Latest news with #WindstarCruises
Travel Weekly
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Windstar launches free-air offer for Tahiti cruises
Windstar Cruises is offering complimentary economy air to Tahiti on select 2025 and 2026 packages. For travelers booking through July 31, three Tahiti packages include roundtrip air from Los Angeles to Papeete on Air Tahiti Nui. The offer applies to select departures from July 2025 through March 24, 2026. Travel advisors must use booking code: AIR. Each itinerary includes air, hotel stays and transfers. The offer applies to three packages: Dreams of Tahiti (a 10-day escape through the Society Islands), Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands (a 13- or 14-day trip pairing the Society Islands with the Tuamotus), and Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas (a 17-day voyage). An upgrade to a higher air class is available for an additional charge based on availability.
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.
Telegraph
15-04-2025
- Telegraph
The 25 best luxury cruises to book now
I'm lounging lazily on the deck of a plush mega-yacht when a charming waiter appears, asking to polish my sunglasses. Another pops up proffering a tray of tempting frozen fruit kebabs, followed by a third who offers to spray me with suntan lotion. In my languid state, I think I've gone to heaven, but then I remember I'm on a luxury cruise where personalised service promises first-rate pampering from start to finish. With pocket-size ships numbering guests in hundreds (or less), rather than thousands, it's not surprising more cruisers covet such effortless style. Not only do these enclaves bring a rarefied air of exclusivity while visiting smaller ports off-limits to larger monoliths, they promise the luxury of space where you can revel in swanky suites with your own butler, and indulge in gourmet dining and free-flowing champagne. Such lavish frills generally come as standard, and excursions may be thrown in too, proving that while guests pay more to get aboard in the first place, lower onboard bills ensure they pay less to get off. If you don't want to totally push the boat out, premium-plus lines have a similarly upscale flavour, but their ships tend to be a touch larger and with less included in the fare. Best mega-yachts Unspoilt Caribbean 'It's Yachting, not Cruising' is the mantra of SeaDream Yacht Club, which offers ultimate escapes on its two 112-guest classic mega-yachts that nose into the Caribbean's sleepy bays. Dining al fresco, sleeping on deck under the stars, and racing across the waves on jet-skis are treats guests can enjoy while sailing to the Grenadine isles of Mayreau and Bequia enroute to Martinique and St Lucia. SeaDream Yacht Club offers a one-week Glorious Grenadines round-trip voyage from Barbados, from £4,093pp; departs November 23 2025. Dreamy South Pacific Drift on trade winds among the shimmering peacock-blue lagoons of French Polynesia aboard the mega-yachts of premium-plus line Windstar Cruises. The 312 guests on Star Breeze can snorkel through the kaleidoscopic waters of Bora Bora which are filled with dazzling rainbows of tropical fish, trek through tropical rainforest on Moorea and be castaways for the day on a swish private island getaway. Windstar Cruises offers a seven-night Dreams of Tahiti round-trip voyage from Papeete, from £3,715pp; departs October 2 2025. French Riviera glamour Get one over on the jet-setters who pose and preen along the glitzy Cote d'Azur by sailing in on Luminara, the newest head-turner from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection which debuts this July. It's all cool lines, sophisticated spaces with five gourmet restaurants and even a wine vault onboard this superyacht which guarantees a stylish entrance to Monte Carlo, Cannes and Portofino. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers a one-week sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona from £10,500pp; departs August 14 2025. Venetian class Sailing past the bell towers and piazzas of Venice is a rare treat now reserved only for the smallest ships, and sumptuous square rigger Sea Cloud Spirit is one of them. Holding 136 guests, this windjammer was built in 2021 but brings alive the golden age of sail. Let the wind speed you along the Croatian coast to enchanting Hvar and Korcula, crowned by the walled wonders of Dubrovnik. Sea Cloud Cruises offers a nine-night round-trip voyage from Venice from £5,823pp; departs August 11 2025. West Indies yachting Emerald Cruises may be known for river voyages, but with their sleek lines, its three luxury yachts certainly look the part. Carrying just 100 passengers, the ambience is reassuringly intimate and upscale. Lounge around Emerald Sakara's infinity pool or take out water toys from its marina as you meander to the Caribbean's atmospheric isles of Anguilla, St Barts, and Nevis. Emerald Cruises offers a one-week Eastern Caribbean voyage from Barbados to St Martin from £4,608pp, including air credit; departs November 22 2025. Best luxury lines Baltic exploration Since relaunching in 2023 under the ownership of the A&K Travel Group, Crystal's newly-refurbished ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have made a triumphant return. Experience the former for yourself on this Baltic voyage to sample Stockholm's varied flavours on a foodie exploration, step out on a walking tour