

Last August on the Pride, my husband asked, even though it wasn't on the menu presented, if he could have cheese as he's not a 'sweets' fan.

The waiter said he would have to check with the Candles' restaurant manager who then came and said, "Sorry, no, it was not possible."

Hmm, we wondered, so much for getting your every wish granted!

We also wondered what the big deal would have been for someone to pop along to the Amphora restaurant and get one.

We even debated going back to our room and ordering it from room service.

. . . . . 'very odd.

When we go next time, we may try to order it ahead!

I very much doubt this could happen due to security . . . . . . but, I may be wrong, however, if you go to the Cruise Critic site, there is a box:

'Search for a cruise ship'.

Scroll down to Windstar and put 'Star Pride' in.

There is a link to 904 photos taken recently.

The three Star-sister ships (Pride, Legend and Breeze) are virtually the same.

We were on the Star Pride last summer and loved it so much, we've booked for this Spring!

The most wonderful staterooms are standard and spacious . . . . . 277sq.ft. if I remember . . . . . and are like some 5* hotels re space, sitting room, walking-in wardrobe.

The staff are superb and the food delicious.

'Highly recommended.

:)

You nailed it. We live in a big world. There's plenty of opportunity to travel. Our preference goes to WS, but, we also sail Celebrity for value and cruise length. We canadian pay a 30% surcharge on WS.

Hi, can you please explain what you mean by 'We Canadians pay a surcharge of 30% on Windstar'?

We in the U.K. are now suffering, post Brexit . . . . . against our wishes! . . . . . from a weak £ against the $! :(

I agree about the charm of WS v. these bigger ships.

When we were back on board Star Pride at one port in Croatia (which we were docked at, at the quayside), we shook our heads at the LONG, seemingly-never-ending queue of people waiting in the hot sun to board a team of small tenders back to their ship anchored a short distance away.

These mega ships do not appeal to us but, each to his own.

Ride on, Windstar! Or rather, 'Sail on!'

:)

Can I ask why you paid in full for a May 2017 sailing? Unless it is a longer itinerary payment is due usually 90 days from sailing date.(penalty starting at 120 days). Did you use a TA? If so get them to deal with it. If not, then you need to call WS if that is who you used to book the cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There was a 'Flash Sale' in November 2016.

In it, the cruise we wanted was there, the right dates in 2017, the right ship and the right stateroom so, we went ahead and booked it.

The proviso was that the price on offer had to be paid in full.

This latest sale offers the same things for $400pp less!

It makes us wonder when IS the best time to book a cruise?!

I suppose that if one wants a particular cabin/deck then, waiting until the last minute offers. may mean you cannot guarantee that choice.

We will call them . . . . . . remembering that Seattle is 8 hours behind the UK!

:)

Noticed a substantial price drop today for our upcoming cruise on Wind Surf in May. Windstar reduced our fares without problem, couldn't of been easier. Kudos.

We have already booked and paid in full for our cruise on Star Pride May 2017.

Had you already paid in full?

Who did you contact to ask for the difference?

Can it only be done by 'phone as our emails are not being answered?

:)

We are keen to hear if others who have already booked and paid in full, have contacted Windstar re their Price Assurance Policy introduced earlier this year and asked for the difference.

The £ has suffered against the $ so, here in the U.K., we'd prefer reimbursement but, it looks like Windstar can choose.

When IS the best time to book a cruise?! :confused:

We are planning 3 nights/2 days in Rome before the Rome to Barcelona May 20th '17 cruise.

Has anyone who has done similar, got advice, tips or recommendations for:

1. A modestly-priced hotel convenient for sight-seeing?

2. Getting from airport to hotel: how? (preferably cab), cost? time?

3. What to do in two limited days?

4. Getting from hotel to port: how? (preferably cab), cost? time?

'Hoping someone who has done this reads this and answers! :)

The dw (Curly Montana) and I enjoyed our last Windstar trip so much we want to go again on another small ship adventure. :D We never repeat the exact same itinerary, so next time we want to go to Northern Europe, probably on the Wind Surf on "Gaelic Explorers" (Dublin to Edinburgh, or vice versa).

