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On 3/9/2023 at 2:38 PM, piedpiper99 said:

Anyone have insight as to what prompted this change.  I was pretty sure, that Windstar was going to keep the policy and use the vaccine requirement as differentiator from other cruiselines.

I would guess a lack of. business and bookings that resulted from their vax policy.......when so many other cruises dropped the vax requirement.  I've enjoyed many Windstar cruises in the past, but as I told them, I've resorted to booking other cruise lines that don't have a vax requirement. So I'm happy to hear about this change and now looking forward to booking Windstar again.

I just got off the Millennium Southern Caribbean cruise.  I think the app sucks for shore excursion info.  In order to find 2 basic items - the time and cost for each excursion - you must click 4 times on EACH excursion!  Takes way too much time to do this for each excursion, and you can't easily go back & forth trying to compare excursion options.  

I love how everybody thinks they’re such a Covid expert. 😅

I for one am glad of the change in policy.

I won't be cruising until it's safe and until no masks are needed onboard. It's not a vacation if I need to wear a mask.

1 hour ago, dandee2 said:

Just spent 2 hours on a ferry on the St-Lawrence in Québec. We had to wear mask on the whole crossing. Not Fun. I would not do a cruise were I need to wear mask in public area. I'll use my tent in the backyard instead.

 

I agree.  I have problems breathing when wearing a mask for more than a brief time.  Not my idea of a vacation!  We were on a cruise in March (Celebrity)....the last week of their cruising, when we weren't allowed to disembark in San Juan as planned......two days later we we allowed to disembark in Ft Lauderdale.  I'll stay home too, or do more of a local vacation.

I usually have 1 large bag and 2 carryon bags. They take care of getting the large bag to the cabin and never had to carry my 2 carryons up the steps myself.  There's someone there to take your carryon bags up the steps, if you'd like.  I always have 2 bottles on wine in my carryon as allowed, to drink in my room.  No need to bring any water or soda as they're included and stocked in your room.  Boarding a Windstar ship is the easiest embarkation process I've had.

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Purification-system-will-clear-air-on-Virgin-Scarlet-Lady

Virgin Voyages' first ship, the Scarlet Lady, will be retrofitted with an air purification system that kills 99.9% of all viruses, the new cruise brand said.

The new Virgin air purification system explained in this article was impressive to me - so much so that it made me think about checking into Virgin cruises.  Are other cruise lines doing similar air purification changes?

Hi Host Jazzbeau, thanks for your input.  I'm thinking of booking a Star Breeze cruise and trying to decide which cabin floor plan to choose - the S1 or the new SS1 floor plan.

My Pros for a S1 cabin:

-  We've always had a cabin (Windstar & other lines) where the sitting area is near the balcony (or window).  I like sitting on the sofa or chair right by the window watching the great views outside.  I don't think I'll spend much time sitting on the bed to see the good views outside.

-  In the middle of the night, it's a short walk to the bathroom.

-  My hubby is sensitive to light and once the light through the window wakes him up, guess who else ends up awake?  LOL  With a S1 cabin, the sleeping area is darker in the early morning hours because there is an extra curtain to close off the sunlight from the window. OTOH, once he gets up early, he could use the SS1 sitting room.

-  In the SS1 cabin, the tv is in the bedroom area, but we normally watch more tv in the living area, rather than in bed.

My Pros for a SS1 cabin:

-  Why not try something different?

-  Less congestion when we're both trying to get dressed, get in the closet, or pack our clothes.

What am I not considering?  

What I'd like to new from those who have or are booking on the renovated motor yachts.....are you booking the "old" cabin format.....or the "new" cabin format where the bed is next to the window/balcony?  And why did you make that decision?

Thanks!

We're also thinking about the Galapagos.  In light of Covid, does anyone know if or when cruising will open back up there?

10 hours ago, drega99 said:

The dates are incorrect and the ports of embarkation are incorrect.

Yes, it should be 3/7 San Juan to 3/16 Ft Lauderdale.

