What's the best way to book Windstar?

[Cambur]

I already have more than 10 Royal Caribbeam cruises, and I'm a little tired of big ships, so I start doing some reserch and I like what I see from Windstar, the only contra is the diference in prices, the othres lines have like specials and promotions but I can't find any good deal from this line, so I need a little help from you guys like tips, recommendation and secrets in how to book. would be great.

I'm looking the windsurf for mediterranean 2008 summer

:) Thanks for your help :)

[bzv143]

email me at sweetpeacruiser@aol.com for a secret...:rolleyes:

[lovecruisingtoo]

I already have more than 10 Royal Caribbeam cruises, and I'm a little tired of big ships, so I start doing some reserch and I like what I see from Windstar, the only contra is the diference in prices, the othres lines have like specials and promotions but I can't find any good deal from this line, so I need a little help from you guys like tips, recommendation and secrets in how to book. would be great.

I'm looking the windsurf for mediterranean 2008 summer

:) Thanks for your help :)

 

You can go to one of the "normal" agencies or you can do a search for an internet agency. Per the forum rules, a specific agency can not be mentioned on the forum.

 

From what I have seen, the internet agencies can give the best price. Of course this assumes you know EXACTLY what cruise you are looking for.

 

ASSUMING you do know what you want, do a Google search on "price cruise compete" and you will get a lot of agencies. Send requests to all of the agencies and see who you feel comfortable with and who gives you the best price.

 

Good luck.

[bzv143]

Cambur: I just responded to you via email.

I also concur with LovingCruisingToo--AND, I should say that thanks to all the wonderful posters on Cruise Critic, I have found truly excellent pricing ideas for my many cruises.

Cruise Critic ROCKS! :p

[irc2100]

You're not likely to get a deal on Windstar, since they are a top of the line carrier with only 4 ships each with a max of 148 passengers. Accordingly, they sell out. One responder wrote that you can't have a bad cruise, but I've read horror stories on this site about unsanitary conditions and lousy food and service on "discount" ships. For an escorted trip including a Windstar cruise, contact Tauck. You'll pay, but I've found that when it comes to travel, you get what you pay for, and there ain't no free rides.

[6rugrats]

with only 4 ships each with a max of 148 passengers

 

This is totally not true. There is the Wind Surf, which can carry 312 passengers and the Wind Star and Wind Spirit, which each carry 148 passebgers. Only three ships.

 

Also, your mention of a travel agency is not allowed per board policy.

[Xoe]

I had my first Windstar cruise in January 2007, and have booked another in January 2008. Their past passenger program offers great discounts on select cruises, so bite the bullet and book your first one, and after that you'll qualify for better prices.

 

I love Windstar! Great experience -- my favorite cruise ever.

[lovecruisingtoo]

You're not likely to get a deal on Windstar, since they are a top of the line carrier with only 4 ships each with a max of 148 passengers. Accordingly, they sell out. One responder wrote that you can't have a bad cruise, but I've read horror stories on this site about unsanitary conditions and lousy food and service on "discount" ships. For an escorted trip including a Windstar cruise, contact Tauck. You'll pay, but I've found that when it comes to travel, you get what you pay for, and there ain't no free rides.

 

You are absolutely incorrect in many of your statements. As another person said, there are three ships - not 4. I assume the 4th ship you are referring to is the Song which had an onboard fire some years ago and was destroyed. Also, we have booked through internet agencies and saved about 12% on the price of a Windstar cruise. This was in addition to the alumni discount. Service from the internet agency, by the way, was fantastic. Everything was done via e-mail and for the most part received responses to any questions within hours of sending in the request. It worked out great because I didn't need to play phone tag with a normal agency.

 

The discount that the internet agencies give is basically a "rebate" on their commission - it does not reduce the amount of money that Windstar gets for the cruise. Also, what does your comment about horror stories relative to "discount" ships have to do with Windstar???????

[KathyA]

What is the name of that agency?

[6rugrats]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/announcement.php?f=159&a=8

[lovecruisingtoo]

What is the name of that agency?

 

If you post an e-mail address, I will be glad to share it with you.

 

Have booked 5 cruises with them (4 on Windstar and 1 on Celebrity) and have never had a problem. You do need to know what cruise you want to take etc. They do not provide suggestions - they basically just do the booking for you. We even had one case where Windstar was having problems with their booking engine and wound up making the booking directly with Windstar (via phone since the internet pricing for Alumni was incorrect). We then transferring the booking to the other agency. No problem and we received their normal low rate. This was not a problem with the agency but a problem with Windstar and their internet software.

[Cambur]

Is it true that if you book two weeks back to back mediteranean, they only charge you $1,000.00 for the second week ?

[lovecruisingtoo]

Is it true that if you book two weeks back to back mediteranean, they only charge you $1,000.00 for the second week ?

 

They do have back to back specials but I don't believe that it is only $1,000.

[6rugrats]

Not true - you can go to their webpage and check out the prices.

[lovecruisingtoo]

Not true - you can go to their webpage and check out the prices.

 

The "back to back" cruises are called their Connoisseur Cruises. 14 to 21 days. For example, they have a 14 day Athens-Rome-Barcelona cruise leaving October 6, 2007 which "start at $5,099". This cruise is actually made up of the Athens to Rome (starts at $2,699) plus the Rome-Barcelona run (starts at $2,699). I did not check out the specific prices for those specific dates. However, there does appear to be some savings when you combine the two.

