ridethetide

26 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

One additional question on this topic, please.

 

If I understand the consensus correctly, the Horizon Deluxe Stateroom is preferable to Horizon Stateroom even for either a Caribbean or Western Med sailings?

 

TIA and bon voyage

The Horizon Deluxe Stateroom has the bed next to the horizontal sliding windows and I am not sure if the sitting area has any view.  The Horizon Stateroom has the sitting area next to the windows and the bed closer to the bathroom. I prefer the latter.

2 hours ago, MELSMOM47 said:

Did the cruise begin and end in Iceland?

Yes.

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

I think it was per person, so that's something!

Or is it per device?

If I recall correctly, they did not collect our passports when we embarked on the circumnavigation of Iceland. Perhaps it is not necessary when all of the stops are in the same country.

2 hours ago, bri0417 said:

Don't bother calling this company for information even if you are booked on a cruise.  They are mostly unhelpful and have a less than caring attitude.

 

It is best to have your TA contact them. My TA always got answers and actions.

15 minutes ago, HotRoot said:

You grew up with fresh lobster.  Most of us did not.  I grew up on a vegetable farm.  I will not eat frozen or canned vegetables.  I need something harvested preferably within the last couple of hours.  I eat lots of vegetables in the summer.  Avoid them the rest of the year.  There is nothing like an ear of sweet corn an hour after it is pulled.  That could compete with your just caught lobster.  Happy Sailing!

I agree 100% that there is nothing better than corn that was just harvested. And no animal was harmed for its sweetness!

11 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I didn't think I would care, until it started happening [on other small-ship lines; haven't been on Windstar – booked].  It does make your heart flutter a bit.  Especially on Noble Caledonia where the greeting is "Sir X..."

On the World Traveller, they also call you "Sir X".

1 hour ago, Michael_A said:

The boots are a Muck brand, though I couldn't find the specific model on-line. May be a proprietary offering just for the expedition cruises. They have a rubber type lower, good tread, with a neoprene type upper which is stretchy. Recommended waterproof trousers to go outside the boot shank so if you step in deeper water the trousers will act as a top seal. I did this several times and it indeed worked with no leakage. I only wore a single pair of socks, and was very comfortable standing in snow or on ice (and in water, of course). The boots are a bit bulky, and I suspect there is some insulation in there though I can't confirm it. Based on my experience I really think there is. My only complaint is they don't have much arch support and for me that made hiking on rough terrain a bit of a challenge - but I managed in the end.

The Muck Tall Arctic Sport Boot seems very similar to those on the ship. I purchased Women's Tall Arctic Sport II after my trip and they are just as warm.

4 hours ago, YoHoHo said:

No. See post #2. Look up Muck brand boots. Can't say for certain if Atlas supplied boots are Muck's Arctic model or similar. 

 

They are not a low boot. The pants go inside. Function over form. The objective is not so much for dealing with snow - you could be waking on snow but not trailblazing through snow. Rather the boots height is to keep feet and pants dry from water when stepping off the RIB on wet landings. 

 

Our pants maybe could have fit over the boot top as I had purposefully purchased pants with an adjustable gusset but never tried as we did as everyone following instructions to have the pants inside the boots. Ironically of course the added material in the pant leg bottom so more to stuff into the boot top.

 

We knew of one person once who stepped into water too deep and so some water entered the boot over the top. I don't know if they immediately went back on the zodiac's return to the ship for the next load in order to change socks or hoped the trapped water would eventually warm like a wet suit. It would not have been pleasant.

We were instructed to wear our waterproof pants over the boots, not tucked inside. If you tuck your pants into the boots, water could be funneled into the boots, soaking your socks and feet.  

For those who might be interested, the Plant-Based  Food cruise is fully booked and they have created a wait list.

5 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Windstar Cruises ranked number one for Best Boutique Cruise Line  and Wind Spirit was voted Best Adult Only Cruise.

And in a Very Large category of all cruise lines Windstar came in number 3 for Best Ocean Cruise Line.

