11/04-Switch from Volendam Mini-Suite to Wind Surf Back to Back?

[Joanandjoe]

We are booked for a 10 day Caribbean cruise on the HAL Volendam from 11/6 to 11/16/04. Our room is a mini-suite with whirlpool bathtub and a balcony. However, we are on the Windstar email list, and have received a tempting offer by email. 14 days back to back on the Wind Surf, in Europe, from 11/7 to 11/21, with airfare, would cost less than $1,000 more per person than 10 days in the Caribbean. It's very tempting. So why aren't we jumping on the offer? It's not the weather - we're willing to take our chances on southern European weather in November. No, it's the thought that we'll feel cramped with two weeks in the much smaller (than HAL) A and B rooms on the Wind Surf, and will miss having a bathtub. (We take many more baths than showers at home.)



We'd appreciate your thoughts - positive and negative - on making the switch.

[TedC]

We'd jump at it! As much as we like the Caribbean, we greatly prefer Europe, especially the Med, which I presume you are talking about.

Plus 14 days on a ship for a little more than the cost of 10 days would be a no-brainer for us.

We have friends who have been on one of the Windstar ships in Europe (don't remember which) and they had a wonderful time.

I don't know the difference in square footage of the cabins but the Wind Surf cabin without a tub may give you more usable cabin space. Don't forget that the square footage on the Volendam includes the balcony.

It's a personal choice, but a choice a lot of people would love to have the opportunity to make.

Good luck and let us know your decision.

[FlorenceItaly]

Just a thought, but is it because you are more comfortable with the known, rather the unknown...assuming you have not cruised on Windstar before? I like the idea of trying a variety of cruiselines. Let us know what you decide.

Marie

[mrswynn]

John and Joan - I know we didn't get any responses to our roll call but don't jump ship!!!! :-)

Actually - your European trip sounds fantastic - and with gas prices, etc., on the rise, you might want to jump on this one while you can. But please let us know what you decide!
Wynn and Leslie

[xsnowman99]

This would be a no brainer for me. I love the Wind Surf. However, I'm thinking if you have never been on one of the Wind Star ships you need to ponder the differences in the ships. Size is certainly one of those differences. There is virtually no evening entertainment on the Wind Surf--this is not an issue for me but for some it is. The Casino is very small if gambling is something you like to do on board. The food is divine. The service is like none other I have experienced. When they put the sails up in the afternoon, while you are up on deck to watch, is an awesome feeling for me. The cabins are significantly smaller and only have port holes. There are no tubs. For me, I spend just enough time in my cabin to sleep and change clothes so it is not so important to me. But, as you stated, you prefer tub baths to showers. DH and I are in the beginning stages of planning a Wind Surf/Star cruise like you are considering. Good luck and happy sailing no matter which way you decide to go!

[Joanandjoe]

Thank you for all of your thoughts. We haven't yet decided what to do: that's why we posted. So no, Leslie, we haven't yet deserted you, but we may do so. At this point I haven't cleared the longer vacation with my office, and they might not clear it. We have to decide before our final deposit on the Volendam is due on 8/23.

Leslie, it may seem odd that I'm thinking about vacation when I'm out of the office on bereavement leave due to the death of my Father; but we've had no vacation this year due to his poor health, and thinking about vacation is one way in which I'm trying to stay sane during this tough period. Joe

[mrswynn]

Joe,
I'm so very sorry to hear that you lost your Dad. I didn't know that happened. Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. And by all means, I sure hope you have a wonderful vacation... whichever you choose. I feel as though I know you and Joan through our notes and wish you both the very best. Here's a big hug for both of you. Again, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
Leslie

[jazzsea]

I responded to your post on the Wind Star board. Please let us know what you decide to do. I'd love to hear and see your reviews if you decide to sail back to back on Wind Surf. I will be pea green with envy if you do.

