scoutnj

We cruised Tahiti with Windstar in 2014. We highly recommend booking the shore excursions with Windstar as there's little on offer from independent operators. We were never disappointed with the Windstar offerings though we always book swimming/snorkeling trips over the land itineraries.

Don't forget that the swell in the Pacific can cause seasickness. On the first short leg out of Papette I suffered and turned green! Towards the end of the cruise I'd found my sea legs and enjoyed the sea motion. But be forewarned and take medication if necessary.

Where did you see these prices, please?

Last June we cruised the Tahitian islands with Windstar. We were on time to all ports (smooth sailing) other than the return to Papette where we were about 70 minutes late. Rough seas delayed our arrival.

Thank you, Susanne. Are the mattreses firm?

Hi, just wondering if the Windsurf has new mattresses?

Enjoy Singapore. We really enjoyed the gardens around Marina Bay, the observation deck at Marina Bay Sands, the Botanical Gardens (particularly the Orchids) and little Arab Street. You can easily get around on the MRT and walk around points of interest then jump back on the MRT.

Taxis are also cheap and available except when it rains or on a Friday afternoon.

Enjoy Singapore. We really enjoyed the gardens around Marina Bay, the observation deck at Marina Bay Sands, the Botanical Gardens (particularly the Orchids) and little Arab Street. You can easily get around on the MRT and walk around points of interest then jump back on the MRT.

Taxis are also cheap and available except when it rains or on a Friday afternoon.

Hi, we were on the December 2014 cruise. The condition of the ship is very good. Windstar were doing extensive renovations during our cruise and I suspect they'll now be complete. The sun loungers were new and very comfortable. Towels new. The interior has had a make over and it presents extremely well.

I highly recommend the Penang cooking school at the Spice markets. Avoid the Phi Phi Island trip. Please read my comments posted on 19/02/2015 re Ko Yao Noi.

We enjoyed our cruise despite the shore excursions not living up to expectations. The food, the crew, the spacious cabins and the lovely other Windstar passengers make our trip memorable. Happy sailing.

Hi, we were on the December 2014 cruise. The condition of the ship is very good. Windstar were doing extensive renovations during our cruise and I suspect they'll now be complete. The sun loungers were new and very comfortable. Towels new. The interior has had a make over and it presents extremely well.

I highly recommend the Penang cooking school at the Spice markets. Avoid the Phi Phi Island trip. Please read my comments posted on 19/02/2015 re Ko Yao Noi.

We enjoyed our cruise despite the shore excursions not living up to expectations. The food, the crew, the spacious cabins and the lovely other Windstar passengers make our trip memorable. Happy sailing.

I'm unsure what the Scenic Island Adventure tour entails, sorry.

Hi, we did the Singapore cruise in December 2014. The island of Ko Yao Noi is very small and completely undeveloped. Rural, with the odd small cafe strung along the coast line, the scenery is very beautiful but there's no action. Your best bet is to take the tender to the pier and walk towards a beach for 30-60 mins and swim. The bottom will be mostly muddy but there is sand on the beaches. Don't expect to see your feet through the silt. Water tepid. Organise a local cafe (few and far between) to ring a taxi ($USD5) to take you back to the pier. It's extremely hot and humid so leave as early as possible and then return to the ship for a swim off the sports platform. Some other passengers did the Windstar boat trip ($220) at KYN and raved about it but we cancelled as the boat trip from Phuket the day before was a MASSIVE disappointment. Everyone on board the Phi Phi Island trip from Phuket was upset that this trip wasn't anywhere near Windstar standards. Organise an independent trip that takes you to a quiet island with a beach and snorkelling whilst in Phuket. Do not go to Phi Phi with 7000 other day trippers.

In regards to KL, we organised a local taxi to take us to the Port Kelang rail station and easily caught a train to KL. The trains run every 30 mins and it's about an hour to KL. This may be quicker than the Windstar coach depending on the horrible KL peak traffic. We toured the KL train station, Chinatown and all the Colonial sights on foot and sighted all the Windstar passengers along the way. We easily returned to Kelang on the train and taxis are waiting at the station. Total cost was $35USD for two. The Windstar cost was $120 per person. We have friends who did the Petronas Tower trip and they said it was okay.

My big recommendation is to do the cooking course in Penang at the Spice Gardens. A highlight, even if cooking isn't your thing.

By the way, the Star Pride was undergoing extensive renovations (they must be complete by now), but it had lovely new sun lounges and interior dining furniture. The crew were fabulous and the food excellent in the rear terrace at night in Candles and in the main dining room, Amphora.