gymswim

I always buy trip insurance, not only for medivac which can be really costly, but for unforeseen circumstances like the one Milepig is experiencing. In 2014 when my husband got a kidney stone four days prior to sailing on Windstar, we forfeited the entire cost of the two week cruise, plus air. But thanks to our trip insurance all of the costs were covered and repaid to us. We cruise often and have seen many cruisers without insurance suffer terrible consequences.

Thanks ChalupaMama for the update. Who is the Captain?

I have not read any reports from other sources yet to confirm this.

Thanks for the Crystal perks comparison which is tied to the number of previous cruises. I think that would definitely appeal to Windstar longtime repeat passengers. Offering other rewards ( like free laundry, automatic category upgrades) based on certain thresholds of sea days a passenger earns on Windstar would help.

Having been a loyal Windstar cruiser since 1987 (41 cruises) I am puzzled why Windstar never created a loyalty reward program similar to the other cruise lines...offering free laundry or category upgrades etc. Today, Windstar announced a modest expansion of benefits for all repeat passengers, but in my opinion, it falls short by not offering more rewards to passengers based on the number of actual sailings a passenger takes on Windstar.

Windstar has been under many owners since 1986, and the previous records of passengers sailings may be incomplete. However, During the time Windstar was owned by Holland America, Windstar sailings were credited to Holland America Mariner Rewards Loyalty Program. All Windstar passengers needed to do was to submit written proof of the specific Windstar sailings. I think Windstar might increase their business by implementing [ATTACH]358804[/ATTACH]something like this now with their ships and affiliated properties.

Having been a loyal Windstar cruiser since 1987 (41 cruises) I am puzzled why Windstar never created a loyalty reward program similar to the other cruise lines...offering free laundry or category upgrades etc. Today, Windstar announced a modest expansion of benefits for all repeat passengers, but in my opinion, it falls short by not offering more rewards to passengers based on the number of actual sailings a passenger takes on Windstar.

Windstar has been under many owners since 1986, and the previous records of passengers sailings may be incomplete. However, During the time Windstar was owned by Holland America, Windstar sailings were credited to Holland America Mariner Rewards Loyalty Program. All Windstar passengers needed to do was to submit written proof of the specific Windstar sailings. I think Windstar might increase their business by implementing something like this now with their ships and affiliated properties.

Just horrible.

Thanks, Dandee2 for sharing the terrific photos of your recent cruises. I've done 41 Windstar cruises and have loved every single one!

So glad to have been on this World Cruise with you and Bill. I've enjoyed reading about your impressions of the ports we visited. Hope to see you on another Dam ship!

We are enjoying one last day and evening in Dubai before sailing for Oman tomorrow morning at 6am. All of the earlier aforementioned prevention actions by the terrific ship's crew are still being followed. No passengers can serve themselves in the Lido buffet, the library and the fitness center and the jacuzzis have all been closed until further notice. Crew are positioned outside the elevators on the lido deck and on both levels on the La Fontaine dining room to be sure everyone uses hand sanitizer.

I'm in Dubai at the cruise terminal having been off the ship for four days doing the Holland America overland trip to the Taj Mahal which as fabulous, by the way.

As I write, the ship is still undergoing a deep cleaning mentioned by TAKE US AWAY and we were told we can gain access to our cabins at 4pm. Thankfully all of us on the tour remain healthy and we just hope we escaped the outbreak and the code Red the ship has been experiencing.

The crew have been excellent in all respects trying to combat this outbreak. The crew are really tired from dealing with this outbreak. Specialized cabin crew sanitize the infected cabins, including handling the towels and linens. In the past few days, Holland has tried to incentivize sick passengers, by waiving the medical treatment fees as well as offering refunds for any shore excursions. The crew has not been responsible for spreading it, the Captain says they know of instances where sick passengers are deliberately not following the requested protocol. The level of "entitlement " among a few seems to be abnormally high on this particular World Cruise.

The Captain as well as medical staff.

For the past three weeks, some passengers have defied the pleas from the edicL staff and crew and continued to spread two different GI related illnesses by self medicating, not reporting it, or violating quarantine. The crew have been incredible, but they are losing patience with those passengers who selfishly put those of us at risk, who have remained healthy. The Captain announced they may have to consider stricter measures including possibly quarantining the ship or canceling the remained of the World Cruise.

We are exploring Bali during the Amsterdam World Cruise too! We booked our car and driver from the USA and so glad we did! Ketut is excellent! His new Airconditioned van is extremely comfortable and his explanations of places he took us to were thorough. He is outgoing and very kind. He is in his early 30s. Ketut can be reached via email at ketutwira886@gmail.com or text him at +62 81 239 80443

Can't wait to read your impressions throughout your short "get acquainted" cruise.

