Nearpost345

frequently get seated at a table for four, but we throw buns at anyone who tries to join us. Seriously, you’ll never have to share a table if you don’t want to.

It’s getting harder to give an exact number of drinks as a break even point . But new cruisers five drinks a day estimate is a decent rule of thumb imo. Also, just for the record, the all in package is per passenger, so if one of you hardly drinks, he or she can skip the all in. Another thing I noticed recently on the Breeze, was a placard by the gangway, stating by omission, that wine may be brought on board at ports of call. I verified the wording with the security officer and he confirmed that bottles of wine are permitted.

I don’t think anyone can answer that question but you. My personal choice is to hand about 12 to 15 crew members a $20 bill. I don’t care if that offends other cruisers or not. I recommend you do what makes you feel good, up to and including tipping nothing as the auto gratuity is already in play.

Has anyone stayed in this suite or any of other new suites on deck three? I’m interested in any reports. Thank you. I should add that tendering is not expected on our upcoming cruise.

I don’t think you need to test before boarding in Tahiti. In this case the passengers voluntarily tested themselves and announced to Windstar they were positive. So the above link would be correct when it (by omission) says no test needed by Windstar our local authorities for boarding in Tahiti. Where the above link is wrong is the part inferring that your self test needs a proctor. We sailed out of Melbourne Dec 4th 2022 and a picture of the cartridge from a self test was all that was needed. Of course with Windstar communications you never know, maybe quayside in Melbourne really does want a proctored test (I doubt it)

ciao, don’t feel as though you’ve been cheated. You asked for some special consideration, Windstar declined, nothing sneaky about that.

I’m never shy about criticizing Windstar on here, after all it is “Cruisecritic”. Also my gripes are usually with their land based set up. However, if Windstar are simply sticking to their fine print about not combining discounts/promotions, and not reducing fares that have already been paid (fallen between or after their stated calendar deadlines), then I don’t think they’ve done much wrong. I realize they could show a bit of good faith etc. and give a passenger a break, but when and where do they stop?

Pleased to read update that USD is accepted. My recollection is that Star Breeze held our passports while we went ashore. Having downed a couple of beers at a local bar we were told no credit cards or U.S. dollars would be accepted. When I went to exchange pesos, the bank rudely chased me away (no passport), so I eventually convinced a street vendor to accept the best $/peso exchange rate in the history of the world. I got back to the bar to learn that our group had ordered another round of drinks which put me back to square one! At that point the proprietor gave up and sent us on our way. Was quite the little adventure.

Mocamps, Windstars CIBT entry guide says you don’t need a test. Maybe your info is out of date? On a separate note, be sure to have local currency when you go onshore in Cartagena and Santa Maria as they are not at all interested in USD (was our experience in 2017).

It’s natural to be confused when it comes to Windstar’s communiques. I posted the picture as just one more data point for those traveling on the breeze.

Was on The Star Breeze last month. One passenger used a walker at all times. I think he did ok with two companions to help him. However we had a spot of rough seas which temporarily disabled the lifts. I think he had to accept room service for that period.

Can’t speak to when it is open, weather is the main factor I think. It’s a buffet with standard salad and entree sides, desert etc. The carving station can have some very tasty offerings though. You will be seated at a communal table where the crew will be buzzing around ready to attend your every need. We’re pretty much addicted to the glamour and swank of Amphora. Love the Star grill for those carving station treats at lunch though.

Good Luck Barry. You probably are doing this anyway, but I’d suggest packing a couple of self tests just in case. Be prepared for super friendly people in New Zealand .👍

Hi Barrycat On our December 4th embarkation Windstar quayside did demand evidence of a negative self test .No need for a proctor just a picture of the cartridge showing the negative stripe . Two elderly passengers had to tramp back to the port entrance to test themselves as they weren’t permitted to do it close to the ship. (they had some unused self tests in their bags). I realize this is little help as you are embarking in Auckland. You are correct though about Australian immigration, they do not need to see a test , but they do require folks getting on cruise ships in Aussie to be tested. I saw that in writing somewhere on line. May I suggest you hunt down a tel number for the Windstar agent in Auckland. If they’re anything like everyone we met in New Zealand they will bend over backwards to help you. You will love the crew Barry, just don’t let them press your dress slacks without emphasizing PRESS not launder. That’s a whole other story. My poor Enzo Mantovani’s are no more! 😪

“Failure to provide may result in denied boarding” This was the language that alarmed me as we didn’t see this requirement till two days before boarding , but it had a fourteen day deadline.