of Helsinki or take to two wheels for a coastal cycling adventure in Tallinn. Crystal offers an eight-night Baltics & Northern Europe cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen from £5,050pp; departs July 29 2025. Ultimate Japan Regent Seven Seas Cruises lays claim to being the most all-inclusive line with extras such as flights, unlimited excursions and overnight hotel stays covered by the fare. All very useful on this voyage to the Land of the Rising Sun where temples, street markets, and delicate gardens complement the extravagant surroundings of Seven Seas Explorer, trumpeted as the world's most luxurious ship when it launched in 2016. RSSC offers an 11-night round-trip voyage from Tokyo from £6,630pp; departs October 17 2025. Going Greek A new kid on the luxury block is Explora Journeys, an upscale off-shoot of cruising giant MSC Cruises, winning plaudits for its elegant ships. This line is all about slipping beneath the surface of the places it visits. Join Explora I to discover a restored Grecian village in the mountains of Thessaloniki, hike the centaur paths of Pelion in Volos and discover the monastic life of nuns in Patmos. Explora Journeys offers a one-week voyage from Athens to Istanbul from £3,710pp; departing May 24 2025. A natural choice for the Azores If you're a luxury lover who isn't acquainted with German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, you should be. Its flagship Europa 2 has long been cited as the world's best, epitomising cool, contemporary chic with exquisite gourmet restaurants and a vast spa. While aimed at German speakers, English is spoken on international departures, such as this one that combines Madeira's floral bounty with the untamed spirit of the Azores. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers an 11-night Perfect Portugal round-trip voyage from Lisbon from £4,995pp; departing October 22 2025. A swig of Scottish spirit This heritage-themed voyage aboard 48-guest Hebridean Princess shadows the spirit of Bonnie Prince Charlie as it weaves through the Scottish Isles to Eriskay and the Jacobite Trail, marking his arrival on Scottish soil. No doubt there will be a wee dram or two of Scotland's amber nectar during a week of walks, seal-spotting boat trips, museum visits and a tweed-weaving demonstration on the isle of Harris. Hebridean Island Cruises offers a seven-night round-trip Highland and Island Heritage cruise from Oban from £6,290pp; departing July 15 2025. Upscale adventures in Alaska The vast wilderness of Alaska, famously known as America's Last Frontier, is best explored by sea. Silversea's ground-breaking Silver Nova, which set a new standard in ship design with its asymmetrical layout, adds its own slice of luxury to a host of adventures with floatplanes soaring across the fjords, off-road buggy rides charging along old logging tracks and ziplines whisking daredevils across the rainforest canopy. Silversea offers a 14-night round-trip voyage from Vancouver to Alaska from £8,600; departing June 5 2025. Best luxury expeditions Helicopters in Antarctica Scenic's two Discovery Yachts marry the hi-tech thrills of two onboard helicopters and a submersible with butler service, a swathe of dining experiences and a spa and wellness suite. Just the ticket for warming up after meeting penguins among the icebergs of Antarctica's Ross Sea – one of the few sailings departing Australia for the White Continent's eastern side. Scenic offers a 24-day Antarctica sailing from Hobart, Tasmania, to Dunedin, New Zealand, from £24,644pp; departing January 6 2026. Manta rays in Raja Ampat Relish the thrill of sharing crystalline waters around the remote Indonesian hideaways of Raja Ampat with turtles, giant manta rays and, if you're lucky, whale sharks. All-suite Aqua Blu carries just 30 guests and has 30 crew, so attentive service is guaranteed as you potter through the dramatic karst outcrops and atolls, enjoying haute cuisine dining and cocktails while luxuriating in the hot tub. Aqua Expeditions offers a one-week round-trip voyage from Sorong in West Papua, from £8,270pp; departing January 3 2026. Snorkel with sealions in the Galapagos Nothing else compares to this natural wonderland where sea lions become your snorkelling playmates, penguins zip past and hammerhead sharks skulk in the depths. Cruises accentuate the unique flavours of the islands in this Ecuadorian archipelago where creatures famously have no fear of humans. While exploring them on all-suite mega-yacht Celebrity Flora, based here year-round, spend the night on deck with its overnight glamping experience. Celebrity Cruises offers a one-week cruise with three nights in Quito, from £7,708pp, departing August 8 2025. Cruise to the top of the world Acclaimed as the world's only luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot is a lean, mean ice-crunching machine. Be among the few to cruise through the Arctic ice floes to the geographic North Pole in the heart of polar bear country. Experience this harsh but beautiful environment on hiking expeditions, while snow-shoeing and, for those brave enough, by taking the Polar plunge into icy waters. Ponant Explorations offers a 15-night round-trip voyage from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, to the North Pole from £37,130pp; departing August 6 2025. Natural wonders of the Kimberley The remote Kimberley region offers a wild and rugged face of