sb44

I guess we can all speculate as to the why. Certainly having two ships out of service at once and probable large cost overruns would contribute to a change of leadership.  From a personal perspective, he was on our ship earlier this month and did not even take the opportunity to say anything to all of us when we were in the lounge for the nightly port talk. A brief "thank you for sailing with us" would have gone a long way. The next sailing, which we stayed on for, was widely hyped on Facebook when the Surf did a partial transit of the Panama Canal but nothing said about a really screwed up itinerary, including 3 days at anchor for the removal of lifeboats, the soldering of equipment with fumes, cancelled excursions, and then allowing very few people off in Panama for a few hours at a pretty hefty expense. There were many angry passengers onboard, one couple demanded to leave, and probably letters written. We still had a good time but there was major grumbling. It seemed that the itinerary was set but nobody ever communicated with operations and the Canal Authority so the ship had to spend days at anchorage to be allowed and approved for passage. And that happened so late in the day that it was silly. Passage itself was $77,000 plus bad will. Most of us on board had already done full canal passages. Then there are the captains who are no longer with the company.  We've been curious about that aspect for the last year. I agree with you that a lot of good things have happened but it sounds as if there are some real problems between the units out of service, cancellations, rebooking, and now a world wide health "crisis". Kind of a perfect storm for them.

7 hours ago, Barrycat said:

Strange happenings on the current Spirit sailing in Asia.

On the wizard site, the listings after the 3/7 Cairns sailing have disappeared and nothing shows up until 6/1 back in Cairns. Listings were there earlier but not now.

The same sailings missing from the wizard are still shown on the main Windstar site but all state “call for availability”.

My guess is that the company is taking a look at the Benoa to Singapore itineraries and will be making some changes. A Crystal around the world cruise is now in that area in the midst of terrible storms and a number of planned dockings denied by local authorities.

The virus is obviously taking its toll on any cruises in that part of the world. What a shame.

Barrycat, happy to report that Crystal Serenity made it through the high seas and currently in NZ Milford Sound. They are allowing new passengers on in Sydney but the rest is up in the air. Passengers have been given options of whether or not they want to continue on but with more ports closing daily,  who knows. From my friend onboard for the World Cruise things are fluid! All of the cruise lines are scrambling as governments make decisions. Just a weird time. We have two cruises booked with Windstar and have no intention of cancelling unless the sailings themselves are cancelled. We have tried to cut through the hysteria and, as relatively healthy people, are not going to stop our lives because of yet another virus. Obviously if our ports close it's a different story. Hopefully something else will divert media attention shortly and we will be on to the next frenzy.

On 2/27/2020 at 2:46 PM, jumelle said:

Does anyone know which staterooms on deck three have been renovated due to elimination of suites? I’m guessing the aft ones. The suites there seem to be gone.

When the suites were split the old bedrooms remained as they were. The old living areas got new beds and chairs, wallpaper, etc. We were in a remodeled living room for 2 weeks, then an old bedroom for 9 days. The old living room has an electrical outlet under the portholes because this was where the table lamp was when it was a suite. The rooms that were originally bedrooms do not. Only other difference is the old bedroom had new TV, the old living room had old TV. And yes, they are the aft areas. You can see them online. Hope that answers the question.  

Good for them. The entire industry is in deep trouble over this and people need some reassurance.   Proactive is so much better than reactive.

On our recent Surf cruise earlier this month we ran into a couple who had been on when the Surf hit that bad weather and had all the damages last year. In addition to the ship being damaged, some passengers were hurt when being thrown out of bed and some had rug burns. I would assume the instructions were to slide in under the sheets from the top. My friend on board is a physician. She said they are not getting good updates from Crystal, ports cancelled,  etc. If you want to read about what's going on, the Crystal boards forum (Serenity) has a thread running that's pretty interesting.  We are scheduled for 20 days Scotland Baltic in July and 10 days Greece in October.  Hope all is calm by then. Happy Sailing!

To keep people from falling out of their beds. 100mph winds. My friend sent live bridge webcam video. Awful situation. They have now also cancelled Bali, Malaysia and Thailand.  Crystal not telling passengers anything. A total mess. I am so sorry for my friend. This trip of a lifetime is a disaster. 

