Just back from Windstar and Windsurf trips

[2serendip]

Hi -- We've just come back from two wonderful cruises: Windstar from Civitavecchia to Barcelona, and then after a few days in that city we boarded the Windsurf from Barcelona to Lisbon. We really had a great time on both ships, and it was so interesting to compare the two. We were especially pleased to see that the service and ambience were pretty much the same as we remembered from when we had last cruised on Windstar. These were our 8th and 9th cruises with the Winds, and I can assure you that they are in good shape and that the crews are as pleasant as in the past. Please let me know if you have any specific questions. I will say that my only disappointment was with the excursion staff on both ships -- although very pleasant personally, we found the port talks to be frequently inaccurate and often out of date. The ship's excursions are also greatly overpriced. But other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed the ships and the ports we visited.

[sealord]

Hi -- We've just come back from two wonderful cruises: Windstar from Civitavecchia to Barcelona, and then after a few days in that city we boarded the Windsurf from Barcelona to Lisbon. We really had a great time on both ships, and it was so interesting to compare the two. We were especially pleased to see that the service and ambience were pretty much the same as we remembered from when we had last cruised on Windstar. These were our 8th and 9th cruises with the Winds, and I can assure you that they are in good shape and that the crews are as pleasant as in the past. Please let me know if you have any specific questions. I will say that my only disappointment was with the excursion staff on both ships -- although very pleasant personally, we found the port talks to be frequently inaccurate and often out of date. The ship's excursions are also greatly overpriced. But other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed the ships and the ports we visited.

 

Do you know anything about the financial condition of the cruise line? I've seen a couple things that cause be a little concern about booking.

[2serendip]

On both ships, we were involved in quite a few conversations about this, mostly among passengers who are true Windstar fans. The most significant one, I think, was one night when we were invited to have dinner with one of the ship's officers. I asked him about the current ownership by Ambassador and the Winds' solvency, and his answer was that the Windstar line operates fairly independently from the larger corporation and that it is financially secure. He seemed quite confident that nothing has or will change. Evidently Ambassador had to meet a financial commitment last spring -- a bond of 1.5 million dollars -- and that's why there were special prices on some of the cruises this fall -- but the cash was raised and the debt was met.

["Wandering Wino's&quo]

On both ships, we were involved in quite a few conversations about this, mostly among passengers who are true Windstar fans. The most significant one, I think, was one night when we were invited to have dinner with one of the ship's officers. I asked him about the current ownership by Ambassador and the Winds' solvency, and his answer was that the Windstar line operates fairly independently from the larger corporation and that it is financially secure. He seemed quite confident that nothing has or will change. Evidently Ambassador had to meet a financial commitment last spring -- a bond of 1.5 million dollars -- and that's why there were special prices on some of the cruises this fall -- but the cash was raised and the debt was met.

 

:)That is certainly good news for those of us that love sailing aboard one of the Windstar ships. Thanks for sharing.

[Mateo&Kali]

Thanks for sharing your recent positive sailing experiences on both ships.

 

My wife and I are sailing on the Windstar for the first time on December 5 (Costa Rica). As a Wind Star veteran any tips you can provide to help us quickly learn the ropes of the ship, staff, activities would be appreciated.

[lkakers]

Thanks for sharing, 2serendip! Nice to hear the "product" seems safe!

[lkakers]

Thanks for sharing your recent positive sailing experiences on both ships.

 

My wife and I are sailing on the Windstar for the first time on December 5 (Costa Rica). As a Wind Star veteran any tips you can provide to help us quickly learn the ropes of the ship, staff, activities would be appreciated.

 

Having taken the Costa Rica cruise (FANTASTIC), my advice is to attend the cultural lectures and shows they hold on board. The native guide/speaker they had on the Jan 2007 cruises was spectacular. Funny, bright, knowledgeable, personable -- he could give info and advice on seemingly any aspect of the wildlife, culture, language, arts, geography, etc. They also had some folkloric dancers on one night; that was superb as well. I think we missed a few of the lectures (sleeping in!), and I regret that.

 

Oh, and if you like rum, make sure to buy some Flor de Cana when you're in Nicaragua.... so good; and when we were there, the the Nicaraguan economy was so depressed that even the good stuff was super cheap.

[sealord]

Thanks for sharing your recent positive sailing experiences on both ships.

 

My wife and I are sailing on the Windstar for the first time on December 5 (Costa Rica). As a Wind Star veteran any tips you can provide to help us quickly learn the ropes of the ship, staff, activities would be appreciated.

 

Well I booked it. Windsurf from Barbados on 1/31/10. But I need a pre-cruise hotel, and I have no idea where the ship will be docked for boarding. It would be convenient to get a hotel near that location. Anyone have any recommendations or info on where the embarkation actually takes place. Thanks.

[2serendip]

Hi Mateo and Kali -- I agree with the poster above that you would enjoy any lectures and local shows that are offered. Unfortunately, on our recent experience (Civitavecchia to Barcelona) there were no cultural lectures or local shows on the ship. We wondered if that might be a thrift measure. Anyway, we were very pleased to find that the ship's staff arranged for shuttles into town centers when we were docked further away.