 

These are some pretty good numbers for Windstar.

https://10best.usatoday.com/interests/explore/best-cruise-ship-cruise-line-2024/

Since when are any of the Windstar ships "adult only"?

59 minutes ago, Papadog said:

Hi, could someone tell me about the size of 304, I’ve seen various descriptions, some stating it’s a premium cabin another stating it is a suite, which was described as a premium suite. On line it says 188 sq ft. When I looked on you tube, it showed a sitting area and was much larger than 188 sq ft. Any help would be greatly appreciated.thank you

If you look at the Wind Surf Deck Plan, you will see that 304 is not any larger than the other surrounding state rooms. There is a note stating that 304 has one queen size bed with no twin option. 

Having just completed an 11-night Antarctica voyage on the World Traveller, I am thinking of booking the Arctic for July. AOV offers a 9-night and an 11-night cruise. Only the 11-night is a circumnavigation. The 9-night stays on the west side. I understand the advantages of having more days to explore since bad seas and/or weather can affect the ability to land and/or use the Zodiacs. I was just curious if the circumnavigation has more to offer other than two more days.  Thanks for your suggestions.

2 hours ago, Jamietravelstheworld said:

Bonine is great and I now use the scopolomine patches which have been a lifesaver for me. I've got the Drake Passage coming up in February and waiting to see if the patches will work for that.

I just returned from Antarctica, and the patch worked wonderfully for me during the 15' seas in the Drake Passage. You are going to love Antarctica!!!

On 1/4/2024 at 8:42 PM, pfreske said:

We're also going to Antarctica on Atlas.  My friend drinks a lot of Diet Coke - as in all day long. Will this be stocked in the room or at least readily available?  Thanks for any information you might have.

 

Just ask your cabin steward to keep it stocked with your favorites.

Stunning video. Exactly as it was. I just returned home today. I was with you on the World Traveller, seated for meals being pampered by Edison. The expedition exceeded all of my expectations. You are most talented.

37 minutes ago, Michael_A said:

Looking at the tracks for other ships it seems that no other line was impacted or did similar station keeping maneuvers between the 26th and 28th of December. While the weather recorded for the Drake wasn't great at that time, no other ships appear to have deviated. Whatever it was, it really looks like ONLY Atlas' ships were impacted. It's very concerning when an entire lines fleet can't hold their respective itineraries, all at the same time. I really feel for the passengers and can only imagine the disappointment and frustration they are going through (as 2 of the vessels are still outbound after about a 2.5 day delay). A statement from AOV would be appropriate...

A statement of explanation ASAP, since we are boarding the World Traveller in less than a week.

3 hours ago, sportsfather said:

Please provide details the ship had a issue with a COLT causing issues on the ship and had the fly upper management in to handle the problem??

What is a COLT?

12 minutes ago, Database said:

Thank you so much!  Your report was informative and much appreciated.

 

We opted to do AOV's pre-cruise tour before our cruise that departs January 4th.  We booked this cruise through our own travel agent and have had great communication with AOV directly regarding some pre-cruise questions. 

 

We were told that there will be an AOV agent waiting for us outside customs to pick up on the first day for the pre-tour. It feels like everything will fall into place. We indicated that one of us has a food allergy and requires a gluten free diet.  We are very hopeful that will all fall into place as well, but will be packing GF snack items just incase.

 

Thanks again!

I will be on the Traveller departing on January 4th as well. Look forward to meeting you onboard. 

7 hours ago, oakridger said:

Would you consider taking one of the NHA Vegan cruises I mentioned in post #10?  That sounds like a good solution to have the large variety and quality of food you want with a Windstar ship's crew service and amenities.  Is there any reason you know of for a person who eats a vegan diet to NOT take that group's cruise?

 

Thanks,

~Nancy 

What are NHA Vegan cruises?

2 hours ago, Catchme370 said:

We’re on the same trip!

 

We’re trying to find out of we can stay in Ushuaia a nights out two after the cruise. Has anyone had any experience extending their stay?