Hi guys Here is the letter Windstars rep in Melbourne sent to me. Covid Testing embarking in Australia Updates Windstar - Documentation <documentation@windstar.com.au> Nov 28, 2022, 1:23 PM Hi Tony, Thank you for contacting Windstar Australia. The latest information about Covid testing that we have received from head office in Seattle is below. We have been sending this information to our guests and agents since receiving on November 9. November 9, 2022 Regarding your Client’s Upcoming Cruise: Star Breeze, December 4, 2022 Guest Name: ------------------------Booking Number: ----------- Dear --------------- Our crew is excited to welcome your client on board the Star Breeze! We want to reassure you that we continue to review our health and safety protocols in an effort to maintain a healthy environment on board for our guests and crew, as well as mitigate the spreading of the virus to the communities we visit. Our policies continue to evolve where appropriate in coordination with local regulators. Please review important entry details below: · The Government of Australia has specific requirements cruise lines are required to follow and include: o Vaccination status of passengers must be verified during the booking process. § We have created a link for your client to submit your proof of vaccination – https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6864400c374a47a9a0dc651daa6606bf . Please upload a photograph of the front and of the back of your client’s vaccination card by no later than November 16, 2022. Failure to provide may result in denied boarding. o At the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests will be required to provide proof of an initial completed vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand) finished at least 14 days prior to the guest's embarkation date. o Passengers must have and be able to present evidence of a negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding, or a negative self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours before boarding the cruise ship. Please be advised passengers embarking in Australia that pre-embarkation testing must be done at a private laboratory for a PCR test, and for the RAT can be done at a laboratory or pharmacy, or by self-test. Passengers should be able to present test results at the terminal, and for a self-test, it is suggested a picture of the test cartridge should be available. o A health screening will be administered at the pier on the day of embarkation. o The Government of Australia also strongly recommends that all passengers have the seasonal influenza vaccination, when available. Guests going ashore must adhere to our Beyond Ordinary Care plan and local sanitation guidelines. Details will be provided daily onboard in Destination talks held in the evening lounge. · We aim to execute the itinerary as scheduled but are subject to ever-changing requirements, which may or may not allow us to call at all scheduled ports. · While Windstar no longer requires guests to wear masks onboard, there may be cases where mask wear may be required. · Please visit the Health & Safety page on our website for the latest information on all of our Beyond Ordinary Care protocols. We look forward to welcoming your client aboard. Best regards, Christopher Prelog President, Windstar Cruises Hope this helps to clarify your questions. Wishing you a wonderful cruise experience on board Star Breeze this Sunday. Kind regards, xxx Windstar Australia 1300 749 875 | (02) 8296 7094 Level 8 / 171 Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 ...

Just saw this by gangway to Start Breeze. I’m never certain about the rules, but a sign nailed to the wall hopefully means the rules won’t change for a while.

We just got off the Star Breeze and our suite had a sofa bed that converts to a full (maybe a double) bed. My partner told me that three is the maximum for that cabin, it was a higher level cabin though (deck 7 balcony) in the new section of the ship. I can’t comment on the surcharge, sorry.

😎

To partially address your concerns: We just disembarked in Auckland after a 14 day cruise that embarked in Melbourne on The Breeze. Windstar web site told us we must have a proctored test, NOT a self test in order to board the ship. After wasting a number of hours plaguing chemists in Melbourne, we eventually found an outlet of Chemists Warehouse to do a supervised antigen test. Around the same time I called Windstar’s agent in Melbourne who were ADAMANT that a simple self test, with a picture of the negative cartridge would be good enough to board. Yes, Windstar USA misinformation strikes again. As usual though, the disfunction that permeates Windstar corporate, and has done since our first cruise in 2017 was offset by the beautiful onboard crew. I’ll save the contradictory letters written by Chris Prelog (you need a proctored test/ you don’t need a proctored test) for another day. edit: I forgot to add that 48 hours before boarding, Windstar’s Melbourne agent sent us a letter from Chris Prelog warning us that if we didn’t upload proof of our vaccination status a minimum of 14 days before boarding, we may be denied boarding. Would have been nice to receive said letter when we booked. That created another unnecessary for drill, sigh. I think Windstar needs to replace the marketing culture that is incompetently leading the organization, and replace it with some operations oriented executives.

Sorry for answering my own posts, just want to add that the language that changed re type of covid test required maybe an update on CIBT’s end and not Windstar fault. CIBT are some kind of visa application service that Windstar have linked up with.

Update, Windstar have quietly updated the guideline by adding “video self proctored “. Maybe they read my post! lol Australia: Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to embarkation, or a video-proctored self-administered Rapid Antigen Test taken within 24 hours prior to embarkation;

We’re boarding the Breeze Dec 4th in Melbourne. I have a checked with Australian entry requirements and they no longer require any kind of testing. But I have questions about the following excerpt from Windstar.com…. Pre-Departure & Embarkation For cruises departing on or after September 6, Windstar will no longer require a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for embarking guests (unless required by one of the countries on the itinerary). Please note these exceptionsknown to us today. Countries requiring pre-cruise embarkation tests include: Australia: Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to embarkation, or a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test taken within 24 hours prior to embarkation —————————————————————————————- I’m not sure if this is an Australian govt requirement , or a Windstar requirement. That aside, how does one prove that they self tested within the previous 24 hours, to Windstars quayside team? Obviously I could call Windstar head office, but I have lost confidence in their agents when it comes to the tricky subject of covid testing protocols. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this.