r&rd

And I’ll be getting on Puerto Vallarta heading to Seattle.

I slept on it when my husband had covid and I banished him to the bedroom,  it’s not exactly a pull out - but I found it mostly comfortable. But FYI we had a third person traveling with us and it was actually cheaper to put them in the adjoining cabin.

We used Tours by Locala in Madeira - about half the price of Windstar tours. You have to do the tobaggan in Madeira - it’s a kick.

When we did it in 2022 we stayed at the Anchorage Hilton ( across the street from the train ) took the train from Anchorage to Seward, stayed at the harbor 360 hotel ( across the street from the train station) took the free shuttle to the Marine Wildlife center that afternoon and walked to the ship the next morning. 

While I have not done it through Windstar, I did do a private 2 night tour with the same company Windstar uses before an Istanbul to Athens cruise with Windstar. It was an amazing experience and I would love to do it again! It is a unique location and there is so much to see. If you can do a hot air balloon it is well worth it.

We started sailing on Windstar 25 years ago and have seen many changes through the many changes in owners. On the stretched ships the cabins are 1000% better! They are twice the size with a walk in closet )or at least a “go inside closet”) and a far larger bathroom with double sinks and most have a walk in shower. You can UTube the ship and see the cabins.

i think the food has improved a lot but sometimes that is a matter of taste.  On the Yachts you have more dining options than you have on the sailing ships with cuardro 44 and Star Grill. There is something for everyone. 

i remember when Windstar had a person who did everything. Now, on the Yachts there is an entertainment director, shore excursion staff, helpful front desk people and a future cruise person. Everything is far more professional than it was 15 years ago!

I agree the scenery is lovely. But one correction - Norway has delayed the ban on large cruise ships until 2032.

If it is the same as the other ships, phase 1 includes the public areas and phase 2 includes the staterooms.

You have unlimited laundry which your attendant picks up and returns to you by the next day (sometimes the same day). You can send it out every day if you like and it comes back folded or ironed. They do an amazing job. We always send everything out at the end of the cruise and go home with clean folded clothes.

While it may vary by ship, you will get dinner with an officer, you have a nespresso coffee machine, you can eat in specialty restaurants more often, priority checkin, a bit more attention from the hotel manager. It’s not a two class system - the room is the perk.

If the ship is scheduled to anchor at 7 it will take a while to get the tenders in the water. First boat is usually crew - set up, security, water, Windstar excursions may have priority but that is not usually a problem. But I do think a 7:30 pickup time may be a bit earlier - 8 am would be safer.

Fuerte Amador is a marina. If you are anchored, the tender will take you to a pier that is easily identified by the tour guides. The port itself - it’s been under construction for years - is in a different place. We have only been to it when the ship is embarking/disembarking and then you are bused to the “ shopping mall” next to the tender pier. All busses for tours leave from the shopping mall and many guides if they don’t meet you at the security gate for the tenders will meet you at the entrance to the “mall” (it only has a few shops).

Yes, tenders go to the Marina which is outside of  Quepos. Puerto Jimenez is a bit harder to describe. It is a wet water landing and they will drop you off by a bar. The tour guides should know where to pick you up as there are not many options! Up from the beach there is a small airstrip and a small town.

If you go to the itinerary and excursions page for that sailing, there will be a check mark under “watersports platform.” 

Often arrival is early but disembarkation is later. Some warm climate ports do all the heavy work while it is still cool. 

I get mine until I try to access shore excursions or other info. Can’t be the browser since they would not have other’s info.

There are usually two duos who alternate in the Compass Rose before and after dinner. If the weather is warm they will also play on deck.

Since they are both chartered cruises and not offered by Windstar at this time I doubt you will get much from this forum..

1) Generally, times don’t change but there has to be some flexibility if situations change. I hate morning wine tours but sometimes that is what you get,

2) if you hire the Windstar private excursions you have all the flexibility you want. We have often used Catia with Lisbon Stories ( she used to work with TBL) and love her flexibility and style,

3) I’d allow 30 minutes from when the boat docks but any tour company will understand if you don’t get off the ship at the exact time. We have used Tours by locals in over 30 countries and have always found them accommodating. They check the ship schedule and have a good idea as to when you will actually be off the ship.

Usually the 7 for 7 fares do not combine with other offers. You have to do the math to see what works best for you,

You should be able to get off the ship by 8 am . It takes about an hour more or less to get to the airport. Early Saturday morning does not have much traffic. So theoretically an 11:30 flight is possible given nothing delays the ship or causes traffic. We usually get the Windstar transfer to the airport but we have also arranged a private transfer - they can go a bit faster and take other roads if there is traffic.

Usually it is at the pier close to downtown. But If the winds are strong the ship may dock at a different pier. I have had it changed a day or two before sailing. Check your boarding information and your emails before embarking. 

Absolutely!

Definitely be on deck - the balconies do not give you the full experience of going through the locks.

If the ships are sailing full it is a bit crowded in the indoor venues - especially the Yacht Club and the Veranda. If there are big events in the lounge they have done things twice to accommodate everyone - for instance the captain informing everyone about hurricanes!