marinaro44

15 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

It makes a conundrum for me:  the new 'star' cabins are in the most desirable mid-aft location, but they all the bed by the window.  After consideration, both DH and I think the bed close to the bathroom is a better arrangement for us – so the 'old' cabins it is.

Prefer the "old cabin" furniture, too.  Tried the "new."  Going back to the "old."

10 hours ago, milepig said:

Disagree. It would be nice but On Board Credit means exactly that, it must be used on board. Cancelling and rebooking excursions is a way around that.

You can't be serious.  OBC can be used for ship's excursions.  If you can book these online before your cruise, you should be able to use the OBC you're being given rather than having to shell out $1000+ upfront, and then requiring the excursion staff to go through the trouble to cancel, rebook and process transactions to your credit card...for everyone who booked excursions online.

Azamara allows you to book excursions online using your OBC.  Windstar should, too.

Did a north Atlantic crossing from Southampton to Manhattan in a deck 12 veranda on the stern.  No issues.  Another from Dover to Boston via Reykjavik.  No issues.  Frankly, it all depends on weather at the time

2 hours ago, r&rd said:

Just a clarification: You can not use non-refundable OBC for gratuities. 

Never seen a cruise line where it could be used for the daily gratuity amount.  It's not real money.  Good only to buy overpriced excursions, overpriced spa treatments, overpriced shop stuff, etc.

Windstar should update its system to allow you to book online using OBC from Windstar.  Especially considering the steep prices we're now seeing.  They're getting a lot of float from us.

If you want towels replaced they should be left on the floor.

25 days in 424 with no issues.

10 hours ago, BuddyR said:

The website is not currently showing the stateside menu.  Would you by any chance be able to share the menu?  I’ll be in the Caribbean on the Onward in November.

Sorry.  Don't have the menu.

French, Italian and Stateside were excellent in December on Onward.

1 hour ago, Bobal said:

On Onward last month there was just one desk and it was on the pool deck at the side of the stage on the opposite side to The Patio. Get there as early as you can. There was a long long line and some people weren't able to get the times they wanted

 

Don't save your Chef's Table as a last night treat.This  is what we did and it was cancelled 

 

This is where it was on December 12.

We always try for an N2 portside aft of the aft elevator and have never had an issue.

55 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

No, they won't put them on the other ships. They will rely on the Atlas Bar drinks being sold in The Den as mentioned above. 

 

Phil 

We were told this, as well, and were pleased to hear it.

8 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

If you're in a suite, are the gratuities for butler services included in your cruise fare?

Yes.

7 minutes ago, ciaoYacht said:

Anyone traveling on the Pride have experience with the new wifi service?

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/windstar-cruises-to-add-starlink-internet-service-to-entire-fleet.html

 

Will be traveling soon on Pride and excited to see how this is working out.

Should work fine except where Starlink does not yet have coverage.

The check you are given in specialty restaurants says that a tip is included in the restaurant's charge.

10 minutes ago, D. B. said:

Looks like the new owners are after every $. 

Sounds to me it's the same policy as pre-Covid.  Cruise with Confidence reflected the uncertainties presented by Covid.  At some point things go back too the way they were.

23 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

There will be a tip line on the check when you sign for the meal, but you are under no obligation to tip

Because a tip is already included in the price of the dinner.

The Hilton is near the port and excellent.

24 days on Onward in December and January.  Plenty to like; no dislikes.  Don't recall seeing anything about the Onward guest relations staff being "pitiful."

On 1/21/2023 at 7:30 AM, voyager1964 said:

Also, if this is important to you,

with a higher suite on Oceania, you can board at 11 am and your cabin is ready at this time (2 pm+ on Azamara). You can make reservations for their specialty restaurants online and well before most other pax (only after boarding on Azamara that again starts at 2 pm for everyone).

Had experience with booking specialties online with Regent, Oceania's big sister and supposed "six-star luxury" line.  Did not like that approach st all.  Opened at midnight Central time for us, but penthouse and above had first crack days earlier, a policy I really dislike.  You were allowed one reservation in each specialty.  Few openings were left.

On our second Regent cruise, they borrowed the hotel and cruise directors from Oceania, both unimpressive and not very visible.  The CD would walk past you like you weren't there.  I suppose some prefer it that way.

27 minutes ago, lisiamc said:

 

We ended up with a litre of Gordon’s but that was fine since we like Gordon’s better than Bombay Sapphire. 

We like Gordon's, too.  No nonsense, classic gin.  Schweppes, too.  No nonsense, classic tonic.

43 minutes ago, Shadow5501 said:

On an 11 night cruise last October I ate in Aqualina 5 nights, Prime C 5 nights, and chefs table once toward the end of the cruise. Afraid I did not successfully communicate my point. The component ingredients and their preparations as combined into menu items served at the chefs table substantially exist as component ingredients in the menu items served in Aqualina and Prime C. The meats, seafood, sauces, some of the sides - all are sourced from the menus of Aqualina and Prime C. If you were to make a Venn diagram of the items used in the chefs table menu they would have perhaps a 50% overlap with the specialty restaurant menus. The individual courses of the chefs table are not offered at the specialty restaurants, but if you ate at the specialty restaurants as often as I did, they will feel strangely familiar and not all that unique. That is my point. In retrospect, this is unlikely to be much of an issue for most passengers…

If you're saying there's beef tenderloin in Prime C and beef tenderloin on a Chef's Table menu, that's true.  If you're saying there's similarity in the preparation of the dishes, I really have to disagree.

9 hours ago, Shadow5501 said:

Yes, there is still a supplement for the chefs table if you are in a suite. Unfortunately I can’t recall if it’s a reduced rate or the same as everybody else. I will say this. The menu for the chefs table was substantially derived from dishes served in Aqualina and Prime C. If you plan to frequently dine in the specialty restaurants, the chefs table may not be as unique or special. The wine was very good.

Have seen no relation between Chef's Table menus and the specialty restaurant offerings.  Very puzzling assertion.

16 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

On our January 5 Onward cruise we witnessed six guest on first night not allowed in Discoveries because they were wearing shorts. Most appeared clueless that there was a dress code.

Same on our two December cruises on Onward.

1 hour ago, Ekelley8804 said:

Is there at change that our Destination Celebration in Sorrento could get changed to an Azamazing Evening still? Our sailing is April 1 from Rome - April 8 in Athens. We were hoping to have a fun evening off the ship, but if not, we will go with adjusted expectations. We are Azamara newbies (my mom's first cruise ever) and were definitely looking forward to this activity.

Sorrento is a tender port.Difficult to take 600+ people from and to the ship.