Book your excursions NOW!

[sail2day]

6 minutes ago, adomatic said:

I thought so and I said that to the representative, but they weren't getting it. I guess I'll find out onboard. I booked excursions for all but 2 days so unless it's the first day, I can cancel. The beach BBQ is a great day. 

 

I hope it is the port where I did not book an excursion. Norman Island is the only port that I did not book an excursion.

 

[FLbeachbaby]

34 minutes ago, sail2day said:

I hope it is the port where I did not book an excursion. Norman Island is the only port that I did not book an excursion.

 

I have an excursion for each stop but would cancel if this is a whole day thing. Nothing in my itinerary makes any mention of it. I picked 3 land and 3 sea to mix it up. 

[sail2day]

38 minutes ago, FLbeachbaby said:

I have an excursion for each stop but would cancel if this is a whole day thing. Nothing in my itinerary makes any mention of it. I picked 3 land and 3 sea to mix it up. 

The cruise line should let us know on the itinerary that way we can plan around it. 

[Zukini]

16 hours ago, Petoonya said:

We loved the WS tour and prefer it to others who give the same tour.  But if you'd like a few names of other providers happy to share them.

 

Sure, I'd be happy to check some other operators...hopefully the whole bubble business is a distant memory by next May.  That's the one excursion we're very enthusiastic about, but there's only one single slot left through the ship. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll add some capacity.

[Misty Morning]

Beach BBQ will likely be in Virgin Gorda not Norman Island

[Petoonya]

@Zukini

For you and anyone else interested. These all depart from Raiatea.

First two are full day snorkel, circumnavigation of Tahaa, and the Coral Gardens.The downside is that they both do the vanilla and pearl farm stuff.

Arii Moana Tours https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.ariimoanatours.com/&prev=search&pto=aue

L' Excursion Bleue https://www.tahaa.net/en/home/

Lastly is Raiatea Jet- jet skiing all around Tahaa, visit to Coral Gardens and you design your day. Dolphins nearly jumping over the sea-doo. https://www.raiateajet.com/

 

[sail2day]

22 hours ago, Misty Morning said:

Beach BBQ will likely be in Virgin Gorda not Norman Island

Thanks for the info!

[Nearpost345]

I have already raised this elsewhere, so sorry for being a pest. In this thread Strenz has stated that passengers and crew are to be vaccinated, and msears101 has said everyone is being vaccinated. My partner spoke to Windstar this week and was told that crew are “supposed” to be vaccinated. She was also told by the agent that the ships crew (approaching half the bodies on the ship) will be free to go ashore when in port just as they did in pre covid times

 

Windstars official position is that crew will be vaccinated when vaccine is available. Until they change that language should I presume that an indeterminate number of the crew may not be vaccinated? 

[Petoonya]

The risk of unvaccinated crew picking up the virus during free time on shore would change my mind about cruising this fall. I just called and was given the same wording, but reservations isn't always updated. It doesn't seem to jive with WS's precautions. Anyone with some pull find out for certain?

[Strenz]

Hi Nearpost 345, You have asked a good question/s. How will WS enter and get their crew members into Europe this summer the EU is mandating vaccinations? 

Free to go to shore without being vaccinated when the European countries right now have a very low vaccination rate, how safe is that? 

Passengers are required to take ship excursions only and they are required to be vaccinated, but the crew??
I am a 101% believer in the vaccinations, I very strongly believe no vaccine no go....

WS seems to be bit confusing with their message  and I am hoping that as time goes on the message will become crystal clear everyone will be vaccinated. I also hope  the excursion rule will be eliminated. Happy Safe Sailing

[Nearpost345]

Strenz and Petoonya, thanks for your responses. This is a great place for sharing concerns and exchanging information.

[new_cruiser]

Since our fall cruise starts in the EU (Greece) I expect that all the non-EU crew (which is most of the crew) will have to be vaccinated to get into Europe and I'd hope that any EU crew is also vaccinated. I'd be uncomfortable sailing with unvaccinated crew. 

 

I think the vaccinated (passengers and crew) should be able to go on shore without taking a Windstar excursion. From the excursion descriptions, I don't see how they will provide much if any additional protection and the vaccine protection should be enough. 

[themutis]

I am all for taking precautions and being safe... but this new excursion just got added for my cruise and it seems so restricted.   What I find funny is that for one of my other beach excursions it says you can go to any restaurant/bar on the beach and walk the entire 2 mile beach... it is all so puzzling

 

 

Jost Van Dyke, Foxys with Escort

3 HoursEasy-ModerateCulture | Essentials Collection | Refreshments | Walking

The yacht’s tender will bring you to the government dock in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. Your tour escort will meet you there and walk with you the short distance to Foxy’s.  Enjoy the famous Foxy's resturant and bar, where there will be a roped off area exclusive to Windstar guests. Listen to island music, enjoy a complimentary beverage and time to enjoy the famous Foxhole Gift Shop.with alloted shopping time exclusively for Windstar guests before walking back to the dock where the tender will be waiting to take you back to the yacht.
 
