milepig

Good idea. There was one couple in the Yacht Club playing a lot of cribbage but they came and left with their own board.

This may all have since changed, but in November on the Legend we were told that a number of changes were Covid-related. The video collection was gone, as was the library, which IIRC was in the little room that is used for small meetings, demos and stuff. Also, interestingly, in the Yacht Club the playing cards were gone, but the jigsaw puzzles were still there, random! I don't recall a DVD player in the room, were they ever there past renovation? It's not really something we use. The TV options had been improved with more channels, and there were some streading videos, more than in the past and playable on demand. We buzzed through the few that looked interesting in a couple days. I assumed the movies were loaded onto a shipboard server and not streamed over the satellite. I guess I could watch Netflix on my laptop, but with the speed issues I'd think that would be an exercise in frustration.

From the article, it sounds like the exceptions are where countries still require pre-cruise testing. I'm surprised about Greece, since they're generally quite open. The exception to this new testing procedure is that Windstar must follow the local rules and regulations of all the countries it visits and currently Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand (subject to change) still require COVID-19 pre-testing prior to boarding any ship in their respective waters.

It is but IMHO they ruined it by plopping down a huge white box in the middle of it that holds the kitchen and I'm not sure what else. It blocks the views and just makes it feel closed and cramped. I miss the old configuration. Instead of the old scattered tables most of them are lined up in rows, cafeteria style.

You also can cancel and change when on board - within the time limit. I've seen the tours tend to be higher priced when on board, only known since I took the list I'd downloaded from the website before the cruise and the brochure in the cabin had higher prices.

I'd say we have at least one tour canceled on every itin. I have the impression that it is usually due to lack of interest. Someones the tour we change to has only a few people on it either. This can work to your advantage if you have lots of on board credit. The canceled tour gets a credit on your account and the new one you but come off your on board credit. On our last itin we have at least 3 tours canceled and would up with over a thousand bucks credit on our account that was paid to us after the cruise.

It goes way back and is a reference for my then desire to collect airline miles doing whatever it took. Not so much since Covid! It's sort of used for all things related to travel

They have now clarified this on the website, which says: The two-day window is not time dependent; if you board on a Friday the test can be taken as early as Wednesday. And The three-day window is not time dependent; if you board on a Friday the test can be taken as early as Tuesday. They look for the date on the testing form, not the time

It should normally be plenty of time - you can arrange with WS to let you off the ship as soon as possible. They will ask that you be at a specific spot and that you have your bags with you. Hopefully airports will be back to normal by May, right now I wouldn't risk it. For transport, it costs a bit more than a cab but we use a service called Welcome Pickups. They have an easy to use App, the drivers are friendly and speak good English and there's no need to "negotiate" with a cab. You get an instant confirmation when you book and then closer to the trip they'll check in and give you the driver's name and so on. Highly recommended. They even took the time to check our stated arrival flight and time and contacted me to ask for clarification since the flight number and arrival time didn't make sense. That's good service. To give a sense of price, I just booked an airport pickup to city center and a city center to Piraeus, and the total was $77.

Amphora, as stated above, is only open fir breakfast during cold or otherwise bad weather. In our Scotland/Ireland trip Veranda was closed more often that it was open. There is a massive tomahawk chop in Candles, this is about the only upcharge I've seen. Reservations for Candles and Quatro are officially once per leg, but if there is room and they know you you can usually eat more than once at each. One time on the small ship were candles is out on deck we were outside having drinks and they asked us if we'd like to stay for dinner. On WS there are no rules. Yes, the BBQ has been significantly downsized, no lobster!! Desserts are considerably less fancy. Other small things.

There will be a sign on the pier that will say "last tender at xx:xx" don't miss it!

Is the site that showed which cabins were booked back up? I think it had gone down at one point. The roll calls are almost useless it's a desert.

These are two different options. Before the cruise I've never been asked to pay, these have always been complimentary upgrades. On board guest services will put you on a list and will call if there's something available, but these are for a fee upgrades. I start that conversation by asking "is the ship full or might there be some upgrade opportunities" and remain silent on any cost, that discussion happens when they say they DO have upgrades. They will then give the cost and I have chance to so "thanks but no thanks."

On board in normally paid. I don't know offhand if you can use shipboard credit? Maybe 3 times in 25+ itins we got a surprise "you've bee upgraded" message at varying times before sailing. I've suspected that these are because the lower priced cabins are sold out and they rewarding frequent pax with an upgrade while also opening up a lower tied cabin for booking. One time the lighting really struck and got an owners suite.