1 hour ago, whitbob said:

 

Hi Muffinz,  

 

I might miss a few things, but the AQ rooms and balconies are the same size as Concierge and regular balcony rooms.  They have changed the additional amenities over the 4-5 years that I have cruised on Celebrity, but generally that difference are:

 

Blu Dining room (any time seating), limited to AQ guests, and Retreat guest if space is available (that is handled differently by ship.)  They serve Dinner and Breakfast

Free access to Persian Gardens

Ice Tea (bottled water was dropped a few years ago) delivered daily

Expanded breakfast room service menu (we haven't ordered room service in a few years, so maybe someone can articulate the difference)

A fancy shower head with more jets

Personal Spa Concierge (have never figured out who this is)

Plushy robes (they are typically longer, and Terry cloth, so thicker that those cotton ones)

Priority check in line

Foot stools on the balcony

The cabins are typically on the higher floors, but this is debated as an amenity, as not everyone likes the rooms under the pool deck.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

Besides typically on higher decks, are the Aqua cabins also primarily more forward?

2 hours ago, Mimiya11 said:

 

Not sure if you were on the Summit's March 7th sailing.  But am with you regarding the buffet.   We were on HAL last year (our only time) and while we love Celebrity I agree re the buffet!!  HAL has it right!!  The thought of touching all those serving spoons regardless of whether people used sanitizer makes me quite ill especially now.  I would hope all cruise lines would follow HALs lead on that.  

 

Regarding the OP question.  We love AQ and if it is not a crazy amount more we go that way primarily for Blu.  I must say the Persian Gardens on the Summit was a big disappointment as compared to the Reflection.  Went once and that was it.   But must say the Summit's BLU management and staff were outstanding.   

 

 

Yes, I was on the March 7 Summit sailing. We were in cabin 9162.

Didn't realize there are aft-facing Aqua Summit cabins on deck 11 - good to know.

We just returned from our 1st Celebrity cruise on the Summit.  We've cruised a lot but mainly on Holland America, Windstar most recently and Princess years ago.  I love an Aft-facing cabin, so we booked one in Concierge Class.....and you can't book an aft-facing cabin and Aqua Class together. 

I  must say I was disappointed with the food on Celebrity in the buffet and the main dining room.  We didn't eat in any of the specialty restaurants and I don't think one should have to do so to get good food.  I was surprised because I heard the quality of food and offering was one of Celebrity's strengths.

The other food related item that concerned me is the self service in the buffet, especially in view of the coronavirus we're experiencing.  One night in the main dining room, we were visited by the chef and one of the officers who were asking for feedback on the ship's food service.  As a first time Celebrity cruiser, I told them I was horrified that passengers served themselves at the buffet.....versus the HAL method where the employees serve passengers - much more hygienic.  It's easier to control the hygiene of employees than to control the hygiene of passengers.  I'd rather be safe than sorry, even if it slightly slows buffet serving times.

Here is the letter from the Summit Captain, along with documentation from the Quebec Province website and the CDC that indicates there was Coronavirus exposure on the March 7 Summit sailing.  I'm disappointed we have heard nothing from Celebrity.

CDC Notice Summit Coronovirus.pdf Summit Sailing Compensation.pdf

I’m on this ship, now sailing on to Ft Lauderdale for a 3/16 arrival. 
 

This first I’ve heard of a passenger disembarking on 3/7, the day I boarded...,.is now when I logged on to cruise critic, and if true, it is disconcerting. 

Thanks for this thread! We'll be celebrating a major anniversary on the Summit early March. Since this will be our first time on a Celebrity ship, we're not familiar with any of the restaurants, and this info has been helpful.  Our anniversary will be the 2nd night onboard.  Is a way to reserve something now?  Or should I do it right after embarkation?

On 1/23/2020 at 8:44 AM, dianedebuda said:

Could you pay for taxi with credit card?  I'm trying to figure out how much cash I'll have to take on my trip in a couple of weeks.

Even more cost effective....and using a credit card, take Uber.  We did so late Nov 2019.

Honestly, I'd be leery now to book any cruise on the motor yachts, and that's all I've sailed, several times......because, how do you know there won't be another 'oops' domino effect going forward?  I'd feel better once the renovations are done.

I just booked a Celebrity S Caribbean cruise...will be the first time for us on Celebrity.

I've brought and used magnetic hooks in the motor yachts.  

In our last sailing on the Legeand 11/30/19, we had an umbrella in our closet but don't recall one on my other Windstar sailings. 

I always bring battery tea lights to use as a night light in the bathroom.

Just now, Misty Morning said:

When you can actually get the 5% off, because most of the time when I book, they tell me the fare I’m looking at is promotional and that the 5% Yacht Club discount does not apply. 

Great point Misty - that same often  happens to me.

For the St Thomas port, they dock at Havensight.

It's Havensight - we did that cruise the week after Thanksgiving.

I did this cruise last week on the Legend. Yes, there were shops open Sunday where we docked at Havensight.