Zeno

This the view from Shirley Heights:

http://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-directory/shirley-heights-lookout/

We will be coming into Falmouth Harbor on Windsurf - 10am - 6pm in December.

 

Would love to hear from anyone who has done so, visited beaches, snorkeling possible tours, etc

 

Thanks

Barbara

Hi Barbara

I keep "running into you" on these boards - Since it's

our first Windstar cruise - I keep checking any new info that pops up.

We have been to Antigua on other cruises - so I can answer with some Antigua stuff:

In Falmouth we are going to be very close to English Harbour - so I highly recommend doing an English Harbour and National Parks tour including Shirley Heights (absolutely spectacular views from above since it overlooks the bay and fantastic photo ops). Most tours to English Harbour will include Shirley Heights.

Since we have done this before, we are probably just going to a beach. The closest nice one to Falmouth is Pigeon Point Beach.

Is it easy to get a taxi from Great Harbour to White Bay?

We have been to SXM a few times and I also think a 9AM flight would be too tight. Security lineups can be long and traffic in philipsburg and around the airport is likely to be heavy. If you can find somewhere to leave your luggage, there are many nice beaches on St Martin or if you are a shopper, the shopping in Philipsburg is very good. You might also be able to arrange a taxi tour of the island.

We are also staying at the Pasanggrahan pre-cruise and I was wondering if anyone knows if they have ground floor rooms or an elevator.

Been on Windsurf twice. My spouse has knee problems. The elevators are good. The ship has 2 elevators. We prefer staying near the forward elevator. It gets you up to the food and lounge areas without walking the length of the ship. We also like to be forward of the sea doors which are shut for at least 30 minutes while the ship is docking or leaving a port. The first time we were on the Wimdsurf we were midship level one. We were shut off from using elevators when docking. My recent cruise we were in forward cabin deck one near the forward elevator. It was perfect..and it was the least expensive cabin category. If you look at the deck plans, those cabins are not really very forward. The crew is in the forward section. We only tendered in one port. They used a lifeboat. I have never experienced zodiacs on any Windstar cruise. My spouse chose to not take the tender since the seas were very rough. I went ashore. Tender ride was a thrill. It happens. Do not hesitate to sail on the Windsurf.

Thx Redtravel - very helpful - just the sort of info I wanted! Our cabin is near the aft elevator on level two. I don't mind walking the length of the ship since my problem is pretty strictly flexibility not short walks. We actually wanted forward level one but they were sold out when I booked. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruises - we are really looking forward to this.

This question is for previous Wind Surf passengers and it would be especially helpful to hear from someone who has cruised on the Wind Surf with any mobility issue.

First I should be clear that I do not have a major mobility issue. I don't expect to have any significant problems getting on and off the ship when it is in port. I can climb stairs as long as there is a railing of some sort and even short flight without a railng.

My problem - I have had knee replacement surgery that has left me with a lack of flexibility in that leg. Anyone who has had the surgery will know what I mean when I say I only have about 64 degrees on a good day.

My concern is that this might cause me problems when zodiacs are used for tenders and it might also make using the swimming platform difficult. Has anyone with knee flexibility issues tried either on the Wind Surf? Or perhaps you have seen someone with similar issues on the Wind Surf? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

It isn't the money. I hate waiting for baggage. On the trip home, when I hit O'Hare with Global Entry, I literally don't stop walking except for the 30 seconds I stand at the machine filling out my information. I can be off the plane and getting into a cab in less than 5 minutes.

 

For that, I can make do with carryon. Plus I don't have to lug the stupid suitcase all over europe, on and off trains, into cabs, through hotel lobbys (yet there is staff but it is still one more thing to do) etc. I don't feel like I need to take a cab from the airport since I can just hop onto public transit with my carryon and without a bag dragging behind me.

 

Finally, with online checkin, I can just go right to the gate and don't have to stand in line to check my bag.

 

All huge reasons for me.

My husband would agree with you completely! He hates all the fussing with luggage and actually it was he who suggested to me that we look into the laundry package this time.

Sorry but I don't get this apparent fascination with packing for a seven to ten day trip in a carry on bag. Yes you can "get by" by wearing as few outfits as possible during your cruise but why? Any cruise is a special occasion and I think special occasions deserve special and diverse appropriate attire. Believe me, we have noticed those "carry on only" folks, and although we have not been critical, the same beach/pool coverup all week is noticed.

Spring for the $25 luggage fee, it's worth it and your fellow passengers will appreciate the fact that you have contributed to the aesthetics of this special occasion.

Personally I could care less about whether people are "carry on only folks" or like to bring their entire wardrobe with them. It's all a matter of personal choice and travel style.

