Luxury Cruise Bible

Things to Know about Windstar Cruises

Air Add-on

Windstar offers both air/cruise and air/hotel/cruise packages. The air/cruise package includes economy class airline tickets and transfers to and from the airport. The air/hotel/cruise package includes airline tickets, pre- and/or post-cruise hotel accommodations, and all necessary ground transfers. If you book your own air and hotel accommodations, you may still purchase a ground transfer from Windstar by calling 1-800-258-7245 or (206) 733-2704.

Alcohol Policies

Don’t pack any beer or hard liquor for your Windstar voyage, but you may bring your own wine and champagne to consume in your stateroom. Likewise, you may buy wine or champagne in port to drink in your cabin. If you’d prefer to drink those bottles in one of the restaurants or bars, you may do so for a corkage fee of $15. If you purchase liquor in port or from the ship’s duty-free selection, the bottles will be stored for you until you disembark.

All-Inclusive Policy

Windstar does not offer an all-inclusive package. Cruise travel, meals, and entertainment are included in your fare. Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, transfers, shore excursions, laundry, spa treatments, and more are available for additional fees and will be billed to your onboard account.

Beauty Salon

The Wind Spa can be found on all three Windstar ships and offers a variety of treatments using Elemis products. Book your appointments in advance and arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your treatment. Cancellations must be made 24 or more hours in advance to avoid paying a 50 percent late-cancellation fee. Treatments range from a variety of facials ($54–$104) to massages ($99–$215) to manicures (from $25–$40) and pedicures ($40–$55). Haircuts and styling are also available for both women and men.

Bon Voyage Gifts

Windstar Ship Services Department assists guests wishing to buy bon voyage gifts for friends and family. Gifts must be prepaid at least two weeks prior to sailing via American Express, Visa, Discover Card, or Mastercard. Note: Flower deliveries may not be available at certain embarkation points. To learn more or to place an order, call Ship Services at 1-800-258-7245, fax (206) 298-3014, or write to Windstar Cruises Ship Services, 300 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119.

Butler / Concierge Service

Windstar does not offer butler or concierge services in any of its cabin categories.

Cancellation Policies

Windstar Cruises will make a full refund to passengers who cancel their cruises more than 91 days in advance. Fees paid for the Trip Interruption and Cancellation Protection plan (TICP) will not be reimbursed.

Cash / Credit Cards / Foreign Currency

Your onboard account may be funded with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. A full statement of charges will be presented to you before disembarkation. If you’d prefer not to use a credit card, you may use travelers cheques or make a cash deposit to your shipboard account that will be used throughout your stay. Personal checks are not an accepted.

Children’s Program

Parents are not encouraged to bring their children aboard a Windstar cruise since there is no formal children’s program. The line will not book toddlers of 24 months or younger.

Cruise Documents

Cruise documents will be sent to you approximately 30 days prior to your voyage.

Dining

Windstar Cruises embraces open seating in all of its restaurants. Special dietary requirements such as low-sodium diets, vegetarianism, and fat-free may be catered for if enough advanced notice is provided; talk with your travel agent or call Windstar directly. (Kosher meals are not available.) Confirm your special requirments with the maitre d’ once onboard. Call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576 for more information. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Women will feel at home wearing a sundress or a nice blouse and slacks in the evenings and men tend to wear slacks and collared or polo shirts. Just don’t wear shorts, jeans, sneakers, hats, or T-shirts in the restaurants at dinnertime.
You’ll also notice a 15 percent beverage service charge is automatically added to all bar charges and dining room wine purchases.L’Occitane toiletries in all staterooms.Windstar refers guests to Virtual Bellhop and its Monogram Valet service that will transport guest luggage from their home to the ship and back. Call 1-877-BELLHOP for more information.

A wide variety of shore excursions can be arranged prior to setting sail. You may also book onboard, although availability may be limited. Review a list of available Windstar shore excursions for your cruise and book online. Alternatively, you can call the Windstar Cruises Reservations Department at 1-800-258-7245.

Single Supplement Policy

Single occupancy is subject to availability and will be charged 175 percent of the regular per person cruise fare. Single guests staying in the Owner’s Suite will pay 200 percent of cruise fare for that stateroom category.

Smoking Policy

As of November 22, 2008, the smoking policy onboard Windstar ships changed. Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking is no longer permitted in staterooms or any areas of the ship, including the restaurants and the casino. Smoking is only be permitted on the outside decks and in designated indoor smoking areas.

Spa Services

The Wind Spa is located onboard all ships and treatments are available by appointment only. Book an Elemis Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, or Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy.

Special Occasions

Weddings are organized through a partnership with The Wedding Experience and must be planned well in advance. More information can be obtained at The Wedding Experience’s website, or you can phone the company at (305) 421-1260. For any other special occasions, talk with your travel agent who will notify the Ship Services Department, or you may contact the Hotel Manager onboard for impromptu events.

Special Requests

Special requests may be arranged by notifying the Ship Services Department prior to sailing, or by contacting the Hotel Manager once onboard.

Transfers

Windstar cruise-only passengers (those who have opted to purchase their own air transportation and pre-/post-cruise hotel accommodations) may purchase transfers from Windstar by calling 1-800-258-7245 or (206) 733-2704.
h3. Travel Insurance

Windstar offers two travel insurance policies called TICP (Travel Interruption and Cancellation Protection) Standard Plan and TICP Plus Plan that covers medical emergencies, trip delay coverage, and lost baggage coverage. The plans are underwritten by Stonebrige Casualty Insurance Company.