Del Rio

While a couple of comments mention breakfast never changing, I wish to add my soft disagreement with that view.

Not only is the french toast always excellent, it is always either filled or made with a specialty bread.  Since it was different at least 5 times each sailing, it was my staple...especially the mascarpone stuffed and the banana bread type.

On the rare occasions I passed on the french toast, the made to order omelette always arrive exactly the way I ask for it.  (I pass on the blueberry.)

We are repeat Windstar sailors, coming back onboard at least twice in 2023.  I talk about the mascarpone in the french toast often.

I do not have the answer to your question and from past experience, I would consider this a fluid topic with likely differing answers clear up until the ship is underway and you can ask a staff officer.  So considering that, I believe you would not have a clear answer soon enough to consider the AM flight option.  Personally, I would not risk it.

My answer is actually related to the alternative we took on our last sailing out of Tahiti in January 2020.  We did not rush to disembark.  We rented a car and circumnavigated the island for a very lazy day.  This included some very out of the way stops for some outstanding waterfall viewing.  We are not day room inhabitants.  In some places like Venice we have spent the departure day with the world's longest "people watching" brunch possible.  Both exploring in Tahiti and people watching in Venice have become some of our fondest travel memories.  We are never in a hurry to make the "first flight home". 

On 9/28/2021 at 6:41 PM, travelovingnurse said:

Hi,

Which Dreams of Tahiti shore excursion do you recommend on Huahine? 

The choices are:

E-Bike

Sacred Sites and Legendary Places

Scenic Huahine by ATV

4x4 Nature Adventure

Snorkeling Expedition

Safari Expedition

We aren't really interested in a Pearl Farm and Pottery tour, so I am not sure about the Safari Expedition since that is featured in the description.  

I appreciate your help!  

We last sailed Windstar in Tahiti in January 2020 (just under the COVID wire).  This was my third trip to Huahine (last over 20 years ago) but first for my wife.  We did go on the Safari Expedition and really enjoyed it. 

We did not go for the stops, as much as we went because it was the best tour for a sense of the relaxed, low key nature of this island.  I wanted to share with my wife why this is the most likely spot in the whole world to lower my blood pressure.  Our guide and the nature of the overall excursion delivered what I expected.  Side note: We also stopped at a vanilla plantation, where we got the best vanilla we have found in a long time.

Our second choice would have been Sacred Sites and Legendary Places.  Hope this helps.

18 hours ago, piedpiper99 said:

I posted in another thread.  There is another option.  It is $70 for two tests.  It is on the united site under testing to return to the USA. You buy the test in the USA.  Bring it with you.  You do the test in your room.

 

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/covid-testing.html#provider  (Look under return flights to the USA, and click the link for a two pack.)

 

It is FDA approved AND can be used to get back into the USA.

If you do this with the test kit, in your room, how does the test sample get evaluated in the app?  My phone or tablet is connected to the internet, but it doesn't have a suction tube to send a sample to the lab.

5 hours ago, a flygirl said:

Thanks , I got an email today clarifying that we can book our own excursions but really there is not much out there. I'm on Viator etc but was hoping for a local guide and local car in some of the ports. It is always a win win that way. If anyone has any old posts or info to share it would be greatly appreciated.

Stopping in Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini , Monevasia and Nafplio.

Thanks 

Consider "Tours By Locals"  An outstanding group of independent tour guides, as part of a very hands-on operation out of BC, Canada.  You can often find exactly what you are looking for, and sometimes you can find a guide offering something similar to your ideal preference, who will be able to converse with you by email to customize what you want.  The details are really a one-on-one discussion, with the guide you have chosen.  I have used them in Italy, Portugal and Japan.  Try them for Greece.  Their link is https://www.toursbylocals.com.
 

32 minutes ago, LewiLewi said:

How are you able to find out about booked cabins? We used to be able to use Windstarwizard, but that is no longer available.

The information Mimi A has posted is available to Travel Agents who have authorized access to the Windstar reservation system.  BUT Cruise Critic does not want these forum pages to become tools for TAs to troll for your business.  I do not know if Mimi A is a travel agent, but she has been very helpful to many of us here.  Please do not jeopardize her membership in Cruise Critic.  The level of detail many are asking about here, is available from Windstar directly and a good travel agent.  Find a good TA and use them kindly, unless you prefer to book directly with Windstar.

minidonuts85 & Nearpost345 have offers up some very encouraging information.  Thank you to you both.

While I am not a lawyer, I have worked with "terms and conditions" related to transportation, travel and hospitality for over 35 years. And I must start with the statement "this is only one person's unconfirmed opinion", mine!