We are pretty casual. I will definitely not be wearing a different poolside outfit every day. If someone notices, they may gaze at the ocean instead - it's always pleasing.

Info on package is right on Windstar's webpage.

http://media.windstarcruises.com/media/plan_your_voyage/cruise-documents/gift_order_form.pdf

 

Put your clothing in a bag, fill out the laundry sheet, call to have it picked up and they bring it back when it's done. You can give them special instructions.

Thx

Not sure why I did not find this on the web page. I probably just glanced at it quickly and thought it was just about alcohol etc.

How does the Laundry package work and how much is it?

We will be on the Wind Surf in December and are seriously considering carryons only.

Just remembered to ask - will they wash and hang dry as well as wash and dry? I have a few things I would not want in the dryer.

Having just booked the Wind Surf I have to agree the process was a bit much - I prefer direct booking with cruiseline and seeing cabin availability etc.,

We finally booked with a large on-line agency and although our agent was very new he really went above and beyond to get us info etc.

Thank you very much for this list - VERY helpful!

What I don't understand is why some people can go the entire cruise without a wheelchair but all of a sudden they need one to disembark? What am I missing?

Reality check - for the undisabled - some people can walk with a cane for short distances but can't STAND for any length of time. My max standing time in a line is about 5 minutes - after that I am in considerable pain and would probably end up less than gracefully sliding to the floor and unable to get up. Somehow I think this would be rather more disruptive than using a wheelchair.

You definitely got bad information. On our last HAL cruise we actually saw a supply boat come to the ship unload stuff (mostly non-food as far as I could tell but I actually noticed some crates that appeared to contain fresh veg)

Very good video - I really enjoyed it!

Good video with useful (if not completely accurate) info. Thx

I prefer ports/

We booked a VF guarantee and ended up in a VB. We were very satisfied with the location and satisfied with the cabin itself (it was a little noisy in active seas). Bottom line we would be happy with it again.

Thanks everyone for your input on the clamshells. Due to the location of the clamshells and the possibility of a very warm day with little air circulation we have decided to cancel the clamshell and just enjoy the shade on HMC...maybe spend the money saved on a treat in the bar!

Good Idea!

We'll soon be visiting Half Moon Cay which we last visited in 2008 before the construction of the bar and cabanas and all. In 2008 we had a clamshell which gave us a place to get in out of the sun and a place to keep our towels, etc. I just saw the picture that RetiredMustang posted showing Half Moon Cay with all those beach chairs lined up in front of the clamshells. I remember HMC as being absolutely beautiful but not at all crowded with beach chairs.

 

After seeing all the empty beach chairs with clamshells in the back row I'm wondering if I should cancel the clamshell we ordered.

 

Can I get some opinions from HA cruisers who have visited recently? I think we are the only ship in port on March 13th.

We were there late January and my only real advice I have is - if you book a clamshell don't assume that one will be waiting for you. We booked a clamshell months in advance BUT when we arrived on HMC, we were told that that there were none left - no apologies, no efforts whatsoever to get us what we had paid for AND we had to run back and forth between shore excursions on HMC and the Clamshell rental place - they kept passing the buck. Note: we arrived WELL before the deadline mentioned on our shore excursion tickets. Back on board ship we received a refund (only after making a fuss) and a verbal apology from Shore excursions. We were NOT impressed. So if you decide to do this be prepared with an alternative plan. If we go to HMC again we will not bother to rent a clamshell. BTW other than this we had a great cruise.

Thx for bon voyage

Counting the days...

The Museum of Anthropology on the UBC campus is a must see in Vancouver in our opinion,along with a walk in Stanley Park a perfect day.

I absolutely agree! If you are at all interested in West Coast aboriginal culture - do NOT miss the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. The magnificent totem poles beautifully displayed are worth it alone and the other objects are unique and fascinating AND the setting and UBC campus are lovely. If you have the time while at the UBC campus do the Arboretum and the Nitobe Gardens also. And in Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is wonderful. Vancouver is totally worth taking a few extra days.

Hi

Can anyone who has been to Bohio Beach Resort on Pillory Beach answer a couple of questions for me? Thanks for any info!

I am recovering from knee surgery and therefore have a few requirements for a "good" beach for me.

Is water entry easy? No big waves. No high "lip" at the shoreline (i.e. step down into water cannot be high)

What is the taxi fare from the docks?

Thx again

It's working fine now. I think another poster was correct - sloppy work by website developer was the problem

Are you using Chrome by Google ? If so try another browser . Chrome doesn't interpret some of the current web coding standards properly.

No - just Windows 10