HotRoot Posted October 1, 2017 #26 Share Posted October 1, 2017 [ There is also info in the St. Maarten forum on this site that they are planning to accept their first cruise ships in the beginning of November. Talked today with the owner of a condo we usually rent in St. Martin - Princess Heights. He said there are only three hotels open and all three are housing emergency workers. He was told to not plan on coming to his condo until February at the earliest. He has refunded our deposits for November and February. The information he is getting is that tourists will not be allowed until later. Our opinion is they are being hopeful for the beginning of November but realistically, it probably won't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauertea Posted October 2, 2017 #27 Share Posted October 2, 2017 We just heard from our intended hotel in St. Martin. They cancelled our reservation for late November. Unfortunately I think St. Martin will out of commission for awhile Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgesmom Posted October 2, 2017 #28 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is that the megaships mostly operate out of US homeports. Windstar (and maybe other small ships) is in a unique position where the ships home port in various islands. That creates the difficult situation where the passengers are not only dealing with changes in ports, but also having to ascertain whether airports and hotels are open to get to the cruise. Trying to provision a ship in these ports is going to be a logistical nightmare, including dealing with employees coming on and off contract, medical situations and family emergencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotRoot Posted October 2, 2017 #29 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is that the megaships mostly operate out of US homeports. Windstar (and maybe other small ships) is in a unique position where the ships home port in various islands. That creates the difficult situation where the passengers are not only dealing with changes in ports, but also having to ascertain whether airports and hotels are open to get to the cruise. Trying to provision a ship in these ports is going to be a logistical nightmare, including dealing with employees coming on and off contract, medical situations and family emergencies. I know RCCL and Carnival both have a ship using San Juan as their home port. I also believe Disney has a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoeto Posted October 2, 2017 #30 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I know RCCL and Carnival both have a ship using San Juan as their home port. I also believe Disney has a ship. In November 2017 - 2 RCCL, 1 Carnival, 1 Celebrity, 1 Norwegian, 1 Viking, and 1 Windstar ships will be home porting out of San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgesmom Posted October 2, 2017 #31 Share Posted October 2, 2017 In November 2017 - 2 RCCL, 1 Carnival, 1 Celebrity, 1 Norwegian, 1 Viking, and 1 Windstar ships will be home porting out of San Juan. So do all the rest of the mainstream lines' ships operate out of US homeports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted October 2, 2017 #32 Share Posted October 2, 2017 A lot of airlines are waiving change fees. The difference in airfare may be an issue, however. As well as capacity. If the airlines are smart, and if the airports have slots available, they'll monitor the changes in cruise itineraries and add more capacity onto certain routes to accommodate the extra traffic. Hotel rooms may be another issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted October 2, 2017 #33 Share Posted October 2, 2017 So do all the rest of the mainstream lines' ships operate out of US homeports? Puerto Rico is a US port so the ships operating out of PR are operating out of a US homeport. Of course, ships operate out of non-US home ports in Europe and Asia. So, is your question which mainstream lines operate Caribbean cruises with home ports other than the contiguous US states? BTW, my one mainstream line cruise was a Celebrity cruise out of Puerto Rico. I much prefer those itineraries because one has the option of hitting more ports and the port times are much better. I recall that when I looked some of the cruises leaving out of Florida would have a port or two with short or fairly useless port times (e.g. an evening visit that limited the options on land). Also, since many of the cruises leave Florida on Saturday or Sunday and go to the bigger ports, they end up visiting the islands on very busy port days with big crowds. When we cruised on Celebrity out of PR, the ship was the only big ship in port, sometimes there might be one or two of the smaller ships there with us. The ports were lovely and uncrowded. Cruises out of PR can plan on visiting the most heavily used ports on days when the other ships are at sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgesmom Posted October 2, 2017 #34 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Puerto Rico is a US port so the ships operating out of PR are operating out of a US homeport. So, is your question which mainstream lines operate Caribbean cruises with home ports other than the contiguous US states? . Sincere apologies on that one. I once had a waitress refuse a Puerto Rican quarter after telling me they didn't accept foreign currencies! I guess I was thinking about the American mainland ports along the Gulf of Mexico that service the Caribbean, and while damaged in Harvey and Irma, are nowhere near as devastated as the islands have been. :o I hope I'll do better in the future sharing thoughts from my aging brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoeto Posted October 2, 2017 #35 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I spoke to WS today- we are booked on the Dec 2 sailing out of SJU- and they said that they will know more about changes on Monday. With the exception of Montserrat, the entire itinerary will probably change. Virgin Gorda, St Bart's and Jost Van Dyke are surely off the schedule and I would assume that Vieques is also out. We are hoping to cancel and are happy to just get credit towards a future cruise but at this point WS is telling us to wait a bit longer. