oakridger

I had to giggle at this misspelling typo!! 😁 I loved my Star Breeze cruise in May! ~Nancy

Hopefully you can rebook a different week on the same itinerary. Good luck! Have you seen the great thread posted by @VMax1700? I always check it now. Thanks Vmax!! ~Nancy

More about laundry: ~Nancy

Keep in mind that Seeker has not yet sailed its first Windstar voyage, but I can answer based on what it was like on the Star Breeze last month! Yes, your cabin attendant will put whatever soft drinks you want in your mini fridge. If you have the alcoholic drinks package, they will put your choices in there as well. Just ask. You can order coffee and probably pastries from room service 24 hours a day. The Yacht Club will be open in the morning for coffees and pastries....don't know yet what time. The small size of the ships is a huge plus for tendering!! Only 224 pax maximum. No "tender slots" needed. Just go down to the tender when you are ready. They do let the Windstar shore excursions go first. You will be informed what times that happens. Windstar has great laundry service but no self-service launderettes. Others stated that they will follow instructions for washing on cold, hang to dry, etc. but I didn't request it. I had the laundry package included because my cruise was over 14 days and used it often since I was traveling for 6 weeks (four on the Breeze) with just a carry on and one personal under seater luggage. Highly recommend their laundry service! Your itinerary sounds fantastic! I will be back on Windstar for sure sometime in later 2027....location and ship to be determined!! ~Nancy

I agree that a program that allows passengers to use their "points" (however accrued) in a cafeteria style plan on whatever perks are important to them would be a great idea! How points are earned would be a whole different conversation! ~Nancy

@xjust4fun Oh dear! Would you mind elaborating a bit please? Did they take over venues/dining room? How large a group? Were there obtrusive religious or political conversations with others outside the group? Thanks, ~Nancy

Exactly. Deck 6 has been my "go to" deck for Signature Suites! ~Nancy

I'm doing almost the same but will board Noordam in Auckland on March 1, 2026. In February I also bought a business class seat from SFO to AKL on Fiji Airways and the fare was $2949. There is a stop in Nadi for about 4 hours. The cost of the flight is now $3360. I didn't try flight ease. So, for my flight the cost for a one way has gone up $411 since February. FYI ~Nancy

@abbydancer2003 Here is a coincidence because I stayed at the Banks Mansion at the end of May 2024 as well! I spent a few quality hours at the cafe across the street in your picture enjoying some excellent people watching. I loved the Banks Mansion and took advantage of the drinks and small snacks in the lobby each afternoon. My favorites were the gouda cheese and stroopwaffles which were way better than what I have had in the US. The staff were very kind and helpful. Thanks for taking me back down Amsterdam memory lane! I had a great time there. ~Nancy

I have stayed at both, and the service and food offerings were pretty equally great. The main difference to me was the PP Pacific Club had views with a big Wow factor over the Fairmont Gold Clubs (Pacific Rim and Waterfront). You won't go wrong in any of those hotels; I just compare the (ever changing) room rates. ~Nancy

I usually go on longer cruises (20+ days) and pack just one suitcase and a carry on. The only real downside is that I get tired of wearing the same clothes after a while! The other guests on the cruises sure don't remember what others are wearing though, unless you have some truly memorable outfits!! 😉

One last comment on the SFO airport experience. I went to the SFO Polaris lounge in April before a flight to Tahiti and I was disappointed in it. I had been excited after watching YouTube videos with all the hype about how great it was going to be. Not. It was also super crowded, and I didn't find a single open table or chair anywhere. I ended up asking to share a table with a woman, which was fine but not the quality lounge experience I was expecting!!! I think that sitting at the gate would have been more relaxing that day. ~Nancy

@abbydancer2003 I highly recommend the wheelchair assistance at airports. I needed them last year while recovering from knee surgery and it sure worked well! Leaving SFO and going through Amsterdam Schiphol the assistance staff were absolutely wonderful. It is a service I was at first hesitant to use ("that's for OLD people"!!) but I got real with myself and made the travel so much more enjoyable. They take good care of you going through security (I have TSA precheck). Have a wonderful time in Amsterdam and on the cruise. Thanks for doing a trip report when you have time to post! ~Nancy

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the credit card terms and conditions. You can use your OBC for lots of things! Crew Appreciation (gratuities) charges Drinks/Wine packages Specialty Restaurants Shore Excursions Spa Shop Purchases Flowers for your cabin WiFi purchase and probably other stuff I forgot! ~Nancy

No. OBC can only be used once you board. Have a great time! ~Nancy

Ehh... as an English-speaking person, I'm calling one of my favorite ships "New" Amsterdam and leaving it at that! Now let's talk about the port of IJmuiden in the Netherlands!! 😉 (Per @Copper10-8 it's pronounced "Eye my den". Right?) ~Nancy

I'm not familiar with WordPress but is it a site I could easily access on ship's internet while I am traveling? ~Nancy

I agree! This brunch menu has an elevated selection from a year or two ago! Please continue what I see as an improved HAL menu in all venues! ~Nancy

@RHH511 I don't have direct experience doing so, but suggest you try calling the Havila office in Norway and book on the phone. Please let us know if you are able to do that and pay in NOK! I loved my Havila voyage from Bergen round trip in June 2024! ~Nancy

@Janebott Keep checking back on the website over time since HAL usually adds more excursions. ~Nancy

Halfacts.com and Cruisedeckplans.com both have pictures of Rotterdam VD category cabins. Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

Late checkout would be a big plus for me! I now wait until around 1:30 to board any ship. ~Nancy

USA Dollars! Have a great trip. ~Nancy

Yes, all rooms can get their luggage picked up and taken to the cruise ship drop off free of charge. People do give the bell person a tip for their service. The breakfast is what you paid extra for in the "cruise package". Have a wonderful time! ~Nancy

Too bad I didn't know who you were since we were onboard together! I've seen lots of your posts over the last couple of years. Maybe next time! 🙂 ~Nancy