Windstar has every intention of getting their crews 100% vaccinated. If they don't, the risk to their row of dominoes is far too great.  BUT if they turn this into a public promise (in writing), it only takes one misstep to destroy their reputation (and future existence).  They know they are dealing with hundreds of crew members from far and wide.  Working for Windstar might be the best opportunity for these crew members to get vaccinated, considering many of them are from countries currently without an adequate vaccine supply.

Windstar is telling us they are "doing their best".  It is in their interest to do it perfectly.  But getting caught in a possible broken promise, outside of their direct control, is a bigger risk than they need to take.  I am very satisfied with the way Windstar has handled this.  There is no purveyor of a cruise experience higher on my list than Windstar.

1 hour ago, new_cruiser said:

The daily gratuity is $23.35 according to this page:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/all-inclusive-cruise-package/

The gift form has all the packages:

https://media.windstarcruises.com/media/plan_your_voyage/2019_gift_order_form.pdf

 

In the My Windstar page, (within the Windstar website) you can read or download a copy of the "Setting Sail" brochure (you do not need to be a registered/reserved patron to gain access to this page).  It lists the daily automatic gratuity as $14.50.  The $23.35 seems to include the automatic gratuity, and likely bar service gratuities...together.  I guess listing this amount just lets Windstar make the "all-in package" look like a better value.

I have attached the current pdf of the "Setting Sail" brochure.  The gratuity information is on page 13.

Settiing Sail (3-4-21).pdf

With smaller ships the availability can often change faster.  The ideal cabin you saw last night, is gone this morning.  And smaller cruise lines, like Windstar, would prefer you keep an active conversation going with your TA or an inside customer service rep.

In most cases TA can see these numbers as fast as an inside rep. can.  If your TA cannot (or will not) tell you what's available, it may be time for a new TA.

We have now been on the Star Pride and Star Legend (and Wind Spirit).  We truly prefer having  the living room area on the window/balcony side (have done both).  Since wife tends to sleep in later than I do, I can pull the divider curtain and enjoy the world outside (plus day's news), while she continues to sleep. Having the seating area near the window is also pleasant when friends (old and new) drop by to visit sometimes before heading off to dinner.

For some, this type of seating with a view is what the Yacht Club is all about.  And I agree, but not until I have delivered wife's coffee; which usually means 30-45 minutes later.  However, by that point I have usually been to the Yacht Club at least twice before she is up, for refills.

This flip of the bed and seating mostly started with the river cruise lines.  I suspect it will not be that popular on Windstar motor yachts, even though it also common on the Windstar sailing vessels, with more portholes and fewer large window, or french balonies.

Hint for early "coffee runner" husbands: Cabins near the forward elevator and stairs (near 418, 518 or 614 area), give you an express route to the Yacht Club.

We had the pleasure of sailing on Wind Spirit in Tahiti, January 2020 (just under the wire).  My 3rd visit to French Polynesia, but a first for my bride (of 14 years).  While this was our 4th Windstar sailing, it was our first where we actually arrived with nothing planned.  We really were working toward "island bums".

Huahine is one of my favorite "just get to know the locals" places anywhere.  25 years ago I stayed there for a week in a pension and loved it.

We selected the most relaxed just "meet some locals" excursion available. The Safari Expedition (a Windstar excursion), which mostly visited small places (including a pearl farm and a small vanilla drying house) traveled with only 8 people per truck.  I felt like it was something simple to share with my wife and she loved it.  Our guide was a middle aged lifelong local, and she was 100% "local girl".  We would have put up with her just driving and talking all day.

This excursion may not be for folks looking to be dazzled each day, but we really enjoyed this day of feeling local. 

The announcement I saw, on Friday evening, says the move is scheduled for June 2022, not this summer.

There are likely a score of fairly good reasons to make this move.  But here, to my way of thinking, is the most encouraging aspect of this move.  For Xantera to make this decision is a clear indication that Windstar is prepared to survive the challenges of the past year and keep doing what they do best.

Many folks have said they were worried about Windstar continuing post-COVID, based on the expense of operating a small fleet.  I have personally felt very positive about the strength of Windstar, Xantera, and the Anschutz family's interest in all their travel holdings.

An operation considering a sale or consolidation with another cruise line, would not be announcing a major move 15 months in advance.  I believe Windstar will continue to deliver what we expect.  My only current regret is that my next Windstar sailing is likely not until January, 2022.

21 hours ago, Petoonya said:

I'm singing tonight! Finally, appt for first vaccine next Thursday!

I'm getting the Moderna vaccine which my crazy, but highly educated neighbor believes is going to implant probes in me, hee hee.

