caymancouple

2 hours ago, MindyJohn said:

Thanks for the update!  Glad you're having such a wonderful time.  Did you order your WS departure Covid test ahead of time?

 

Yes we did.  No word on when yet.  Another covid test was also required for entrance into Barbados.  Everyone got another test yesterday compliments of WindStar.

17 minutes ago, themutis said:

Thanks for post and so happy you are having a good time.

 

Question:  If the main dining room is only going to be serving dinner for two night, where will you eat the other days?  I do not believe that the menu at Candles or Cuadro 44 changes (not really worried about us going hungry or there being a lack of selection), just curious

 

Thanks, Eileen

Star Grill is also a possibility.  That is our plan tonight.  I also "think" one night will be a deck bbq.

Windstar – Star Breeze – July 10, 2021

Saturday - Departure day.

Our paperwork told us to be at the dock at 11:30. We arrived at 10:30.  Second couple there.  The first had been on the Celebrity sailing the week before and just got off and walked over.  They did not start processing us until right at 11:30 as that is when the St. Maarten covid testers arrived.  Once they began it moved smoothly.  The machine does 10 tests at a time, and we had to wait till 10 people had been processed and then for the test to run.  Took about 35 minutes from the time we were tested.  Then on to check in.  Woo Hoo….  Once checked in they take you to the ship in a golf cart.  Once onboard, wow, was everyone so happy to see us.  Just about as happy as I was.  I stopped and hugged the ship as we came on.  Escorted to our room, dropped our stuff and headed upstairs for lunch.  Had the Sole.  Excellent, and I am not a big fish eater. 

We did receive a letter from the Captain explaining changes in our itinerary.  It seems that Covid is exploding in the British Virgin Islands which was our stops.  The ship destination director and Windstar had done a great job lining up new ports and port activities.  Departure day afternoon at 3, the Destination Director he gave a presentation on the new ports and options. 

Dinner we dined at the new venue Cuadro 44.  Small location, but they were doing a good job of social distancing.  I highly recommend the Classic Sangria.  I really enjoyed the tapas.  Especially the paella rice balls.  So much so I ordered another plate of them for my entrée.  Oh, and the mushrooms were to die for. 

Masks.  Yes, we are being asked to wear them unless we are eating, drinking or outside.  I hope overtime Windstar will be able to back off of that requirement since everyone onboard is vaccinated. 

Sunday – Sea Day

What can I say.  Love being back at sea.  Went to the spa and had a haircut.  I normally get one every 5 weeks and it was almost 9.  I was ready to cut it myself with a dull knife.  Was nervous as I am very particular about my hair.  Saw Oleg from Odessa.  (Not the Texas one..LOL).  I loved what he did.  Because it was longer than normal, he did some tweaking on my layers and I loved it.  Told him I would let it grow till I am back on the Sea Breeze in September and let him have another go at it.  Rest of the day was relaxing and enjoying the sea.  Captains Welcome Party was held in 2 different venues to allow for social distancing.  Everyone, I mean EVERYONE is so happy.  Crew to see us, passengers to be back cruising.  Dinner was in the main dining room.  It is only going to be open 2 nights this cruise due to only 127 on board.  Husband loved the lobster bisque.

Monday – Barbados. 

We are currently not planning on doing any shore excursions.  Been to all these ports so many times as well as we are still careful being around folks.  Looks like maybe half the ship is on one.

Ship is so bright and clean.  Love the cabin.  Feels decadent to have a walk-in closet, 2 sinks, and a shower I can turn around in (and I am a small person).  We normally just book Oceanview cabins as we would rather take 3 cruises for the price of one in a suite.  We are willing to pay for a nicer cruise line and wow does WINDSTAR hit that sweet spot.    

That is all for now.  Happy  Trails…..Make that Happy Cruising.

New itinerary

Sunday..at sea

Monday. Barbados

Tuesday St. Lucia Pigeon Island

Wednesday St Lucia Castries 

Thursday St. John

Friday will be either Falmouth or St Barts....

I do not know how much I can post this week as I am not buying an unlimited internet package.  I will keep notes and post when I can.   Right now I am 100 percent positive.

4 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

Have a great cruise!

Have they notified you of any itinerary changes for the BVI? Not saying they should, just asking. They've gone from 2 to 900+ COVID cases in a week and new restrictions were imposed yesterday. Curfew from 7pm-5am and all restaurants take out only. 

Yes, we have port changes.  Attended the Destination Managers presentation this afternoon.  Still some question marks, but I am amazed how quickly they put together new port options.  We do have to stay with a group, but lots of options.

We board tomorrow.  Can hardly wait.  My birthday is on Tuesday.  What a GREAT present.

We got here Wednesday afternoon.  No issues.  Have your passport, your entrance permission form, the form provided on the plane, your negative covid test form ready to show.  I would suggest printing if possible rather than phone.  We have received an email the last 2 mornings asking for our temperature.  I travel with a thermometer so no issue for us.  

We are staying at Palm Court Hotel at Orient Beach.  Very pleased.  27 room boutique hotel.  Geared to the French.  I believe we are the only Americans here.  We have hung out at the pool as the beach is really windy and there is like a three foot wide berm of dead sea grass at the waters edge.  YUK.

Can hardly wait for tomorrow

22 hours ago, MindyJohn said:

My late husband John had healt'th struggles during the cruise and rested in the cabin a good part of the time.  We finally left the ship early in Trapani, the day after Agrigento to get him home.  On boarding day I think we had three couples get together and you and I learned we were both retired from AA.  Hope all goes well for your flights today.

