New Windstar

[Traval]

Just had an email today saying that Windstar's refurbishment is now complete.I can hardly wait to sail on her this July.
Is anyone else going to be on the July 7th Athens to Rome sailing? I have posted on the rollcall board but had no response.
They have changed one of the ports.The ship is no longer calling at Ischia but Capri instead and I wondered how other guests felt about this.I was looking forward to Ischia as I have been to Capri and I had worked out how best to use our time there.Now I have to think about Capri instead.

[6rugrats]

We once had a port change and stopped at Ischia, which at the time was not on any Windstar itineraries. Personally, I did not enjoy it and think stopping at Capri is a much better option.

[Traval]

Hmmm, maybe,but I have been to Capri twice and it will be so crowded in July.Trying to think of something to do to escape all the day trippers.

[SB_Travlr]

We had notice of the same change for our Rome - Venice cruise in September. Since the email mentions the Italian coastguard, I'd guess the change is a safety measure in response to the Costa accident this year...

We've also been to Capri before, but various posters (here and other places) say it has more to offer than Ischia. To avoid day trippers, best to stay away from the main square and dock area -- we took a local bus to Anacapri, and also rode the chair lift up Mt Solano (awesome views!) And walked a lot, getting pleasantly lost along the way.

[Traval]

Originally Posted by SB_Travlr

We had notice of the same change for our Rome - Venice cruise in September. Since the email mentions the Italian coastguard, I'd guess the change is a safety measure in response to the Costa accident this year...

We've also been to Capri before, but various posters (here and other places) say it has more to offer than Ischia. To avoid day trippers, best to stay away from the main square and dock area -- we took a local bus to Anacapri, and also rode the chair lift up Mt Solano (awesome views!) And walked a lot, getting pleasantly lost along the way.

Anacapri and Mt.Solano sound like a good idea.I have explored around the main piazza and have walked to the Villa Jovis (also awesome views).
If we were to take the bus up is it relatively easy to walk back down?Did you have much of a wait for the bus and the chair lift?

[Hutchfam]

We are booked on the upcoming July Athens-Rome Windstar cruise. I was wondering about which excursions to book. Anyone have any recommendations for these ports?

[Traval]

Hi there, at last someone on the July 6 cruise from Athens.
I have had absolutely no response on the roll call board.Thought we were going to be the only one on the ship!I guess not many people bother to use Cruise Critic.
We are looking at doing the following: Monemvasia ---explore the town on foot.
Gythion ---We have booked Windstar's tour to Mystras. This can also be done from Monemvasia but I have been advised that Gythion is the least interesting of these two Greek ports so decided to take the tour from here.
Taormina----We have booked a car and driver for the day with Sicily Life.We used them a few years back to go to Mt.Etna and they were very good.This time we are doing the 'Godfather tour' visiting the hilltop villages where filming took place,and then the Greek theatre.
I love Sicily and also love the Godfather trilogy.It will be my birthday this day so I wanted something nice to do.
Lipari----Hmmm not too sure --will probably walk to the castle/museum which is meant to be very good.
Sorrento---As we have been to Pompeii we thought we'd go to Herculaneum this time.It is easy to reach these two places using the Circumvesuviana train from the town.
Capri---We have been here before and took the funicular up to Capri town and walked to the Villa Jovis. This time we may bus up to Anacapri and take the chair lift to Monte Solaro for the lovely views.
Have you any thoughts on activities?

[caviargal]

Originally Posted by Traval

They have changed one of the ports.The ship is no longer calling at Ischia but Capri instead and I wondered how other guests felt about this.I was looking forward to Ischia as I have been to Capri and I had worked out how best to use our time there.Now I have to think about Capri instead.

I would be very disappointed were I told I was stopping in Capri instead of Ischia. Capri will be a zoo in July and I would have zero interest in a repeat visit there anyway as it is incredibly, IMO, over touristed and over hyped.

I also noticed that they have cancelled their Italian itinerary for 2013 that included Ishcia as well as other less traveled ports. I wonder why?

[ducklite]

Originally Posted by caviargal

I also noticed that they have cancelled their Italian itinerary for 2013 that included Ishcia as well as other less traveled ports. I wonder why?

Maybe a full ship charter?

[Traval]

Well,yes I am very disappointed not be stopping in Ischia but there is not much we can do about it.Hoping to avoid some of the crowd by walking down the 900 steps or so from Anacapri rather than take a bus or taxi.
Last time I was there it was October and it was pretty crowded then.
There are walks you can do to avoid the masses.

[caviargal]

Originally Posted by ducklite

Maybe a full ship charter?

The itinerary no longer exists at all; it was not just one sailing cancelled.

I wonder if there is a move to add more tourist oriented ports overall to attract more business?

[ducklite]

Originally Posted by caviargal

The itinerary no longer exists at all; it was not just one sailing cancelled.

I wonder if there is a move to add more tourist oriented ports overall to attract more business?

I just got off two weeks of full ship charters on the Surf and if you had looked at the scehedule, it seems that the Surf had fallen into the Agean Triangle for a full four weeks--but it was still sailing, albeit as a charter that couldn't be booked directly through Windstar.

[caviargal]

Originally Posted by ducklite

I just got off two weeks of full ship charters on the Surf and if you had looked at the scehedule, it seems that the Surf had fallen into the Agean Triangle for a full four weeks--but it was still sailing, albeit as a charter that couldn't be booked directly through Windstar.

I am looking at 2013. The name of the itinerary does not exist for 2013 at all.

[ducklite]

Originally Posted by caviargal

I am looking at 2013. The name of the itinerary does not exist for 2013 at all.

I think I was misunderstanding your point, sorry. I know that they have been looking hard at changing up itineraries to attract repeat cruisers who don't want to go to the same ports over and over.

[lovecruisingtoo]

Originally Posted by ducklite

I think I was misunderstanding your point, sorry. I know that they have been looking hard at changing up itineraries to attract repeat cruisers who don't want to go to the same ports over and over.

Would be great if they did that.

[beachgirl19464]

I saw this message thread. I'm booked on the June 29th sailing on "Islands of Italy". I have not been contacted by my TA indicating that Windstar has canceled the trip. I'm really hoping that they are not canceling as the itinerary looks very appealing.

[6rugrats]

Originally Posted by beachgirl19464

I saw this message thread. I'm booked on the June 29th sailing on "Islands of Italy". I have not been contacted by my TA indicating that Windstar has canceled the trip. I'm really hoping that they are not canceling as the itinerary looks very appealing.

June 29, 2013? It doesn't show as cancelled yet on their webpage and I find it on other online TA webpages, but based on past experience, that doesn't always mean anything.

If concerned, you can try calling.

[beachgirl19464]

Thanks 6rugrats. Will give them a call tomorrow. Yes - June 29, 2013 sailing is when we are booked.