Along with our county health department running three large shot clinics, a couple of our local chain pharmacies are also doing daily (by appointment) shot clinics. Got shot 1 (Maderna vaccine), two weeks ago at CVS.  Only a sore arm for about a day.  I did not notice any implanted probes, but I now hear the weekly CVS radio ad in my head, every night as I fall asleep.

5 hours ago, LewiLewi said:

Thank you so much. Is 532 also a twin bedded cabin?

According to the latest deck plan (the one I attached yesterday) 532 seems to also be available, configured as twin beds.  I suggest having your TA verify this with Windstar on Monday.  Because there are so few of the new additional cabins setup that way, I would not wait too long to decide.

On 2/19/2021 at 5:19 PM, LewiLewi said:

We are ready to book the new Star Legend for a Nov. 2021 cruise, however, we are really confused as to what cabin to book. We want a Balcony Cabin with beds that can separate into twins. Our TA spoke with Windstar and told us that cabin 533 is available. We looked at the new plan of the Star Breeze and saw that there is an x and a * next to this cabin. Does anyone know what these symbols mean? We could call our TA again, but she doesn't seem to be able to get the correct information. We really would like to try a newly added on cabin. We are now thinking that we may be better off going with the last balcony cabin we had on Deck 6; at least we know what we are getting.

LewiLewi, the overall deck plan for all three Star Class yachts are nearly identical.  I have a copy of the latest post-stretch deck plan, which I have attached here.  This is a rather public copy of the Star Class deck plan.  I am surprised your TA did not have one on file to give you.  It is easy to download by TAs from the Windstar trade site.

Related to what you are looking for in a cabin: Most of the newly added cabins have the beds near the window or balcony.  And because of the location of the bed, most of those cannot be separated into twins.  533 is one of very few, which can.  553, 628 and 629 are also designed to make into twin beds.  Hope this helps!

Star Class Deck Plan (2-5-21).pdf

On 1/3/2021 at 5:50 AM, LewiLewi said:

Finally asked our TA to try to find out whether the cabins we were interested in had Queen beds only, had showers only, etc. Each time I looked at another deck,plan of the Breeze/Legend it indicated something else. I hope that the Windstar staff knows what is actually so. Will know in a few days.

The deck plan documents have been updated many time over the past 8-10 months (a hell of a year to extend and reconfigure three yachts).  The one I have attached here shows an October 2020 doc date in the lower right corner.  I have not found anything more current than this.  The file name here is nothing official. It is just how I have it file on my computer.  Hope this helps sort our some of your questions and concerns.

Star Class (all 3) Deck Plan (extended).pdf

We have been on Star class ship many times over the past 5 years (both in S1or 2 and BS)  We are likely to stick with the design with the bed near the bathroom.

Wife is the later sleeper on cruises, but I enjoy being at the window or balcony with my coffee and "morning news".  This gives her a darkened bedroom and me a "daybreak" window seat.  Yes, I could just go to the Yacht Club (and often have) but like to start the day in a quieter place. I love the conversation at the Yacht Club (I often start too much of it) but waiting for my wife always seems to feel best.

The bathroom is not hard to find either way.

On 6/19/2020 at 6:43 PM, Strenz said:

Fabulous Windstar, one of the reasons we have sailed so often with you. Great going.

Happy Future Sailing to all of us with WS.

For years now Windstar is our first travel choice, as much for the crews as for the experience.  The nature of how the crews are treated like family (and carry it out to passengers) is truly what makes our memories last forever.  sb44, thank you for posting the link to this blog.

19 hours ago, Petoonya said:

 

Still wondering if anyone has access to finding out cabin availability? Windstar Wizard hasn't worked for several months.

 

It's  probably not ethical to call WS anonymously if your TA has taken over the booking but I can't ask her to check everyday.....

 

I am really wondering about your relationship with your TA.  If they do not give you honest information, stop using them.  A TA who is registered with Windstar should be able to see cabin availability for any Windstar sailing.  The cannot give you direct access to the Windstar booking site, but it is not hard to provide you with a cabin list. (or read it off to you over the phone)

FYI: Windstar Wizard was someone's personal hobby.  It was not a Windstar Line site.

On 4/19/2020 at 1:47 PM, Petoonya said:

Unfortunately I bought my ATN through Qantas because I saved $1k. Qantas is a pain to deal with. 5-6h waits every time I call. I'll take a deep breath and call in a few more days. Thanks.

Petoonya, I am not sure how you bought ATN tickets via Qantas, and they may have some unusual "code share" arrangement.  But if that was not the case, here is some information which may help you.