Please note: Guests must to stick to their group and escort for the entire duration of the tour. Bring US dollars, VISA or Mastercard and wear sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

[sail2day]

1 hour ago, themutis said:

I am all for taking precautions and being safe... but this new excursion just got added for my cruise and it seems so restricted.   What I find funny is that for one of my other beach excursions it says you can go to any restaurant/bar on the beach and walk the entire 2 mile beach... it is all so puzzling

 

 

Jost Van Dyke, Foxys with Escort

3 HoursEasy-ModerateCulture | Essentials Collection | Refreshments | Walking

The yacht’s tender will bring you to the government dock in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. Your tour escort will meet you there and walk with you the short distance to Foxy’s.  Enjoy the famous Foxy's resturant and bar, where there will be a roped off area exclusive to Windstar guests. Listen to island music, enjoy a complimentary beverage and time to enjoy the famous Foxhole Gift Shop.with alloted shopping time exclusively for Windstar guests before walking back to the dock where the tender will be waiting to take you back to the yacht.
 
Please note: Guests must to stick to their group and escort for the entire duration of the tour. Bring US dollars, VISA or Mastercard and wear sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

Very restrictive tour! 

[Strenz]

Hi Nearpost 345, You have asked a good question/s. How will WS enter and get their crew members into Europe this summer the EU is mandating vaccinations? 

Free to go to shore without being vaccinated when the European countries right now have a very low vaccination rate, how safe is that? 

Passengers are required to take ship excursions only and they are required to be vaccinated, but the crew??
I am a 101% believer in the vaccinations, I very strongly believe no vaccine no go....

WS seems to be bit confusing with their message  and I am hoping that as time goes on the message will become crystal clear everyone will be vaccinated. I also hope  the excursion rule will be eliminated. Happy Safe Sailing

[Strenz]

I forgot to send my previous. Now, In reference to themuutis comment,  I agree, we too are neurotically safe and vaccinated but that " foxy excursion " is ridiculous, really ridiculous. I wonder what the price of that is? To visit  a closed off bar, a watered down drink and to visit a souvenir shop,  that is a 5 minute tender away, that is all WS could think of? There is a beach there, no swimming???!  water does not transmit the virus, we shop as a group, ( I do not shop  so I have to go along ? ). They close off the souvenir shop to others so it is WS only. It is nuts and rather insulting. All the while the crew does not have to be all vaccinated. I have signed up for White Beach Gabriel's, the beach day in Barbados and the trip to  Anageda,  for our Christmas  cruise I wonder if we will have those restrictions.  I guess I will call after the holiday. I adore WS, our 27 th cruise with them, this makes me worry. Happy Sailing I hope.

[FLbeachbaby]

8 hours ago, themutis said:

I am all for taking precautions and being safe... but this new excursion just got added for my cruise and it seems so restricted.   What I find funny is that for one of my other beach excursions it says you can go to any restaurant/bar on the beach and walk the entire 2 mile beach... it is all so puzzling

 

 

Jost Van Dyke, Foxys with Escort

3 HoursEasy-ModerateCulture | Essentials Collection | Refreshments | Walking

The yacht’s tender will bring you to the government dock in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. Your tour escort will meet you there and walk with you the short distance to Foxy’s.  Enjoy the famous Foxy's resturant and bar, where there will be a roped off area exclusive to Windstar guests. Listen to island music, enjoy a complimentary beverage and time to enjoy the famous Foxhole Gift Shop.with alloted shopping time exclusively for Windstar guests before walking back to the dock where the tender will be waiting to take you back to the yacht.
 
Please note: Guests must to stick to their group and escort for the entire duration of the tour. Bring US dollars, VISA or Mastercard and wear sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

I thought of you when I saw this pop up today. So weird...$29 to escort you to Foxy's. And you are correct on other beaches we will have the freedom to traipse about. Very very mixed messages in all of this. I'm thinking the directions were written in a foreign language and the translation is off. Like putting together IKEA furniture. 

 

I'm so glad there are no germy buffets with my fellow vaccinated passengers but my chef's and servers (who can roam freely about) may not be vaccinated - Huh what ? You can't make this stuff up !