As to the crew, they really are very good and very friendly. I do think that's a great advantage that Windstar has over Windsurf since with fewer passengers, I think the staff makes more of an effort to learn your names and to look out for you.

I'm not sure what else you might be interested in, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. I hear that the Costa Rica trip is really an excellent one -- lots of water activities -- and it's on our list for a future sailing.

Also, the open bridge policy is really nice and fun -- be sure to take advantage of it.

[tomstur]

We will be on the Windsurf on 11/29! Can't wait! Do you recall if there is a public laundry room in lieu of the ships laundry program? Also, rank the night time dining options starting from the most enjoyable meal. Did you see anybody actually win at the casino?

[Mands&Ian]

We will be on the Windsurf on 11/29! Can't wait! Do you recall if there is a public laundry room in lieu of the ships laundry program? Also, rank the night time dining options starting from the most enjoyable meal. Did you see anybody actually win at the casino?

 

Unless things have changed in recent months ...

 

... no public laundry room. Yes, folks win in the casino. One of our travelling companions won enough to take several others for dinner in Barbados post-trip. There are four evening dining locations;

 

• Le Marche. External, on the Star deck outside the Terrace Bar. Seafood menu
  
• Candles. External, on the Main deck around the Pool. Steaks only
  
• Degrees. Internal, Star deck. Fixed tasting menu, changes every two days
  
• Main dining room. Internal, Main deck. Daily menu.
  

 

The two outside venues have very, very limited menus. From memory Candles serve steak, caesar salad & tiramasu. But, the locations are lovely, if potentially breezy. Haven't eaten in Le Marche as we're not seafood fans. Similarly we weren't taken with the idea of the Degrees tasting menu so didn't book. We were later invited to eat with one of the officers so did eat there and were pleasantly surprised.

 

Mands

[Mands&Ian]

Well I booked it. Windsurf from Barbados on 1/31/10. But I need a pre-cruise hotel, and I have no idea where the ship will be docked for boarding. It would be convenient to get a hotel near that location. Anyone have any recommendations or info on where the embarkation actually takes place. Thanks.

 

The Surf should be docked with all the other cruise ships in Bridgetown's dock.

 

The nearest hotel is probably the Hilton but prices often seem extortionate compared to others on the island. As an alternative somewhere on the south coast would be better priced but should still be reasonable in terms of a cab to the ship. Lots of folks use the Accra Beach, in fact I think it's the hotel that Windstar use for pre/post cruises.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147263-d154114-Reviews-Hilton_Barbados-Bridgetown_Barbados.html

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147266-d267585-Reviews-Accra_Beach_Hotel_Resort-Christ_Church_Barbados.html

 

Haven't stayed in either so can't comment personally.

 

Mands

[sealord]

The Surf should be docked with all the other cruise ships in Bridgetown's dock.

 

The nearest hotel is probably the Hilton but prices often seem extortionate compared to others on the island. As an alternative somewhere on the south coast would be better priced but should still be reasonable in terms of a cab to the ship. Lots of folks use the Accra Beach, in fact I think it's the hotel that Windstar use for pre/post cruises.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147263-d154114-Reviews-Hilton_Barbados-Bridgetown_Barbados.html

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147266-d267585-Reviews-Accra_Beach_Hotel_Resort-Christ_Church_Barbados.html

 

Haven't stayed in either so can't comment personally.

 

Mands

 

Thanks. I booked the Accra Beach as it seemed a compromise between cost and location. I can still cancel up to ten days b4 if I find something better. ;) Do you recommend 'transfers' or 'taxis' to get to/from the airport? :)

[Mateo&Kali]

Having taken the Costa Rica cruise (FANTASTIC), my advice is to attend the cultural lectures and shows they hold on board. The native guide/speaker they had on the Jan 2007 cruises was spectacular. Funny, bright, knowledgeable, personable -- he could give info and advice on seemingly any aspect of the wildlife, culture, language, arts, geography, etc. They also had some folkloric dancers on one night; that was superb as well. I think we missed a few of the lectures (sleeping in!), and I regret that.

 

Oh, and if you like rum, make sure to buy some Flor de Cana when you're in Nicaragua.... so good; and when we were there, the the Nicaraguan economy was so depressed that even the good stuff was super cheap.

 

Lani,

 

Thank you for the advice on the on board lectures, and the tip of Flor de Cana rum.

 

I see from the weatherunderground website the weather in Costa Rica is starting to become less rainy with some full days of clear weather. Should be perfect come December 5.

 

Cheers!

[lkakers]

I've mentioned this before (perhaps in another thread) that I can't stress ENOUGH how highly I recommend the Hotel Bougainvillea just outside San Jose. Service, setting and pricing was fantastic. We arranged for a 1/2 day city tour through the excursions desk at the hotel -- it was well with the money. Additionally, the botanical gardens on site are phenomenal, and well worth paying admission -- though it's FREE! :) http://www.hb.co.cr/

 

It's located a little out of the city, but the hotel has (at least when I was there) a shuttle/van that would take you to the city if available/requested (especially if you arranged ahead of time).

