SailMaine

BTW, we are on that same sailing from Boston in October. Looking forward to it and hoping the weather will be good. Fingers crossed!

We always use Allianz and have been very satisfied with the ease of processing claims. In 2019, due to DH’s spine surgeries, we had to cancel two separate trips - both very close to travel dates - and had no issues getting 100% of our funds back in a timely manner. On our recent Caribbean trip in December, we had two ports cancelled and received back $200 each for the two missed ports. The price is expensive but our positive experiences make it worth it on the off chance we have to cancel last minute.

While on the Windsurf transatlantic this past December, we were notified that our June 2025 cruise on Star Pride ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ trip from Edinburgh to Iceland was cancelled. No reason given. We were disappointed but ended up switching to Star Legend’s Norway Fjords trip June 2025 ending in Copenhagen. It ended up being okay as Copenhagen has been on our bucket list but something is definitely going on with the Pride’s 2025 itineraries. 
We are booked on the Pride this October 2024 for the Boston to San Juan repositioning. Hoping 2024 itineraries are all ok.

We are onboard the Windsurf on the crossing from Lisbon to St. Maarten. After this cruise, we will have 89 points. 1 to go! Yesterday, we booked a cruise and the gentleman told us that on Day 2 of that cruise, we will move from 3 to 4-Star status and will get all the ‘perks’ of the 4-star except the additional amount of SBC. As I was a bit skeptic, he showed me an email he’d received from the main office moving another guest to the next level on Day 5 of their trip. So, I guess we will wait and see on our Boston to San Juan trip next October!

BTW, crossing is wonderful! Only 113 onboard!

9 hours ago, frickwg said:

I am looking at booking another Windstar cruise on one of the stretched, old Seabourn Ships.  I was in the old cabins several times when they were Seaborn and once in an old cabin after they were stretched (not much change).

 

How are the new cabins in the stretched section?  They seem to be about the same size.  Bathroom (tub/shower or shower), size, décor, fitting, quiet......

We have stayed in both and have decided we prefer the new style cabin with the bed near the window. I tend to lounge in bed later than my DH who likes to get room service for early am coffee. With the new configuration, the steward can deliver his coffee and pastry without walking past me still in bed! I also enjoy my morning coffee in bed with that beautiful ocean view.

The heads (bathrooms) are the same in both configurations with the large shower and double sinks. So nice!

On 9/27/2023 at 5:29 PM, Ski Mom 2 said:

After our cruise is January we will be ONE NIGHT SHORT of the highest level! UGH!

We are in the same spot after our Nov/Dec TA and Caribbean B2B…4 nights short of Level 4. So my husband says yet another good reason to do another quick 7 day somewhere fun. Twist my arm!

Just got off Legend’s transatlantic trip to Miami. Despite rough seas and strong winds, the Star Grill was open for a good portion of the trip for lunch, but only one evening for dinner. We went every day for lunch - delicious salad offerings and wonderful grilled meat and seafood choices daily - but prefer the finer dining of Amphora, Candles or, our favorite, Cuadro 44, for dinner so didn’t partake in the Star Grill’s dinner offerings. 

Just got off the Star Legend’s December 3rd transatlantic. I’ll start by saying the trip was absolutely wonderful, as always. But a very large, unusual tropical system in the Atlantic caused the conditions to be rough for about 9-10 days with high winds and big seas - 10-20’ depending on the day! The captain made the good decision to go further south before turning west toward Miami and we were glad for it!
But we picked the right cabin for the rough conditions. Cabin 438, deck 4 mid ships, was perfect during even the roughest seas. Though we could feel the impact, we didn’t get the pounding that our friends experienced on higher decks towards the bow and stern. Many were under the weather. Though there were only 136 passengers on board for the crossing, there were a couple days/nights when we felt like we were on a private yacht…”where is everyone??”.  We took Bonine (meclazine) daily for the first 10 days - one for me and two for my husband - and we were fine. We can’t say enough about the comfort of the cabin, the wonderful head with spacious shower and we slept like babies in the rocking seas.
Can’t wait for next year’s TA - on the Surf next year!

A quick question on the new Star Balcony suites. We are on the Legend transatlantic in December and are considering an upgrade to a balcony suite but wondered, once underway, if there would ever be an opportunity to have the doors open, especially at night. On our TA last year the wind and waves never seemed to subside enough to do so. Can anyone who has stayed in a balcony suite on a TA weigh in?

Thanks!

I’d coin Windstar dress code as smart but casual. I normally choose capris with nice top, cute skirts or a casual dress. Never have felt ‘underdressed’ on any of our WS cruises. And can’t agree more on the packing light as laundry service is excellent. 

Enjoy your cruise!

There is a roll call for the TA that I plan to start up again as the date gets closer to see if there are others out there joining us. 