On 2/25/2020 at 12:03 AM, Barrycat said:

Flights are available, so far, are are surprisingly reasonable.

insurance, I don’t know but all we get is medical evacuation coverage.

The ports visited along the route are not spectacular but who knows what could happen in the next month in either Benoa or Singapore. 

 

 

 

Barrycat, my girlfriend is on an 89 day Crystal cruise that left LA about a 3 or so weeks ago. They've been to Tahiti and NZ but have already been denied entry in three ports including Singapore 2 days ago. They are now in the Tasmanian Sea in 100 mph winds with two cyclones. Not pretty. The crew put extra tight sheets on their beds and they have been told to stay there. Personally I would not book Singapore or anything in the vicinity right now. I am personally not afraid of the virus but of the aggressive containment strategy including cancelling flights and ports. Good luck and happy sailing.

The new spa is beautiful. Lovely colors, nice treatment rooms, light, bright and convenient outside the bridge by Compass Rose. The lounge is updated but still needs some adjustment to the sound system and the piano in the middle of the stage blocks the big screen but there are two others.  They are addressing with a new sound system. The 3rd deck living rooms that have been turned back in to regular cabins are fresh and new feeling.  The yacht club furniture is new and very comfortable.  Friends were on decks two and three and said everything was clean even though not remodeled. Amphora unchanged. I would say maybe the refurb was a little hyped but we love this ship so maybe we are biased. There was nothing that would keep us from jumping back on board today.

We were also onboard and true, there was a rearrangement of ports and one missed port, but it all turned out fine for us. Puerto Limon was a day earlier than planned but all tours scheduled for the following day went the day we were there and we had a spectacular time at a hacienda. Bocas del Toro was the missed port but we were only supposed to be there for 5 hours so not a big deal. The day missed there we were anchored in Colon while the ship was prepared with equipment to go through a partial canal transit and tours were unexpectedly added for Panama.  We went to old town and had a great day. Since we were disembarking in Panama and flying directly home,  we had a day to spend in Panama City so it actually turned into lemonade for us personally.  Some people were upset that everyone could not get off without a ship sponsored tour and I understand that frustration but we were able to take a tender over so for us it worked out. Yes, there were some weird hiccups on this piece of our 23 days on the Surf but, when I think about 3500 people quarantined on a Princess ship, I am grateful for another sweet sailing on the Wind Surf. The problem with the changes seemed to stem from this partial transit put on the itinerary but not communicated to operations so the ship had not been prepared with the canal authority's requirements. It was weird in the disconnect but the crew was great and James and the rest of the excursion people went above and beyond to do the best under the hand that was dealt them and are to be commended. Maybe we are more flexible than most as we loved our time onboard.  And coming home to a flooded bathroom made us really wish we were still at sea!

9 hours ago, new_cruiser said:

I thought someone else would post something, but since no one else has, here goes. 

 

Since last afternoon, Wind Surf has been at Colon preparing to enter the Panama Canal for the first time. It is too tall for a full transit (can't go under the Bridge of the Americas on the Pacific end) so it hasn't been in the canal before.

 

We will be doing a partial transit tomorrow as part of the Surf's journey around the Caribbean.

 

They have to install a Panama chock and associated hardware at the stern. That's a very strong attachment point for the lines to the mules (engines on tracks) that keep a ship centered in the locks. 

 

The tenders/lifeboats have been replaced with life rafts because they stick out from the hull. I don't think they make the ship too wide for the canal. Apparently the concern is that they could be damaged if they contacted the side of a lock.

 

We docked at Colon late afternoon yesterday for all the equipment and life rafts to be loaded on. The tenders were left at the dock. Today, we are at anchor while the work is being done. A smell of welding gas invaded our aft cabin. Hopefully, that will dissipate before night.

 

The attached picture shows the big box of equipment they loaded on to do the work.

 

Also on board and it's been interesting.  We were able to get a local tender in to Colon for a 5 hour trip to old city to break the wait up. The activity and expense to do a partial transit has been different to say the least.  James, our excursion manager, has been absolutely outstanding doing last minute bookings due to port and itinerary changes. He deserves a medal in patience!  Carla has been on as our Naturalist. For those of you who have done full Canal transit's with her as we have, you know what a joy she is. Brilliant! Tomorrow the Gatun Locks and the lake.

