Windstar in the late pandemic world

[LJWECOC]

We just returned from 18 days aboard Wind Star (Costa Rica, Panama Canal and southern Caribbean (Caldera to Barbados). I just posed a review of the voyage but I wanted to post something here for those who are still hesitant about cruising.

 

We had just 50-60 guests on our b-to-b cruises. Ours was the first voyage of Wind Star after a brief COVID shutdown. We were hesitant but decided to go anyway. It was possibly the nicest cruise we have ever been on. With so few guests, we met, had drinks, dinners and socialized with almost all of them. 

 

COVID restrictions (masks, social distancing and testing) were not so severe as to spoil the voyage. We were tested a couple of times, including pre-boarding, mostly due to port requirements. We had zero positive COVID cases during the entire trip. The Windstar open bridge policy was suspended and there were no special dinner with the ships officers. All officers and crew were masked except when occasional guests insisted on seeing their smiling faces. Apart from those minor limitations, the cruise was really quite normal and absolutely worthwhile.

 

Ports are really hurting. Many shops are closed entirely. It may be a long time before they recover.

[RlyLvn]

Thank you so much for your post. Glad to hear you had a great trip. So sad for the ports.

[salmn]

We are looking at that same cruise for 2023.  Where can I find the review you posted?

3 hours ago, LJWECOC said:

We just returned from 18 days aboard Wind Star (Costa Rica, Panama Canal and southern Caribbean (Caldera to Barbados). I just posed a review of the voyage but I wanted to post something here for those who are still hesitant about cruising.

 

We had just 50-60 guests on our b-to-b cruises. Ours was the first voyage of Wind Star after a brief COVID shutdown. We were hesitant but decided to go anyway. It was possibly the nicest cruise we have ever been on. With so few guests, we met, had drinks, dinners and socialized with almost all of them. 

 

COVID restrictions (masks, social distancing and testing) were not so severe as to spoil the voyage. We were tested a couple of times, including pre-boarding, mostly due to port requirements. We had zero positive COVID cases during the entire trip. The Windstar open bridge policy was suspended and there were no special dinner with the ships officers. All officers and crew were masked except when occasional guests insisted on seeing their smiling faces. Apart from those minor limitations, the cruise was really quite normal and absolutely worthwhile.

 

Ports are really hurting. Many shops are closed entirely. It may be a long time before they recover.

 

[Strenz]

Thanks for your review. On the Dec. 18 th cruise we also found it great despite being canceled two days before the end. My word was joyous, everyone was happy crew and pax a like. Trying for the third time Rome/Malta 10/6/22, fingers crossed. Happy Sailing.

[6rugrats]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/windstar-cruises/cl/

[Cometman]

On 2/17/2022 at 6:18 PM, LJWECOC said:

We just returned from 18 days aboard Wind Star (Costa Rica, Panama Canal and southern Caribbean (Caldera to Barbados). I just posed a review of the voyage but I wanted to post something here for those who are still hesitant about cruising.

 

We had just 50-60 guests on our b-to-b cruises. Ours was the first voyage of Wind Star after a brief COVID shutdown. We were hesitant but decided to go anyway. It was possibly the nicest cruise we have ever been on. With so few guests, we met, had drinks, dinners and socialized with almost all of them. 

 

COVID restrictions (masks, social distancing and testing) were not so severe as to spoil the voyage. We were tested a couple of times, including pre-boarding, mostly due to port requirements. We had zero positive COVID cases during the entire trip. The Windstar open bridge policy was suspended and there were no special dinner with the ships officers. All officers and crew were masked except when occasional guests insisted on seeing their smiling faces. Apart from those minor limitations, the cruise was really quite normal and absolutely worthwhile.

 

Ports are really hurting. Many shops are closed entirely. It may be a long time before they recover.

We are doing that cruise in November. Hopefully most restrictions will be lifted by then. Thanks for the Write-up!