 

We took the Windstar transfer to Puerto Caldera -- spendy, but the tour guide was great -- I learned more about Costa Rica on the transfer to the ship, I think, than on any other single day of our trip.

 

My two cents.

 

Happy travels, and pura vida, all!

[sealord]

We took the Windstar transfer to Puerto Caldera -- spendy, but the tour guide was great -- I learned more about Costa Rica on the transfer to the ship, I think, than on any other single day of our trip.

 

My two cents.

 

Happy travels, and pura vida, all!

 

"spendy" ?? not 'speedy' ?? actually, I was looking at this trip, but I saw some issues with getting from San Jose to Puerto Caldera. One person online was talking about a $400 cab ride ... or actually I think it was a bus ride. I've been there before, and flew from San Jose to Quepos for a lot less than that. But, the 'transfer' problem chased me away. For the future, however, what do you think is the best/most economical way of getting from San Jose to Puerto Caldera and back? Thanks. :)

[Pudgesmom]

"spendy" ?? not 'speedy' ?? actually, I was looking at this trip, but I saw some issues with getting from San Jose to Puerto Caldera. One person online was talking about a $400 cab ride ... or actually I think it was a bus ride. I've been there before, and flew from San Jose to Quepos for a lot less than that. But, the 'transfer' problem chased me away. For the future, however, what do you think is the best/most economical way of getting from San Jose to Puerto Caldera and back? Thanks. :)

 

Its unfortunate that you were unable to gather more information before making a decision on your transfer. Our family of four paid 1/4 of that for a private transfer and tour of San Jose on our return to the ship.

 

Having said that, we have also done the southbound Barbados round trip, and found that equally enjoyable. I hope you enjoy it too.

[sealord]

Its unfortunate that you were unable to gather more information before making a decision on your transfer. Our family of four paid 1/4 of that for a private transfer and tour of San Jose on our return to the ship.

 

Having said that, we have also done the southbound Barbados round trip, and found that equally enjoyable. I hope you enjoy it too.

 

So, my understanding is that you can get a taxi for four for $100, or is that $100 per person, or is that on a bus of some sort? I would like to tuck away the details for a future trip. Booking this (Barabados) trip was relatively short notice, so the availability of air transportation via 'miles' was a controlling factor as well. I was looking at Puerto Caldera, St. Martin, and Barbados. I could only arrange an acceptable air transport to Barbados. :)

[Pudgesmom]

I don't know about taxis, I would expect they are very expensive. We used Coach Costa Rica - not a bus- there are several threads with information and reviews about them here. I believe there is at least one other company providing this service, again check the threads. And the ship provides transport. We didn't look into it as we wanted to tour the university and eat lunch before departing San Jose.

[brazzleman]

We will be on the Windsurf on 11/29! Can't wait! Do you recall if there is a public laundry room in lieu of the ships laundry program? Also, rank the night time dining options starting from the most enjoyable meal. Did you see anybody actually win at the casino?

 

We took advantage of the $99 unlimited laundry plan - you must prebook or book the first day of the cruise to be eligible.

[rafinmd]

With regard to transfers in Barbados, I just came back from Transatlantic on the WindSurf 11/23/09. I stayed at the Divi Southwinds roughly midway between the dock and the airport, and the total taxi fare was $45US(25 to the hotel and 20 on to the airport). The ship wanted $39 pp for a bus transfer, so a single taxi transfer would probably have been less than that, and certainly more convenient.

[Mands&Ian]

I just came back from Transatlantic on the WindSurf 11/23/09.

 

Apologies for taking the thread off topic.

 

How was the crossing ... and how many of you on board?

Mands

[rafinmd]

How was the crossing ... and how many of you on board?

Mands

 

This was my first time on Windstar, so it's a bit hard to know how to answer. There were about 112 on board, an excellent ratio of crew to passengers, and apparently about average for these crossings. One thing was a bit different, some supplies and repair parts did not show up in Lisbon, so we made a day stop in Madeira. We still made excellent time and spent about 16 total hours under exclusive sail power, running about 5 knots without the engines.

 

In an odd situation I'll be back on the Surf next fall. I had booked the Crystal Serenity from Athens to Rome next October, and I'll arrive in Rome the morning of the 31st, and leave that afternoon for Barcelona on the Wind Surf.

[Mands&Ian]

 

This was my first time on Windstar, so it's a bit hard to know how to answer. There were about 112 on board, an excellent ratio of crew to passengers, and apparently about average for these crossings. One thing was a bit different, some supplies and repair parts did not show up in Lisbon, so we made a day stop in Madeira. We still made excellent time and spent about 16 total hours under exclusive sail power, running about 5 knots without the engines.

 

That's interesting, thanks for the numbers. There does seem to be a disparity between the westbound and eastbound crossings. Possibly because of the greater cruise population in North America? There's a clear advantage in doing a repo back home rather than away from home.

 

For comparison purposes Wind Surf's eastbound crossing had just 40 passengers, against your westbound 112.

 

Glad you enjoyed the trip,

Mands

[Pudgesmom]

We will be on the Windsurf on its way back to Lisbon in March. I'll be interested to see how many passengers are on board after reading these comments. Its our third Windstar, first crossing.