Nearpost

It's not just the website, they're pricing model is overly complex and its creating frustration for the customer, and probably for their staff and the travel agents they work with too.

I'm going to trust that these issues are confined to marketing and I.T. and have not migrated to onboard management.

Thank you for the encouraging responses.I won't be packing wine glasses.

Cruisedreamer, I sailed with Princess last September to Alaska. I eventually found decent stem ware in their Crown Grill specialty restaurant. I was heading out the door with the glass unfinished, when out of nowhere the ships chief maitre'd snatched it out of my hand. 😀

Hate to start a new thread for such a minor enquiry, so will ask in here.

I recently travelled with Princess Cruises, had a fine time but their red wine glasses were something you might be offered at Denny's. Will I have to bring my own wine glasses on my upcoming Windstar cruise, or do they take wine drinking seriously and provide decent stemware?

Daily gratuity may be an additional consideration if Silversea include gratuity.

Edit: Whoah! Massive difference in price anyway!

Passage contract under the baggage section states that you may bring wine and beer on board from ports of call, but not at start of cruise. $15 corkage on wine if you bring it to restaurant, not sure what they would charge for bringing beer to the restaurant. No liquor allowed.

I've noticed they are in the process of updating their T&C's so not sure how long this courtesy will last.

I just called Windstar and asked. The gratuities are included in the free premium beverage package and you will not be charged for them. And, as stated, you will not get any chit to sign if you have this package; the rep's exact words were, "they'll just hand you your drink".

 

As an aside, I've never been asked for my card on Windstar when I've purchased a drink. They just ask my name and room number for the first day, then they remember it.

We opted for the free bev pkge on an upcoming 14 day cruise. On our "My Windstar" page, it's says we have a $1728 beverage package. Hopefully they take 15 percent of that value and put it in the crews tip fund. I presume that's what they do when you actually buy the beverage package.

Thanks again for your extensive article on Delaney $200. Credit per pax. Just got off the phone and even though we're on May 9th cruise - Rome to Venice - booked in Oct. 2016 I was told by Windstar agent ( we are in Yachtsman Club- 5 cruises) that because I booked early and got a good price ( who knows) we were NOT entitled to Delaney credit ! I dealt directly with Windstar when booking and there's no way to get it. Of course they would not provide me with Delaney's email ( must be a big secret). Again thanks again for your articles. Enjoy reading them. Take care.

Misty morning has just posted one experience where he/she appears to have been treated fairly, and the second experience where once again Windstar have gone above and beyond (disregarding their own no price drops within seven days of sailing). However you Orangeman, have been fobbed off with "you got a good price". I recommend you go to Windstars website and e mail guest relations. What you want is a scientific explanation for why you cannot get the Delaney discount. Why are you different?

Even if some one better trained at guest relations gives you a logical explanation, instead of "you already got a good price" , you can at least be satisfied that you were treated fairly.

Okay, I see the Delaney credit cannot be applied retroactively. I'd still want to know why this is. If your original fair has clauses attached saying "may not be combined with other discounts" fair enough. As I said a rational explanation will settle your mind, not "you already got a good price" sheesh!

Hi Nearpost: thanks for your reply - I assume you might work for Windstar or maybe not ( see Washington STate address)- doesn't really matter- my question is: who is entitled to $200. Delaney credit ? Current paxs or only brand new paxs- thanks

The offer is not for brand new customers, you must be a "yacht club member", that means you must have already sailed with Windstar. Below are the T&C's for the $200. Once again they include the phrases "call your Windstar agent" and "valid for new bookings only" to see if the $200 can be combined with your fare.

How they reconcile their "valid for new bookings only" terminology with their widely touted Price assurance guarantee, must be an exhausting process for their team, it certainly is exhausting me. You'll find the "valid for new bookings" language in the T & C's of their Flashsale product, and the StarPerks product

YACHT CLUB MEMBER DISCOUNT OFFER

Terms & Conditions

All fares mentioned are per person, in US dollars, cruise only, based on double occupancy in lowest category, and include non-discountable amounts. Mandatory onboard gratuities are extra. Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses are additional and range from ($40-$700 per person). Windstar’s new President is inviting our Yacht Club Members to come back and cruise with us by offering a special $200 per person saving on select cruises departing between April 13th, 2017 & April 24th, 2018. Destination Discovery Event is applicable to select cruises and will be added at time of booking. Please double check your invoice for its presence. Offer is valid on new bookings only for select departures and subject to availability. Consult your Windstar representative for promotional offer or discount combinability. Bookings are non-transferable; no name changes can be made nor can this offer be applied retroactively. Cancellation penalties may apply, please see website for details. Certain restrictions apply. Fuel surcharges may be imposed or increased over time. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar's discretion at any time. Information contained herein is accurate at time of publication and subject to change without notice. All terms and conditions stated on the Windstar website apply. Cruise is provided subject to the terms and conditions of the Passage Contract. Offer expires on February 24, 2017. Ships' registry: Bahamas.

