I am leaving this review to help people who have maybe looked at Windstar, but are unsure or unable to find much information outside of their website. I had been looking for months for a special trip for us, and I did as much research as i could before choosing Windstar. My boyfriend and I chose this cruise for a special anniversary trip. And my goodness, it was the best trip we have ever taken! ...
This was our second Windstar cruise, but will be our last. Our first experience with Windstar was excellent. Rooms are spacious, service and the people are terrific, and the food is very good. All the same on this experience as well.
However, our Panama Canal cruise was largely ruined by the complete lack of air conditioning in most public spaces. It was simply miserable to be anywhere ...
It has been a LONG time since we have been on NCL and it will just as long before we return. While the Gem itself is a nicely appointed in the common areas and the main dining room was quite nice, service support outside of the room attendant who was excellent was hit and miss. Some of the wait staff in both the main dining areas and specialty were quite good and others acted like newbies which ...
We chose this cruise for three reasons. The first was a lifelong desire to see the Panama Canal. The second was how much we enjoyed our Alaska Cruise Tour with Princess before COVID. The third was - COVID was no longer a concern to us!
First of all, don't get me wrong - we LOVED the cruise. The staff and crew were amazing, cheerful and helpful (especially our cabin attendant Czar). The food was ...
Princess, what happened? I’ve been on close to 40 cruises, including over 100 days with princess, and this was by far the worst cruise I’ve ever taken. When I go on a cruise, I choose the itinerary, the food, and entertainment as reasons to cruise. Halfway through this trip to Panama Canal, I have been let down so much that for the first time, I am actually posting how disappointed I am on a ...
Super easy to book and do your homework with their easy Holland America website!
We booked based on a new ship and because of the ports and itinerary. They met/exceeded expectations! The docking disembarkation, whether walk-off or tender, was flawless!
Its not set up to attract a family with young kids (no slides or bumper cars, etc.), and that's good if you need a break from that. I'd say ...
Itinerary, ports of call;
Depart Fort Lauderdale
Half Moon Cay, Private Island, Bahamas
Williamstad, Curacao
Cartagena, Columbia
Panama Canal
Colon, Panama
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Georgetown, Cayman Islands.
Arrive Fort Lauderdale
The ship
We found the embarkation and disembarkation very slick and efficient.
My favourite lounge was the Explorer’s Crow’s nest ...
We chose this cruise primarily for the Panama canal.
Pre cruise
We flew from London Heathrow into Miami the evening before. Holland America booked the transfers from Miami to our Fort Lauderdale hotel, the hotel itself and the transfers to the ship the following day, all of which worked very smoothly, with no significant waiting around for any service. Holland America representatives were on ...
I was very hopeful that Explora would be amazing based on what I had heard and it met all my expectations. I have sailed a lot over the years on luxury cruise ships and have specific things that I look for. Explora meets all of those requirements. Starting with the ship- she is a beautiful ship and you immediately feel at home on her. I was able to dine at all the restaturants on board and ...
Form the moment you enter your suite ( it is an all-suites cruise with terraces), you can’t believe the size of the suite, the size and comfort of the bathroom, and the comfort of that bed. The balcony is a very nice size with a table and 2 chairs, for in room dining and a launch chair for a total relaxation. The details of the room from the automatic light on the bottom of your night table so ...