Strenz

If they were all new ports that would be worth a look. I would love Corfu, the Cornish Canal, Crete etc. I think you are correct that April would be less people. I need to relook at my dates because going through the Dardanelles from Istanbul was beautiful and thrilling and cold once we were in Greece it was in the 30s C. all the other ports were stunning. I simply soured on the hoards of people 9n those three islands. Visually spectacular.

I am with you Redtravel. I love WS and am adventurous but Greece can be extraordinary or for us a disappointment. We did Istanbul to Athens, which was wonderful with the exception of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes a huge disappointment because of the crowds, this was in May few years back and the crowds were horrid. I would love the chance of going to remote islands in Greece, do I want to spend all that money again with the chance of getting even one of those islands. I do not need to see what the world sees, we are more interested in the obscure. Example after our cruise we were in Athens and went to the island Athena where the 350 tiny medieval churches were built and painted with frescos on a side of a hill, the government has been restoring them. The Temple of Athena, is also there, it is the third vertex of the great equilateral triangle. No one was there, fascinating. It is an enticing idea, a mystery trip, but I simply would not want to be disappointed. Good Luck, WS, sounds fun, maybe if I hadn't experienced those 3 islands I would give it a try. I know my likes are different but art and the ancients are my passion when we travel. Happy Sailing

Hope you had fun, we had a great cruise too. Came home to miserable weather. The Surf is being refreshed soon but she was still great. I wrote a review.

Watersport deck is open if it is warm enough and if the water is relatively calm. If it is rough it creates a rip tide with the ship that can be dangerous. In the 24 years we have been sailing with WS it is always safety first. We did the Greek islands in May one year warm and calm, it was fun.

We got off the Surf 4 days ago and the news was that for Tahiti a motor ship will be in Tahiti from now on because they have a higher capacity and the sailing ships are too difficult to fix there. It has been a very successful run being in Tahiti ( I say for good reason) so WS needed to increase capacity. I was happy they will remain there but sad for the Spirit because my husband and I think the Tahitian Lagoon screams sails, it was so incredibly beautiful. We were on the Spirit truly out of this world beautiful. We were very fortunate. Getting off in October on the Pride from Reykjavik to Montreal via Greenland, the Pride was an excellent motor yacht, in our opinion, but sailing ships are in our blood. Happy Sailing

We did a market tour with the chef in Kotor, it was outstanding. We tasted and learned about cheeses, meats, honey, breads, I mentioned that one one honey I have ever tasted in my life, the chef bought about 12 bottles for breakfast, he later told me they lasted 3 days. It was fun. Happy Sailing

They did for us and that was in 2012. Better call WS. Great Cruise, Happy Sailing.

We are on the Surf now, bedding is so individual how could one be good for all, given that we find the beds extremely comfortable and the addition of gentle rocking of the ocean makes our sleep fabulous. Beds are not too hard for us and not soft either. We get great sleeps. Happy Sailing

The crew are their normal magnificence, on the Surf now too, lovely cruise. Happy Sailing

Same wonderful Windstar Cruise with a bit more festive feel. We love it all and always feel fortunate we can do this. Happy Sailing.

We have had 2 Christmasses on the Surf. The ship is respectful of all be it any or no religion. The ship is nicely decorated, not over the top, respectful again, there is an evening of Carols, Christmas dinner lovely for dessert Bûche de Noel, delicious. Festive yes, regular schedule yes, respectful of all again yes. The islands are decorated to the hilt, lights galore, for a person with no religion still fun. Happy Sailing

Good suggestion, I do not get sea sick so not up on the latest things, old fashion stuff. I guess one should try everything because it is misery after my English Channel crossing in 1970, still remember.Thanks for that. Happy Sailing.

We flew home with them, Air Tahiti Nui, Papeete to LA,in 2014, forget LA to BOS. We flew business because I fell into a great point exchange. It was a lovely flight. I say, I have a Phd. in points. For the past 30 years on flights to Europe, S. America and then the one from Tahiti we have always flown business, on a teachers salary that could never have happened without my Phd. Comfortable, generous, flight as I recall. We loved Tahiti and the Lagoon. On a recent trip to Italy/ Malta sailing along the Amalfi Coast on the Surf my husband and I talked what is more beautiful. We both agreed the Tahitian Lagoon by just a bit, truly incredible beauty. Happy Sailing.

