Latest news with #StarLegend
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Forbes
Windstar Cruises Finds Success With Mystery-Destinations Cruise Trend
Windstar's Star Legend yacht sails to its next unknown port.. Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises 'Would you book a cruise if you didn't know where you'd be sailing?,' asks Sarah Kuta of TravelPulse. The idea that you board a cruise ship in one city, but have no idea where you're going next and what other destinations are on the itinerary may seem strange to some. But, this trend has been growing among cruise lines as they look to diversify their offering and appeal to frequent cruisers. Windstar Cruises is the latest to offer such a mystery cruise with its first official Mediterranean itinerary last month that proved so popular that it many guests locked into the line's next mystery sailing in the Caribbean before this trip even ended. Star Legend docked in Nice Windstar Cruises Travelers book a departure date on a particular cruise ship, but the only details they know are the first and final ports of call on the sailing. From these geographic details, they can get an idea of what clothes to pack, but the rest is a mystery. What travelers do know, however, is that they will not be visiting the 'traditional' ports (like Freeport, Bahamas or Mykonos, Greece) that are on many other cruise itineraries. Instead, the purpose of these cruises is to bring guests to surprising destinations they may not be familiar with or could not easily reach on another cruise. An on-deck barbecue at sea aboard a Windstar yacht Windstar Cruises 'Windstar sets a high bar,' says travel advisor Dana Okamura, No Worries Travel LLC, when explaining why she attributes success to these secret-destination sailings among repeat Windstar customers. 'There is a built trust that can be even more important when so much of the experience is unknown.' Two Windstar vessels in Monemvasia, Greece, a smaller port not visited by many other cruise lines. Windstar Cruises This type of secret cruise is typically in the realm of small-ship cruise lines like Windstar that can get into smaller ports that larger vessels cannot. More than half the ports it visits on these mystery sailings are new to the company. This provides a chance for the cruise line to see how they appeal to travelers, but also experiment with destinations that may have been hidden secrets, says Janet Bava, chief commercial officer for Windstar. The beach in Reggio Calabria, Italy, which was a new port for Windstar, and now on its future itinerary list. Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises Two of the destinations on the first official mystery cruise, Taranto and Reggio Calabria in the 'boot' of Italy, were a hit and are now planned for 2026 Italian sailings. Okamura says these new ports inspired some of her clients to book similar cruise itineraries in the future. Windstar is not the first to offer a mystery cruise. Variety Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have all dipped their anchors into this trend. Fred Olsen even goes so far as to identify one particular sailing for beginners (probably a clue of the type of more 'traditional' ports it will visit). Still, Windstar offers the most upscale product in this category of ocean mystery cruising. The lead-in price for its April cruise on the all-suite Star Legend was $4,399 for two people, with the option to include drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi for about $800 more on the seven-night trip. Windstar executives (l to r): Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer; Janet Bava, chief commercial officer; Christopher Prelog, president Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises Windstar President Chris Prelog says the idea came about by accident. He was hosting a sailing to the Tuamotu and Society Islands when a cyclone disrupted the ship's itinerary so much that it was unable to visit the planned ports. Within hours, he says, the operational team had devised a new itinerary, and one that few cruise lines offer: the Marquesas Islands. It proved to be a big hit with passengers, who understood that sailing into a storm would not be ideal. Windstar has a high ratio of returning guests, many of whom are already acquaintances from past sailings. Windstar Cruises As Prelog tells it, he was dining with a group of loyal Windstar customers (some of whom have sailed dozens of times with the line), and they all shared that the chance to visit a hard-to-get-to place and the serendipity of it all was especially exciting. Prelog posed the idea of a mystery cruise to his table mates, and by the end of the dinner, they had all made their deposits for the April 2025 Mediterranean sailing. Next year, Windstar will operate a similar sailing in the Caribbean departing March 20 with a starting rate of $2,999 per person, and an 'all-in' rate of $3,692. It will set sail on a roundtrip journey from San Juan on the 224-passenger Star Seeker, the newest yacht for Windstar that will be delivered by December of this year. The sold-out journey now has a waitlist. Reggio Calabria, Italy Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises Passengers aboard the initial sailing say it was almost a running joke explaining to friends and even the taxi driver that brought them to the ship that they had no idea where they were going. Once onboard, passengers received clues throughout the day so they could compete for a prize awarding the passenger that guessed them all correctly. Okamura, who booked several passengers aboard the mystery cruise, but also sailed herself, says that fellow passengers quickly bonded over guessing where they were going and researching the clues online. But, most people aboard the first President's official mystery cruise were already friends with each other and the crew. Prelog says this cruise had a repeat traveler rate of 80%. A passenger learns how to fill cannoli in a Sicilian kitchen on a shore excursion. Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises 'Only the captain and senior officers know where the ship is heading, and are sworn to secrecy,' says Cruise Critic Jeannine Williamson, when describing the concept. Not even Prelog knew where the ship was going. Each evening, the captain would announce the destination, and guests would gather in the lounge to learn what there would be to do and see once they arrive. In advance of the sailing, the gist of the shore excursions were made available in cheeky riddles hinting at the activity on offer (like hiking to a castle or visiting a vineyard), but it was only once the details were announced that guests needed to finally commit to the tour. Guests on a shore excursion in Taormina, Sicily Jenna Talplin/Windstar Cruises Other ports of call on the Mediterranean trip included Sicily's Naxos Giardini (the port near Taormina, home to 16 Michelin-starred restaurants and filming location of HBO's The White Lotus 2) and Kalamata, Greece. For passengers who may not be interested in the destination, the on-deck pool, onboard dining venues and sometimes the watersports platform is available. Windstar Cruises Windstar's first official mystery cruise was a success, and it has already sold out for 2026. But, is a mystery cruise for everyone? For those that do not need to over plan a vacation and like a bit of surprise, a mystery cruise is great. But, for those with their heart set on a particular country or type of port, this is an easy recipe for potential disappointment, notes Williamson. This sentiment is echoed by other industry experts. 