CanadianKate

2009 (I think): Request Diet Dr. Pepper on NYC to Montreal fall cruise. Wasn't in our fridge. Annoyed but shrugged it off. 

First stop Rhode Island. Walking down the pier we see pallets of food to be loaded on including one with a few cases of Diet Dr. Pepper. They were restocking in RI instead of NYC (my guess is that it is a lot cheaper to do so there!) 

That night when I got back from our tour, the Diet Dr. Pepper was in our fridge. 

Contrast that to Crystal: Boarded in Perth Australia. Didn't request Diet Dr. Pepper because it isn't sold in Australia (it isn't sold in much of the world). Sometimes a specialty American shop will have it, otherwise it is almost impossible to get (and that includes some parts of Canada.) 

First time I'm at a deck grill restaurant I see a waiter going by with a can of Diet Dr. Pepper on a tray. I go ask at the bar, sure enough it is a regularly stocked item, so I had it daily between Perth and Capetown. 

A lot depends on who the cruiseline uses for their suppliers and how big the ships are and their general cliental. For Crystal, it was Americans. For Silversea it was a much more international mix of passengers. 

 

58 minutes ago, bobolz said:

Les I’m so happy that you and your wife made it home safely. What a journey! I’ve been following your posts and want to thank you so much for sharing your experience with all of us. Welcome home! 

I'll second that! 

19 hours ago, cruiseej said:

@CanadianKate I like your theory, but I really doubt they are actually buying insurance for customer cancellations. The cost they're charging is their own form of self-insuring against cancellations. 

You are quite likely right, I should have thought of self-insurance since that's what I usually do myself. 

17 hours ago, wren2 said:

Another factor to consider when using port to port is the steep increase in the cost of participating in the group transfer.  Last October, prior to the new pricing, I was quoted $70 for participating in the group transfer from the Sant Apollonia pier in Lisbon to the airport, which is barely 20 minutes away.  My friend and I just walked to the Dock gates and got a cab for 35 euros. I think the last time I disembarked in Lisbon, the transfer was $29 approximately.

 

I also wish the excursions were not included.  I like to explore on my own and have never done more than one or two excursions per cruise. A pity there is not an opt out with a price reduction.

We did the same in Feb 2020 (but coming off Windstar, not SS.) Friends on board just walked to their hotel which was overlooking the port! 

I love forums such as this for giving us options when arriving overseas and being able to better judge private vs, group transfer. I've only done a group transfer once, in Barcelona, because we had leftover credit. While we got off the Wind faster, we sat on the bus for ages before leaving so a private would have been just as fast. 

22 hours ago, cruiseej said:

(2) The D2D upcharge inexplicably becomes more expensive as you move up in cabin class, even though you're not getting any change in the D2D services.

 

 

How's this for an explanation....

The D2D includes an insurance policy that pays out to SS if there's a cancellation by the passenger or there has to be changes due to ports closing, borders closing (in the case of air), cancelled cruises, etc.

If that is the case, the $$$ amount to be insured would be higher for more expensive suites, thus explaining the difference in price. 

My theory also explains why it is so much more than booking air and transfers on your own. The price difference isn't just transfers and air fare, it includes trip cancell2ation insurance (but not payable to the passenger.)  

Has anyone done a price comparison of P2P and D2D adding upgraded, cancel for any reason, insurance to the P2P price? 

14 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Planning a cruise right now just makes my head hurt.   Bless you all for sticking with it and trying to make it happen.  Luckily we literally got off the Wind just a couple of weeks before cruises got shut down.   We had some cruises in research and planning but hadn’t booked anything so we aren’t in the same situation as many of you.   I want to cruise badly but not just right now.

 I agree. I'm reading the forums more than I used to but nothing shows that the situation is ready for me to return to cruising, or even leaving my own country. 

I am a worry-wart. The good part about cruising is you pay for the cruise upfront so my worry about "should I be spending this money?" is long over by the time of my trip. I worry until I'm through security at the airport, then, slowly I relax. Once on board, all is bliss.

That is not how things would be for me these days so I'm 'out' until the worst I have to worry about is weather delaying an already 2 day early flight to the port. 

