honumaui

Is anyone able to navigate the new web site ? It is awful. I can't find out the tours for my 2015 cruise. Can't find the hotel packages either. They say I don't have an account ( although I cruised on the Surf in Dec. & had no problems then.):(

We did a b to b in Dec. Also got an alumni disc plus Connoisseur disc. Would highly recommend doing it...also saves on air fare..one trip instead of two. One week on the Surf in not enough in my opinion. Plus the itineraries are different. They even did a special lunch for the few couples that stayed on !

Both my hubby & I would rather be on the yacht instead of an island resort.

Also, check out the other lines..Avalon, Scenic, AMA, etc. They all have a web site.

We cruised with Avalon 2 years ago. Had one check in each and one roll on. The roll on was placed in a compartment under the bus when traveling and placed inside our check ins when in the cabin. The new rules indicate no roll ons on a bus. I am confused. Does that mean only that you can not bring them into the bus or that you can't have them at all. We are leaving in a few weeks and have a pre cruise tour booked which will then bring us to the boat.

Every line we have looked at lets you know up front in the itinerary the hotel nights, when you board the ship & the day to day sailings. We did a 15 Day Grand France on Avalon that was advertised as 16 days ...one day of overnight travel, one hotel night at beginning or end in Monte Carlo and 14 nights aboard. All explained in the itinerary. In some itineraries there is a 3 night hotel before & or after. It all depends on where you chose to go. Some people like staying in an included city a few days. As someone said..you can choose to do the "cruise only " option & book your own stays. Basically they are advertising a "14 night vacation " but calling it a cruise.

We would also recommend Avalon. We did our 1st RC cruise on Viking ( before the expansion)..Amsterdam to Vienna. It was very good. Our 2nd was the Grand France on Avalon. It was even better. We found Avalon comparable in price and a notch above Viking. We will be doing the Zurich to Amsterdam on Avalon the end of August. We really liked the mix of Aussies, Canadians, & Brits that Avalon markets to.

We have done that tour twice...In 2006 on the Tahitian Princess and again in 2011 on the Paul Gauguin. It was fabulous both times. If Windstar doesn't offer it you can book it independently...check out the PG forums. Someone there usually has info. on it. Also on Bora Bora there are lots of cabs waiting at the dock that offer island tours. It does not take very long to circle the island.

Like Ducklite we have been on both the PG & Windsurf. I agree with most of the comments except that we would again go on the PG. We had no problems with the air arrangements or the day rooms before & after.

What you need to compare to is the PG to the Wind Spirit...which we also have been on but not in Tahiti. More intimate but less amenities than the Surf.

Also compare pricing..the PG is all inclusive and offered nice wines ( we are not wine snobs) and premium drinks. To me a plus for the PG would be the Gaugines...Tahitian hostesses/ entertainment. They brought the islands aboard. The plus for Wind Spirit would be the intimacy of the yacht and the sails. If I were to go again my deciding factor would be the itinerary/cost. The PG offers trips to other island groups although having been to the Cooks & Marquises I consider the Tahitian islands the best.

Since we were traveling so far from the west coast we did them both last Dec back to back. Loved staying on board between cruises...Stayed at the Little Divi for just one night so we would not worry about missing the boat. Not a great place but reasonably priced and fine for an overnight. And you can see the marina from there. Actually did the Yachtsman another time a few years ago on Wind Spirit out of St Thomas. If I went again I would choose the Yachtsman because I liked the overnights in port. But if I could I would do a B to B again. Hubby does not like hotel resorts but loves being aboard the yachts od Windstar.

We also have been on both..the PG, Windstar , Windspirit, & Wind Surf. In Tahiti we have been on the old Tahitian Princess & the PG. We found the food & service on both WS & PG pretty equal. We really enjoyed the entertainment on the PG ( The Gaugaines & local troops) plus some interesting lectures. The plus on Windstar would be half as many people & the sails of course. We had a window cabin on the PG. It was adequate. Both lines have very comfortable cabins. If we went again it would be hard to choose. Would like to try sailing on Windstar there but the price is a bit more than the PG all things factored in. Good luck with your choice. I really don't think you would be disappointed either way. Tahiti is truly beautiful. One personal opinion... I really don't think staying in the overwater bungalows is worth the expense. I would rather spend more on a longer cruise.