31 minutes ago, cruisepsycho said:

Looking  forward to experience the playing of this Vangelis work as we depart the port of San Juan.  While I have enjoyed the playing of What a Wonderful World on sail always on Crystal Symphony,  I think nothing will ever compare to the experience of hearing Scottish bagpipes playing Amazing Grace on every departure as sails were hoisted on the now long defunct Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. That was always so special.

You are so right about the Windjammer. We were on the Yankee Clipper in 1982, Antigua. Jimmy Buffet came up on the beach and played his guitar sitting in the sand. I suggested Amazing Grace for the motor yachts instead of 1492 but it never happened.

It always puts tears in my eyes. Not quite the same on the motor yachts but still beautiful.  We actually watched the 1992 movie "Conquest of Paradise " on Amazon this year. One of the worst written, acted, and produced movies ever but great music! It was a rainy day!

We were on Surf in Greece this summer and had a tandem sailaway with the Star. It was so much fun, passengers waving from the two ships, 1492 playing on both ships and a beautiful day. 

We're boarding Saturday and will post as soon as we find some wifi.

If you bring it to Amphora there is a corkage fee. If you open it in your room and drink it in your room, nothing.  I would not pour a glass of wine and bring it to Amphora to avoid the fee. That's just me.

The only thing that you will pay for in the gym or salon are personal services.  The rest is free. We have brought bottles of wine on in just about every port where the wine is interesting.  The wine on board is well priced so unless in a great wine region or there is something unusual that we run into, we jus order onboard. 

2 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

Here is a video of the refurbished lounge. We think it looks great and spent a lot of time there with the Top Society Band last week. 

9A694CA3-3C49-4989-BBCC-9CFCA75F20EB.MOV

Thanks for posting. Looks lovely! 

29 minutes ago, minidonuts85 said:

I don’t recall this seating area outside of Amphora pre-refit. 

Thanks. Yes there has always been a seating area but it looks like it's configured differently.

1 hour ago, Chipshot from Michigan said:

 

• The food was very good.  Book a table at Sandals at your earliest opportunity.  While everyone should have an opportunity to eat there, repeat bookings are allowed even if some haven't.
• The sails work but only in manual mode.  They are rarely up for long after sailings.
• Having only one working treadmill on a ship this size was disappointing.
• You may wish something else had been put in the new fitness center's prime location.
• Plenty of outdoor seating allows deck chair hogs to indulge in selfishness.
• We loved the Yacht Club Café.
• I have never seen so many jigsaw puzzles done during a cruise.

The outdoor restaurant is Candles and on the Surf, gorgeous outdoor dining. Have personally encountered chair hog once in 20 plus sailings. We walk the deck. Never have liked treadmills. They seem very pointless to me when I can walk in the beautiful fresh sea air. The sails are up when the wind is right to help, not impede, forward speed and navigation. The people on the bridge can explain this to anyone who chooses to spend some time up there.  If people want to do jigsaw puzzles it probably relaxes them. I try to not be judgemental about what people do on their holidays.  If I sit in a corner and read all day it's really none of anyone else's concern. We all have different expectations on our cruises. I'm sorry yours were not met. Not every cruise line is meant for every person. There are some that sound like horror shows to me which is why I am content to keep coming back to a really lovely sailing ship.

We will be boarding on 1/18 and staying on until 2/10. We spent a month on the Surf in August and it was wonderful.  I imagine anyone could take a photo of something bad on any ship.  We use the gym every day and have never had a problem with broken equipment.  The food is consistently great, the crew wonderful.  The Capt was the same as this cruise and he is fully competent which is all we care about. There is always someone who focuses on a few negatives.  We prefer the 98% positive and are looking forward to next Saturday.  Windstar has never disappointed us and we have been lucky enough to make several life long friends on our journeys. 

On 1/9/2020 at 9:09 PM, Chipshot from Michigan said:

 

Yes, Remi Eriksen.  Are his wife and daughter still aboard?  He was the most aloof and haughty captain we have ever experienced.  I wonder what he is like when they are not along.

