Lvwindstar007

On 6/20/2022 at 11:56 AM, seaoma said:

 

What should we do if we have tens of thousands of dollars in FCC that has to be used before the end of this year?

 

I'm not happy giving that to HAL just because my fellow passengers won't do what it takes to keep themselves from getting sick, much less the other passengers.

 

At least, on HAL, I'm pretty much DAMed if I do, and DAMed if I don't. 

At pierside in Lisbon, we received a PCR test for Windstar at no direct cost to us.  We were allowed to board but were confined to our stateroom or on deck until cleared. One of the 8 couples on the prior tour with us failed and had to remain in Lisbon.  We were different than people who traveled direct to the ship but I think others who spent time in Lisbon before boarding had the same PCR requirement.  We boarded the Surf on 17 April.

2 hours ago, 6rugrats said:

To return to the US just purchase the BinaxNOW Ag tests through emed.com. They are proctored  tests that are acceptable to return to the US.

Our limited experience in using the proctored BinxNow test kits failed in Vancouver as we could not get reasonable response from our hotel online.  Just waited and waited with a sort of connection.  We just used the test at the airport.

3 hours ago, milepig said:

These things change all the time, when we returned in late November it was 3 days, now its 1, and will likely change again!

I hope so.  We are on the Surf next week and plan to spend two nights in Barcelona.  It would be nice to get tested on the ship rather than having to find one nearby our hotel.  Jack in Reno

A few weeks ago we did the lower Mississippi cruise with another couple whose husband had Gillian-Barre from a flu shot a number of years ago and could not be vaccinated.  Everyone was pretty careful about masking but I can see your possible concern.  He provided a negative PCR test prior to arrival in Memphis and everyone was tested negative prior to boarding.  FWIW: Jack in Reno

14 hours ago, Petoonya said:

@travelovingnurseI recommend that everyone get the cheapest snorkel/scuba gloves you can get on Amazon. They’ll do the trick fine. I paid $10 for mine several years ago and think they can be had for same now. We also bought cheapest neoprene pants and water shoes we could find and they all were great.

 

AND really glad you’re gonna go!!!!!!!
 

I agree...gloves and water shoes for sure. I think they try to accomodate everyone as this can be really special! 

1 hour ago, UUNetBill said:

 

I'm one of those guys who always tends more to the casual side of things but I totally agree with both of these gentlemen - I've never brought a tux on a regent cruise but I always have a sport coat or blazer with me just in case I need to bring things up a notch.  A small notch, granted, but a notch nonetheless.

 

I do draw the line at a tie, though.

Sounds like me.  I did bring a sports coat on our 28 day cruise and wore it once or twice.  But no tie!!

8 hours ago, BillHana said:

Thank you for your Jazz postings. Sorry, I don't know how to make this work any easier but I do appreciate your information. Our upcoming Jazz cruise Oct 31 will be our first river cruise after 25 big ship ocean cruises.  Hope you continue to have an enjoyable cruise.

We are also on the 31 Oct Jazz cruise. We hope everything continues relatively smoothly.

19 hours ago, Pcardad said:

Some people like that kind of action...

We actually got used to and enjoyed the mild vibration in a rear cabin on the Navigator during a 28 day trip to the Amazon a couple of years ago.  We got a guaranteed veranda.

3 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Not cruise related but travel related; I want to take advantage of the knowledge here and the Canadians participating on this thread.

 

With respect to previous post, Canada requires testing within 72 hours of departure time of your actual flight that lands in Canada.  You could be traveling for a while but it is that plane that takes off for Canada that matters.  Test needs to be PCR or NAAT.  Normal one to two day processing of PCR tests is now two to four days in many cases; regardless, no guarantees provided.  No getting around reporting time as the clock is based on sample collection time. 

 

Anyone else having this problem in scheduling PCR tests?  Any work arounds?