My husband and I (Kym and Paul) are also on that crossing in December. This will be our second as we went Lisbon to Barbados on the Legend last November. We were on the all-inclusive (always do as it just makes things easier) and though the wifi was slow at times, he sent dispatches with several pics attached every two or three days to family and friends. I was able to stay in touch via text with my sisters and friends. Keep in mind that it is a satellite connection and comes and goes, but we aren’t tied to our devices so didn’t really mind when it was weak. We picked up a book and a yummy tropical drink and relaxed some more near the pool!
You will love the trip. Maybe we will meet up on board.

While we have not stayed in the Deluxe Suite, our corner cabin #430 was directly across from the deluxe suite, right across from the elevator. We were on a two week TA and never heard any noise from the elevator or the hallways. And because there were so few people onboard (118), never a group of folks waiting for it in the hallway. 

We were on the fall TA on The Legend in an original design cabin which we thought we preferred over the new style. We had to change cabins on day 2 as there was an issue with banging in the bulkhead so they offered us an upgrade to a newly designed cabin which we were not sure we’d like. We have always enjoyed the seating area near the window. But surprisingly, we loved the new arrangement. We liked that room service didn’t have to walk by the bed in the early am to deliver our coffee and that when coming into the cabin into the seating area to drop all our ‘stuff’ was more convenient. I tend to lounge a bit later than husband so the bed near the window was perfect. Curtain separating the areas were the same in both cabins. I also thought the cabin seemed even larger walking into the seating area vs. the bed. The new bathrooms are the same in both style cabins and are very nice. We have booked a new style cabin on the Legend for our fall transatlantic again. Can’t wait!

I agree with RemPuck that the package is so convenient. No signing of tabs for the first and maybe second glass of wine at dinner or the nightcap up in the Compass Rose at night with friends you’ve met on board. We find it easy and don’t bother to do the math calculations as we’re on a luxury cruise and just figure the package into the cost of each trip. Again, I believe it’s an individual preference.

No buffet at dinner is precisely why we choose Windstar as our luxury option. It’s just our preference. So I guess it’s good there are other luxury lines that offer that venue for those that prefer the buffet option.

Strenz and SkiMom, thanks for the feedback. We love Windstar and are counting the months. Hopefully Covid will be under control by then but we felt very comfortable with Windstar’s protocols on our recent trip. Strenz, sorry to hear of your Covid experience, but glad you are back home safely and healthy. 
 

We just booked the December 2022 transatlantic on the Wind Surf. We so enjoyed our transatlantic on the Legend this past November, we decided to book another on a sailing ship and love the Wind Surf. We booked suite #348 as we wanted the extra living space for all those days at sea - and love the second bathroom! We have only stayed in the regular cabins and would welcome any feedback on the suites. Thanks!

We just completed the Star Legend transatlantic from Lisbon to Barbados. We were so glad all passengers and crew were required to be vaccinated. And we...and all other passengers...were respectful and grateful for the indoor mask wearing policy. All complied willingly and it became automatic to don a mask when outside your cabin. Once outdoors on decks, we did not wear masks. But did put them on to go up to the Star Bar for food or a drink. It was the same indoors at the lounge, Compass Rose and restaurants - once inside and sitting at the bar, couch or table at dinner, you could remove your mask. Seating at the outdoor Star Bar Grill was spaced well as were the loungers at the pool decks. 

It was the most delightful trip! And the mask requirement was part of what made the two weeks safe and comforting. It’s not for everyone but it worked well for us and the other 117 on board!

Would it apply to the Star Legend Transatlantic leaving out of Lisbon, with stops in Madeira and Canaries before Barbados? Hmmm...

My husband always dresses fashionably country club casual but never with sport jacket or tie. And has never felt out of place. Just another reason why we love the windstar experience. 

We are in #348 on the 12/28 St Maarten trip. Was concerned about being under the lounge but my TA was told it is not an issue. We will see but sure it’ll be ok.

We did the WindSurf Venice to Rome trip back in 2018 via Croatia and absolutely loved it. It was our first WS Cruise and it was great! You’ll love it too, I’m sure!

Happy birthday! On our last WS cruise in December 2019, they made me a delicious chocolate truffle cake and sang happy birthday at our Candles dinner for my special day. They also decorated our cabin with a banner and a towel birthday cake. My husband said they set a high bar! It was very nice. 

Enjoy your trip. We are on the Surf December 28 for 18 day trip. Can’t wait!

I am not sure about the classic suite but I know we had a deluxe suite booked on a recently cancelled Star Pride cruise and were told it was not considered a premium suite. 

Good news! I checked this morning and mine is working again. The Manage my Booking button goes to the correct cruise and the Purchase Shore Excursions works so it looks like they found a fix. Now to book some excursions for the 12/28 trip on WindSurf!

BTW, looking at the choices, there a couple of 4x4 open-air vehicle trips. Has anyone gone on one of these? Are you alone in the vehicle or sharing with others. Thanks!