'While mystery cruises can be novel and a fun way for cruise lines to entice their most loyal guests, most people do like to know where they are going on their vacation, particularly if they have limited days off or set times when they can travel,' says Chris Gray Faust, executive editor, content innovation, for Cruise Critic. Star Legend sails along the Thames River. Windstar Cruises 'It's the type of thing that works much better for a small or a river ship that sails in a relatively contained area of the world rather than a large megaship,' she adds. The concept for booking a trip to an unknown destination is nothing new. Brands have offered these one-off trips for years. Atlantic Airways of the Faroe Islands has sold mystery flights year after year to warm-weather destinations and they sell out quickly among locals looking to escape the cold (despite not knowing the Mediterranean location until they arrive at the airport). Outdoor decks on Star Breeze Windstar Cruises And the internet is filled with travel advisors and tour agencies that sell these types of hidden adventures. Whodunit Cruises even coordinates 'murder mystery' sailings bringing a bit of the uncertainty on board. Okamura acknowledges these sailings are unique, but says they are ideal for 'someone with a true sense of adventure who is open to seeing unknown places and those they may have seen before, but in a new way.' In other words, the ideal mystery cruise customer should have both wanderlust, and even more importantly, flexibility.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
A new mystery cruise has launched with completely secret destinations and itinerary
A small ship cruise line is giving passengers a unique way to discover new destinations, by keeping the route a secret. Variety Cruises has launched its latest Mystery CEO cruise. Sailing aboard the 72-capacity Variety Voyager, the only thing passengers are told is the departure date, the embarkation and disembarkation port, and the price. The sailing is led by the company's chief executive Filippos Venetopoulos, with all proceeds donated to Variety Cares, which supports the cruise brand's mission for clean oceans, gender equality and education for all. The ship departs from Valletta, Malta, on 21 June 2025 for an eight-day sailing to Naples, Italy. The ports and activities in-between won't be revealed until just before arrival in each destination. The only clues are that passengers will explore the 'mysterious depths of Italy and Malta' and visit 'off-the-beaten-path locations, with expert guides offering a deep dive into the history, art, and traditions of the region'. Prices start from £3,904 per person – with an early booking discount of 20 per cent until 15 March and 10 per until the end of the month. The price includes accommodation in double or twin cabins with a half-board buffet breakfast and one daily meal highlighting local specialties such as a BBQ and pizza night. Passengers will also enjoy welcome and farewell cocktails. Once in the mystery ports, the fare covers four secret excursions and activities, two traditional meals ashore, wifi and use of fishing and snorkelling equipment. Venetopoulos said: 'This is not just a cruise. 'It's an immersive journey of discovery, where each day brings a new, breathtaking destination – revealed only a few hours before arrival. No guidebooks, no pre-planned plans, just pure, unscripted exploration.' This is the second Mystery Cruise from Variety after a sailing around Greece last year. Other cruise brands also offer secret sailings. Windstar has a President's Mystery Cruise from Athens that visits seven secret ports. It departs aboard Star Legend on 19 April 2025. Fred Olsen also has two mystery cruises this year, one from Portsmouth for five nights departing on 7 November 2025 and another seven-night sailing from Liverpool on 15 December 2025.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Windstar Cruises unveils luxury ship upgrades
Luxury operator Windstar Cruises has revealed the first stage of the $7.5 million (£6 million) refurbishment of its flagship cruise vessel Wind Surf. The common areas and suites of the 342-passenger Wind Surf have been upgraded in time for its Caribbean sailing season. Changes include a larger retail area and lobby space. The Compass Rose bar and lounge has been given more modern decor, with soft blue and orange furnishings as well as a new stage area for live music and performances. The Amphora dining room has been redesigned with inspiration from the water such as pearls, smooth stones and sea glass. New seating arrangements include curved booths to seat two to eight people and larger dining chairs. Tropical scenes and greenery have been added to the pool deck and bar, with arty tiling featuring waves added to the two onboard whirlpools. The ship's suites have also been remodelled with similar designs found on the brand's Star-class ships - Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend. The new Broadmoor Suite is inspired by five-star resort The Broadmoor in Colorado. It features classic furniture, floral motifs, wide crown moulding and white trim with gold finishes. The wallpaper is a replica of the design used at The Broadmoor main building designed by Julie Penrose, wife of resort founder, Spencer Penrose. The ship's new Sea Island Suite - inspired by Sea Island in Georgia - aims to draw on the coastal and airy touches from the property's Addison Mizner design, including a sea-glass green colour palette, curved arches, light walls and sophisticated wood furnishings. Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer of Windstar Cruises, said: ' Wind Surf has always been a guest favourite, and this refurbishment honours its legacy while elevating the onboard experience to new heights. 'From refreshed design elements to modern technology upgrades, this transformation sets the stage for an unforgettable journey on our flagship sailing yacht.' Phase two of the upgrade will take place in April 2026. New furniture, soft goods and décor will be added to cabins and there will be updates to Stella Bistro, Veranda and the fitness studio. Windstar's three Wind Class sailing ships - Wind Surf, Wind Star and Wind Spirit - are currently undergoing redesigns.
