Windstar policies

[Leejnd4]

We're almost sold on taking the March 4 Costa Rica cruise, but I still have a few questions.

 

1. Alcohol policies -- I've read some old threads in there that I believe answer most of my questions about this. From what I can tell, while they officially only allow wine to be brought on board, nobody seems to mind if you bring other libations. I like to have a bottle of a good single-malt Scotch in my room, so I'm assuming that won't be a problem. As for wine, do they charge a corkage fee to bring our own bottle to dinner?

 

2. Is there a refrigerator in every cabin?

 

3. It says on their website that they charge for soft drinks. Can anyone elaborate? Do they provide drinks such as iced tea at no charge? My husband and I are not soda drinkers, but we don't want to have to be signing chits anytime we're thirsty. Also, do they charge for bottled water? If so, what are the costs?

 

4. How are their excursions, in terms of quality and value? Would anyone recommend trying to plan private excursions on this itinerary? Any cost savings in doing so?

 

5. What else might we expect to have to pay extra for?

 

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

LeeAnne

[golfergal]

LeeAnne,

Here is my best attempt at your questions.

 

1. There is a corkage charge for wine in the dining room. I have to admit we brought wine up on deck a couple nights. We didn't bring anything other than wine, so I can't confirm that. I will tell you that they initially took the wine we brought in our carry-on when we boarded. They brought it to our cabin about 10 minutes later. So you'd probably have spirits taken at boarding if in your carry-on. I wouldn't think they are searching checked bags. Just not that kind of attitude.

 

2. There was on WindSurf, but I can't comment on WindStar and WindSpirit.

 

3. I seem to recall iced tea was free at lunch, but I'm not sure about that. I think we paid for bottled water, but I'm not positive on that either.

 

4. We cruised Europe so I can't comment on your excrusions. But in general, I thought most excursions were overpriced and only in a few places did I think it was worth it to do through them, like somewhere far from the port with limited time in port. We almost always do private excursions, so I'd think it is worth looking into unless there is something very specialized they can offer. For example, we trained it to Florence on our own for a fraction of the ship transfer price. We were there overnight, so no risk of missing the ship.

 

5. Tips, if you chose to do so. Can't think of anything other than the obvious things, like gift shop, casino, etc. The DVDs and books are free to borrow. I have to say we were shocked with how low our tab was at the end of the trip.

 

Enjoy!

 

Sheila

[jsiegel]

On the Wind Star our carry-on baggage was not searched, so had we had bottles of wine, they wouldn't have been temporarily confiscated. I believe there is a $10 corkage fee but is often not charged.

 

There is a refrigerator in every cabin. It's stuffed with honor bar stuff, but you can ask the honor bar person to remove it all, or what ever you won't be wanting to make room for your own stuff.

 

Ice tea is served at lunch (and other meals) for no charge. You can also go to the bar and order an ice tea with no charge. We're not soda drinkers so don't know what they charge for that.

 

No charge for espressos and cappachinos. The big ships have been charging for those for a few years.

 

Our Thanksgiving Windstar cruise they did have a cooking class with an $18 charge, but the cooking demo and the kitchen tour were free.

 

Charges just for the obvious stuff, liquor, softdrinks, laundry, international phone calls and email. No nickle and dimeing.

 

Jackie

[Leejnd4]

Thank you so much! That pretty much settles it. Even tho I've been spoiled on Radisson with their inclusive policies, I completely understand Windstar's non-inclusive alcohol and soda policies, especially given their great fares. I just can't stand the whole nickel-&-diming thing, and I'm relieved to hear that they don't push it like so many other lines.

 

We should be booking it tomorrow! It's coming up so soon -- time to get excited. :)

 

LeeAnne

[rickcohen2]

I hope you booked today.

 

Don't forget a nice bottle of Glenmorangie. Pack it in your suitcase.

 

Leave it right out on the shelves. Then your room will look just like ours always did (that is, if there's a bottle of Baileys right next to it).

[Leejnd4]

LOL! I'll be bringing my bottle of 15-yr-old Glendronach. :)

 

My husband gave me the greenlight tonight, so I should be booking tomorrow. I have so MANY questions now, and such a short time to figure them out! Wish me luck.

 

LeeAnne

[MGC]

On our Barcelona - Lisbon cruise in November on Windstar, we had four bottles of wine in the dining room that we supplied (we really didn't like their wine list!). We were never charged a corkage fee.

 

Because we were sailing around Spain and Portugal, we wanted to celebrate with local wines. The ship's wine list didn't include any, plus the wine we bought in port was waaaay cheaper and better.

[Leejnd4]

Now that's good to know! I have a pretty decent wine collection, and I like to bring some special bottles on cruises.

 

I have no clue if there are any interesting local wines in Costa Rica, nor do I know if there will even be shopping opportunities to buy some. Anyone know?

 

LeeAnne

[gary]

You can buy great coffee everywhere, but I did not see any Costa Rican wine.

[Leejnd4]

OH yes, I was reading about the coffee! You can be assured that I'll be carting as much of that home as I can carry. :)

 

LeeAnne

[Pudgesmom]

We bought some great Chilean wine at the duty free shop next to bag claim in San Jose.

 

Beth

[rickcohen2]

OH yes, I was reading about the coffee! You can be assured that I'll be carting as much of that home as I can carry. :)LeeAnne

Well, OKAY! A scotch and coffee person. How nice!

 

Best coffe we've found ANYWHERE is roasted right there is Quapos. Cafe Milagro is still all we ever buy. The roast is fantastic and the owners do soooo much more for the local economy than just sell lots of wonmderful coffee.

 

It's for sure a Don't Miss.

[Leejnd4]

Thanks for that tip. I've read a few people in here commenting on Cafe Milagro. I'll make a point of checking it out.

 

Less than six weeks to go!!! :D