FWFrog

Will see you on board!

Thank you for sharing. Is this change confirmed for both September 23 and October 2?  We embark on October 2.

Hello - we have done a few Star Clippers.  In fact, we were to be on the second week of your itinerary but have shifted for this year and will return next year.  I can share some thoughts.  Like you, I like to plan my own tours and have often use Tours by Locals.  So, I think I can relate.

When we do a Star Clipper, I reset my expectations.  I do not find the ship tours to be anything more than ordinary, but also very relaxed.  This seems to align with the nature of the typical Star Clipper passenger.  They are not on the cruise for the shore excursions and most just wander around in the port cities.  We also had some last-minute changes to our itinerary that required us to cancel a pre-planned tour. 

We made many friends on our last SC cruise.  On more than one occasion, they joined us for last-minute plans in port.  For example, a large group followed us on the train for an excursion to Seville from the Port of Cadiz.  In Gibralter, we joined with another couple and hired a guide outside of the port.  Last minute plans seemed to fit better with our sail-mates.  

I have spent much time in Athens.  The city is easily reached by the HOHO bus, metro, or Xpress bus.  All have stops near the cruise terminals, although it is a bit of a walk to the Metro.  Athens is very easy to navigate and there's a pretty standard set of sites.  I always recommend touring on your own and using the Rick Steve's Audio walking tours.  They are perfect for seeing the Plaka area, the Acropolis, and the Forum.

Hope this is helpful!  Enjoy - - we would have committed to sharing tours!  Maybe another time.

I can confirm that COVID tests are very easy to find and arrange in Italy - offered in testing tents and pharmacies.  I have never found appointments to be necessary.  Of course, I would anticipate the situation may change as the demand for tests go down..  Therefore, you should verify closer to your sail time.  I have also used the Binex "telehealth" tests many, many times.  The certificate does not specify "telehealth" and looks like every other certificate. 

Lisbon is easy on your own.  Rick Steves App has a nice audio walking tour that you can download.  Makes it easy to go at your own pace and gives a good overview of the city.

In the past, we have called and asked for the schedule and the agent provided.  Of course, everything is subject to change.  For the most part, the schedule was fairly accurate with a few exceptions on a 14 day sail during COVID.

2 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

In general, credits are good for travel that is completed within one year of the original purchase date.

 

Of course, every ticket and every airline may have differing rules - especially if there's any kind of covid situation.  Some airlines have given more than one year.  Good luck.

Will you be rebooking with WIndstar in September?  If so, have you asked that they honor the $500 pp offer of ship board credit if you change itineraries?  Windstar agreed to move our existing $200 pp perk over to a new itinerary.  We are waiting to see if they will honor the $500 pp that was offered to stay with the Star Legend for the same cruise dates.

As an FYI, I phoned WIndstar yesterday to talk option.  The agent was very good but it was Saturday so he had limited ability to work with a supervisor.  The new 17-day itinerary is basically the 8 day itinerary twice, same ports.  I explained this and I was permitted to change to a new itinerary (Haifa) with the same perks in place.  He could not offer me the $500 ship board credit from cancellation of the Black Sea on the new itinerary.  My issue is that new itineraries are significantly more expensive than when I originally booked (so now paying a price increase) and I was not really offered a reasonable option (same cruise twice).  The agent elevated my request to a "Monday supervisor" -  -I hope to hear tomorrow that I will still be offered the $500 shipboard credit if I do not cancel but rebook on another (more expensive, shorter) cruise.  This shipboard credit will help offset the price increase.  

Will see what they say..

BkylnBorn47 - about the flights.  I travel often and finding good routes has been challenging because of the reduced flight schedules.  My flight next week to Seville, Spain has three legs when I typically an able to find a reasonable flight with two.  Hoping the airlines will soon bounce back.

Tonight we received an email from WS notifying us of the change in itinerary and offering $500 shipboard credit to remain on the cruise. Our current itinerary is a Star Collector which is essentially two back-to-back cruises.  The Black Sea itinerary is the second week.  Unfortunately, the new itinerary (2nd week) is essentially the same ports as the first week.  This is a little disappointing - hoping they will permit us to transfer everything over to another itinerary.  We have future cruise credit applied to this cruise (based on our previously paid deposits) and other perks from the specials that applied when we booked.  Anyone else have this experience?

