imallears

On 9/10/2021 at 12:33 PM, Wilcoam said:

We are still sticking with our Oct 17th WS sailing, things are stabilized in FP, or we hope, it 'may' have reached it's wave peak, and the vax rates continue to climb, 51% first shot now 

 

Though we suspect the Sept 20th will be extended to Oct 4th shortly 

 

However being realistic, we've already picked backup sailings for both WS and PG over NYE and or early Jan, if that's the case it's just a question of taking 100% cash, to have choices, or sticking with WS at 125%  credit, which is what we're leaning too, as we love the WS 10-11 day tin's, which is harder to find on PG

 

Plus we;'ve previously sailed the Wind, love the idea of cruising on the slightly larger and balcony laden Breeze, but the next 7-10 days in FP will give us all a bigger picture of the fall enviro, fingers crossed everyone here eventually gets to FP,  and or an a WS cruise

 

jc 

I feel your cruise will sail. As of tomorrow, cruising is again allowed. I called Windstar yesterday and my Wind Spirit sailing on October 14th is a go. Good luck to both of us.

I know my October 14th cruise is planning to sail. Cruising restrictions are now lifted and I called Windstar to verify this sailing. The current cost is $1899.00 pp. This is as cheap as I've ever seen it.

I chose to book my extended week as a post trip. I have 1 night in PPT before the 7 day Wind Spirit cruise. Then I have 2 night in Moorea in a beachfront bungalow, 3 nights in Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow and 1 more night in PPT to allow for testing time before returning.  I decided that most of my touring would be done while cruising. This allows for mostly relaxed, onsite activities at the resorts. 

Part of my thinking is there is less chance of a positive test early on and I definitely don't want to miss the cruise.  If I'm unfortunate and test positive before my return home and have to quarantine then, at least I will have gotten the trip done, since this will be our only trip there.

On 8/19/2021 at 4:11 PM, Wilcoam said:

We are booked on the Oct 17th Breeze 11 nighter, if it goes, it will be our 3rd visit to Tahiti 

 

Our thoughts, living in Canada, if we want to go to the USA, Europe, or the South Pacific, we gotta multi test, PCR or Antigen, whatever, its no biggie to us, we think it's gonna become one of those things you have to get used too if you want to travel internationally, from what I can read all the PPT resorts/hotels will be offering them for a fee, as well as every airport, including transiting airport(s), so it'll be less time in the lounge, more time standing in airport line(s) 🙂  

 

But yes, every time you take a COVID test, there's a risk build in that you might test positive, though if I ever have to quarantine again, and for 10 days, a resort in PPT seems like an awfully nice place to get stuck in, pricing aside, as long as someone continually delivers poisson cru and creme brûlée I'm good!

 

Same for wearing masks, its no biggie to us, we think its gonna be part of the international travel regiment for years to come, as is sometimes getting a non COVID vaccine, so especially indoors in the ship, airports, transport, etc, we'll eagerly be masked  

 

This is also our take on infection breakouts, look its gonna flair up everywhere, every so often, whether it's Austin, London, Toronto, PPT,  NYC, and it'll come in waves, I can see if you travelling to the Islands in Aug or early Sept, why you might want to postpone to say later in Sept or Oct, the enviro everywhere changes like every 10-14 days, and no question a negative wave has hit the Islands, but hopefully French Polynessia continues to increase their domestic vaccine rate, and the infected numbers subside in the coming weeks, fingers and toes crossed

 

Anyway, safe travels to everyone, may you get to paradise this fall, or if not, in 2022, we just adore Tahiti and dream about dangling our feet in that shallow lagoon ocean, dining at Villa Mahona, touring with Patrick, listening to his stories, having breakfast on the rear of a Windstar ship looking at the Bora Bora peaks, and that brisket BQQ photo at the new grill looks Texas tasty....

 

JC   

 

 

 

 

I loved reading your upbeat attitude about travel. I'm scheduled for the Wind Spirit October 14th sailing and an additional week staying in Moorea and Bora Bora. All the testing and mask requirements are fine with me. I went through it all for my 3 1/2 week trip to Hawaii last spring. I really needed to read your post...it gave me hope for our trip. We are now on our 4th booking after close downs and cancellations.  Thanks

On 8/13/2021 at 10:20 AM, Essiesmom said:

The COVID situation is worse most everywhere.  Since we will all be vaccinated, the chances of us needing hospitalization for a positive test are pretty slim.  Unless Tahiti closes to visitors, I would probably feel safer there than at home, where my county has a 22% vax rate, and the next one South only 15%.  Where else would they take the ship?  Sail empty to Tahiti?  EM

I agree with you. My area in West Georgia has horrible covid rates. Our hospitals are full with 99.9 % unvaccinated patients per a hospital worker I know.

My concern now is the current restrictions. We have an itinerary that calls for a weekend stay in Riatea where you won't be able to get off the ship. Also, they have shut down all cultural activities, which means the scheduled Polynesian show is off the table. This really changes your experience. If anyone has feedback on current cruises during these restrictions, I'd appreciate knowing how this is being addressed.

