Redtravel

It depends on the port where the cruise embarks the new guests. Some ports require you to go through customs and immigration. US ports often make you do this when you leave and enter again. It doesn’t have to happen on turn around day. In September, we took a cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. When we stopped in Seattle, first US port, we had to get off ship and go through immigration on the pier. On some cruises, US immigration has met people on the ship. Some cruises let you use the same seapass for both cruises. Some cruises take away the old seapass and give you a new one. My favorite is when you get one seapass that is good for both cruises and no checkin or immigration stops. Many European ports do this. It’s just another day of your cruise. Get off, enjoy day, and get back on. Be ready for anything.

Windstar. Before pandemic, Windstar didn’t have a tiered loyalty program. Past cruisers got 5-10% off future bookings. 10% if you book onboard or within 60 days after a cruise. During pandemic, they announced a 4 tiered program. Sounded good. We looked forward to some extra freebies. We did get some discounts on laundry and logo clothing. Nice, but worth less than $20. However we were told that we weren’t eligible for the 5% loyalty discount or OBC. Why? If you book with a travel agency who offers discounted fares, loyalty benefits are reduced. Never had that happen on any other cruise line. As elite plus, I usually book with a TA. Celebrity never shorted the listed benefits.

Double kid filet is still there.

I was amazed at the time. However, once I thought about how the pandemic has changed life, it makes sense that people are dressing more casually. During lockdown people didn’t need to dress up. Many worked at home. Few people shopped for new clothing. If they shopped, it was mostly online. Fast forward to taking a cruise. People are used to being comfortable. Why not continue to be comfortable on vacation. while I was surprised at what I saw, it wouldn’t stop me from cruising. I also took a cruise on a more deluxe line. While I didn’t see any flagrant opposition to dress code, people were more casual.

Wear whatever you want. Forget the dress code. While it would be nice if people dressed as requested. Sadly that isn't happening. For those guests who haven't sailed since the pandemic, the old dress codes are ignored by many. On my recent cruise I saw pajamas and bathing suits at breakfast in MDR. Dinner is a come as you like party. You name it, it was there. Chic night is a joke....rubber flipflops, souvenir tees, shorts, torn jeans, hats, etc. There were people who dressed well. unfortunately that wasn't the majority. It was a constant parade unlike anything that I had seen before the pandemic.. Nobody was excluded from MDR . Forget the dress code.

Only Celebrity took my power strip.

If they follow the trend, there will be more restrictions to using benefits. Just got had on another line. I was denied some of the loyalty benefits because I booked with a travel agent instead of direct. Travel agent gave me a nice discount.

Bidding to move up can pay off. Unfortunately more often it only makes people upset. It adds stress. Booking gty can also pay off. While I have never bid to move up, I have had some good experiences booking gty. I usually book a specific cabin and ignore move up bidding offerings. Move up bidding is a great marketing way to increase revenue.

Pandemic changed everything. For months we seldom left home. Many people stayed home and worked online. No need for office attire. Retail stores that sold clothes did most transactions by mail. It took me months before I went into a store to buy new clothes. I shopped for new clothes in my own closet. Fast forward after 2 years at home. Who has clothes for a cruise? In June 2022 I took my first pandemic cruise. I pulled out my old cruise attire. Happy that they still fit. Obviously, many people on my cruise didn’t have old cruise attire that fit. They wore everything. While there were many appropriately dressed people, there were many dressed poorly. Did it affect my experience? No.

Before pandemic, both lounges were open 24/7. I read somewhere that hours are being limited since you aren’t allowed to self serve. Anyone recently on, has this changed? I like going there early AM or late PM for coffee or tea. I know that you can get coffee/tea at any bar.

I used to get online at midnight when the reservations opened up. For my upcoming cruise, I actually forgot. Got online 2 days later and got acceptable tables for two at my preferred times.

We have been on cruises that are sold out. If you are flexible in dates and times, you should be able to get a reservation at each restaurant. First nights are usually easy to get a table. If you have trouble getting what works for you, note that not all openings can be booked online. See the maitr’d on the ship. On longer cruises, we often get additional reservations. The most popular restaurant is Jacques. I always look for that reservation first. Regardless, the food is excellent in all venues. I even like eating in the Terrace buffet area. On warm evenings, many people like the buffet area outside. The buffet serves the same items at GDR plus cooked to order lobster, steal, and lamb chops.