The control of tickets, and how they can (or cannot) be cancelled, exchanged or refunded rests with the "ticketing carrier".  AND that is the carrier you should be able to discuss this with.  Take a look at the "ticket numbers" on your confirmation.  That number should be 3 digits followed by 10 digits (example 123-1234567890).  If the first 3 digits are "244" the actual "ticketing carrier" was ATN.  If the digits are "081", the tickets were issued by Qantas.  If it is 244, ATN should be willing to talk with you about this, but they still may not give you what you need.  Hope this helps.

3 hours ago, ridethetide said:

I sure hope so.  We are booked for Alaska the summer of 2021.

4 hours ago, RemPuck said:

Will Windstar still be around in summer 2021?

I also wish to see Windstar still around.

And I must say I am less concerned.  If Windstar was just Windstar, this all might be harder to live through.  But Windstar is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection; and Xanterra is part of The Anschutz Corporation.  Anschutz is one of the world's largest privately help business organizations.  I suspect this has not been a good year for the Anschutz family's holdings; but I think they can weather this.  I just hope they still enjoy owning Windstar, as much as most of us enjoy sailing with them.

On 2/2/2020 at 4:56 PM, kbr said:

Has anyone done this cruise in January?  There's a great price on a sailing in January 2021, but I"m concerned that it's the rainy season.

 

kbr, we were on the 1/2 to 1/9/2020 sailing.  A couple of 15 minute or less downpours, but not enough to slow us down.  The heaviest rainfall was actually on the afternoon of 1/9, when we circumnavigated Tahiti by rental car before our evening flight home.  Remember, when it is 90f degrees, you dry out faster than you expect...and enjoy the "wind chill". 

54 minutes ago, CanadianKate said:

Del Rio: There's a third kind of credit, that of compensation for our cancelled cruise. So I have one from the TA, one from WS as an apology and then 2x$500 that I assume is part of the Pick Your Perk promo. I'm guessing I qualify since I booked this cruise in December in response to the cancelled cruise. But there's no start date on that promo. 

The wording on my credits is exactly what I wrote which don't match what you described except for the perks one.

 

CanadianKate, thanks for the clarification, related to the cancelled sailings.  Since the original comment in this thread was about frustration over what OBCs could be used for gratuities, that was the path I was following.  I know the cancelled cruises can make this a more complex issue.

48 minutes ago, milepig said:

Actually, it adds a third kind of credit and 

asked things even murkier. 
 

What is “Prepaid shipboard credit”?? 
 

and how are we supposed to know the difference between WS OBC and TA OBC??  All I ever know is when my TA sends the “”you’re booked and have $xxx in OBC.” Nothing about from him vs. WS. 

There are only two types of credit, regardless of what name a passenger or cruise line may use for them.

• Promotional credit is the kind the cruise line (might) give you as some type of incentive for buy their cruise.
• Prepaid credit is the type someone had to actually pay for and then "gift" to you.  (Sort of like a gift card.)  Almost every cruise line will let someone (including your TA) buy onboard credit.  When my daughter took a cruise for her honeymoon, I bought her some shipboard credit, by cc, before they left.

Either you do not use a TA; never get any shipboard credit from your TA; or are only trying to make an unusual point here.  If your TA gives you a "thank you gift" of $200 in onboard credit, they paid for it with real dollars.  I cannot imagine any travel agent NOT telling you that extra (or only) onboard credit on your account was  a "thank you gift from us, for your business".

We just returned (on January 10) from a wonderful 7 days on the Wind Spirit (our third Windstar cruise with many more to come.)

Whether you book directly with Windstar or with a TA, we all receive an email shortly before our cruise:

Subject line: Bon Voyage! Here are your travel documents for your upcoming Windstar Cruises trip.

Attached to that email is a pdf document  titled GTB Ticket.  I believe "GTB" stands for "Good To Board", but I am not sure and I have never bothered to ask.

While there is a lot of information, over about 10 pages, it is very easy to read on a desktop or laptop computer and as a pdf can be directly printed.  Here is the wording on this topic copied directly verbatim:

HOTEL SERVICE CHARGE (GRATUITIES)

A Hotel Service Charge (HSC) will be added to your onboard account.

This charge is per day per person and will be added and collected via

your onboard account. Promotion Shipboard credit cannot be applied

to the HSC charges. Prepaid Shipboard Credit can be applied to the

HSC charge.

This seems very clear to me.  And this information is provided before you board and again when you "preview" your account the day before disembarkation.  While typed comment on CC can be misunderstood, the tone of this discussion does bother me greatly.  So while I might be unclear about why this bothers some folks.  But I must say this:

If you (or we) can afford a Windstar cruise, I am very surprised that the added gratuity bothers you.  AND if Windstar clearly states the "promotion shipboard credit" cannot be used for this, why do you then see $14.50 per person, per day to be such a strain on our travel budget?