I find these articles amazing about Delaney credits etc. ( been on 5 Windstar's and have not received letter)- I'm on 5/9 Rome-Venice and when I saw they were giving out Perks I called and was told since I paid less than their offering now ( very subjective # as one really never knows what the exact price is ) I could not receive any Perks unless I paid $1150. more which was more than Perks - a lot of BS - been trying to get Delaney's email but customer service refuses to give it out- good luck- caveat emptor !

 

 

 

 

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If you originally paid, for arguments sake, $2200 pp with no perks or obc's, and now the star perk fare is $3350, including a perk of course, then you should hang on to your original fare.

I realize I may have misunderstood what you wrote, but I don't see where Windstar have done you wrong. Do you want to keep your "$2200" ticket and receive a perk at no extra charge?

I dont know if this helps, but the Delaney rebate has presumably only been on offer since he took over last July.

You may be disappointed, but the terms of the Flash Sale clearly state they are for new bookings only.

Offer is valid on new bookings only for select departures and subject to availability.

 

I have always found Windstar's pricing confusing, and at times misleading. For example, they may have a promotion for "Two free hotel nights", but if you ask that this be removed, the price of your cruise goes down. So, it never was really free in the first place.

 

I don't know what "Delaney $200" is.

I think their price assurance policy trumps the "only valid on new bookings " clause. I say this because sticking the name Flashsale in front of a price cut is a dishonest way for the company to circumvent their price assurance commitment. They use the same "only valid on new bookings" clause on their Star Perks T&C' s, which I have successfully taken advantage of after having already paid.

Now where it gets tricky,and I echo your assessment about the complexity of their pricing model, is whether or not a previously allowed discount will now be taken away. T&C's say consult your rep for both Star Perks and Flashsale.

Barrycat, head up the management ladder if your not comfortable with what the frontline staff are telling you. I sympathize with their agents, it's complicated over there.

We booked our cruise 8 days prior to departure and when we booked, the only cabin left on the Star Legend was only the most expensive regular balcony cabin with no onboard credits or any perk. Phoned 4 days later ( on the Tuesday before the Saturday departure) and they had a much cheaper non balcony cabin available. While they could not refund the difference, they threw in breverage package, free laundry and unlimited internet (which I am using to send this post as we just departed from Barbados). Can't complain on their policy, it worked for us.

That sounds very good on their part. I don't think they are required to honor any price drop that occurs within seven days of sailing.

There is a thread further down the board that will help. only applies to Star Breeze though. Then again they may have same sets on your ship

Obviously no problem if you prefer not to disclose your e mail. I'm whibty@comcast.net

We did the opposite. We were booked with no perk then the cruise was later advertised with a perk, but it cost $400 more pp. Since it was a two week cruise and we enjoy a drink, we had them increase our fare by $400 and throw in the bev pkge as our perk of choice.

I have found Windstars price model to be so complex that their agents can be mistaken about the details, so be prepared to go up the management ladder if something doesn't sound right.

Btw, question for 6rugrats. When was your last Windstar cruise? If recent I wanted to ask you something via e mail, since there is no private messaging on here.

Thanks

Thanks Milepig

Are these people Costa Ricas version of our TSA? Looking for weapons explosive devices etc? Or are they the liquor police?

We're sailing out of Puerto Caldera on April 1st on Star Breeze . Just booked up with Christian at drivercostarica@gmail.com. we're heading to puntarenas town for a couple of days first, so that's $110 for a car for two. His website says they charge $95 for arivals car from SJO to Puerto Caldera. Web address is http://www.costaricadriver.net

BTW does anyone have experience with the boarding process at Puerto Caldera? I just read an acount where sniffer dogs check your bags, and then your bags are hand searched after that.

I think you are correct and from what I have just read the cash is not required either.

Ok, thanks. I now see why crew would be just as happy to work on a luxury cruise that's discourages tipping, as they would a princess that highly encourages it.

I've only been on one cruise, with Princess. It was easy to navigate the tipping etiquette. We paid the auto tip, and I had some walking around cash to dispense here and there. I have no wish to judge those who tip differently, so please give me a pass if you think I over tipped or something.

Here is my question, since Seabourn and other luxury lines discourage tipping, may I assume they are paying their crew more than Princess cruises, and therefore all I will need is a bit of walking around cash. Or, am I under tipping, in relation to how I tip on Princess?

Were you 're friends tempted to take advantage of Windstar's policy allowing passengers to adjust the gratuity downwards if dissatisfied with the service?

O.K.I presume you're referring to an obc from the cruise line. Presumably an obc that a friend purchased for you COULD be used to pay the daily gratuity.

Thanks for this valuable data point. A green cruiser like me thanks you.

Is that a thumb drive input on the side of the tv, just above the hdmi input?

If so it would be perfect for folks who have a few movies stored on a thumb drive.