Has anyone booked on Black Sea itineraries heard from Windstar?  I have not and also do not see new itineraries for the Star Legend (Sept) or Star Pride (Apr) that are currently scheduled in this region.

Please share if you hear.  Much appreciated.

I would

On 2/20/2022 at 10:33 AM, FlyerTalker said:

 

I would say that in a "best case" scenario, everybody goes back to the way they were a few months ago.  There would be little reason to change anything at that point.

 

Now, will it go back to the status quo ante -- that's an entirely different question.

 

 

 

 I would like to think "best case" is back to the situation a few months ago.  However, I fear that may not be the case.   Because of my job, I have been on several briefings with security analysts and am hearing of more widespread anti-American sentiment and harassment in the region including detainments.  The embassy is operating at a reduced capacity.  What I have not clarified is whether this is also in places far from Moscow, like Sochi and neighboring ports with strong Russian ties.

I am sure that Windstar has a Plan B in the works.  I am anxious to hear whether I want to sail on their Plan B or reschedule to a different location for the 4th time!

Who would have guessed - we had one cancellation due to delay in the refurb, two COVID reschedules, and now possibly war?   Have we hit all of the bases?    🙂

We are scheduled on a September Black Sea itinerary (Legend) so watching developments in the Black Sea area closely.  It seems likely that there will be significant modifications to itinerary even in the best case scenario.  

The first Windstar itinerary to that area is schedule to depart in just over 2 months.  Is anyone on one of these earlier cruises and hearing anything from Windstar about modifications to the ports of call?  Curious as to where they might pivot.

You may wish to review again.  The Super Green Pass is required to use public transportation or enter many venues.  The 6-month validity remains for the Super Green Pass.  The Green Pass is to enter the country.  This is for non-EU entering from the USA.

As I mentioned, i was on a Star Clipper, not Windstar.  A few passengers wore their mask everywhere but most only wore their mask indoors and not while at the bar, drinking coffee indoors, or in the dining room.  Outside bar and common areas - no mask.  The crew wore their masks everywhere.

21 hours ago, snoopydo said:

I’ll be compliant 🙂 I’m just wondering if it will be annoying. Since my last cruises didn’t require masks I haven’t experienced it. Sounds like you’re saying it isn’t an issue. 

I had the same hesitation.  In fact, we were originally booked (and rebooked) on Windstar.  Windstar's policy (at the time) of no independent shore excursions was the deal breaker for us and we switched cruises.  We wondered if the face mask policy would make us regret cruising at this time.  Turns out, not a big deal.  We were out 12 days and it was just habit to put the mask on.  The good news is that so much of the indoor time is spent eating where face masks were not required.

I did a Star Clipper in October.  Masks required indoors.  Honestly, people were compliant and it really was not as much of an inconvenience/burden as I expected it would be.  Planning a Windstar cruise now and am not giving it a second thought.

Just finished the Cannes to Lisbon and am happy to answer your questions as best I can.  For reference, my experience is primarily with Windstar, Star Clipper, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

It seems a little like the old Windjammer line, but more upscale?   I am fairly certain it is more upscale than Windjammer.  I would suspect somewhere between the upscale (Windstar) and salty cruise (Windjammer).  

looking on the website hard to tell what is included.  Are tips/gratuities included?  if not, how much is standard per day?  Tips/gratuities are not generally included except that was one of the specials for our cruise.  I believe the recommended is about 8E per person/per day.  

I read another review that alcohol is not included - are sodas?  Alcohol and sodas not included and no option to buy package.  Although, the drinks are very reasonably prices (about 4E for wine and a $5 drink special each day).

Does the cruise line offer excursions or is it all on your own?  They do offer excursions but I would say that they are not the most interesting.  Most guests just do their own thing.  I found that the itinerary is less predictable so I am less comfortable making too many plans that are not flexible.

What size are the beds?  we are tall and a double bed won't work.  If two twins pushed together, that is a queen bed and is ok.  They say double bed but we found it to be more like a queen size bed.  Our bed was not two twins pushed together.  Our bed was against the wall on one side.

Sail went great!  A few ports in the itinerary changed but, overall, a very nice experience.  We had about 85 guests on board.  Everyone wore masks inside - a few wore masks outside. 