From our experience that is true. We use AMEX Platinum and going on our 29 th with WS in three weeks. Your AMEX Plat. shows up on your reservation initially, as does all the other OBC from WS with your initial reservation. You use both or lose it all. It can not be used for the daily gratuities. It is used for the service charge on drinks and spa service. Your invoice is easy to read. Hope this is helpful. Happy Sailing

Yes, both sailing and motor ships have stabilizers. No ship of these sizes go without stabilizers. If you decide to go on the sailing ships, you want to make sure your room is in the middle of the ship, the lower the decks the better. The sailing ships have ballasts and stabilizers. If you go on a motor ship I would make sure you had a balcony for fresh air, middle of the boat. Reminder when motion sickness occurs you always want to look out right at the horizon, outside, middle of the boat, with a stack of saltine crackers. We have a friend from Sweden who gets horrifically sea sick, she has been on the sailing ships 4 times with us in the Med. twice, Atlantic, English Channel, Caribbean. She stays in a BX room, middle of the ship and in the dining room the maître de sat us in the middle every night we only had to request the first night, no problems. Great service on WS , they bend over backwards to help you. The sailing ships have huge decks easy to sit and look out at the horizon in the middle of the ship. We were at the tip of the hurricane Lee this fall coming into the St. Lawrence, I was amazed at how little rocking and rolling we did on the Star Pride. I thought it would have been far worse. My husband gets motion sickness in that type of sea, he felt it but not badly, he took a motion sickness pill but needed only one. I will admit I have sailed my entire life and was only once sick the English Channel. I have have tremendous empathy for those that get it. Middle of the ship, a pill, saltine crackers, looking out at the horizon, fresh air you should be ok. Great ships. Happy Sailing

We were on a 10 day crossing via Greenland in the fall on the Star Pride. My hobby and interest is food, love cooking and experimenting and the culture/ history of food. I love pure food, eat organic at home but realize on a ship that is not possible which is fine. We tried the vegan cuisine once, I was curious because I have read that a lot about this food and the ultra processing. We tried the Vegan Cheese Cake and it was inedible. I do not understand why it has to be called " cheese cake " , no cheese. I was hesitant to try anything else and what I have read about vegan meat like dishes is the processing. I respect people's tastes, dietary and religious needs, beliefs, health issues etc it seems to me real vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, olive oils, pastas of terrific quality, is far better health wise than these made up ultra processed foods. I was told on my cruise of 190 people there were no vegans and was told from a crew member there was a lot of waste. Perhaps people should state their food preferences to the cruise line prior to so the ship can judge how many vegan eaters there are or kosher folks, etc so there is not as much waste. This was the first WS cruise we saw with vegan items and our 28 th WS cruise. Happy Sailing

Being from New England a seven day cruise is far too short for going so far. It is a beautiful part of the world to be enjoyed, relaxed and not rushed. We loved the cruise and everything about Tahiti. I think each island is unique with topography, culture, offerings. We cheated we crossed the Pacific on the first cruise back with Windstar Cruises, rather 19 days at sea than 19 hours in a plane, glorious. Coming home was a different story, flying. I would never let anyone but me pick my seats flying. We are mile/point users for going business class on these long flights. We are finicky about seats and most tour companies can not get you the best seats especially going economy. We have often used WS hotels when they offer them as perks and we have found them to be excellent hotels. The Intercontinental in Papeete was lovely and convenient. Our least favorite island Bora Bora far too touristy. Moorea was quite beautiful. The Lagoon spectacular beauty. Give yourself a minimum 10 day cruise you will not regret it. Happy Sailing

I agree, have been really worried for years. We love those ships and we have had great trips and dreamy vacations in the Caribbean ( trip/vacation very different for us) on the Surf in 3 weeks. Bravo Windstar Cruises. Happy Sailing

Given that we have 29 cruises with WS we often get offered upgrades. On the sailing ships we like to be in front of the water tight doors so we don't have to be bothered with being stuck without an elevator. We do not care which floor. Since all rooms/cabins are the same besides the suits we simply decline unless of course it is a suite. My husband loves a suite I really do not care. On the motor ships we like the old configuration with the living area near the balcony. There is something about the motor yachts we would not go without a balcony and we like floor 5 room 511 in that area because it is easy to get out to the hot tub which we love it being on the bow of the ship. We always tell WS do not change us. We certainly all have different requirements, different reasons, funny. Happy Sailing.

