Wind Star vs. Silver Seas, Norwegian fyords cruise

[Sisa]

We are looking to go to Norway in the summer of 2023 for a cruise through the Norwegian Fyords, and are trying to decide between Wind Star vs Silver Seas. We are drawn to the itinerary from Wind Star, but the ship from Silver Seas seems a bit nicer. We have never been on either cruise line. It appears like Wind Star would be less formal, more active but less to do on the ship. Is that accurate? What would make you chose Wind Star over Silver Seas, or vice versa?

 

We are a healthy, active couple in our late 50s.

[acruisefan]

I have not been on that cruise as of yet but I have taken 7 cruises on Windstar and am about to book another. I’ve taken a Baltic cruise on Silversea on their largest ship which I think holds 600 people. You are comparing yacht to yacht for this cruise as Windstar sailing ships do not do this route.
Here are a few differences/ similarities:

Silverseas:

-a true luxury ship complete with room butlers.not that you really need a room butler …

-definitely more formal with some venues requiring a jacket. It is a ship that you will want to bring a cocktail dress or two.  

-Staff is amazing 

-With the larger ship (600 capacity ) there were numerous dining venues and areas to hang out. A few required an extra cost - all the meals were excellent though. They do have smaller ships (300 capacity?) so I can’t speak to those.

-food is amazing

-alcoholic drinks are included in cost - nice variety of wines to choose from

- it’s a very expensive cruise line. We got an amazing deal that included airfare with a very reasonable cost for an upgrade to business class and enough on board credits to cover our excursions 

-I’d go back in a hot minute but it’s usually really expensive.

-I was afraid that with the more formal atmosphere it would be a ‘stuffy’ less friendly feel but that was not the case.

- we went in a 7 day cruise and I really wished we had signed up for a longer cruise. I did not want to leave.

Windstar:

- it is a really nice line but is not the true ‘luxury’ class.
- the sailing ships are great - particularly in the Caribbean where they get to sail a lot. I have only been on one of their yacht once and it was before they were refurbished. T (which were purchased from Seaborne- another luxury line) 

- The atmosphere is casual, relaxed, friendly. No need for jackets, ties, cocktail dresses. Think country club casual with shirts, polos pants for men, and sundresses/ casual dresses or nice top & pants for women at night.

- wonderful friendly staff

- very good food, better than most of the big cruise lines - Princess etc.

- smaller ports to explore that big commercial ships cannot get into - might be true of the smaller Silversea ships, I’m not sure.

 

The choice for me it would come down to cost ….if pretty close I’d go for Silversea

[acruisefan]

One other difference - this is a pre-Covid one - on Windstar, when you walk into dinner in the main dining room (as a couple) they ask if you would like to share a table or have one to yourselves. We always like to share and meet new people if haven’t already arranged to dine with someone. The exception is the outdoor grill where you do need to make a reservation with the number in your party and can usually just do this once in a 7 day sailing.

 

On Silversea this is not the case so if you want to dine with someone else you do need to pre-arrange. Also, everywhere but the main dining room does require a reservation since the other dining venues are small .  

[avalong]

I believe the Windstar yachts have only French balconies, if that matters to you.

[milepig]

On 6/9/2022 at 7:17 PM, acruisefan said:

One other difference - this is a pre-Covid one - on Windstar, when you walk into dinner in the main dining room (as a couple) they ask if you would like to share a table or have one to yourselves. We always like to share and meet new people if haven’t already arranged to dine with someone. The exception is the outdoor grill where you do need to make a reservation with the number in your party and can usually just do this once in a 7 day sailing.

 

On Silversea this is not the case so if you want to dine with someone else you do need to pre-arrange. Also, everywhere but the main dining room does require a reservation since the other dining venues are small .  

 

They have returned to asking if you'd like to share a table. We always say yes.

 

I think that by "outdoor grill" you mean candles. Officially it is once in a sailing, but if you ask nicely they often have seats available and they'll book you again, I've also seen a dining manager walking around the bar area asking if you'd like to reserve a table, even though you've eaten there before.

[milepig]

On 6/10/2022 at 2:27 PM, avalong said:

I believe the Windstar yachts have only French balconies, if that matters to you.

Mostly true, but there are a few upper tier suites that have a real outdoor space.