 

I'd love some advice on pre- and post-cruise lodging and exploration. Ideally, we'd stay about three nights both before and after the cruise, which will give us a wonderful 14-night land-cruise vacation. We would probably adore something low-key and charming, such as an old cottage B&B out in the countryside. Something right downtown in either city wouldn't work for me; I'm more of a 'Green Acres' kinda fella. But there certainly is a lot of merit to finding something within walking distance of nice attractions. I'm not too keen on driving on the wrong side of the road using a rental car. :p So I'd like a balance between something low-key/quaint/attractive and something convenient/near the action. A charming B&B might be lovely, but if it's totally lost out in the boondocks it might become pretty boring pretty fast.

 

What do you think folks? We have a long time to figure this out, but if anyone has discovered some lovely lodging gems out there somewhat near Dublin and Edinburgh I'd like to hear about it. I can start daydreaming. :)

Hello, I sent an email to your email address given on your post about Slovenia.

Subject: Cruise Critic Member.

Has it ended up in your Spam box, perhaps?!

Cooee.

Okay guys. We all know that Windstar is awesome, right? At least that's true for all you veteran Windstar devotees, and now I can put myself on that list. We did the “Venetian Passageways” cruise from Venice to Athens, 9 nights on board the Star Breeze, starting on September 30th. This was a second choice for us, because we originally were bound and determined to do that sailing thing on board the Wind Surf. And I think all of us would agree, she is an extraordinarily beautiful ship. But then came the proverbial moment when "they made me an offer I cannot refuse" -- an extra night on an all-suite motorized yacht, with all the bells and whistles -- and all that for several hundred dollars less. Go figure. But we will sail on Wind Surf the next time around.

 

Our only headaches were at the beginning and end of the cruise, and in both cases Windstar was blameless. Have any of you gone through the nut roll of getting from the Venice port entrance to San Basilo Passenger Terminal? When we arrived at the gate, the guard refused to let our shuttle driver continue to the terminal. We had no idea how to get a taxi (water or land version), and so with the weather being perfect we hoofed it. That's one LONG epic walk. So here's TIP No. 3. If you don't already have a pre-paid transfer set up with Windstar, find out how to get to Piazza Roma to hire a taxi, or figure out how to find the vaporetto line and go by water. That'll save you from getting drenched on a rainy day, or sweating buckets on a real scorcher.

 

And what was the problem at the end of the cruise, you might ask? Athens, that's what. Athens is, in my opinion, a dump. In my experience it’s run-down, grimy, and burdened with lots of economic turbulence these days. I think it has very little redeeming value to start with. One day before we were supposed to disembark, we heard the stunning news that Greek air traffic controllers were going on strike. We almost became stranded in country for several days. Windstar's staff busted their collective fannies to try to help us make alternative plans. KUDOS, Windstar!!!!! And then about three hours before the deadline, negotiators made a deal and the strike was called off. By then, the damage had been done. It was enough uncertainty for Air Canada to blink, and because they pre-emptively cancelled our flight it caused us a one-day delay in getting home. But things could have been much worse. So what's the moral of the story? TIP No. 4. If you have a choice, avoid Athens, at least until economic conditions improve. The Western Mediterranean is much more stable from what I've seen. Book that cruise on board Wind Surf, and enjoy a stress-free trip from Venice to Rome.

Thank you for your comprehensive blog! 'Lots of great ideas and tips!

We did the Venetian Passageways on Star Pride at the end of August . . . . a hot and busy time but, limited by work . . . . . and it was a delight!

Re transfers to the San Basilio dock in Venice: I did much research on TripAdvisor and got all the answers there plus, a site called Europeforvisitors and click on 'Venice'.

There are forums and plenty of tips and advice if you take time to look through the posts.

We stayed for three nights, pre-cruise, on the island of Murano. We loved the fact that it was a quiet escape from the crowds.

We also had three days in Athens, post-cruise, as we had never been there before and took the opportunity to explore.

J. :)