Ahh, Jac and I discussed if that was you, but we did not remember you living in Seattle and figured we had the wrong person.  Sorry about John.  I know that must have been so very very hard.  Glad to see you are still cruising.  This is our first since a Trans Pacific January of 2020.  We are now here in St. Maarten.  Can't wait for Saturday.  Ginny

22 hours ago, MindyJohn said:

Thank you for the helpful info, Ginny.  Glad to see you and Jack are enjoying lots of cruising.  We were together on Wind Surf around Sicily in October 2016.  Happy Travels!

Mindy, yes, we were on that cruise, but Jac and I are having trouble placing you...... Ginny

1 hour ago, alexkrn46 said:

I got back in an hour, my husband filed late at night and got it first thing in the am

Thanks

How long to get your form back?  I am taking test at 48 hour mark, but I don't know how long to get results, then have to drive back home to scan.  Nervous.

Thanks.

20 minutes ago, bdmagee said:

Can I just confirm who you contacted?  The EHAS email address?  Much thanks!

If you go to the EHAS website there is a contact us form.  I used it.  They responded to my personal email from:  EHAS@sintmaartengov.org   I then replied back via that email address with a follow-up question and received a response.

3 hours ago, fsr44 said:

That's excellent news.  Thank you for sharing.  Will Celebrity also accept this test?  

That I don't know

I emailed St. Maarten and just heard back.  YES, the Walgreens ID NOW test is accepted and it is the 72 hour test.

2 hours ago, Longboysfan said:

We're scheduled for testing at Walgreens on Thursday morning.

Same day results to send to St. Maarten.

Cruise is on Saturday.

I emailed St. Maarten and just heard back.  YES, the Walgreens ID NOW test is accepted and it is the 72 hour test.

15 hours ago, PetiteBerg said:

In case this helps anyone else - we were able to get our St. Martin EHAS form accepted with an ID Now test from Walgreens, which took us less than an hour to get results.  The EHAS confirmation came back quickly!

 

 

Do you know if the ID Now is considered an Antigen (48 hours) or a PCR (72 hours) test?

Thanks for posting this by the way.  I am looking hard at Walgreens for our test.

39 minutes ago, Kreative03 said:

@caymancouple - Take a RT-PCR test within the 72hrs prior (3 days before) you cruise. The PCR is required to board the ship. If you are traveling to St. Maarten well ahead of cruising, you may take the Antigen test within 48hrs (2 days) of arrival to St. Maarten instead of a PCR test, if you wish.

 

While testing is inconvenient, it is usually free within the US and you can get tested frequently if you are concerned about meeting changing requirements. The regular PCR test is the most widely accepted and turnaround times are quite good lately (within 24hrs for most large chains). There are some folks who have posted places you can get your PCR test prior to cruising in St. Maarten if you have an extended stay there prior to cruising.

 

 

We are going early.  So I can cover the test for the ship in St. Martin.  It is the test to get there.... and it is the 4th of JULY weekend.  We need tested Sunday JULY 4th if we do the PCR test.  Monday (the official holiday) July 5th if we do the antigen.  Having a very hard time because of the holiday.  Found one Walgreens in about 40 miles from me open on Sunday that will do this Abbot Labs Instant ID NOW test.  Which is a PCR test, but they want to use their name for it... ID NOW  But I was hoping I could find on here someone with experience who had gotten into St. Martin with that test.

This is so confusing

Need to schedule the test for going to St. Martin.  Island requires 48 hours for Antigen and 72 hours for PCR.  First question, anyone submitted this test to St. Martin and if so, what was the time frame for taking it?

Thanks.  This is so stressful.

11 hours ago, RMS Olympic said:

Just home from a lovely experience.

ship beautiful

crew exceptional....wearing smiles that were not diminished by their masks.

food.....exceptional, I gained weight.

Truly a wonderful product....can’t say enough good things.

Milton the hotel manager has everything running like a Swiss watch.....my compliments.

Already planning another Windstar cruise.

All I can say is book, go and enjoy.

Thank you.  Can I ask a few questions?

Your favorite place to eat?

Favorite dish?

Did by chance you go to the gym?  If so how are they handling social distancing?

Did you notice if there was an elliptical?

What should we not miss?

Did they provide everyone the covid test at the end for getting back into the US?

Any advice?

Thanks

Soon to be on board.

13 minutes ago, Windstar Cruises said:

Hello all. This is your Windstar PR person here - Sarah. Reading through your posts. Understand the frustration here.

Thank you Sarah for taking the time to respond.  While I am on neither of the cruises cancelled, I am on the one following.  The 10th.  I have to say, and I believe everyone would agree, this has been a roller coaster ride for passengers and WindStar management.  Just understanding the Covid testing required to visit St. Marrten is stressful.  Right now, we plan on taking the cruise on the 10th, but if the vaccines do not happen in San Juan we will NEED to cancel, not really WANT to cancel, but need.  My husband will not at this point and time go on a cruise where not 100% are inoculated.

Again, thank you for your reply.  Here is hoping to better days ahead for EVERYONE.

7 hours ago, FLMom said:

i completed my EHAS tonight and can verify the only items needed were PDFs of the test results and vaccine card. There are other fields to fill in with specifics about your travel - but no other documents were requested. That was true as of tonight but, as always, the situation is fluid and they could change their documentation requirements. Good luck!

THank you.  That was exactly what I needed to know.

Getting ready for 2 weeks from now.  What forms do I have to upload to St. Martin?  I have my Covid Shot cards scanned to PDF.  I know I will need my test form scanned to PDF to upload.  Do I need to upload anything else or is it just fill in the blank after that.  Meaning, do I need to upload a copy of my cruise ticket, or my hotel stay information before and after the cruise?  Thank you.