 

These back to back sailings are in their 2007/2008 brochure starting on page 69. Here is the link: http://www.windstarcruises.com/windstarbook/sw.html

[Newspirit]

If you post an e-mail address, I will be glad to share it with you.

 

Have booked 5 cruises with them (4 on Windstar and 1 on Celebrity) and have never had a problem. You do need to know what cruise you want to take etc. They do not provide suggestions - they basically just do the booking for you. We even had one case where Windstar was having problems with their booking engine and wound up making the booking directly with Windstar (via phone since the internet pricing for Alumni was incorrect). We then transferring the booking to the other agency. No problem and we received their normal low rate. This was not a problem with the agency but a problem with Windstar and their internet software.

This message is for lovecruisingtoo.

 

My e-mail address is JLLEVITAN@GMAIL.COM. I would like to book an alumnae cruise through an internet agency. Can you please send me info on the internet agency you used?

 

Thanks,

Joanne

[irc2100]

First, let me apologize for any inaccuracies and for the mention of a specific agency. In any case, Windstar ships are smaller than most of the major cruise lines and while there are some discounts, you can expect to pay more for a Windstar cruise that you might otherwise pay for another Cruiseline. Let's face it, with fewer cabins to fill, and certain tour operators booking large blocks of cabins, you are less liely to get a great deal, especially during high season.

[inaflash]

Besides, perhaps, travel agent and last minute discounts, can one receive better rates through agencies than alumni rates? I know I have seen many lines 'alumni rates' be beaten by underpricing agencies but I have not seen the same with windstar. I am sure an agency can give you an umbrella, toaster, and some stateroom credit (how much is normal btw) but is the alumni rate the bottom of the barrel to maintain any margin or commission?

[lovecruisingtoo]

Besides, perhaps, travel agent and last minute discounts, can one receive better rates through agencies than alumni rates? I know I have seen many lines 'alumni rates' be beaten by underpricing agencies but I have not seen the same with windstar. I am sure an agency can give you an umbrella, toaster, and some stateroom credit (how much is normal btw) but is the alumni rate the bottom of the barrel to maintain any margin or commission?

 

A travel agency receives a commission based on the price of the cruise (prior to taxes, etc). So if an agency books an alumni rate, it does not lower their commission percentage, only the base to which it is applied (The alumni discount itself comes out of Windstar's pocket - not the agency). Most internet agencies will give the alumni discount (which in reality costs them nothing) and will discount their booking percentage on top of the alumni discount.

 

This, at least, has been our experience.

[jennib5426]

We just boked our second windstar cruise through Travelocity and they were able to get me the Foremast rate and a $200 on board credit for our sail date.

 

I called Winstar directly and they recommend i call a travel agent to get such perks as Room credits.

Travelocity had the same price as Windstar direct plus the room credit.

I am pretty happy with price we are paying.

[Cambur]

We just boked our second windstar cruise through Travelocity and they were able to get me the Foremast rate and a $200 on board credit for our sail date.

 

I called Winstar directly and they recommend i call a travel agent to get such perks as Room credits.

Travelocity had the same price as Windstar direct plus the room credit.

I am pretty happy with price we are paying.

 

Which cruising are you taken and How much are you paying? :D

[jennib5426]

Cambur -

We got a Foremast club rate(past guest) on a Foremast sailing date on the Spirit in December of $1439pp plus a $200 credit for our cabin.

They also quoted me a Foremast club rate of $1389 pp for the Wind Surf in December.

 

You have to be a past guest for these rates, I think.

 

The last time we sailed Windstar was right after 9/11 and we got a rate of $1199 pp, that was an amazing rate. We have not seen a rate like that anytime in the last few years.

 

Even if you pay more, it is worth it. We just did Carnival in March, never again. I hate feeling like cattle.

 

If Windstar is to steep try Star Clippers,similiar ships, about 170 passangers, great Carribean itineraries. We did them last year and liked them just as much as Windstar and they are slighly less expensive and they throw out airfare specials sometimes. We got free air to St. Martin, where the cruise left from, last year with out cruise.

[mjz]

I've never crusied Windstar and I assume that I can't qualify for an alumni rate through any agency, correct? We're looking at a Med. (Athens - Istanbul) cruise late September '08 / early October '08. Any tips on where to get the best deals would be appreciated. The best deal I've found is through CostCo - about $2,500 per person, plus Executive members get a $200 shipboard credit per person/per cabin - so $400 credit for the two of us. My email is mjz_kc@yahoo.com if you have any suggestions for a better price. Many thanks, Matt

[6rugrats]

Yes, you have to be an alumni to get a Foremast club rate.

[steel magnolia]

We have cruised with Windstar many times after getting tired of the bigger ships, crowds pushing on tours and to fill their plates, and the noise. Have used a travel agent for every cruise except one, and that one was "sold out" , but saw a cabin suddenly appear on an internet booking site on a Saturday night so I booked it. The reason that we use a travel agent is that in cases of delays, she'll call us at whatever hotel we're staying at (always fly over 2 days before our cruise) to give us a heads up. Remember the problems at Heathrow? And on our cruise out of Lisbon, the ship was a day late coming into port because of re-fitting. We didn't show up to an empty dock as many did. Also, if we have any problem, she'll assist us. Right now, Windstar is advertizing discounts on 3 cruises in the Caribbean this winter, as they do try to fill all rooms as early as possible. Hope you enjoy a laid-back, restful voyage!