St Pete Cruiser

Our arrival into Barcelona, docking at the WTC location, close to the old city. MSC was the only other cruise ship, docked at the over the bridge cruise terminal. Seabourn and some of the other smaller ships can use the WTC dock.

Good morning from Barcelona. It is partly cloudy and 50F with a high of only 55F. Sweaters and knit caps for us wimpy Floridians. Last night's crew show was fun. Nanda, MDR server, sang beautifully. Synchronized swimmers were crazy funny. As promised, Aljon, a server, at the Verandah this morning:

What a great adventure!. Yes, he is. I'll ask for a pic later. Marseille from the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Good morning from Marseille. Yes, we docked in Nice where you can easily walk into old Nice. The first week we were at Port Lympia and this week at the closer side.

Yes, George and Clara were on Zaandam for the Christmas holiday cruise. They are wonderful, easy to talk with and very informative. They were part of Lincoln Center before.

I would choose a mid to rear oceanview room on deck 1 or 2 over anything on deck 3. Prefer the extra room length and new shower vs bathtub shower combo.

We are in the Compass Rose, deck 6, as I post this. I told Sin about your expected arrival March 17. He leaves March 31. We are back to back as we use to call it. Looking forward to returning to the same ports to do what we didn't do the first week. The overnight in Nice was our favorite and probably won't be repeated. Rome was very crowded today, so this come in the winter promotion when it is NOT crowded is not quite accurate.

Well, you should be pleased as Sin is here now. Last night was the crew show. Sin did his shtick in between numbers and I laughed at his tired old jokes as I thought they were like something that I would say if given the job.

Correct, onboard the ship. That was the original offer. As of Wednesday, we are being told it is not available.

Sorry if I was unclear, but I know there is a big difference! The Royal Viking Sun/Prinsendam has a better hull design for heavier seas.

We have previously cruised with Windstar only on the Wind Surf, their largest sailing ship. The Surf was built in 1989. We originally booked a 10 day Caribbean on her in 2021 and then a 17 day Venice to Barcelona cruise in 2022. The best part of that cruise was being able to sail from Venice and to call at some very small ports enroute. Not entirely pleased with the Surf, I did want to try one of the "motor yachts" as Windstar calls them. The Legend was actually built for Seabourn in 1991, but was sold to Royal Viking. Her two sister ships were delivered to what was Seabourn. Royal Viking was an upscale cruise line in the 70's and 80's and built the larger Royal Viking Sun in 1988 as their flagship and most popular ship. The Sun was later sold to Cunard/Seabourn for a few years before being transferred to Holland America Line and renamed Prinsendam, their Elegant Explorer. Thus, the Legend has some good family genes! Windstar acquired the 3 sister ships from Seabourn as Seabourn built new and larger replacements for what are now Star Pride, Breeze and Legend. To add another part of the puzzle, Windstar decided prior to Covid, to add more rooms to the small ships by cutting them and inserting about 80' mid ship to the three of them for about $250m. A large investment in 30+ year old ships. New engines were also needed. When the Legend needed to be redeployed from its Red Sea itineraries to a simple Barcelona to Civitvechia 7 day one, we decided to try it and do the RT from Barcelona. The rates were reduced to fill the ship with a relatively short time frame. We left St Petersburg's 78 degree sunshine for a cold 45 and breezy start in Barcelona Sunday morning. We couldn't board until1pm and did walk about LaRambla with our luggage checked. Boarding a small ship like Legend required walking up a rather steep gangway, something some disabled people would have difficulty doing. Our room on the 4th deck was close by. All rooms on the Legend are considered suites with about 270 square feet. Our room looks new because it is! One of the added rooms, the shower is much like the newer Pinnacle class on Holland America with glass doors and extra space. There are 2 sinks, but little countertop. A small walk in closet, a sitting area with sofa and 2 chairs and the slightly separate bed and drawers next to the large window.

An additional night.

Onboard Star Legend, we requested an additional night and were initially given the ok at $175 for our regular window room, but we're then notified that corporate has just changed policy and will NOT be able to.

Sorry to hear Bar Harbor was deleted. Has anyone heard if all bigger cruise ships will be turned away from Bar Harbor?

Great to know she is still sailing and seems to be doing well.

Yes, it is one of the 3 Windstar motor ships, which were former Seabourn ships.

Good for you. Be sure it is the Nieuw Amsterdam! Holland America sold the Amsterdam 3 years ago.

Happy Humpday everyone. To enforce my love of our former S class design ships, today's Times ran this ad for AAA for Alaska cruises. AAA has run a version of this promo as long as I can remember. Notice the now blurred but easily recognized S class ship.

Checked Miami, but you can't see the Zaandam. The sun is at a better angle there for the camera, but of course they don't have as good a sailaway as Ft Lauderdale.

Yes, Zaandam is leaving from Miami. It is a beautiful sunny day here in St Petersburg. Winter goes by too fast for me and summer is too long here.

I agree that Holland America's reservation customer service is often weak at best, but do try to be patient. The service onboard is far better!

There, that looks better.

Tenders are not so orange as regular lifeboats.

Saving the best for last? NA looks small after Symphany. What charter?