We were assigned dinner tables for the cruise.  Although, you could choose to join another table for dinner if you wished.  Temp taken and sanitizer when you entered the restaurant and plastic gloves required when you served yourself at the lunch buffet.

COVID test administered at port and also before Gibralter (although nobody asked to see the result when we disembarked), and right before disembarking if you wished.

No restrictions on shore excursions.  Although, several were cancelled due to low demand.

To my knowledge, nobody contracted COVID while on board.  Everything seemed fairly normal except only 85 on the cruise.

This is only our 2nd Star Clipper - we are excited to return after many years.  We were previously booked on Windstar but cancelled because of the shore excursion policy at the time. (It has since relaxed for certain ports.)  Star Clipper assured us that they are not requiring guests to take SC shore excursion to disembark at ports.  I will let you know how it goes - nothing is certain in COVID times!

I believe only the Royal Clipper is currently sailing and only for the last week or two. Star Flyer and Star Clipper set to sail again before the end of the year.  This message board is so quiet that I have not seen any reports or chat around the first few scheduled departures.  I assume the first sails went as planned or are in progress. We have our cruise docs and are packing for departure next week.  Fingers crossed.

We only booked a few weeks ago.  During that process, we spoke by phone with Star Clipper several times with no hold at all.  I haven't tried the chat function.

We have now committed!  Anyone else doing this sailing?

Is anyone booked on a September, Royal Clipper cruise?  This will be the first Star Clipper cruise out in the Mediterranean. I am anxious to hear what Star Clipper is communicating to you about itinerary changes and independent shore excursions. We are considering booking in October and this will be the first test run.

I phoned and asked about whether guests will need to be on a Star Clipper excursion to disembark when in ports (similar to some cruises in the area).  The response I received was "not at this time" but the captain will decide at each port.  I am anxious to hear how this is playing out now that the first cruise is just around the corner.  Would appreciate any information that you are receiving in advance of your departure.

I did the Binavax (eMed) home test on Friday for return from Spain.  I can confirm that the wait was less than 3 minutes.  The company indicated that they were having staffing issues but they must have figured things out. Third time using this test for return to the US - all with good results.

Because of my profession, I follow country COVID protocols very closely, especially in Europe.. I agree that protocols differ by country and change often.  If I could rely on country protocols, I would be able to better plan and choose the right option for our trip,  Of course, keeping in mind that things change often in this environment.  However, it seems that the few cruise lines that I prefer are setting their own agenda.

We have looked into several cruise lines.  While CLIA is not recommending independent shore excursions, this recommendation is not being administered consistently across cruise lines..  This is true even with Windstar.  While they are not permitting independent excursions, you can arrange for a private driver through Windstar for a half day/full day tour of the area.  When you do so, you are free to roam.  This seems inconsistent with their own policy of not permitting excursions outside of the Windstar bubble.

The same is true for travel insurance.  Star Clipper is the only company among the four that I have contacted that are requiring insurance.  While this may sound prudent, I asked if there were any requirements or minimum coverage and the answer was "no" and you just need "COVID travel insurance" and "there are many kinds".  If you have ever looked into travel insurance, you find that most have so many exclusions that the provide very little real coverage unless you experience something catastrophic (need to be airlifted  somewhere or evacuated).   Given that all passengers are vaccinated, and that we will likely be close to good medical care, this seems unlikely.

As you have said, this is COVID and anything can change.  I am a fan of Star Clipper  (and Windstar).  My hope is that they provide information in time to make good decisions.  I would sincerely like to cruise this October if I can wrap my head around it.  On Friday, I will do my third trip to Europe during COVID.  I truly believe that we can navigate travel even now with the right precautions.

We are considering one of the Royal Clipper itineraries for October 2021.  Is anyone booked on one of these?  It sounds like the ships are very full.

We specifically asked about independent shore excursions.  We are currently booked on a Windstar Cruise and they are restricting disembarkation to Windstar arranged shore excursions, except in Greece.  We are thinking that we may "jump ship."  Star Clipper indicated that they are not restricting.

 Relative to the other cruise lines, Star Clipper has very little information on their website about COVID protocols and how they are adapting the experience.   I was surprised to learn that "COVID insurance" is mandatory.

What are you hearing about shore excursions, masks on board, etc.?