Redtravel

Pandemic changed everything. For months we seldom left home. Many people stayed home and worked online. No need for office attire. Retail stores that sold clothes did most transactions by mail. It took me months before I went into a store to buy new clothes. I shopped for new clothes in my own closet. Fast forward after 2 years at home. Who has clothes for a cruise? In June 2022 I took my first pandemic cruise. I pulled out my old cruise attire. Happy that they still fit. Obviously, many people on my cruise didn’t have old cruise attire that fit. They wore everything. While there were many appropriately dressed people, there were many dressed poorly. Did it affect my experience? No.

Before pandemic, both lounges were open 24/7. I read somewhere that hours are being limited since you aren’t allowed to self serve. Anyone recently on, has this changed? I like going there early AM or late PM for coffee or tea. I know that you can get coffee/tea at any bar.

I used to get online at midnight when the reservations opened up. For my upcoming cruise, I actually forgot. Got online 2 days later and got acceptable tables for two at my preferred times.

We have been on cruises that are sold out. If you are flexible in dates and times, you should be able to get a reservation at each restaurant. First nights are usually easy to get a table. If you have trouble getting what works for you, note that not all openings can be booked online. See the maitr’d on the ship. On longer cruises, we often get additional reservations. The most popular restaurant is Jacques. I always look for that reservation first. Regardless, the food is excellent in all venues. I even like eating in the Terrace buffet area. On warm evenings, many people like the buffet area outside. The buffet serves the same items at GDR plus cooked to order lobster, steal, and lamb chops.

You are right. We completed our 11th cruise in September. We had a great time. We cruise on Windstar, but not exclusively. We enjoy variety. We like smaller ships or at least not the ones with thousands of people. Next cruise is on Oceania. It’s using fcc from the stuck at sea fiasco in March 2020. Over the years, we have enjoyed most of our cruises. When we need a break to relax, we choose Windstar. We mostly disconnect and veg out. It also helps that the crew is amazing and the food is outstanding.

After the cruise, I called customer service and asked to talk to Isabel. I did not discuss anything with the woman who took my call. I was told that Isabel was in a meeting and would call me back. That was over a month ago. No call back. Guess that Windstar has long meetings or really doesn’t care.

On Breeze in September. Never announced any Covid cases. However, we did notice small tables with food trays in front of some cabin doors. There was a cabin close to us that had the tray table for most of the cruise. Covid? Maybe those people just ordered room service?

Bermuda system states that you should get your travel authorization a week before your cruise. Applying and waiting was stressful. However, I didn’t call. Got travel authorization as stated. Once onboard, we met people who called a few weeks after filing. They were angry that they had to wait on hold for long time. Some used 800 toll free. Some called the direct number. They all got their authorization. Relax and wait.

The therapy pool for concierge and up isn’t a great thing. It is at the bow. Often it is windy. Also, no bar service there. If I use that pool, it’s use and leave. Not worth paying extra. Use the hot tubs midship. They are free.

Often use laundry facilities on embarkation day. Many people arrive having traveled before the cruise. It can be very busy.

Just back from Star Breeze. In June, cruised on Summit. Crowded and uncomfortable. Spouse got Covid. Stress level was really high. Windstar is completely different. They advertise 180 degrees different. No crowds. We had 130 guests. Maximum would’ve been 312. There was lots of space. It felt relaxed and comfortable. I am a mask wearer. On WS I felt ok without a mask. Crew wore masks. Had a fabulous time and didn’t get Covid. Have a great time on Windstar.

My travel agent lists the taxes and port fees separately on my invoice. Port fees aren’t much. While I agree that Oceania should refund them, it’s not worth the effort to get a refund.

If you plan on taking excursions, pick excursions. Listed excursions cost under $200 are yours to select. Do it early. They do sell out.

Relax. Went to Bermuda in June. Yes, they charge you when you make application. Then wait patiently. I applied 4 weeks before cruise. My spouse got Bermuda travel authorization 2 weeks later. Not me. Mine came a few days later. Strange? You might think that if you both apply at the same time that you would get the authorization on the same day. Just keep the email saying that you applied. There is an 800 phone #. Only call of you are less than a week out. Many people on the cruise had similar things happen. It all worked out.

It might be better if you could make reservations as soon as you pay final payment.