So sorry to hear of your terrible loss. I hope that you can keep your memories alive. For me memories keep my spirits up. I can reach back and have an instant smile. Do what is best for you in the moment to keep going. Brave to be back with WS, where your memories are so recent and precious. The best to you.

We took the Star Pride in Sept/ Oct 2023, room 511. We went from Reykjavik to Montreal via Greenland. The ship was perfect and lovely. On CC reviews I wrote a review called " Extraordinary, Says It All". The ship was in tip top shape. That was our 27 th cruise WS mostly on the sailing ships ( all but 2 ) and we loved it. I would imagine in the Caribbean it will be glorious. Sailors most of our life, we are on the Surf 1/6. Happy Sailing.

Citizens of Tahiti are French citzens protected by the EU. Tahiti is considered an OTC, EU rules apply. Tahiti is considered part of the EU. I do believe there would be leverage with the airlines. What not sure but this gentleman could have investigated, apparently not needed now. I was giving correct advice and being helpful not dismissive.

Air France operates on EU rules, for KLM when I had to cancel for late covid issues, they held my money for 2 years, I used it when I rebooked the trip it was fine. EU has rules Air France/Delta cancelled. I would call them back and ask them to give you the same air price and pay for the hotel because they changed the schedule, you booked in good will and Tahiti is part of France I think you have some leverage here. In Europe they would have to pay your hotel. I know that for a fact, happen and I lived there once. Get your TA to confirm the price of the hotel ( not the WS perk) but what you will pay, call Air France. You are not the bad guy, this forum is supposed to be helpful. Blame is not helpful. I will get back to you I have a name of a company in Europe that can help you perhaps. I have to find it. We used it and did receive some money from a flight that was quite late. Don't give up. You are in for a great trip.

We had a similar experience in Reykjavik only we came in 3 days earlier and stayed the last night on WS with a perk that we chose. We talked to the hotel upon making our private reservation for the first 2 nights and we asked not to be moved. We picked our price which was probably a cheaper room than WS offered but we were more interested in not being moved that last night. Given prices in Iceland this was a lovely hotel, great location and not that expensive. The hotels, we have found, when paying yourself are much less than paying with WS. We stayed in a WS hotel in Rome and we paid a lot less by doing it privately. We wanted to take the WS van into Rome to use our OBC. The Intercontinental as we remember from 2014 when we did the first cruise back to Tahiti was very nice, I do not remember it being that expensive. I would imagine the hotel will be fine to work with. Good Luck, WS does a fabulous job in Tahiti. Happy Sailing

I am an accomplished cook, I love food, the history, the culture, the chemistry, the creating. I love real, unprocessed food. When I travel food and immersing myself in the cultures through food is important to me. On my last cruise with Windstar the food was delicious but I was mystified with " plant based ". We tried the " cheese cake " and it was grim that is being nice. Not the fault of the chef because naming an item "cheese" when there is absolutely no cheese or dairy is in my opinion odd. Name it what it is a brown cake that is heavy, with a whipped topping some kind of oil made to look like, but not taste like frosting. I perseverated on this and did research these two words showed up time and again " ultra processed ". What is wrong with real food, Mediterranean Diet, nothing healthier. I wrote Chris Prelog about this for I have never seen it on WS's menus until this year. His answer was they have had requests. Who am I, but for the life of me given the chemicals, the whipped oils, some coloring I do not see how that is good for anyone. We were disappointed in the Tapas restaurant it seemed the " plant based" made the menu for us lacking. I have been to Spain many times never heard of " plant based " tapas. Each to our own... Happy Sailing.