We love Windstar and have sailed 4 times..Carib & Costa Rica..Did the PG in 2011..it was great..the pluses are it included air, transfers, day rooms before & after ( depending on flight times), all drinks incl premium brands and 3 dining venues. We loved the Gauguines..Tahitian girls who were hostesses plus entertainment. They brought Tahiti on board. I would recommend them.

I also think seeing Tahiti from a sailing ship would be fantastic. Windstar may be pricier as there would be about half as many passengers. Also the owners of the PG also ran the hotels we stayed at so they were probably able to offer a better price. . The PG also offers longer cruises incl the Cooks & Marquises. It is a tough choice.

We were on Viking in 2008..Rhine-Danube..Had a great time ..no complaints.....Until we decided to book their Grand France....and they started their pay all up front policy and phony 2 for one specials.\. Decided to go with Avalon instead.. the cost was comparable..Out 2nd cruise -Grand France in 2012 - was with Avalon. Had a fantastic time....Our next cruise will be with Avalon again ( Zurich to Amsterdam) this summer. I think you will have a good cruise with either one but we consider Avalon a notch above Viking.

Why limit yourself to those two..Check out Avalon ( we liked them a bit better than Viking) and I have also heard good things about AMA. I think you will enjoy river cruising no matter which you choose. I would pretty much go by who has the itinerary you like best.

We did the two week Grand France with Avalon last year. It was fabulous. I think Viking stops pretty much at the same ports. Loved Southern France. Loved the wineries and olive oil farm tours.

I got an e mail from them re 2015 on Thurs. & found the new wine/food theme cruise on the new Legend June 2015. 10 day Lisbon to London. Called my TA & got it booked, even got the cabin of my choice. The Legend deck plan is not up but u can use the Pride's as it is the same. FYI..the new refund policy is a $50 pp. non refundable fee but I don't mind...I don't intend to cancel unless there is an emergency.

Definitely don't miss sail away..it is special...also visit the bridge

Have you gone to Windstar's web site? All the info & prices are there..Also you can request a catalog from them.

We did this cruise in 2009...Don't know if the tours are the same but.....The tour of Manuel Antonio Park was very good . We did a snorkeling tour in Bahia Drake ( Isla de Cano)..We did not consuder it very good..and the 75 minute boat ride was very uncomfortable....but we are spoiled from the snorkeling in the Carib & Tahiti. In San Juan del Sur we hiked up to the Pelican Resort...their infinity pools were great..fantastic views..spent the day there relaxing....for the cost of a drink you could stay all day. We did the zip line in Playa del Coco..lots of lines..it was quite strenuous but fun. The Tortuga Beach BBQ was fun. Loved all the "wet landings" on this trip !!! Also were under sail quire a bit. Really nice.

We did Windstar's tour of M.A. Nat Park...It was very good. I forgot where but some of our landings were from the zodiac directly to the beach... called "wet landings". .no cabs around. In Nicaragua we hiked up to the Pelican Eyes resort...fantastic views from their 2 infinity pools.. great place to relax..just buy a beer & u can use their pools. Some pgs did the Volcano excursion....we passed as we've already been to Halealaka in Maui. We did the congo trail zip line in Playa del Coco..fun but strenous for us over 60s....The snorkel tour we took was in Isla de Cano....not very good but we are spoiled from Maui & the Carib.

It was in 2009 and was the Ramada Plaza Herradura. There was a free shuttle from the airport..had to call for it. Yes we also got their transfer back to the airport . You may want to check their web site..I believe they list the hotel pkgs there. Ps..The Manuel Antonio Natl Park in Quepos was a great tour. Did a snorkleing tour that wasn't very good.

We were on that cruise a few years ago & bought the transfers from Windstar..It was a long ride but like a tour of the countryside...Even had a tour guide. Was worth the cost to have them take care of everything & not worry about missing the ship if there was a traffic problem. Ps..we did not buy their hotel pkg but stayed a night at the same hotel..booked direct for much less.

I agree..you are limiting your parents by excluding most of the lines....if they don't want beer or wine, soda is also offered at meals. We have been on cruises where a number of passangers ordered soda with dinner. I think the most important thing is itinerary and service. Compare costs. A line that includes wine may be a better fit.