Happened to me. On other cruise lines, when we missed ports, we got refund for port charges. It isn’t much. We have missed ports on Oceania for many reasons. Never any refund. It really didn’t bother me. Port charges should be refunded. However, the amount is small. It’s not worth making it an issue. That was until our Sirena cruise in March 2020. We were on the last cruise when the pandemic put a halt to cruising. That cruise should’ve been canceled. We missed most of the scheduled ports. After the cruise I contacted O customer service to request refund of port charges. I was told that there were no port charges paid. None would be refunded. What? Oceania insisted nobody paid port charges. Sounded crazy. We did get some fcc. It wasn’t much. We have tried using it. We booked, got canceled, rebooked, etc. we are booked to cruise in December or we lose the fcc. Looking forward to sailing on Oceania again. I agree that when ports are skipped, the port charges should be refunded.

Wash hands more often. I discovered the wash basins in the buffet area half way through my X cruise. They are hidden. Once found, I used it. I seldom saw anyone else washing. Just took a cruise on Windstar. On day 1, when you entered the buffet area, you were asked to wash you hands at a very visible wash area. On following days, most people washed hands. No Covid. On X, my spouse got Covid.

Since you will pay gratuities, it might be better if it was automatically included in the cruise price. Unlike many cruise lines that let you use OBC to pay the gratuities, Windstar will not let you use OBC. It seems that there are people at the end of the cruise unaware that they cannot use OBC for tips. Often they seemed surprised and mad that their OBC has restrictions. By the time that they realize it, it is often too late to spend that OBC.

We were on the Breeze. Luckily all of the elevators were working. There was a man in a wheelchair who always used the elevators. His wife went with him to push the wheelchair. At times opening doors was a problem since there are no automatic openings. People often stopped to help them. It would be helpful if the doors to veranda had openers.

When we booked All In was it. Although we are elite plus and get enough WiFi and drinks from Captains club, we had to buy the cruise with the classic beverage plan and unlimited WiFi. Beverage plan was lame since many liquor choices were unavailable. At least we got water and some soda. No ginger ale, Sprite Zero, or club soda. Wine was iffy. The All In WiFi seldom worked and if it did , it was very slow. We used our CC WiFi time and got connected faster. Future cruises, I would book cruise only if available. We had a good time in spite of the supply shortages. We went on another cruise, not Celebrity, and there were also supply shortages. It’s happening everywhere. Accept it and enjoy!

On Summit in June 10 nights. Food was very good including prime rib roast on 2 nights. Lobster and beef Wellington were served on the next to last night. No complaints about food. We also lucked out getting a table for 2 every night. Same waiter staff made it easy. We were in Select dining and reserved dining times before boarding. It was a pleasure.

No. Had to pay extra for some cocktails. It wasn’t much.

Sadly, your experience is not limited to Celebrity. There are supply shortages everywhere. Getting experienced help is also a challenge. Everywhere you go, there are signs looking for workers. When I go food shopping, it’s amazing if I get most of my desired items. The pandemic has changed the world. Accept it. We all remember prepandemic cruises and many expect pandemic cruises to be the same. Sadly, it isn’t happening now. Maybe things will improve.

My spouse also has mobility issues. Star ships can be a challenge. Luckily the new tender platform is part of the stretch. It is accessible by a large elevator to the loading area. However, depending upon the tides, there may be some steps to board the tender. The new stretch added handicapped restrooms in the veranda. However, there are no accessible doorways anywhere. The new pool area has ramps to get to the pool. Unfortunately, to get into the pool, you have to use a ladder. No lift for access. The real challenge for everyone is gangway angles. At times, due to tides, the angle can be very steep.

I had to do lots of precruise stuff for my last 2 cruises. In June, we stopped in Bermuda. Getting all the required things done to get a Bermuda travel authorization was a hassle. In September, flew into Canada to embark. At that time, ArrivCan was in force. Getting all of Canada requirements completed was a challenge. While I hated the inconvenience, I admired the safety regulations. Luckily, those programs have mostly expired. While you may be inconvenienced having to get tested, it gives you some reassurance that people with Covid will not embark. Of course, between time of test and embarkation, somebody may get infected. Testing helps identify problems for travelers.Even though Oceania doesn’t require testing to embark, I plan to test at home before I go to my next cruise. If positive, stay home. Hopefully your cruise will be safe.