In Canada, headlines are showing up that many of us can't cruise because we aren't considered fully vaccinated by the cruise lines due to vaccine mixing. The original headlines on Friday were due to an RCL blog post and change to their website which has removed the offending information but tweets say it is only removed while they consider the matter. 

In Canada, in order to fully vaccinate as many people and to reduce the risk of VITT in those who had started with AZ, Moderna and Pfizer were acceptable second doses for all, no matter one's first dose. 

Combined with a delay in Pfizer shipments and the prioritization of that vaccine for 12 - 17 year olds since it is the only one approved for that age range, the majority of people in Ontario at least, responded to the province's request to get fully vaccinated as fast as possible by accepting whatever mRNA was offered to you. 

Those who did now are unable to cruise. At least some days. Then rules are removed. Then put in place again. 

Third shots are not an option in Ontario, we are considered fully vaccinated. Period. No third shot until approved boosters are required some time in the future. 

There are many Canadian news stories at the moment but here's the Cruise Critic news story on it, as well as a CTV new story link. 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/some-cruise-lines-not-accepting-passengers-with-mixed-covid-19-vaccinations-1.5514985

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6302/

On 7/2/2021 at 1:43 PM, new_cruiser said:

I don't think you were in the same cruise as us since you mentioned on another thread that your first Windstar cruise was on Star Legend around that time. Our cruise was on Wind Surf.

You are correct. I had a brain blip and forgot about the other ships! 

On 6/28/2021 at 12:20 PM, cabosal1 said:

 

We've been on many small ship, luxury cruises, mostly doing the Caribbean. This was our first WS cruise.  Also, our last.  Back to SeaDream.      

Our first WS cruise was to be on the inaugural TA of the Star Breeze over a year ago; we ended up on the Legend instead. 

With the same background as yours, we didn't know what to expect from WS. Add to that an old ship on her way to drydock, and being flooded out of our cabin, we came to a different conclusion than you and hope to cruise with WS in the distant future (I'm not going to head out for at least another year, maybe two because I want more than a hope & a prayer that our cruise will happen as sold and I don't cruise to places that will be among the first vaccinated.) Stuff happened but it wasn't what we remember when we think back on the cruise. 

Obviously our taste is different than yours but thanks for recommendation of SeaDream, I'll be checking that line out since, in general, our cruising profiles are the same.

On 6/30/2021 at 11:45 AM, new_cruiser said:

The only time I've used their WiFi was Feb 2020 on a cruise with several sea days where I got the unlimited plan & was happy with it.

We were on that cruise and were surprised at how good the wifi was (there weren't many on board, though, so not as many vying for the limited bandwidth.) We even managed a short video skype call with the grandkids with acceptable throughput. 

For checking email it will be more than acceptable. 

8 hours ago, poodle664 said:

Interesting. I believe ours is due July 9, but I've requested the due date be moved to September. We'll have better picture of the world by then, hopefully.

The date is unclear. 

In Canada 9/7/2021 would be 9th of July, 2021. So those saying it is July and those saying it is September may just be reading the date according to the way dates are written locally. Both are wrong, there is an international standard for dates, largest to smallest, therefore the date should be written 2021-09-07 (for September 7) or 2021-07-09 (for July 9.) 

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

This is also how I feel looking back on the asbestos debacle.  'Due diligence' should have known about that issue before they planned the time frame for the drydock.  Windstar seems to have a lot of 'oops' moments...

It seems amazing that 18 months ago (almost to the day) my cruise on the Breeze, her inaugural trans Atlantic was cancelled (although not as last-minute, but after final payment despite me specifically having my TA question WS about the asbestos.)  Here we are, still talking about cancelled first cruises by the Breeze. 

4 hours ago, LewiLewi said:

 Fingers crossed that this actually happens.

Other friends have booked on several crossing since cancelled. We were intending to join them but never booked because we could see the writing on the wall. We did cancel the Feb 2021 cruise on the Windstar we had booked on board and took the refund of our deposit. 

Now, we wait and see what/when things will get back to normal. Our US friends are fully vaxxed but as Canadians, we are still in a waiting period. Given I can't go to a museum or movie, or indoor restaurant at this point, the idea of travel is so completely foreign to me, I will simply stay at home awaiting August and the cabin in the woods we have booked.  