On 8/18/2021 at 5:09 PM, santos949 said:

I contacted Windstar yesterday and they said "Emphatically No Way!"  No deviation in embarkation or disembarkation ports.

This is actually spelled out in their terms and conditions and I am a little concerned about it since I have an extremely long flight. I'm going a day early, but now I wonder if that is enough. 

On 8/23/2018 at 9:49 PM, MNgardens said:

I don't recall the cabin number but we stayed in the "owner's suite" on one of these two ships. It is really just a larger room. Our daughter slept on the sofa/bed.

 

 

I remember quite a bit of noise coming from the anchor being let down (and maybe up but it has been a few years.) We would wake up, identify the noise, and then fall back to sleep. I could see how it could be a problem for some people.

 

 

https://d2xks5907lvzsh.cloudfront.net/media/yachts/deck_plans/Spirit-Deck-Plan.1.3.18.pdf The deck plan

On Wind Spirit, the owner's suite is 107. As you advised, it is just a larger cabin with a very nice seating area.

2 hours ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

Certainly everyone should be able to get tested as they see fit. But if the reality is different, which it seems to be in some locations, who should take priority? I'd say someone who actually has enough symptoms to think they have Covid before travel purposes.

 

Testing for leisure travel is just as important as testing the symptomatic? If that's hill you want to fight on, I don't know what to tell you.

 

If anyone thought they would die in two weeks, they'd already be vaccinated. By the time some unvaccinated person comes down with symptoms, it's too late to to make that belated decision. Yeah, it would be great if everyone was vaccinated and testing capacity was unlimited, but unfortunately that's not the world we live in.

 

But you don't need to worry about my opinion. No one is denying travelers Covid tests. And if they tried, people would just claim they have symptoms to get tested.

I agree that testing for those who believe that they might have covid is a priority. However, if we are going to keep the economy from collapsing, travel is an important facet of that. Provided that there is enough available tests and testing locations, I feel that travel testing is a valid part of what is required to curb the spread.

5 hours ago, chasinraynbowz said:

I flew to Hawaii in June.  I had to pay $200 for a rapid test.  Hoping to find somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for our October cruise. 

Some states, like California, don't allow some types of testing. However, if you have a Walgreens, I've had several tests there with fast results with no fee.

7 hours ago, Bostwick girl said:

I live in Northeast Florida, a hot spot. All the Walgreens and CVS that do testing show no appointments available for 2 weeks out. Our health department does testing, but only on Tuesdays and Thursdays so any of those are currently not open for me unless things change before our August 30 Magic cruise. I can go to the urgent care and get tested but charge is $50 unless you’ve been exposed.

 

You can only book your appointment up to 3 days in advance of when you need to be tested. That is why you are seeing no availability. 

On 8/10/2021 at 8:52 AM, joelheather said:

Did anyone have to pay for a covid test out of pocket? We are all vaccinated and just need the whatever the minimum testing is. Was that covered too? 

 

Thanks.

Walgreens offers free testing, but you must make an online appointment. They even advertise it is free....even before and after travel testing. 

I'm curious about how many people have had this happen? I booked a Portugal river and land tour with Vantage for September 2020. Obviously, this did not happen and it was rebooked for September 2021. I'm not upset about that and accepted that decision. However, Vantage has now canceled this 2021 cruise and rebooked us for 2022 with NO NOTIFICATION! My sister-in-law went to their site to check on the final payment date and she found her trip (we are traveling together and it is noted on both our profiles) was changed to late August of 2021. I checked on my account and it was still showing the September 2021 cruise. One week later, our cruise was changed to the September 2022 date. I called to get to the bottom of this and the agent was extremely belligerent with me. He even had the nerve to tell me it was my responsibility to, basically, go to their website on a daily basis for notifications! He could not explain why my sister-in-law's cruise was changed to an earlier date, while ours was rebooked for a year later. He even lied, telling me that the government wouldn't allow our cruise date to sail. According to their own website, the itinerary before and after our cruise is sailing. Also, I receive almost daily advertisements from other river cruise lines showing that they are sailing this itinerary during our supposed forbidden cruise dates. He also refused to tell me which "government" when I asked if it was US, Portugal or Spain?

I still have our deposit paid to them, as well as the insurance I bought for both of us, totalling about $2,200. I fear if I cancel, I'll be out all that money. I don't trust them to tell me the truth. 

I just received notification that my February 11, 2021 11 night sailing on the Windspirit has been canceled. We were originally supposed to sail in September, so this is the 2nd cancellation. I really don't know what I want to do. I'm considering booking hotels and still going, since I have already changed my flights once and will incur problems with trying to do it again. I don't trust them to sail at all next year. Even if they do later in the year, I have another trip planned for September. 

Hopefully, others will have an easier time changing their trip.