a flygirl

Hello everyone,

We are new to SS and are sailing Auckland to Mel on the 1st of Feb.

I just have a few questions...or at best want to clarify a few things with the experts.

We are waitlisted on almost all the excursions... We did receive a confirmation on one excursion, a new time was added and we decided to go with that.

What are the excursions like? We tend to travel independently , are there long queues, huge buses, waiting for tardy passengers ? Or does it run rather smoothly?

Does the butler really unpack you? That would be a treat!

We have 3 formal nights, we are bringing husband's tux but will a dark jacket pants suffice on the other nights or even in lie of tux one night?  

We tend to dress up so we are not bothered by the dress code, I have 2 gowns and all dresses for dinners so I will need everything pressed. The Windstar offers 40 % off pressing only the first day of the cruise does SS do anything like that? Thanks

Dining, we managed to only get one upcharge restaurant booked... kinda frustrating. I am hoping we at least get the opportunity to dine at each restaurant at least once.

We are really looking forward to this cruise, if anyone has done this itinerary, please let me know if there is anything we should not miss, or if you have any tour operators that have great excursions.. Thanks so much . Happy Holiday everyone.

Hello Cruisers,

I am contemplating the AI package at 89 a day per person. Does anyone know if VAT will be

charged in addition to the 18% gratuity? We are in Italy and Malta. 

Thanks for any input. 

Ok great Thanks will do!!!!

We are coming from San Diego so we will get one locally here at CVS drugstore. We fly up on Tuesday to SFO.

We are set to leave aTuesday on UA from Sfo... we have the covid test scheduled for 3 pm on Monday (we depart at 2 pm) Etis forms and done and paid for.

Just packing...tours booked

Huahine tour with Janoue

Drift coral from the ship in Raitea

BoraBora a ATV tour

Moorea we are renting a car..

Still need to fill in first day BB and Tahaa

Are there tour vendors on the pier in Bora bora for snorkeling? \We have the destination event that night so we were thinking bikes, or half snorkel to get back by 3ish.

Anything else??? 

This is our 4th cruise on WS.. we just did Greece in August and we had a great time. Hoping the ship is a little fuller, but looking forward to meeting new people and supporting the staff!~

Thanks for all the help on this board.

Oh and what day is the special event.. on the first day ? and what time is the start? or tender start? Also worried about excursion... Thank you 

Hi We are there on the 28/29 March... do we tender or dock... ? We have a excursion booked and wondering about tender times, or on the second day if we can get off rather early? Thanks 

Thanks ... 

Thanks everyone, I think that when we were on WS in August in Greece, they had to cancel our night in Kusadasi and the event as well, (which is why I booked the cruise. ) We had a nice evening at a greek Farm with dancers and a buffet and free flowing wine... but I'm sure now that was because of the cancellation. We will just go ahead with the package as planned:-)

We are on the Dec 30th cruise , Dreams of Tahiti 

Jan 1 we are at Raiatea 8am to 6 am the following morning, then Jan 2 at Motu Mahaea Tahaa.

Windstar has 2 Coral gardens excursions, one on the 1st and one on the 2nd... are they the same excursion just different days?

Sorry, I think they are but just want clarification.. I booked us on the Jan 2nd Coral Gardens... I think that might also be the beach BBQ day?

Any insights?

Thanks 

 Any tour suggestions  for Raiatea if we stick with Jan 2 coral gardens?

We are booked on the Dec. 30th Tahiti Dreams cruise. When deciding about the beverage package... on the BBQ day and the destination event in the evening are drinks complimentary? That would be 2 days that we really wouldn't need if so. We are wine and beer drinkers but only in the evening.. Thanks .

Yes, I believe  the 59.99 and 49.99 add the 15% gratuity while the 79.99/89.99 on board does not. 

Thanks so much.

We will look at this info and re evaluate. If we do a package it will be the beer/wine package. \I don't think we need wifi. I have international plans on our cells and that should be enough while we are in port.

Hello , We are on Dec 30th cruise and I have a few questions...if you have been please chime in:-)

I understand that there are 2 beach events, the destination event which is in the evening and currently shows the first night in BoraBora.The  second is the beach BBQ.

I spoke to WS and they said it will be at a Motu.. I assuming Motu Mahaea in Tahaa... However , isn't that where the Coral gardens snorkeling is the best? 

I didn't want to miss the Beach Bbq. 

So far our stops are Moorrea, Raiatea, Tahaa, 2 days BoraBora and lastly Huahine. 

What day(island) is the best for the drift snorkel and company. I've emailed Bleue excursion in Raiatea but it is NYD (Jan1) and not sure they want to work:-), plus I don't want to do a pearl farm vanilla farm or Rum distillery.

For stingrays I heard More is the best, but we also booked a car for a drive to Beleverde and a hike... any other island have sting rays  or good hiking?

Thanks I welcome any and all input, suggestions ideas. Thanks so much.

I spoke to Windstar this am regarding the package and there is just a beer and wine package for 49.99 plus gratuity @ 15%. 

That might make better sense for some. 

We just rented a car in Milos... Looks very Interesting!! We are Angel and Tom and Bruce and Kathy... Hope to meet you all on the 7th!!!

Hi Earl, We are on the 7th also. I am disappointed also. I was really excited about the dinner and love Kusadasi.

Kudos to Windstar for the new stop Milos that looks interesting/beautiful . At least we have more than a couple of days to look at excursions and DIY on the island.

I googled the Historic Mansion last night, looks beautiful as well. Not quite Celephus but what can we do?? We travel Tuesday!!! Excited

Hi ... I called once and was told to preorder so they have enough, then I called this am and she said we can do onboard... I was on the phone regarding another matter so I went ahead and purchased. will set up the time onboard..... See you on the 7th!!! We are flying on on the am of the 4th... staying in Plaka..

Thanks all. 2 tests are ordered.

Hi Laurelguy.. where did you see that we can purchase the test online??? I've looked everywhere on the 

website to pre-order the 2 tests??? 

hmmmm.Keep me posted please 🙂

Thank you so much.

We are super excited about the hike. I'm an Avid hiker(Everest Base Camp in 2019;-) before the dreaded pandemic.My husband is not. At all. He promised to do this one hike as the views looks amazing and it just calls my name. We will go slow and head to the pool/hotel . Thanks for the links.

We are traveling with another couple but this is a not miss for me. I can be flexible on the rest of the trip. 

Praying we get to go to Ephesus. Time will tell.The rest of the destinations seems to be easy to do on our won as far as walking and exploring. If I feel I really need history , I'll download some information.

The fitness center is small but sometimes I need a boost or just private time... I always like to know I have the option on some days.

Ok Thanks, I'll just wait. Nothing we can do anyways!

Thanks for your insights.

 Hi MOCAMPS,  I also asked you some questions on the Windstar aug 7th thread...

Sorry if you could be so kind to take a look... Thanks so much:-)

Ok Thanks so much. Just disappointed. W also had been there before but was really excited about the dinner. It looked magical.

We will evaluate. We haven't gotten anything from Windstar yet. Were you informed on board?

I hate to bother you but so many questions in these strange times. !!