On 6/18/2021 at 12:02 PM, cruiseerf said:

Delta Variant according to WHO is everywhere already or will be within the next few days.......Combination of testing for it AND strength of this variant.   The key is get vaccinated so IF or When,  people get the Delta variant.....the consequences are significantly less.  I have no doubt there will be a Echo variant before long as well...... This is the world we live in.  Travel safely All!  

Agreed, Delta isn't the last variant. But we won't be having Echo Foxtrot or Golf variants. 

Up next are Epsilon, Zeta, Eta. 

They are using the Greek Alphabet letters used in science and maths, not the phonetic alphabet. 

On 6/17/2021 at 5:11 PM, avalong said:

Next time I'd prefer a westbound TA because it's easier on you to keep setting the clock ahead rather than back as you progress.

Our first TA was NY to Southampton via Boston & Halifax and the Azores, then Cork. I was exhausted trying to do all the great ship stuff plus the 23 hour days. I swore I'd never to that again.

In 2019, I book the inaugural TA on the Breeze WB from Barcelona. Which was cancelled in December so we ended up on an EB from San Juan on the Legend. 

This sounds like an insult but really, I don't mean it that way... if you have to an EB ocean crossing, do it on Windstar because there isn't a lot of entertainment or enrichment on board. We had a lovely cruise, just drifting along. We can amuse ourselves visiting with others, reading, watching movies and eating. On the shorter days, we did just a bit less of that.

On our EB TA on another line, there were multiple lectures each day, and other activities that I didn't want to miss out on, then shows every evening that I didn't want to miss. So I was exhausted from FOMO.  There's not much to miss on Windstar, so it was perfect for me, a person who adores sea days and only tolerates port days. 

On 10/6/2020 at 3:50 PM, susiesan said:

In over 50 years of cruising Have never chosen to sail on a ship based on what it lookalike in a photo. As long as everything works, I could care less how the outside of the ship appears, it's what is inside that counts.😎😎

While in general, I agree, I would never sail on the ResidenSea. She just looked awful to me! Nor would I sail on the any of the large cruise ships. 

I prefer smaller ships because they tend to look more like ships than floating monstrocities (spelling pun intended) and I would happily choose the motor yachts again. Perhaps after I sail on one of the other ships, I'll change my mind, but it will take a lot of convincing since I like my space and a balcony. 

On 8/13/2020 at 5:29 PM, r&rd said:

Another consideration now a day is if you end up getting quarantined on a ship and have to stay in your cabin would you want a balcony door you can open? 

That's my reasoning too. 

On Silversea we always booked the Vista cabin (no balcony) but I will never do that again. 

It is a tough call, there are such advantages to both. 

I found the bed was too close to the bathroom door. If it swung inwards in the bathroom, that would have been fine but the door often was between me and my night stand while we were getting ready for bed at night because we leave the door open so we can chat with each other. 

Also my dh had to go so close to me in the night if he used the bathroom. 

I like to look out at the ocean in the morning from my bed.

Finally, the room seemed cramped because we had to get by the bed to the open space of the sitting area. 

On the other hand....

In the daytime it is lovely to sit and look out and dining in that area is lovely. 

But, like Host Jazzbeau, I like mid-ships so I'll be booking the new suites once I'm back to cruising in a year or two. 

"Cruise ships with overnight capacity for more than 100 crew and passengers will not be allowed to operate in Canadian waters at least until November, the minister said. The ban on large cruise ships, many of which were hit by COVID-19 outbreaks, began in March."

This doesn't affect Windstar since the Breeze Alaska sailings have been cancelled and I'm pretty sure there wasn't an east-coast fall cruise schedule for the colours. 

BUT in the ban that was declared in March,  Windstar was small enough that it would be allowed. Now Canada has made the size of ship to be too small for most cruise lines.  And, of course, it means all cruises to Alaska won't be running unless the US changes their regulations for non-US registered ships since there will be no non-US port they can use. So running from Seattle doesn't help. 

My concern is that this is the first of the cancellations and other countries will be following suit. Specifically in the Caribbean this winter. 

