KB612

If you are still looking, Sandals Grande Antigua is back open. Your travel agent can get you a day pass very easily. I used to work for Sandals and have been to all of them. I would highly recommend this resort if you are a beach lover looking to make the most of drinking, eating and activities. You have full access to all bars and restaurants, all motorized and non-motorized watersports, and even the snorkeling and dive trips (if you are PADI certified its free). For the snorkeling and diving I recommend going to the watersports desk right when you arrive to see if there is space available on the trips. For all other activities like water skiing, tubing, paddelboards, etc you just wait until one is available. Sandals Grande Antigua is on one of the best beaches (probably second to Long Bay where Pineapple Club is, IMO) in Antigua and the water is clear and calm. The ride is about 10-15min from where you dock in St Johns. If you are on a smaller ship tendering in Falmouth Harbor its much farther away.

That is really a shame. We no longer book through TA's as we couldn't talk to WS directly which became very frustrating. Since I book my own I can call and have been given great service. You might try "taking it away" from the TA to deal direct. We had to change itineraries and dates because of hurricanes. I think dealing through a TA would have made it harder. I did get help from our bank card people with airline cancellations so didn't get any rebooking fees. But it did take loads of time. We also love the Surf and can't wait to be on board again in January instead of this week!

 

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I am experiencing the same issue. Booked before the itinerary changed at full price and then price has been lowered significantly as well as OBC offers being given to anyone willing to book now. I booked direct and Windstar will do nothing. As a side note, I am a travel agent, and your TA has nothing to do with Windstar's policies. If Windstar isn't willing to budge, there is nothing you (or your TA) can do. I am a prime example as I tried myself. I book different land and cruise based suppliers all over the Caribbean and am shocked Windstar would not revise its cancelation policy (as others have) or offer their current guests something. To be honest, seeing how the company handled the situation, I don't think I would book them again for myself or my clients. Its really a shame.

La Toc has a very small beach and can be rough surf at times. Its more of a pool resort with not as many on the small crecent shaped beach. Grande St Lucian sits in Rodney Bay - some of the calmest waters in all of St Lucia and in walking distance of Pigeon Island. If you are looking for a "beach day" then its totally worth it to head to Grande St Lucian.

Not happy with this one. The only reason we got this cruise is because there were no sea days and going to BVI. Now there is a sea day and that last stop in St. Barth's is only until 1:30, doesn't give you much time at all. We could have booked a similar cruise for < 1/2 the price on Celebrity.

 

Of course no mention of an updated cancellation policy...

I called Windstar today to try and cancel my Christmas/NYE sailing for similar reasons as yours and they told me they were not changing the cancelation policy. I could either pay the penalty ($699 per person) or suck it up and go. Very unhappy with that decision as I booked the cruise specifically for the overnight on JVD over New Years Eve and now I'm just "at sea". Pretty surprised at Windstar's decision to stay firm despite the changes in itineraries. I work in the travel industry and when land-based resort vacations were effected by the hurricanes, those companies allowed either cancelations at no penalty or to move the booking to a different date. Its disheartening that Windstar wouldn't allow either.

I am on the 10 day over Xmas and New Years. Only reason we booked this WS cruise was for the overnight in JVD for NYE. Anyone have any updates on a revised cancelation policy? I think I may want to rebook this for another time.

Sandals is a "couples only" resort.

Sandals Royal Bahamian is a beautiful property. Best all-inclusive in Nassau, hands down. Once you are on property you have access to every thing regular guests have. If your time allows you can even snorkel and scuba. The food and drinks are very good and you will not be disappointed. It is pricier than the other AIs but then again...you get what you pay for.

You know, my husband and I were debating that very same thing last night! I don't have any answers for you. I had originally booked the S9 but we decided to go for the Penthouse for Only $200 more per person...we figured...why not? So we upgraded this morning.

We are on the May 31st sailing. Let me know what you decide!