HaveDogWillTravel

22 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

This is the first suite cruise where I have not yet met my cabin steward. I’ve heard rumors that his name is Romeo but who knows. I’ve called to ask for our 2 mini bars to be switched out, extra towels, robes and an ice bucket. I actually went  to the suite lounge and brought our own ice bucket to our suite. Very different from past cruises. 

Oh that’s not good. 

8 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

But at the same time, if you were on your balcony or in your cabin and went to lunch a few minutes after the Captain spoke, you would not have heard him mention anything about Glacier Alley nor probably have any idea what Glacier Alley was let alone that it was somewhere along the Beagle Channel. I know we didn’t until I accidentally woke up at 5:30 am that morning and looked outside.

 

That’s why it should have been posted in the Patter, which I’ll be making reference to in our post cruise surveys.

Agreed.  We had a little bit of a change to our itinerary from the map they provided us at the beginning. But once we got back on schedule that helped as it gave the times we were to be in each area. Yes I think it should have been in the patter and on journey view. I had such a jaw dropping good time. I used google maps to see where the little blue dot was. But we did have to be proactive in making sure we knew how early to set our alarm. And sometimes we had to stay up late. 

I was on the sailing before this in December.  The captain told us the timing of where we’d be and when during his noon announcement. As we were usually in MDR having lunch we heard it clearly. 

On 2/9/2024 at 4:31 PM, tulok said:

From looking at renting a bungalow, you can not choose which one ahead of time. Am I missing something?

I was able to book a specific bungalow I went to the excursion desk and asked for the one I wanted. Otherwise they just assign them in order.  If you rent a bungalow you are taken on the first tenders as it is considered a ship shore excursion.  I have posted a ton of pictures of all the bungalows along with the map that’s on shore on another Bungalow thread on CC. 
it was my favorite day of our 19 day LA to NYC sailing last Sept. 

Bring a magnet and put it on the outside of your door. Ask your steward to put notices there. 
I use a 65 pound one that will hold multiple pages. 

Thanks for a great report!  I am also intrigued by what would cause that shaking of the ship. Glad you’re home safe and sound. 

On 2/6/2024 at 1:24 PM, pompeii said:

We were on the Sapphire Jan 4-20 S. America and Antarctica and our steward brought us a kettle. I don’t know how many they have on board but we requested it right after boarding and he brought it no problem. 

Either they had a limited number or I just had a lazy steward. He really was marginal at best.
 

 I was on the 34 day sailing just before yours LA to BA Dec 1 to Jan 4, 2024 and was told they ran out. I asked on day one of the cruise. Since the cruise before us was a long South Pacific sailing there weren’t too many b2b folks. 

I’ve asked for and had kettles provided on the Emerald and the Diamond in 2023. If my steward tells me no again I’m going to ask for the room supervisor and let them tell me no. 

2 hours ago, LN50 said:

Thank you for taking the time to write all this. It is so very helpful as I do my research of windstar we hope to do an April sailing, We have done many Seabourn trips and one Seadream. It will be interesting to compare if we do take the booking

You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me know I appreciate the feedback. We added a sailing on Wind Spirit Oct 27 Rome to Barcelona this year. I am nervous and excited at the same time. Long ago (1975) I sailed a 131 ft tall ship, Brigantine Enchantress’ when it first launched out of Port Jefferson harbor Long Island.  My brother and boyfriend helped build her so I was invited to that first sailing. It was amazing. Sailing in Long Island Sound is a far cry from the Med. And the Spirit will be much bigger. 
 

The Spirit sailing is part  of a 7 week land sea adventure and I am uncertain what access I will have to internet. I do plan on a live from if possible. 

I’m not familiar with them.  But I just booked with TAP from SFO to Barcelona adding a 3 night stopover in Lisbon for this fall. Business class lie flat seats for $6000 RT booked as two one ways. They have good reviews and the plane is an a330 airbus if I recall. 

On 1/27/2024 at 8:52 PM, trbarton said:

I’m on the April 3, 2024, Solar Eclipse Cruise from San Pedro & there are still staterooms available. It’s a special cruise, that someone from Cruise Critic, got Princess to change the itinerary, to make it a special Solar Eclipse Cruise

No one from Cruise Critic did that. This cruise was always billed as TSE. But there is somebody claiming credit for changing our eclipse day from being in port in Mazatlan (center line ) to at sea. Not everyone agrees that is a plus. 
 

