Nearpost345

Laffnvegas that’s great thank you. I shall be looking out for your updates.

Thank you Misty, that is very encouraging. Last night I was watching “Patrick and the Whale”, a documentary about Patrick Dykstra’s encounter with sperm whales in Dominica. It was very inspiring. By the way, your review of the Windsurf caribbean cruise destinations is also very much appreciated. Thank you again!

I was wondering if anyone had taken the official Windstar whale watching tour out of Rousseau Dominica. We are on the Windsurf next month and curious to know how the tour went for you and in particular which tour guide/company Windstar uses. Thank you.

I think it helps that they are going to be places that windstar have not visited before. Agree with you that it’s not for everyone. Personally I’d give it a go.

Okay, it is cruiseCRITIC after all, so here’s my complaint. We were on the legend last spring when they decided to turn the Amphora (there is one outside every restaurant of the same name on all the ships) into a flipping vase that holds an artificial tree. Maybe I’m strange, but after spending a week visiting Phoenician museums in Andalusia and getting fully acquainted with the history of the amphora, I was a tad miffed. BTW I agree with those criticizing the new suite layout. In defense of the designer maybe they were thinking passengers want to have direct access to the “living room” when they enter their suite.

Thank you. Yeh I’d hate to put them in an awkward position, My first evening ever on board I showed up at Amphora in shorts. The tortured look on their faces as they reluctantly turned me away was endearing. Love the crew.

Thank you princeton.

Thank you Margot, since posting we actually found some schematics . Biggest difference we noticed is there is no little table seating arrangement on the Surf, but we’ll get over it.

thank you davemy

Thank you!

So we know wine is permitted to be brought on board during a cruise on the motor yachts. We’re Heading off on The Wind Surf soon. Can anybody attest to being permitted to bring wine on board a Windstar SAILING SHIP (sorry for shouting ) during the cruise. Thank you

I hope this is the correct forum. Can anyone confirm if U.S. citizens leaving SXM go thru U.S. customs and or immigration procedure, or does this not occur until you arrive back in the U.S.A. Also any anecdotal information about whether JFK Miami or Charlotte are more or less desirable for dealing with customs and immigration would be welcome. Thank you.

Oops thanks for that correction Misty. Since Wind Spirit has left FP, it is worth asking Windstar if Starlink is now installed and available on the Wind Spirit.

Hi everyone, I know the standard suites on all the sailing ships are 188 sq ft. Are there any differences whatsoever once you get inside. Just want to confirm if say the Wind Spirit suites are identical to the Wind Surf suites. Thanks Edit: We want to know how much space we are giving up for storage compared to the yachts

I think it’s one connection per passenger . You can connect two devices but your room mate will have to disconnect, If you have friends in another cabin, maybe you could use their name and cabin number to log in, but they would have to be disconnected. If you enjoy four or more drinks a day, consider the all in package. Also please note that Starlink (superior internet connectivity) is unavailable in FP so the internet that you do get will be sketchy

My experience overall with the company is that the head office can overcomplicate things with their various offerings. Even now they are offering two 7 day back to back cruises on windsurf in march for about $2600 each. However if you take up their 14 day offering (amounting to the same dates march 9 thru 23rd) they want $8,000. That’s just an example. But I look at things on the whole when it comes to Windstar, and have benefited more from their wonkiness than I’ve suffered. I don’t think they’re intending to annoy the guests as they muddle along. I’d also have to add that any weirdness from head office is massively offset by the treatment we receive from the crew once were on board. Just my opinion but as a four star general! 😎 I love the loyalty program

Congrats Misty morning, glad it all worked out, and thanks for the windsurf review, we’re heading to the windsurf next month.

We were on 89 as well at commencement of our last cruise. Although Windstar’s policy is that you will not be upgraded to 4stars till the end of your cruise, I approached reception on day 4 of our cruise and she was delighted to switch on our free internet (laundry was already no charge due to length of cruise). Prelog (ceo) actually joined our cruise shortly after. He was hired some months maybe a year or so even before. As I stated earlier Windstar will not apply any discounts or obc to reduced rate cruises. Finally I would only add that for reception to know that a 4 star passenger is not entitled to free laundry/internet 15% shop discount, head office would have to send them a note attached to the passengers names. I don’t think they have sunk to that level of churlishness yet. Sorry, one more addendum, it could be that where we may have got lucky was when the receptionist waived the rule about when you get 4star treatment, by upgrading our status mid cruise (not official windstar policy)

Honestly just go to reception onboard and tell them to turn on your wi fi and assign your suite to free laundry. They’ll see your 4 star status in the system, job done.

I understand no %discount and no cash obc, but I am shocked about the free laundry and free wifi being excluded. Have you called back in for a second opinion on that?

Wilhelm the hotel manager greeted us when we embarked in Miami back in April ‘23. He came half way down the gangplank to grab our bags, we politely demurred, so he said “But I must !” He was an utter diamond, we were sorry to lose him when his contracted ended (In Lisbon I think). I’m glad to see he’s back making everybody happy.

dandee I’m not following your thinking, bottom lines are more to do with current balance sheet than the price that was paid for the vessel decades ago,

Thank you Misty, great stuff. May I assume the crew are their usual awesome selves?

Thank for such a full response, and very reassuring too.

Joining the windsurf in March in the Caribbean, by my calculation there are ten tender stops on our 14 day cruise. Can anybody comment on speed and efficiency of the tender service. Thank you Should add it’s our first time on the surf so any other comments much appreciated.