It was formerly included but I believe is not at the moment. I suspect this was part of the general plan to include benefits in the various Yacht Club perks, and the laundry was a pretty inexpensive one to add. We adore the package we board the ship and immediately prepare our first bag. A few times during the voyage and then we plan so everything except what we're wearing is clean the evening before disembarkation. Worth every penny!

And sometimes they insist there won't be one and then there is. I'll skip the much longer story of the Cruise Director from hell, but he insisted that there would be no shuttle in Rotterdam - insisted that there has never been and never will be a shuttle. No shuttle, period. The first thing we saw when we disembarked was a sign with an arrow saying "the way to the free shuttle."

We had the bed by the window last fall and are going back to the other layout. Just our preference.

I've also seen some things that aren't correct. I know 100% that we walked right off the ship in Douglas, Isle of Man. Also several of the ports listed in Ireland and Scotland on the list are not tendered. Just a few I spotted. The bigger question is why WS doesn't make this list more apparent. I was glad to see the wet landings in Costa Rica and Panama listed, many on board were caught by surprise.

I found this very complete list buried on the bottom of the accessibility information page: https://www.windstarcruises.com/accessibility/

You've likely found this, but there is a ton of information here: https://www.windstarcruises.com/accessibility/ I believe, but am not sure, that there was some earlier chat the even the accessible bathrooms do have a small lip at the bathroom door, making it not too bad for those with limited mobility who can lift their feet over a small lip but difficult for those who are truly unable to do so or who are wheelchair bound.

In the spirit of being welcoming, you'll love Windstar. Breakfast and Lunch, all just walk in. Hours differ by the day schedule so check the sheet you'll get in the room the night before. On a nice day we love the chow at the Star Bar and you can sit as long as your want. Candles and the Quadro 44 are technically by reservation and one each per cruise. You can book when you check in so it helps to have an idea of what nights you might like - avoid late departures you may decide to dine on what. Depending on how full the are you may be asked at the bar later if you'd like a reservation, or we've even just walked up. It helps to be a regular, we're top level Yacht club and they all recognize us (small ships, and the same crew in some cases for years). The night of the BBQ everything else is closes, except IIRC in room dining. But the BBQ is the place to be. The main dining room is only open for dinner, and totally no reservation so just walk in, you may be asked if you'd rather dine along or share a table - we like sharing. Cocktails, lots of choices. On a nice night we sit by the star bar (outside), the yacht club is usually quite and has great views. Compass Rose is a little more upscale (but still casual) with a traditional bar. This is sometimes closed for receptions. All are open after dinner as well, Compass rose will likely have a show of some type or live music. We tend to go to the star bar our Yacht club, both will also serve all day. After dinner, we've trained the bar staff to drop off night caps in our cabin, they just appear after dinner. At Lunch, they're also pouring wine/beer (and I guess cocktails, a little early for us) in Veranda and at the Star Bar. The best coffee drinks are in the Yacht Club in the morning, they open early and have some light food. You can take your coffee outside if the weather is nice. It's usually very quiet that time of day. I'm up first so I'll get a cup of some coffee up there and then meet my wife at veranda for breakfast. Secrets? Sign up for the kitchen tour -fantastic. Go to the cooking demonstration. If offered (I haven't seen one recently) sometimes the chef will take a group to the local market - I think this is off for Covid. For all of these ask at Reception. Buy the All Inclusive package, it not only covers most beverages but also shipboard daily fees and other things. And, you're never bothered for any signing of chits, etc. Once you've done it once on the first day they'll remember. It's cheaper if you buy it before the cruise, and you won't pay and VAT if you're in an area where they're required to charge that. The smiling people at reception know everything. If you've booked shore excursions pay attention to the "cancel by date" so if you're plans change they'll cancel it if you're withing the time where it's allowed. Cancellations show up on the bill as a credit. But if you buy an excursion on board it will be charged to your shipboard credit if you have any. Get the laundry package - a deal! They don't carry lots of extra bedding, etc., on board. If there's something you want - more or different pillows a lighter or heavier coverlet, etc. Ask early And do treat the cabin crew nicely, they're great. Last secret. This is hit or miss, but they sometimes are offering cabin upgrades, check at reception as early as possible, and they'll put you on a list.

Hmm Greece has long been quite open so this is one more step.

Mostly true, but there are a few upper tier suites that have a real outdoor space.

They have returned to asking if you'd like to share a table. We always say yes. I think that by "outdoor grill" you mean candles. Officially it is once in a sailing, but if you ask nicely they often have seats available and they'll book you again, I've also seen a dining manager walking around the bar area asking if you'd like to reserve a table, even though you've eaten there before.