[stcruise]

Tom and I were booked on the Aug 4, 2023 Norwegian Fyords Cruse.  Received this email on Tuesday:

 

June 28, 2022

To booked guests: Northern Europe, May 25 – October 2, 2023 departures

Subject:  Cancellations and changes to Northern Europe cruises

Dear,

The conflict in Ukraine has unfortunately upended our plans to sail in Northern Europe and the Black Sea. While we would prefer to leave the itineraries as originally planned, the situation is forcing us to make adjustments in 2023. As a result, we are changing the itineraries in the region to adjust select ports in some situations or change the itinerary completely in other situations.  Unfortunately, this means your cruise as booked is now cancelled. We hope you will consider rebooking one of our newly scheduled itineraries and you may find more information on these itineraries on our website in the coming days.

 

# DAYS	FROM	TO	DESTINATION	SAILING DATE
10	AMS	EDI	The Emerald Isle & Scottish Highlands	Thu, May 25, 2023
10	EDI	COP	Norway's Famous Fjords - Altered	Sun, Jun 04, 2023
11	COP	RJK	Lands of the Midnight Sun - Altered	Wed, Jun 14, 2023
7	RJK	RJK	Around Iceland	Sun, Jun 25, 2023
7	RJK	RJK	Around Iceland	Sun, Jul 02, 2023
7	RJK	RJK	Around Iceland	Sun, Jul 09, 2023
8	RJK	EDI	Far Flung Highlands	Sun, Jul 16, 2023
10	EDI	LON	Atlantic Archipelago Adventures	Mon, Jul 24, 2023
11	LON	COP	Norway's Famous Fjords - Altered	Thu, Aug 03, 2023

 

Due to this cancellation, we will offer you a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at 100% of monies paid to Windstar Cruises. Please allow four to six weeks to receive the FCC certificate. This certificate is valid for 24 months from the date of issue and can be applied towards a future Windstar cruise or you can request a refund if desired. Should you wish to transfer your canceled voyage FCC into a refund, you may do so once the FCC is received. Please follow directions on the FCC and request a refund within 24 months of receipt. Please note Windstar does not reimburse third party (non-Windstar) travel expenses or fees.

If you have questions or need additional information, please visit our website, contact your Travel Advisor or Windstar’s Vacation Planning Department at 800-258-7245. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:00am to 6:00pm (PST) and Saturday 7:00am to 3:30pm (PST). Due to increased call volumes, wait times may be longer than normal.

We are sorry for this disruption to your planned vacation, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard another Windstar cruise for a 180 degrees from ordinary experience.

Very truly yours,

 

Christopher Prelog
President
Windstar Cruises

 

We had decided to "go big" since it has been so long (Oct 2019) since our last cruise and had reserved #501 Classic Suite which does have a balcony.  Last time I checked this morning, they still had not posted the new cruises. Unsure what we will do - probably depend on the new itinerary and price.

Edited June 30, 2022 by stcruise

[new_cruiser]

On 6/30/2022 at 10:17 AM, stcruise said:

Tom and I were booked on the Aug 4, 2023 Norwegian Fyords Cruse.  Received this email on Tuesday:

 

 

How disappointing. We had several cruises cancelled during COVID and finally managed to get one last fall and I was able to do a solo this spring, but so much uncertainty remains. 

 

Which ship was this on? We have an August 20th cruise on Star Legend that starts in Dublin and haven't received any notice of change so I'm hoping it wasn't affected.

[stcruise]

This is for Star Legend - May 25 to Aug 4 2023.  So definitely plenty of notice.  As of this morning, they still had not posted the new itineraries, so I don't really expect to see anything until next week now that we are in a holiday weekend.  Such is the world of travel these days, need to be prepared for anything!

 

We originally scheduled this cruise in 2020, which of course didn't happen.  We were hesitant to schedule it for 2021, so we made plans for 2022.  Then because of family obligations, we rescheduled for 2023.  Now it appears that it will be a longer cruise and depending on pricing, not sure if we'll be able to do it.  Won't know until they release the information. 

 

New_cruiser, I'm sure your trip will be great!  Enjoy and report back after you return.  

[new_cruiser]

Oh, now I see. I'd missed the year in your post. It didn't occur to me that they would be adjusting that far out. I hope you find something that works once they have posted the new cruises.

[stcruise]

Sorry, if I caused you any anxiety - I should have been clearer in my post that this was for 2023.  Yes, it is quite a way out, thankful for that.

[Northern Residence]

The new itineraries are out and we just booked the June 4 Fjord cruise. Slightly different itinerary but I like it even better than the original June 21 one that was cancelled.