[Strenz]

FLbeachbaby, $29 if it were $5 insane, pay $29 to go to a souvenir shop, listen to some steel drums....... my question what is happening to my beloved WS?  I am not cheap, cost conscious, or wealthy it is the principle and it makes absolutely no sense what so ever. 
Buffets:  I hate  them and it is one reason I love WS. I can avoid them, actually my least favorite meal is the ship's barbecue. So the great sangria and a lovely crew member gets us food ( not the frozen lobster tails we are from lobster land) we sit away from the crowd. We love eating outside it works, WS makes it works so this excursion policy or insanity makes absolutely no sense to me. Fingers Crossed Happy Sailing

[Windsailer]

Here's a new excursion that's almost as good as the little trip to Foxy's:

 

$49per person

St. Barts, Concierge Collection: Walk & Shop

2.5 HoursEasy-ModerateConcierge Collection | Sightseeing

This walking/shopping tour will let you see a little of downtown Gustavia, and as a highlight you will visit 3-4 boutiques which may include, Hermès, (luxury brand’s apparel), Voila St. Barts (chic casual wear St. Barth's style) as well as Chamade (a local souvenir shop featuring the St. Barts logo collection). The walking is minimal just around 10 minutes, so nothing too strenuous. You will be met at the tender dock by your guide/escort who will show you to the various locations. Enjoy your shopping spree St. Barth's style.
 
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

[Windsailer]

WindStar is essentially charging us to get off the boat for some time on dry land. Might be time to send WindStar a note to express my lack of enthusiasm for this approach. 

[trident]

We are booked on Star Breeze in June and if this forced shore excursion requirement is not changed, we will be cancelling. The Millenium is sailing on the same dates at half the price without this requirement.  Seems to be a money grab.

[Strenz]

The walking/shopping from the tender dock to Hermès and to a souvenir shop in St.Barts for $49, is about as ridiculous as one can get. Pathetic really and certainly not what WS represents in 180 Degrees From Ordinary.

180  Degrees  to  Ridiculous . Sad, makes me nervous about WS's future. 

I too will write a letter this week. I have been cruising with them since 1999, never have I thought that this is what WS would end up doing pandemic or not. Happy Sailing Hopefully. 

[sail2day]

On 5/29/2021 at 9:53 AM, trident said:

We are booked on Star Breeze in June and if this forced shore excursion requirement is not changed, we will be cancelling. The Millenium is sailing on the same dates at half the price without this requirement.  Seems to be a money grab.

I agree completely! Celebrity has moved its position to correspond to the CDC's change in guidelines. Windstar has yet to move. Why? Purely for revenue purposes I imagine. 

[milepig]

On 5/29/2021 at 5:50 PM, Strenz said:

The walking/shopping from the tender dock to Hermès and to a souvenir shop in St.Barts for $49, is about as ridiculous as one can get. Pathetic really and certainly not what WS represents in 180 Degrees From Ordinary.

180  Degrees  to  Ridiculous . Sad, makes me nervous about WS's future. 

I too will write a letter this week. I have been cruising with them since 1999, never have I thought that this is what WS would end up doing pandemic or not. Happy Sailing Hopefully. 

Agreed. Total grab for money. We sail on Nov 5, and are still waiting this out.

[msears101]

On 5/28/2021 at 2:12 PM, Strenz said:

They close off the souvenir shop to others so it is WS only. It is nuts and rather insulting. All the while the crew does not have to be all vaccinated.

Quick Antidote.  This is just one example.  My In-laws live in London.  They are in their mid 70s.  He went into a Tesco express late in the evening .  He  was the only one in the shop.  He caught Covid-19.  It is a contagious bugger.  He did self check out.  He bathed in hand sanitizer.  It was their only time outside the house for the previous.  Two days later he was sick.  Two days later she was sick.  Both had covid tests and confirmed it.  An empty shop that does not refresh it air, will still spread from previous occupants.  There has been research (I can dig up if you like) that shows flowing air inside or a cross breeze drastically limits exposure inside.  Outside it is very difficult to transmit.  BTW inlaws are 100% fine. No issues with covid. 

 

So this highlights one of my concerns with the WS management.  They "appear" to do the safe thing, by closing off the shop, but the reality it is for show (or possibly more likely to pick it up) than just wandering around an open market on your own. 

 

Last week I was on my way back to the US and was getting tested, and the place I was getting tested temporarily ran out of tests, so about 50 people queued up inside in a narrow hallway for about 30 mins.  After 3 mins in there, I just waited outside until the line died down.  Being trapped in stagnant air  vaccinated or not, you run a risk of picking up the bugger, and when the bugger could prevent me from getting home, I take that very seriously.  Quarantined in a foreign country, does not sound like fun to me.