I was in La Paz January 2023 and thought it was very nice. We grabbed a cab into town and arranged for the same cab to bring us back. It was a posted fixed rate. We felt it was reasonably priced. We really loved the art  museum in town and would definitely go back. 
 

‘Loreto is my favorite Mexican port. Very charming town. These are pictures of La Paz

3 hours ago, suzeshoes said:

Our third cruise on SP in a year was taken 11/11/23, and we absolutely can't say enough good things about the ship, the crew, the service, the food!!! If they would only fix the A/C! One crew member explained that only two of the 3 units works. And if you happen to be in a cabin affected by this lack, and you are in a warm location (bear in mind that most of the cabins have only windows that don't open) it will be extremely uncomfortable. They are gracious and will move you if there is availability but we find it difficult to believe that this has not been addressed. And when you ask booking agents, they have no idea. We so enjoy the ship but decided we cannot return until this problem is fixed. It also affects most of the public areas by reception on 5 and also 6. That said, if indoor heat doesn't affect you...go for it!  Just wondered if some of the cancelled cruises have anything to do with getting this fixed.  When it was explained to us, it sounded like a major repair.  Also just as an FYI, i have tried twice to write a review of this cruise and put this information in it and both times my submission was not accepted.  They suggested that I just post the information in the forums.  So here we go.  Hope others read this and find it helpful.

Thanks for posting. Do you happen to know which cabins are affected ?

On 1/22/2024 at 5:25 AM, LaRu60 said:

@HaveDogWillTravel - love the map, where/how did you get it?

I was on the Sapphire Dec 1, 2023  to Jan 4 2024 LA to Ba with 4 days in Antartica. Everyone on the ship got them. 

21 hours ago, beshears said:

The question was ask, can pizza be ordered from Alfredo's to go? I think someone said if you had the Premier Package, that could be done twice. Is that "twice" for the whole trip, or twice a day?

I sailed Sapphire Dec 1 to Jan 4,2024. I had premier the first leg Dec 1 -18 and enjoyed Alfredo’s to go several times. DH joined the ship for leg 2 with premier and they changed the policy and no longer allowed to go pizzas. 

On 1/25/2024 at 9:00 AM, socmft said:

By having Plus, I would get 2 visits to Alfredo's...potentially 2 pizzas to go per cruise - I assume my husband would also be entitled to 2 visits so that might be total of 4 pizzas to go during our cruise if we so choose???!!  Am I assuming correctly?

I sailed Sapphire Dec 1 to Jan 4,2024. I had premier the first leg Dec 1 -18 and enjoyed Alfredo’s to go several times. DH joined the ship for leg 2 with premier and they changed the policy and no longer allowed to go pizzas. 

11 hours ago, wallyj said:

Yes, at least you could while I was on Sapphire last month. Regular non specialty pizza’s are $8.50 plus 18% .

 

If you have plus you get 2 visits if you have premier, unlimited.

I sailed Sapphire Dec 1 to Jan 4,2024. I had premier the first leg Dec 1 -18 and enjoyed Alfredo’s to go several times. DH joined the ship for leg 2 with premier and they changed the policy and no longer allowed to go pizzas. 

I use Kinfield. 
https://kinfield.com/products/sunglow

I have extremely sensitive skin. This reef safe sunscreen goes on light and does not irritate my skin at all. I applaud you for being conscientious enough to research this. 

Crew appreciation fees do NOT supplement crew members salaries. All crew are now on fixed salaries. You auto grats go to Princess not directly to crew.  If you sail without a package you can remove auto grats and give the money directly to crew who made your sailing above and beyond your expectations. Do a search and you’ll find this policy is well documented.  

On the Sapphire Dec & Jan  I won a free international wine tasting (really? I get all the wine I want with premier) and $25.  Adam won $250. Way better!  They phoned my cabin to let me know where/when for the wine tasting. The money shows up on your journey view account as non refundable OBC.  I check my account at least once a day.  You can also look at Prizes in the ap and it will show up there. 

I was on the Star Legend last October when the war in the Middle East broke out and all her sailings after us were cancelled. They put together that Mediterranean set of sailings and were selling them at crazy cheap prices. I imagine they still couldn’t fill the ship on such short notice.  By inviting 650 influencers on board they can write off the expenses?  Idk I’m really just spitballing here. I really hope this doesn’t come back to bite them.  
Thanks @Host Jazzbeau for posting.  I’ll go read the Explora board. 

1 hour ago, marinaro44 said:

Windstar now shows the 10/7/2025 cruise going from Montreal to New York, not Boston.  So the 10/18 cruise from Boston to San Juan is gone and Pride will head south to somewhere from New York.  Itinerary not listed yet.