[Pincus]

Joe,
I'm so very sorry to hear that you lost your Dad. I didn't know that happened. Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. And by all means, I sure hope you have a wonderful vacation... whichever you choose. I feel as though I know you and Joan through our notes and wish you both the very best. Here's a big hug for both of you. Again, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
Leslie
Joe,

For the past several years, we have been going through the end of life processes for my parents. During all of their crises we planned cruises. The planning served to energize us and make us stronger and better able to be of help to my parents.

I have been on the Volendam and on the Wind Star and Wind Spirit, not the Wind Surf. Personally, I think the Caribbean is boring and over crowded...last winter the ports were overwhelmed by the number of cruise ships, e.g., 8 in Cozumel, 12 in St. Thomas, etc. Just do the math, and you will come up with wall to wall people.

[Orcrone]

JoanandJoe,

Seems to me that great deals on Caribbean cruises are a dime a dozen, if you have some flexability. But being able to get a 14 day Med cruise including air for a little more does not happen often. I'd go for Europe and take a raincheck on the Caribbean.

[mrswynn]

I just read your notes on the Windstar board and did a little "research" on that cruise line. If you can take the time, GO FOR IT! What a wonderful opportunity! Would love to hear all about your trip when you get back. The Caribbean will always be there - but this sounds like a dream trip and one you both really deserve. Would still love to meet up with you two somewhere in the future - we'll have to keep in touch if you make the change! Best wishes!
Leslie and Wynn

[localady]

Have you been in a mini-suite before on the Volendam or an S ship??? Yes it has a Jacuzzi bath tub, but it's a rather small jacuzzi, appx. 4 feet in length and quite small in width. :eek: It would not be the reason I would stay on a Carribean itinerary. I am partial though, I love the Meditterean and I really like a smaller ship more and more;)


Good luck with whatever you choose!:cool:

[Joanandjoe]

Thanks. As we've just posted on Windstar, first my boss has to approve 13 vacation days instead of eight. If he approves, we'll probably swithch to Windstar; but approval is not a sure thing at all. In any event, we have to decide within the next two weeks.

[Joanandjoe]

:confused: My boss has approved the longer vacation, so our tilt towards the Wind Surf is very strong. The main problem is costs. Even with a great deal, two weeks on a cruise ship are costly. Unlike some luxury lines, Windstar doesn't include wine or tips. Those things add up: perhaps $25 per day (for two) for wine, $15 per day for tips, maybe $5 per person per day (or more) for laundry since there is no laundromat, more for shore excursions, etc. Does anyone have a handle on the real cost of these extras?

When we started out, we thought that two weeks on the Wind Surf would cost only about $1,000 more than 10 days on the Volendam. Now we're beginiing to wonder if our estimate of additional costs was way too low.

[jazzsea]

Gratuities will be $80 ($10 a day X 2 X 4 extra days)
Laundry will be fairly simple as you will not need formal clothes, ties sports jackets, etc.

Figure another $40 for laundry.

You will buy wine in port. $50 for four days.

Shore excursions? That depends on where you will be stopping. Give us the details and we will all help you figure out the tours.

All of us want to see you make this work.

[Joanandjoe]

Thanks for the offer, Jazzsea. Thanks, everyone else, for your postings. The ports, which include the three largest Balearic Islands, are:

Nice to Barcelona: St. Florent (corsica), Porquerolles (golden isles, no shore excursions), Sete (France), Marseille (28 hours there), Mahon Menorca.

Barcelona to Lisbon: Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Malaga, Tangier, Portimao (Portugal).

We've asked about port excursions on the Windstar Board. Walt, who is also the host on this board, strongly recommends that we make the switch.

[Joanandjoe]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. We switched to Windstar today, but we'll continue to monitor the HAL boards for awhile. Your suggestions really helped us make our decision!:D

[TedC]

Congratulations!

You made the right decision. Sure, it'll cost more, but I think you will get far more value, enjoyment and enrichment on this cruise than on a Caribbean cruise.

Never let a great opportunity pass by if you can help it. I have a feeling if you didn't grab this opporunity you may have regretted it. My goal is to leave this Earth with no regrets, if possible.

Enjoy, and be sure to report back to us after the cruise.