I am also on the same cruise. Getting closer....

5 hours ago, Petoonya said:

I'm back, and booked for 15 days Med, Barcelona to Athens in late March 2023 on Legend. Have done the Mediterranean in April and the weather was perfection, and will see how things go this time. Eager to get on a ship again so doubt much will disappoint.

 

My dear husband, who I cruised with for 40 years passed away in a tragic way March 2023, and it's taken me a bit to stand up straight again. But moving along with a lot of loving support and very eager to be crui sing on WS again. Such deals for solos in the last several months from the WS Guardian Angel.

 

Have always done independent tours when cruising, but this time guess will stick with WS's own. Extended my trip on both ends.

Anyone here have solo  experience on WS?

 

It's good to be back. Hello to all the beautiful souls who've helped me  enormously in the past. Hope to bend your ears in the upcoming months.

Fondly........Nancy

You have my heartfelt condolences. My husband passed away two years ago this week. It was also unexpected. He was my Windstar cruising partner for 20 years. I knew that he would want me to keep on cruising. I have since joined a high school friend whom I hadn't seen in 50 years on Sicilian Splendors and my daughter on the circumnavigation of Iceland. It was a WS first for both of them and they loved their cruises. There were moments of sadness for me, but I loved adding new WS memories. Wishing you the very best.

1 hour ago, Strenz said:

I am an accomplished cook, I love food, the history, the culture, the chemistry, the creating. I love real, unprocessed food. When I travel food and  immersing myself in the cultures through food is important to me. On my last cruise with Windstar the food was delicious but I was mystified with " plant based ". We tried the " cheese cake " and it was grim that is being nice. Not the fault of the chef because naming an item "cheese" when there is absolutely no cheese or dairy is in my opinion odd. Name it what it is a brown cake that is heavy, with a whipped topping some kind of oil made to look like, but not taste like frosting. I perseverated  on this and did research these two words showed up time and again " ultra processed ". What is wrong with real food,  Mediterranean Diet, nothing healthier. I wrote Chris Prelog about this for I have never seen it on WS's menus until this year. His answer was they have had requests. 

Who am I, but for the life of me given the chemicals, the whipped oils, some coloring I do not see how that is good for anyone. We were disappointed in the Tapas restaurant it seemed the " plant based" made the menu for us lacking. I have been to Spain many times never heard of " plant based " tapas. Each to our own... Happy Sailing.

Besides the obvious health benefits to limiting your consumption of animal fats, many who eat plant-based diets, myself included, do so for ethical reasons. I personally would rather that an animal did not die for my dinner.  I do not criticize those who choose to eat meat or fish, but I want to maintain the option to be vegetarian at home and when I travel. I applaud WS for adding the plant-based diet to their menu. It might not meet with your approval, but I am certain that it has pleased and will continue to please many WS passengers. I strongly believe that you are mistaken that the plant-based menu items on the WS ships are "ultra-processed" and are simply whipped oils, chemicals and coloring.

The good news is that WS now offers menus that will suit the dietary needs and desires of those who choose to be plant-based and will not affect the menus of those who are omnivorous.

Happy Sailing!

I found the plant-based menu to be interesting and tasty. I am vegetarian, not vegan and not gluten-free. The only place where plant-based options were missing was in the serving of hors d'oeuvres with cocktails. My recent cruise in Iceland was my 10th WS cruise, and I have always mentioned this lack of vegetarian options on my surveys. I guess nobody has taken my suggestions seriously. The vegetarian meal options, however, are plentiful and delicious.

12 hours ago, BigNance said:

Did Atlas make a point to cross the Antarctic Circle and go ashore there?

We are considering an Antarctic cruise and think that would be an important point.

Thanks!

Nance

Most cruise lines celebrate the crossing of the equator, Arctic Circle, or Antarctic Circle. I recently crossed the Arctic Circle on a Windstar ship and received a "blue nose". I imagine that AOV celebrates crossing the Antarctic Circle with a "red nose" ceremony. I will be on the January 4th cruise that crosses so I will see.