elklemi

I was very happy with large window but admit I spent the day on deck so I could see the canal from different views. To me a balcony would not be ideal as I like to be out on deck. I enjoy a balcony when at sea to enjoy viewing the water. My cruise was discounted so I felt it was worth the experience especially since it was on a smaller ship. In the cabin you could not hear the canal commentary provided by Windstar which was full of great information. Hope this helps with your planning.

I have used Coral Breeze twice to go to Caye Caulker and they dropped me off before they went snorkeling and i met them when they returned and then back to ship.  They did a great job and we had plenty of time to eat, drink, and enjoy the island.  Caye Caulker is special.

Close to the split is Sip and Dip bar which we enjoyed more than the Lizard.

I sailed Tahiti few years ago and all I remember is the Hinano Tahiti beer which I really enjoyed. Hope you find what you are looking for on board.

I have done that on my first Windstar cruise but I liked room service as I did not have to get dressed up and was very relaxing.

On 3/6/2024 at 4:54 PM, SeaSirenVoyager said:

This is great to know, where did you go with Star Clippers? What cruise and when was it? What was the itinerary, it definitely helps to get a better picture. I know, I am asking many questions, I am just trying to learn from you.

I have used Star Clipper no solo add on for 5 cruises, 4 to Caribbean and 1 to Costa Rica.  Not a regular cruise line but I loved them and you can go to their website and look under specials for no solo add on, not as many listed as in years past but doable.

From my earlier post I was on the Motor Yacht Star Pride thru Panama Canal in March, they did have a meet and greet the first night for the solo passengers and there were 8 of us who attended. I am very much like you and enjoy quiet meals and reading and viewing the water.  The redesigned star pride has the grill on upper deck near the bar and is open for all meals and is easy to use for a meal without dressing up or dealing with crowds.  I also used the room service one night when I just wanted to be in my room and they took my order and quickly brought my entire order and was so relaxing. I ate dinner one night in Amphora dining room with a couple I met the first day and enjoyed dinner with them just do not care to sit at a table with 6-8 others for dinner. I have enjoyed being solo on Windstar and I think you will have no problem fitting as from what you described, enjoy your cruise.

Going January 18, that is close but know you all will enjoy as this is a great itinerary, enjoy.

Called yesterday to book Treasure Islands for January and after 5 Star Clipper cruises my date does not have the 0 single supplement which is a big disappointment.  And to add on they did have $500 OBS but since I am single I only get $250. So be sure to double check your dates to see which trips have the no single supplement.

On 3/26/2024 at 11:06 AM, hobbsie65 said:

Thanks John for the review & I hope you are well. I was just about to book this cruise next February but after reading your review we booked the treasure island cruise again as we loved the itinerary last time.   

I just booked Treasure Islands for January so I will get our spots ready for y'all.

46 minutes ago, hobbsie65 said:

Thanks John for the review & I hope you are well. I was just about to book this cruise next February but after reading your review we booked the treasure island cruise again as we loved the itinerary last time.   

Glad you all are still travelling and agree the treasure island itinerary is a winner.  When you go have a cold Carib for me. 

7 hours ago, oakridger said:

Thanks so much for the review @elklemi. 

 

Do you mind sharing what your cabin number was as you mentioned it was forward and you felt movement each night.

 

I'll be on Star Breeze and had to move to a slightly more forward cabin than I originally booked due to the January/February 2025 cancellations. (maintenance location moved from New Zealand to Central America)

 

~Nancy

Sorry for not mentioning the cabin number (403) OakRidger, I intended to but skipped my mind. Always glad to connect with a fellow Ridger, and FYI Tuesday March 19, was 70th anniversary of the official opening of the gates of Oak Ridge. I was only  two years old so do not remember that but memory banks do seem to recall going with my Mom to the gates to vouch for my uncle to come visit. Great place for a kid to grow up, enjoy your Breeze cruise next year.

On 3/14/2024 at 2:44 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

Please copy your review and post it here as a thread.  Many of us in the Boards community don't read the Reviews.

Here is link, I hope it proves helpful to anyone who is thinking of making this itinerary next year  Here is a link to your review.

Realize the Panama Canal-Aruba season is over, but I just got off Star Pride Saturday and spent a few days on Aruba, if anyone is considering this itinerary for next year ana has any questions I will be glad to try and help as I could find little to no information.  I will do a review on Cruise Critic hopefully this weekend.

In Nassau I would always go the Bearded Clam Bar right as you get off the ship, it is located in an alley between two buildings and there is a sign on the street, cracked conch is really good, cold Kalik and Sands.

On 10/2/2023 at 1:49 PM, jsglow said:

You've missed out on some incredible places Tom.  Honesty, the tenders on HMC, PC and Cabo are a total breeze moving hundreds of folks quite quickly to and fro. Sure there's a line for the late afternoon ones returning to the ship. But it moves well. Belize is a bit of a challenge because of the distance to shore only. And try Dun Laoghaire (Dublin) Ireland sometime in lifeboat #6. TOTALLY different story.

 

All this is a wonderful reason why small ship cruising is the bomb. In my world, you haven't really lived until you've done a wet landing on Jost van Dyke, currency in your swim trunks, and on your way to the Soggy Dollar Bar. Paradise. 

I totally agree with Jost Van Dyke or Bequia on Star Clipper or Windstar is the ultimate small island getaway that beats the major cruise lines private islands.

Thank you for this information, makes my planning more comfortable.

Thank you for helping

Sailing from Charleston soon and will stay in Mt Pleasant befroe cruise and have 10:00-10:30 check in time and can anyone help with what time I should schedule Uber to get to port in time?  thanks to all

All perks listed are good and I take advantage of them but priority departure to tenders is great especially for Half Moon Cay or Princess Cay and priority departure from ship at end of cruise is also welcome especially if you drive to port.  Enjoy your cruise.

I saw sign indicating uber and taxi service but sorry I did not look for any on site so hope someone who uses taxi can help you out.

Got off Elation on December 7 and was pleased to see they have facial recognition in effect, as you get into terminal there are two lines, one for passport and one for non passport, having passport you walk to line of cameras and it scans you image and you get luggage and exit terminal.  If you have gone out of Jacksonville before and those long, long lines CBP this is best news, you get off so fast I was amazed and hope all ports are now using this technology.

This can help in your cruise planning in the future.

I have sailed solo on one Windstar cruise and have another booked for March and do not remember  any type of get together.  Fellow passengers are friendly and presented no issues for me.

paying double as a solo but only getting half the credit.

I did not see anybody offering tours into town but if one was interested you could probably ask the guy who checks your S&S card at the gate and he may direct you or know who to contact.

Always nice to hear from a fellow "Ridger", What a great place to grow up and a unique story.  I feel certain you will enjoy your Windstar cruise as I have.  I will be on look out for your "name" when on the boards.