I’m on that sailing. I really wanted to end up in Boston and am sad to miss Bar Harbour and Lunenburg NS. I’m from the east coast and have traveled to almost all these places extensively by land except for the ports inQC.  I’ve sat with a picnic lunch watching ships transit the Cape Cod Canal and at first was excited that was added but then saw we do so in the middle of the night.  Oh well.
 

It will still be lovely, just need to decide if we head to Boston or to see family on the Island. (As in Long) Maybe a Broadway show first?  Lots of choices in Manhattan.  

16 minutes ago, NoaH-Town said:

@HaveDogWillTravel Thank you so much for posting your live cruise reports.  It was so great to read and see your experiences. 
 

I just booked my first Windstar cruise on StarLegend from Barcelona next month.  After seeing a preview of what to expect, I’m even more excited!

I hope you have a wonderful time like I did. If you are up for a review of that sailing would be great as we are in that area this fall on Wind Spirit. 

26 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I did notice earlier this week there is a new menu bar at the top of the Personalizer page, that now includes 'bundles'.  That wasn't there before.  

I don’t have that on any of my bookings. Thanks for posting the screen shot. 

@dweebthanks for posting. 

1 minute ago, dickinson said:

I can't remember what is needed for login.  If you share with your friends do you just let them know your login?  Is it a new one or your Princess login?  I assume your cabin # would also be needed.

Cabin number and date of birth. At least that’s what was needed on Sapphire earlier this month. 

I’ve used EZ air successfully for shorter flights in North America but my most recent experience using them for a South America/ Antarctica sailing was horrible. Never. Again.  
 

My DH had a separate booking as I sailed LA to Buenos Aires (booked as 2 separate cruises) and he sailed only the second leg in his own cabin (thanks to great solo fares) Santiago to BA.  

Most of the issues below (except for the pricing problem) happened after the 45 day mark when we were ticketed. 
 

My first leg flight to SFO to LA no problem. My return flight on a different booking # was changed multiple times “by the airline” and always to a less desirable routing. I struggled getting any help from EZ air and wasted sooooooo many hours that I will never get back trying to keep the 2 stop flight BA to Santiago then Santiago to LAX, LAX to SFO that I originally booked. We ended up on a Santiago to Atlanta flight with only 1 hour 30 min to get our luggage, go thru border control and customs, recheck our bags and get from the international terminal to the furthest domestic terminal ATL is huge) on a train. 
 

And trying to keep Adam and I on the same flights with seats next to each other on all 3 flights was really challenging even though our reservations were linked. Presumably you won’t have that issue though as I assume you and your travel companions are on the same booking #. 

This is the issue I think you may face. This happened to us before the 45 day mark where you are ticketed. Since both of Adam's flights were on the same booking I couldn’t change his TO flight without also changing his FROM flight. That was super annoying. I could see the From flight on my booking separately and knew there was a better price but when I tried to take advantage of that for him it just increased to price of the TO.  And it would not let me keep his seat on the TO flight. 
 

After the 45 day mark, when our flights were changed “by the airline” we were also repeatedly put on planes that did not have the lie flat seats like we originally booked. In EZ air if you say you want business class be really careful to look at the flight details and make sure the plane has lie down seats for that long leg. 
 

Then there is the whole code share issue. LATAM and  DELTA do NOT play well together and it was a nightmare trying to see the entire flight. The various legs run by each kept saying go to the other ap/website but when we did the leg didn’t show or if it did it wouldn’t let us pick seats. We ended up on the last leg from ATL TO SFO not sitting together (but honestly after 20 hours of traveling it might have been for the best lol).  Yes you pick your seats in EZ air but the seat charts on EZ air didn’t match the plane we saw we were on when we checked the airlines’ website. And even if you do pick your seats on EZ air you need to check the airline website to make sure you’ve been assigned those seats. 
 

When I tried to call the airlines or chat with them they said I had to talk to Princess. And you guessed it Princess said I had to talk to the airlines. 
 

We flew business class. 
 

We also traveled to Greece and Turkey in the last 6 months with Turkish air business class booking on our own. Much better experience & oh my goodness the food!  I actually got off the plane in SFO really hungry as the food on Delta and LATAM was horrible. And with 2 very short connections there was no time to eat in the airports. 
 

We are traveling to Portugal, Spain and Italy this coming October and I just booked my own flights again. I found that booking 2 one way tickets in business class for each of us to be far less expensive ($3000 less) than booking 1 RT for each of us. Who knew?