 

thanks,

 

Marc

I would like to provide a little more detail about the required PCR test for travel to Canada.  We just returned from a 12 day trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train in and out of Vancouver.  My understanding of the 72 hour requirement is that it is calculated from the scheduled departure time for the final leg to Canada.  If your flight is delayed or changed they will still accept your test if it met the original 72 hour requirement.  Interestingly, the return to US rapid test requirement gives you an extra day (within 3 days prior to date of entry).   At least my understanding...FWIW: Jack in Reno

We enjoyed "Sacred Sites and Legendary Places".  We have been to the islands a few times before.  Its worth doing along with or beside others.

Gloves were a big help for Coral Gardens.  When I did it a few years ago the current was so strong it was hard to get organized in the water for the drift so I held onto the side until our group launched.  Came away with just a couple of minor scratches.  My DW was pleased she skipped this event which she had done many years ago on the Wind Song.

We are on the Jazz starting 31 October at Memphis.  Loved our Puget Sound trip 2+ years ago on the Constellation.

Yes, the Wind Spirit has stabilizers like bigger ships.  The motion is still dependent on the sea state but because of the size expect a little more motion.  There is shade in the pool bar area and we have played cards with other couples at one of the tables there.  We never lie out in the sun but there are a variety of places to find shade depending on the direction of the ship and relative location of the sun.  The internet is so-so unless there is a recent upgrade.

16 hours ago, Petoonya said:

Windstar's Wind Surf still makes the cut, is not ultra luxury, and probably within the budget of most O passengers. I'm with you- it's about time this bit of preservation happened.

Been there on the Wind Surf and had a great time in the city for a few days.  We took the train back to Rome, spent one more night there and then flew home to Reno.

Staying at the Papeete Intercontinental with another couple for a Wind Spirit trip many years ago, we went to the pool side for a drink and lunch.  My buddy spent a lot of time watching the gals at the pool.

Having done two Windstar Tahiti trips and one PG, we enjoyed both.  The motu dinner and show last time on Wind Spirit was delightful.  With PG drinks are included and we got maximum use of that feature.  I definitely suggest arriving at least a day early to adjust to the time change and get a decent night's sleep.  Both cruise lines offer a pre and/or post package but experienced Tahiti travelers usually make their own arrangements.  PG has special cruises that cater to children and have a program for them.  There is little for kids to do on Windstar but every day you are in port so that could work for them.  In 15 or so Windstar cruises I have seen very few children aboard...just a handful. FWIW its worth in sunny Reno.

On 4/8/2021 at 1:29 PM, Paulchili said:

No flat lie-down seats in business class - a deal breaker for me.

We few from LAX to Fiji on Fiji Air and did have lay flat seats in Business Class.  But that was 2 1/2 years ago.

Many years ago we stayed at a Sandals in Ocho Rios during July.  I was very pleasantly surprised at the temperature range and cooling breezes.

We enjoyed many of Regent's regular tours when we did the Amazon a few years ago.  We also went on a Champagne Cruise on  a small catamaran which was arranged privately thru Roll Call with a few other couples.  I remember on a Viking river cruise they had at least two levels of difficulty as far as walking in old town European cities. 

They are called frames.

We are booked on the Jazz departing 31 October from Memphis.  Waiting for SWA to open schedule for our return from NO.  Our first cruise since the pandemic and doing it with another couple we have traveled extensively with. Do have other cruises scheduled with Oceania in December and Wind Star next April.

We really enjoyed our 11 day Puget Sound cruise two years ago.  The food and service were fine and we loved the open bar and the relaxed entertainment.  Just nice cruising and watching from our balcony.

On the small ships, the pool bar area is normally in the shade.  Its our favorite place to sit, play cards and have a drink or two.

We are set to sail on the Sun, 24 May from London on its first now scheduled departure.  Awaiting news.

We have the 125% voucher applied.  My BA air voucher is supposed to be competed by 22 April 2022.  Don't know if I can extend that further. Lots of new snow at Lake Tahoe and ski areas.