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We have done several Med and Adriatic cruises. Prior to that we had done many independent land trips.

 

 

 

It really depends on what you want to see and how you want to do it. I would say that if you want to see Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, etc-and truly experience it, then forget the cruise. The only port that gives you time is Venice or Istanbul-and then only if you have an overnight trip. Even a day and a half in those cities does not really 'cut' it in terms of seeing the sights. Other attractions such as Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Sorrento/Amalfi coast are a good distance away from the port. Far too much of your time will be spent in travel and far too little time seeing them. Besides, a few hours in these areas just does not do it. Spending a rushed day in Rome cannot compare with a few days. We keep going back on land trips because we never run out of sights to see.

 

 

 

The other consideration is that many of these places take on a very different atmosphere at night. Florence is beautiful, and very different at night. Dubrovnik can be a zoo when there are several cruise ships in port but it is a very different city at night. Renting a car for a day in Dubrovnik and driving south through Montenego to Kotor with no time worries is so much better that worrying if you will be back to the ship in time. The same is true for many of the Greek Islands. We stopped for a day in Malta and Sicily-our first time. This fall we plan to go back to both for at least a week each, probably more. We realized that we hardly saw anything in the few hours that we were in port.

 

 

 

The other issue to consider is the 'ship environment'. It is very nice not to have to pack up every three days and to know where you will be eating. But really, you will be cacooned in NA style environment. You will miss out on those small local hotels, restaurants, experiences.

 

 

 

We have enjoyed both modes of travel. We were glad that we had visited most of the ports before and we felt a little sorry for some of our fellow cruisers who really did not get to see that much during their mostly rushed excursions. It simply boils down to personal preference. Don't be concerned about a language issue...there really is none in most places in the Med.

I agree with others that Barcelona and Rome are great ports to choose the start and end to your firs cruise in the Med. Plan to spend a minimum of two nights at each City before and after the cruise. Email the hotel concierge in the two cities before you leave home and ask them to arrange private tours for you in Rome and Barcelona. Alternatively, you can sign up for the HAL excursions if you don't want to do your own planning. I've always preferred private arrangements which fit more with my interests rather than rely on the HAL pre and post cruise. excursions.

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Thanks, Roy. I hope the comments and concerns written here and in the post cruise comment forms as well as made to the Hotel Manager during the cruise may bring some action being taken by HAL on the Prinsendam. I agree with your comments. We sailed on her for a month and she really deserves to have some major work done to remedy some of the big problems, particularly the mold,plumbing and elevators. We like to do long cruises too, and HAL should take note. Just because the Prinsendam sells well, doesn't justify neglecting her.

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The Prinsendam is showing serious signs of neglect and old age. We think it's time Holland America step up and invest in a major refit. We know there are many other Mariner members who prefer this ship over the mega liners. The Prinsendam has mold which presents a serious health and safety issue as well as plumbing leaks, water leaks, exterior glass which needs replacement, central elevator problems and other issues common with older ships. If you share our concern, please add your comments here. We love and appreciate this small ship and want to continue to sail on her.

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453 on deck 5, midship mold in cabin on PRINSENDAM . Our neighbor said subsequent to our moving out, the Hotel was aware of the problem before we boarded. They saw blowers being used in the cabin before it was occupied by us.

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Be aware of the mold problem in some PRINSENDAM cabins. We have been aboard for a month doing the Grand Voyage from Barcelona to Rome. We started having respiratory problems a few days after we boarded. We noticed a faint odor and traced it to the area behind the wooden nightstand adjacent to the bathroom. We pulled the furniture away from the wall and found mold in abundance. The cabin stewards tried without success to clean it over the next two days. We both had increasing breathing problems. Finally, we went to the desk and insisted we be moved to another cabin that same day. Fortunately there were other cabins available.

I have read other posts mentioning mold problems aboard the PRINSENDAM. She is is fantastic ship and I would sail on her again, but next time I will closely inspect the cabin before accepting it. I suggest others do the same, especially if you have asthma or any respiratory issues.

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I much prefer the French side and the ambiance of Marigot, especially. I like the Beach Plaza Hotel. It has a great location on the beach and is a very short walk from the center of town. I posted comments on Trip Advisor.

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On my cruise itinerary, the deck BBQ was scheduled Thursday night in the harbor off St Kitts. Beautiful.

I booked all my excursions weeks in advance. Payment is taken in full. Once aboard and underway, Windstar cancelled all the 3 certified dive excursions and I was offered alternative excursions (non dive) or a refund. I was not given or offered a suite upgrade.

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