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Any updates from Windstar today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauertea Posted October 2, 2017 #36 Share Posted October 2, 2017 checked with Windstar today about further changes to Saints of the Caribbean sailing on November 18 from Barbados. The itinerary included a new stop at Dominica but that seems unlikely. They had no additional information at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted October 3, 2017 #37 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Sincere apologies on that one. I once had a waitress refuse a Puerto Rican quarter after telling me they didn't accept foreign currencies! I guess I was thinking about the American mainland ports along the Gulf of Mexico that service the Caribbean, and while damaged in Harvey and Irma, are nowhere near as devastated as the islands have been. :o I hope I'll do better in the future sharing thoughts from my aging brain. My apologies too. Rereading my post, it sounds snarky which I didn't intend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauertea Posted October 3, 2017 #38 Share Posted October 3, 2017 The map for Saints of the Caribbean now shows stops in Grenada and Anse Matin in Martinique, however the printed itinerary stills shows Dominica and Grande Anse d'Arlet in Martinique. I think things are still very chaotic at Windstar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoeto Posted October 3, 2017 #39 Share Posted October 3, 2017 The map for Saints of the Caribbean now shows stops in Grenada and Anse Matin in Martinique, however the printed itinerary stills shows Dominica and Grande Anse d'Arlet in Martinique. I think things are still very chaotic at Windstar. At least they are updating this itinerary. The Star Pride - San Juan and the Virgin Islands itinerary has not been updated at all and still has all the islands that were in Irma's direct path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiner5555 Posted October 3, 2017 #40 Share Posted October 3, 2017 We're booked on the Classic Caribbean cruise on Nov.25th that was originally supposed to port out of St Maarten. We received an email on Sept 18 of the itinerary change due to Hurricane Irma. Had been waiting for another change due to Hurricane Maria. Never got an email, but noticed they changed itinerary and shore excursions on the website. The only change to the previously updated itinerary is now we're going to Martinique instead of Dominica. Hopefully there won't be anymore changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scubaqn Posted October 3, 2017 Author #41 Share Posted October 3, 2017 The map for Saints of the Caribbean now shows stops in Grenada and Anse Matin in Martinique, however the printed itinerary stills shows Dominica and Grande Anse d'Arlet in Martinique. I think things are still very chaotic at Windstar. At least this would be acceptable and avoid destroyed ports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauertea Posted October 4, 2017 #42 Share Posted October 4, 2017 Talked to Windstar again today and what I walked about with is that this is a small company trying to deal with the aftermath of not one but two apocalyptic hurricanes. The reps have all been very helpful with limited information. They are currently trying to reconstruct a number of arrival and departure ports for several itineraries. They told me that changes to mid itinerary cruise ports will follow hopefully next week. I think Windstar will do its best to provide the best trip possible in the face of course these extraordinary circumstances. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azcruise Posted October 4, 2017 #43 Share Posted October 4, 2017 My husband and I are on the Star Breeze from Nov 4 to Dec 2 - I haven't heard from my TA or WS, but another change just happened on the 18-Nov and 25-Nov sailings - Dominica is out, and we are now going to be in Martinique on 23-Nov, and Grenada on 24-Nov. On the second 7 days, it looks like we are going to Castries, St Lucia for the day on the 29th, then moving over to Pigeon Island to spend the night and the next day. Wednesday, November 29 Sailing Arrival Castries, Saint Lucia 9:00 AM Sailing Departure Castries, Saint Lucia 5:00 PM Sailing Arrival Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 8:00 PM Thursday, November 30 Sailing Departure Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 6:00 PM Friday, December 1 Sailing Arrival St. George'S, Grenada 8:00 AM Sailing Departure St. George'S, Grenada 2:00 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azcruise Posted October 4, 2017 #44 Share Posted October 4, 2017 We're booked on the Classic Caribbean cruise on Nov.25th that was originally supposed to port out of St Maarten. We received an email on Sept 18 of the itinerary change due to Hurricane Irma. Had been waiting for another change due to Hurricane Maria. Never got an email, but noticed they changed itinerary and shore excursions on the website. The only change to the previously updated itinerary is now we're going to Martinique instead of Dominica. Hopefully there