Australia; one of towering henna-hued cliffs, tiger-striped rock formations, Aboriginal art and the unrelenting power of some of the world's mightiest tides that create the extraordinary phenomenon of horizontal waterfalls. Seabourn Pursuit's 264 guests can explore on its fleet of Zodiac boats, kayaks and two submersibles, but helicopter rides and flight-seeing excursions heighten the sense of adventure. Seabourn offers an 11-night voyage from Darwin to Broome from £11,999pp; departing August 13 2025. River cruises Family fun on the Danube Thought river cruises were just for grown-ups? Think again. Uniworld's Generations sailings dial up the fun for all ages with family-friendly departures on palatial-style river ships. Take your little darlings on a magical history tour of Vienna, or give them a right royal dressing up at the Schonbrunn Palace where prince and princess outfits await. Hiking, biking and paddleboarding pump up the action. Uniworld offers one-week Generations Danube sailings between Budapest and Passau from from £3,199pp; departing July 20 & 27 2025. Going Dutch in style If you're quick, you can catch the spring blooms of the Netherlands where millions of flowers paint the landscape in a riot of colour that would make the Old Dutch Masters proud. Their masterpieces are displayed in Amsterdam's galleries, and while this Tauck cruise calls at the city, it is the famous floral displays of the Keukenhof Gardens that are the real showstoppers on this voyage. Tauck offers a nine-day Belgium and Holland cruise from Brussels to Amsterdam from £4,890pp; departing April 9 2025. Chobe River safari Go wild for this floating safari into the African wilderness aboard the Zambezi Queen to spot prowling lions and bathing elephants on boat trips and game drives. Romantic sundowners and a festive African-themed dinner add to the roll-call of memorable moments, helped by unforgettable cocktails and dinner aboard a vintage steam train at Victoria Falls. AmaWaterways offers a nine-night Africa package with a four-night cruise on the Chobe River plus stays in Cape Town and Victoria Falls, from £10,366pp; departing November 21 2025. Barging through Champagne Ease into life's slow lane with Les Bateaux Belmond's seven opulent barges that sail at snail's pace along French waterways on culinary adventures through the likes of Burgundy, Champagne and Provence. Haute cuisine, heightened service and stylish interiors are hallmarks of this fleet; some have heated pools and one even has a grand piano that's a surefire hit for singalongs and refined recitals. Belmond offers a six-night private charter of Coquelicot in Champagne from £62,390 for up to six guests; departing August 3 2025. Floating markets on the Mekong French colonial designs with Art Deco hints mark the ornate interiors of Heritage Line's riverboat Jayavarman, whose 27 cabins are individually themed. Outside, the sundeck and small pool are perfect vantage points for views of riverside villages and floating markets along this stretch of the Mekong in Cambodia. Unforgettable Travel offers a 10-night Saigon to Angkor Wat in Style private tour comprising the three-night Mekong cruise and stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, from £3,795pp; departing January 15 2026. Romance of the Nile Live like a pharaoh on a timeless Nile voyage watching thousands of years of history ebb by from the comfort of your luxe day bed. It's a pampered life on the Art Deco-themed Sanctuary Sun Boat IV whose plush surroundings are matched by the pampering crew as you drift from Aswan to Luxor in this ancient land of tombs and temples. Mundy Cruising offers a three-night stay in Cairo followed by a four-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor, from £5,495pp including flights; departing September 7 2025. Premium Plus Southern Africa's natural bounty Say farewell to winter chills as boutique ship Azamara Pursuit transports you into the warming embrace of South Africa and its rich profusion of wildlife and tribal culture. Stand tall with giraffes on walking tours, spy feathered friends at Penguin Island and track the Big 5 on safari drives. Look out for Madagascar's famous lemurs and soak up African arts and music showcased at Azamara's signature AzAmazing evening. Azamara Cruises offers a 15-night sailing from Cape Town to Mauritius from £3,769pp; departing December 20 2025. South America's Latin beat This sailing moves to the tango rhythms of Buenos Aires, where gauchos rule and Eva Peron's legacy reigns, along with Rio de Janeiro's salsa beat which sizzles with the spirit of Carnival. Hone your artistic skills on Oceania's 1,250 passenger ship Marina, with its artist's studio and cookery school in between cycling tours of Montevideo and schooner trips in Brazil's so-called St Tropez, Buzios. Oceania Cruises offers a 12-night Bounty of Brazil sailing from Buenos Aires to Rio from £2,889pp; departing January 10 2026. America's revolutionary spirit Turn leaf-peepers amid the autumnal colours of North America's Eastern Seaboard as 930-passenger Viking Mars follows a coastline filled with the heritage of the New World, from the Gallic culture of Quebec to the maritime history of Halifax. Relive Boston's revolutionary past along the city's Freedom Trail and trace the steps of the first settlers who arrived on the Mayflower at Plymouth. Viking's
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.