 

Staff Captain (a large ship title?) was far more engaging and appeared to be significantly more involved with the ship's operation.  It was he who spearheaded cleanup of the bow area.  The two cadets were very engaging.  They have bright futures ahead of 

7 hours ago, CanadianKate said:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/us/puerto-rico-electricity-power-earthquake.html

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51045229

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51045229

 

I'm worried because it is an ongoing situation (the plants were closed again to be reinspected after yesterday's 5.9 quake), because I'm not staying in Old San Juan, and because I will be there 3 days not transferring from the airport to the port. The main plant that is out supplies 25% of the island's power and as the NYT article points out, this isn't like there being a damaged plant on the mainland where other states can divert electricity to the affected area.

 

Now, not only am I leaving over 2 weeks earlier than originally planned, I'm also having to plan for completely different pre-cruise circumstances. I'm debating canceling my small hotel and changing to a larger, chain hotel that can be self sufficient. I'm embarking on a 12 day at sea adventure. To risk contracting a food-borne illness caused by pre-cruise surroundings is my worry.  That was not a concern when I was leaving from Barcelona. 

 

Why don't you call Windstar tomorrow and see if you can book into their precruise hotel. And ask them if they have any updates for you. If you used a TA ask them to do it for you. I don't think this group can do much for you but Windstar can certainly help.

Thanks. He was our captain in Greece this summer.

On 11/6/2019 at 9:36 AM, Chipshot from Michigan said:

We're sailing on her 12/21.  It will be our second time aboard, and I'm curious to see the changes.

Who was the captain and do you know if he was getting ready to get off or had just come on? They usually switch around the first or second week of the year.

On 1/8/2020 at 3:41 PM, CanadianKate said:

We're hurtling towards our embarkation on the Legend on Feb 1. Since this cruise is leaving about 3 weeks earlier than my cancelled one, I feel unprepared mentally. 

 

I'm experienced with sea days but this will be our longest run of them (previous was Perth to Mauritius) and this time on a very small ship. From all reviews of T-ATLs, I see little or no mention of lecturers (except the astonomer and daily chats with the Captain) so I'm looking for experienced Windstar motor yacht cruisers to answer a few questions:

 

1. Is there a library and is it any good? (In other words, since I can't read off an e-reader, how many paper books should I bring for 13 sea days, assuming I read 1  book every 2 days?) 

2. Is Press Reader offered on board (so I will get daily newspapers?) 

 

3. We'll be on for the Superbowl. Does the ship make it a viewing party? SilverSea did that (I think partly to reduce the number of people trying to stream it at the same time!) I'm not interested in the game (I honestly don't know the rules of football) but I enjoyed people watching that day and eating popcorn, chips, burgers and hot dogs.

 

4. Do the suites have metal walls (in other words, should I bring magnets to attach notes, maps, to my walls?)

 

5. Do they have a selection of decaf black tea on board or should I bring my own? 

 

6. Are there are both 120 and 240v outlets in each room (I'm in a suite) and the bathroom? Everything we travel with is dual voltage (or 240 only in the case of my heating pad, since we have a week in Portugal after the cruise.) I need to figure out which power bars to travel bring. 

 

7. Do the suites come with binoculars? Umbrellas? 

 

Any other tips I should know? 

 

 

Call Windstar and select the option for already booked. The person you talk to will be able to attach your requests for bed configuration to your information and it will be sent to the ship. I pack personal bathroom items in my checked luggage which allows more than the 3.4 oz TSA limits. Any particular requests must be sent to the ship 7 days in advance so you should do this sooner than later. There is actually a link embedded with the travel documents email that will allow you to do this but I think it's easier to call.

Library hit or miss. Depends on who was there before or after you. I've read some interesting books onboard that I never would have selected in a store.

Umbrellas in suites and available at reception.  Binoculars furnished in the large suites, not the regular suites.

Hair dryer ok. I prefer a travel dryer that I take everywhere. 

Outlets are both voltages. Plug converters available at reception but not voltage converters. There is an outlet next to the bed in regular suite. It is hidden two prong Euro. Your cabin steward can show you where. In the big suites outlets available pretty much all over.

Tea is Twinings. I would bring my own  decaf as it's easy to pack and they have limited supplies and there might be lots of decaf drinkers. 

Superbowl will not be available. They have a very limited TV service package. 

My "tip" is relax and enjoy and don't spend your cruise comparing it to another line. Each one is a different experience and there will be some things you like more and some you will like less. The crew will do anything and everything to make you happy and that is the true joy of Windstar.