Forgot to add the link:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-canada/canada-extends-ban-on-large-cruise-ships-until-oct-31-transport-minister-idUSKBN23522Y?utm_source=reddit.com

Now where will the ship go? The Australia ban is in effect now. 

https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2020/29105/australia-bans-all-cruise-ships/

Some Canadian Travel insurance companies have started to let policy holders know they have 10 days (or as long as it takes to get back to Canada) before their policies are no longer in effect. My sister got the notice today from her company today (went to Florida in November, wasn't due back until April.) This is in response the Federal Government global travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel. 

Waiting this out overseas may not be an option. 

https://www.rto-ero.org/prepared

It was inevitable. 

So now, everyone, let's go back to planning and looking forward to cruises in the future instead of obsessing over/dreading the ones in the near future. 

We are all old enough to know that "This too shall pass" and things will return, slightly changed. On Windstar there will be many changes for the better on the Star Yachts. So much to look forward to!

I had my eye on 2 cruises in the fall that will likely be cancelled and I have the Caribbean booked in late Feb on the Surf. I was going to cancel that (to pay for the other two.)  Now, I'll simply look at all the videos and posts on the Surf and look forward to leaving ports under the sails, listening to Conquest of Paradise (I'm still not comfortable with the imagery that song brings up, but I do find it stirring!) 

On my only Windstar cruise to date, we had only 2 sailaways and one was at midnight so the music wasn't played. The water sports deck was also not used. So I am really focusing on these perks of my multi-port Caribbean vacation (normally I hate ports so I may stay on board all the time or just get off for a walk and then return 'home.') We have a lovely cabin, a lovely ship, and are looking forward to the excellent food, once again. 

Oh, and if, during the social distancing and isolations during this crisis, we eat in more often and more frugally, and if much of our entertainment plans are cancelled, perhaps I can save enough money to book at least one of those other cruises as well as my Caribbean adventure! 

While it is a lovely alternative (I've done the Western African Coast trip on the Wind with just 205 passengers) I'd be pulling the plug too because things will change. For instance, Funchal is now closed to cruise ships according to Cruise Junkie. I'd include the link to the Madeira Island Direct article except they've been overwhelmed with internet traffic! 

3 hours ago, pmcl said:

We are due to sail on May 9th trans Pacific voyage, and if, as the experts would have us believe ,that the virus will most likely not be under control by then, it would become a nightmare voyage, particularly if the port of Vancouver was to close its doors to us.

If we accept the Cunard offer to cancel, with partial refund and the rest in FCC, our travel agency will impose a hefty $300 fee pp.

 

 

You surmise this could become a nightmare voyage.

You are being given a chance to buy peace of mind for $600. Is that a deal to you?

For $600 you no longer have to worry about this trip and can go back to looking forward to future travel, not dreading your upcoming trip wondering if it will go well, go poorly, or not go at all (but after you've traveled to the point of embarkation so you'll still have to isolate at home when you get there.) 

For $600 you no longer have to plan to spend 14 days in isolation on return home so you are buying 14 days of free movement.

For $600 you are putting your family's minds at rest. 

Sounds like a deal to me. 

Finally, I'll leave you with the excellent answer from an infectious disease physician at our children's hospital.The question was regarding whether families should go on their March Break trips to the US, but it applies to all of us who have trips planned. 

If you had a trip booked right now to one of these state-of-emergency states, would you go? 

I would review my risks. I go on vacation to escape the stresses of work and daily life, and if I am unable to have that laissez-faire approach when I'm away, then I'll probably reconsider.

55 minutes ago, VK3DQ said:

Hi Folks

 

I treated myself to a new hat to take  on my cruise .. I have a small collection of hand made hats that I enjoy wearing ..so what do you think of this outfit in the Queens Grill (Grin)

 

regards

John

 

I'm a stick in the mud hat wearer as is my husband. Gentlemen don't wear hats inside. My husband doffs his in the outer lobby of our building even though apparently etiquette says it can be worn to the door of our apartment (I looked it up because it is a pain for him to be holding it, the door, any purchases, and needed to press the elevator buttons.) Then again, he often takes off his hat while chatting with a lady outside when the weather allows.