won't be anymore changes. Today's itinerary shows two days in St Lucia instead of Martinique.... Wednesday, November 29 Sailing Arrival Castries, Saint Lucia 9:00 AM Sailing Departure Castries, Saint Lucia 5:00 PM Sailing Arrival Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 8:00 PM Thursday, November 30 Sailing Departure Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 6:00 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauertea Posted October 4, 2017 #45 Share Posted October 4, 2017 Just checked the itinerary on my cruise documents and indeed things have changed. Here is the latest for the Saints of the Caribbean sailing on the 18th. Saturday, November 18 Sailing Departure Bridgetown, Barbados 11:59 PM Sunday, November 19 Sailing Arrival Bequia, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines 10:00 AM Sailing Departure Bequia, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines 10:00 PM Monday, November 20 Sailing Arrival Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 6:00 PM Tuesday, November 21 Sailing Arrival Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 6:00 PM Wednesday, November 22 Sailing Arrival Basseterre, Saint Kitts - Nevis 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Basseterre, Saint Kitts - Nevis 4:00 PM Thursday, November 23 Sailing Arrival Anse Mitan, Martinique 9:00 AM Sailing Departure Anse Mitan, Martinique 4:00 PM Friday, November 24 Sailing Arrival St. George'S, Grenada 7:00 AM Sailing Departure St. George'S, Grenada 2:00 PM Saturday, November 25 Sailing Arrival Bridgetown, Barbados 4:00 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
put me on a ship Posted October 4, 2017 #46 Share Posted October 4, 2017 I just checked My Windstar for our Dec. 9 sailing on the Pride. Definitely changes in itinerary, and I love it! All new ports for us, except St. Lucia (which we love!) Saturday, December 9 Sailing Departure San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 PM Sunday, December 10 Sailing At Sea Monday, December 11 Sailing Arrival Anse Mitan, Martinique 9:00 AM Sailing Departure Anse Mitan, Martinique 10:00 PM Tuesday, December 12 Sailing Arrival Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 5:00 PM Wednesday, December 13 Sailing Arrival Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 10:00 PM Thursday, December 14 Sailing Arrival Little Bay, Montserrat 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Little Bay, Montserrat 4:00 PM Friday, December 15 Sailing Arrival Gustavia, St. Barthelemy 7:00 AM Sailing Departure Gustavia, St. Barthelemy 1:30 PM Saturday, December 16 Sailing Arrival San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_yvr Posted October 4, 2017 #47 Share Posted October 4, 2017 Nothing new on Dec 2nd Pride departure yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s_yvr Posted October 4, 2017 #48 Share Posted October 4, 2017 Stand corrected.. on Windstar's site in the account it shows this as the new itinerary Dec 2: Date Activity Description Passengers Saturday, December 2 Sailing Departure San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 PM Sunday, December 3 Sailing At Sea Monday, December 4 Sailing Arrival Anse Mitan, Martinique 9:00 AM Sailing Departure Anse Mitan, Martinique 10:00 PM Tuesday, December 5 Sailing Arrival Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia 5:00 PM Wednesday, December 6 Sailing Arrival Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Les Saintes Terre-De-Hau, Guadeloupe 10:00 PM Thursday, December 7 Sailing Arrival Little Bay, Montserrat 8:00 AM Sailing Departure Little Bay, Montserrat 4:00 PM Friday, December 8 Sailing Arrival Gustavia, St. Barthelemy 7:00 AM Sailing Departure Gustavia, St. Barthelemy 1:30 PM Saturday, December 9 Sailing Arrival San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J18ktleo Posted October 9, 2017 #49 Share Posted October 9, 2017 We are on the Windsurf Classic Caribbean Jan 20...have moved from St. Martin to Barbados, dropped Barbuda, St. Bart's, Dominica for Montserrat and Martinique. We were in Montserrat last year on Star Legend, very interesting but one time is enough!!! (just get off the ship and grab one of the cab/vans, drivers sitting around waiting...they do a great tour of the island...it's all you need!) Wondering where the Beach Party might be? Hoping for Martinique because they don't seem to have any excursions available for that port...anyone know how to determine? Fingers crossed the storms and devastation are done...this has been terrible to watch!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotRoot Posted October 10, 2017 #50 Share Posted October 10, 2017 We are on the Windsurf Classic Caribbean Jan 20...have moved from St. Martin to Barbados, dropped Barbuda, St. Bart's, Dominica for Montserrat and Martinique.We were in Montserrat last year on Star Legend, very interesting but one time is enough!!! (just get off the ship and grab one of the cab/vans, drivers sitting around waiting...they do a great tour of the island...it's all you need!) Wondering where the Beach Party might be? Hoping for Martinique because they don't seem to have any excursions available for that port...anyone know how to determine? Fingers crossed the storms and devastation are done...this has been terrible to watch!:eek: We are on the Pride out of San Juan with many of the same ports. When you just look at shore excursions, there are none for Martinique. When you use the already booked tab, they show Martinique excursions. You might want to see if that works for you. There is no description, just names and dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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