June 19th Star Breeze Cruise is now a "Cruise to Nowhere"

[marinaro44]

11 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Covid has certainly been a test for service industries.  How companies treat clients during shutdowns have varied from good to bad.  Those that have compensated clients for lost services will be eventually rewarded. They will earn the trust for future business.  Those companies that cut back will feel the affects way after the pandemic.  This applies to all types of businesses, not just travel. The cruise industry faces many problems.  Short change guests and they will remember it.  Treat them well and they will return.  Offering those guests stuck at sea some amenities on the cruise will ease their stress…..free drinks, WiFi, laundry.  

It's a free cruise, fuhgadsakes.

[200YearsTooLate]

On 6/23/2021 at 10:34 AM, cabosal1 said:

Even if free this is NOT WORTH IT!

 

Is there even a single redeeming quality about the ship and/or crew? 

[FLbeachbaby]

This sailing should be disembarking. Would love to hear from some folks about how the week went. Food, any stops/anchorage, service, cabins, embarkation, SXM anything.............

[colo-cruiser]

I would like to hear about how the disembarkation went. Did Windstar provide the disembarkation Covid testing?  And did it turn around in time?

How was the airport for the return home flights?  I've read on the Celebrity boards that the airport for SXM departing flights was quite busy, and that the airport would not allow entry if the departing flight was too far off. Some ended up booking a tour to kill time before arriving at the airport.  What would the time window be for entry to the airport?

[sb44]

Not on this cruise but FYI the SXM airport has generally not allowed check in prior to two hours before flight time last two times we've been there. If you have several hours before your flight either day pass at a hotel or do a tour.  The waiting area for flights is always mobbed on cruise days.

[colo-cruiser]

31 minutes ago, sb44 said:

Not on this cruise but FYI the SXM airport has generally not allowed check in prior to two hours before flight time last two times we've been there. If you have several hours before your flight either day pass at a hotel or do a tour.  The waiting area for flights is always mobbed on cruise days.

Thank you for the info.  

There was also a mention about a form (possibly from the CDC) for entry to the US from international travel.  Is this still a requirement? Or is a copy of the Covid test sufficient?

[sb44]

As far as I know the airline will check for the test. I'd check with them and the CDC website.  And then keep checking as rules change on a regular basis.

[LTCOP]

There is also an attestation form you need to print and fill out for your return flight.  You can find it on your airline’s website and print it ahead to have ready when you come home. 
 

Pam

[cabosal1]

We just got back from the June 19th WS cruise. We had the  antigen test done onboard.  Really easy and fast.  You receive  the written test results and that is the document required by CDC to return to USA.  You will also complete a quicky,  how-do-you-feel questionaire at the airport.  That was all. We had heard about long, timely lines but it all moved rather well.

[themutis]

58 minutes ago, cabosal1 said:

We had the  antigen test done onboard

Wondering with the new requirements if Windstar provided this service for free or if you needed to pay for it.

 

Thanks

[FLbeachbaby]

1 hour ago, cabosal1 said:

We just got back from the June 19th WS cruise. We had the  antigen test done onboard.  Really easy and fast.  You receive  the written test results and that is the document required by CDC to return to USA.  You will also complete a quicky,  how-do-you-feel questionaire at the airport.  That was all. We had heard about long, timely lines but it all moved rather well.

Great info, thank you !

[new_cruiser]

2 hours ago, themutis said:

Wondering with the new requirements if Windstar provided this service for free or if you needed to pay for it.

 

Thanks

The Gift order form says $49 for Antigen test, $89 for PCR test. 

 

There  is a CDC approved test kit that you do with an on-line visit with a "Guide" and get results in an app from eMed. It gives results in an app in 15 minutes. They are partnered with United and American Airlines. $150 for a pack of 6 kits.

[themutis]

1 hour ago, new_cruiser said:

The Gift order form says $49 for Antigen test, $89 for PCR test. 

Thanks, I was aware that it was on the gift form.  However, since the antigen test is now required to disembark in St Maarten (literally to get off the ship) I was wondering if Windstar would cover it as other lines are doing.

 

From the St Maarten site:

 

Within 48 hours, before disembarking again in Sint Maarten at the end of the cruise, all passengers 10 years of age and older must have an antigen test performed by the cruise line.

 

Eileen

Edited June 28, 2021 by themutis

[cabosal1]

On 6/28/2021 at 1:30 PM, themutis said:

Wondering with the new requirements if Windstar provided this service for free or if you needed to pay for it.

 

Thanks

We paid $49.00 for antigen test onboard.