You are right. We completed our 11th cruise in September. We had a great time. We cruise on Windstar, but not exclusively. We enjoy variety. We like smaller ships or at least not the ones with thousands of people. Next cruise is on Oceania. It’s using fcc from the stuck at sea fiasco in March 2020. Over the years, we have enjoyed most of our cruises. When we need a break to relax, we choose Windstar. We mostly disconnect and veg out. It also helps that the crew is amazing and the food is outstanding.

After the cruise, I called customer service and asked to talk to Isabel. I did not discuss anything with the woman who took my call. I was told that Isabel was in a meeting and would call me back. That was over a month ago. No call back. Guess that Windstar has long meetings or really doesn’t care.

On Breeze in September. Never announced any Covid cases. However, we did notice small tables with food trays in front of some cabin doors. There was a cabin close to us that had the tray table for most of the cruise. Covid? Maybe those people just ordered room service?

Bermuda system states that you should get your travel authorization a week before your cruise. Applying and waiting was stressful. However, I didn’t call. Got travel authorization as stated. Once onboard, we met people who called a few weeks after filing. They were angry that they had to wait on hold for long time. Some used 800 toll free. Some called the direct number. They all got their authorization. Relax and wait.

The therapy pool for concierge and up isn’t a great thing. It is at the bow. Often it is windy. Also, no bar service there. If I use that pool, it’s use and leave. Not worth paying extra. Use the hot tubs midship. They are free.

Often use laundry facilities on embarkation day. Many people arrive having traveled before the cruise. It can be very busy.

Just back from Star Breeze. In June, cruised on Summit. Crowded and uncomfortable. Spouse got Covid. Stress level was really high. Windstar is completely different. They advertise 180 degrees different. No crowds. We had 130 guests. Maximum would’ve been 312. There was lots of space. It felt relaxed and comfortable. I am a mask wearer. On WS I felt ok without a mask. Crew wore masks. Had a fabulous time and didn’t get Covid. Have a great time on Windstar.

My travel agent lists the taxes and port fees separately on my invoice. Port fees aren’t much. While I agree that Oceania should refund them, it’s not worth the effort to get a refund.

If you plan on taking excursions, pick excursions. Listed excursions cost under $200 are yours to select. Do it early. They do sell out.

Relax. Went to Bermuda in June. Yes, they charge you when you make application. Then wait patiently. I applied 4 weeks before cruise. My spouse got Bermuda travel authorization 2 weeks later. Not me. Mine came a few days later. Strange? You might think that if you both apply at the same time that you would get the authorization on the same day. Just keep the email saying that you applied. There is an 800 phone #. Only call of you are less than a week out. Many people on the cruise had similar things happen. It all worked out.

It might be better if you could make reservations as soon as you pay final payment.

Happened to me. On other cruise lines, when we missed ports, we got refund for port charges. It isn’t much. We have missed ports on Oceania for many reasons. Never any refund. It really didn’t bother me. Port charges should be refunded. However, the amount is small. It’s not worth making it an issue. That was until our Sirena cruise in March 2020. We were on the last cruise when the pandemic put a halt to cruising. That cruise should’ve been canceled. We missed most of the scheduled ports. After the cruise I contacted O customer service to request refund of port charges. I was told that there were no port charges paid. None would be refunded. What? Oceania insisted nobody paid port charges. Sounded crazy. We did get some fcc. It wasn’t much. We have tried using it. We booked, got canceled, rebooked, etc. we are booked to cruise in December or we lose the fcc. Looking forward to sailing on Oceania again. I agree that when ports are skipped, the port charges should be refunded.

Wash hands more often. I discovered the wash basins in the buffet area half way through my X cruise. They are hidden. Once found, I used it. I seldom saw anyone else washing. Just took a cruise on Windstar. On day 1, when you entered the buffet area, you were asked to wash you hands at a very visible wash area. On following days, most people washed hands. No Covid. On X, my spouse got Covid.