Multi-Million Dollar Initiative Begins for Windstar Cruises’ Three Iconic Wind Class Sailing Ships

Wind Class Refresh takes inspiration from the sails, the sea, and a desire to foster connections

MIAMI, FL, December 6, 2023 – Afficionados of Windstar Cruises’ original three classic sailing yachts – 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit and 342-guest Wind Surf – will be happy to learn the award-winning small ship cruise line is embarking on a multi-million dollar initiative to redesign and update all three yachts. 

The multi-year initiative kicks off today, with Wind Star completing phase one of her renovations. 

Catch a first glimpse here: https://collection.cloudinary.com/windstar-cruises/77b777f82b73c661c7b8ff13dbd848ec 

“Our sailing ships are beloved by Windstar guests,” says Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “Being on the ship under sail is unforgettable and brings an element of freedom and romance to every voyage.”

Wind Star is the first sailing ship to start the process and is currently in Lisbon, readying to welcome guests onboard. A second phase will include remaining staterooms and dining venues in 2026. Wind Spirit will be fully remodeled and complete her renovations in 2025, while Wind Surf will be in two phases – 2024 and 2026. The project encompasses a full redesign of all public spaces with new layouts, furniture, wall and floor coverings, lighting and custom art. Guest staterooms, Premium Suites, and Owner’s Suites will be fully refurbished including new furniture, interactive televisions, and décor.

“This multi-year, multi- million-dollar initiative is all about providing guests with updated spaces that inspire relaxation, foster connection, and offer multifunctional needs of an intimate sized sailing yacht,” says Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s vice president of hotel operations and product development. “Spending time on our yachts is all about moments of connection, whether that be guest to guest or guest to crew, and we want to make sure our spaces reflect that desire.”

Project Highlights for Wind Star, Fall 2023

Lobby – Opening up the space creates a more expansive reception area with added seating and expanded retail space.

Lounge – A redesign of the layout is meant to foster connections between people with a living room-like ambiance. New furniture, lighting and finishes enhance the area for daytime relaxation and evening entertainment. 

Spa and Fitness Center – The World Spa by Windstar and gym have been thoughtfully designed with wellness and respite in mind. Both areas have all new finishes, color palettes, and new state-of-the-art equipment. 

Pool Deck – A focal point on every voyage, the pool deck has been expanded with removal of the skylight, adding in a new pool and jacuzzi, and extending the pool bar. New furniture includes sofas for lounging and colorful poufs, ottomans, and chairs around the pool. New speakers, lighting, and finishes add to the fun of parties on the pool deck. New fauna and greenery around the pool bar add a pop of color.

Artwork – Through its partnership with Fountainhead Arts in Miami, the line is sourcing a curated collection of artwork for all three yachts. All are specially commissioned for Windstar with a common theme around the convergence of nature, organic materials, and the essence of yachting. 

Technology – New, larger televisions in every cabin will be fully loaded with curated content and movies, and the line’s Wayfinder application. Additional WiFi access points will provide a better connection to Starlink internet.

Updates planned for guest staterooms, the main dining room Amphora, and lunch/breakfast restaurant Veranda will occur in phase 2.  

“The design inspiration really developed from the yachts themselves,” explains Jessica Payne, Windstar’s manager of interior design. “I studied classic and modern yacht architecture to develop the sophisticated design foundation, and then went on to add pops of fun and peeks of relief inspired by our sails, the sea, the cities we visit, and our guests. Stepping into the lobby as you embark is about feeling a sense of stepping onto your own private yacht but experiencing the service of a luxury boutique hotel.”

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.   

---

We found a better way to renew our passports!

Christopher Prelog Marks Three Year Milestone as President of Windstar Cruises; Announces 2024 President’s Cruise in Canary Islands

Chris Prelog

MIAMI, FL, September 26, 2023 – This week Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog celebrates three years of leading the small ship cruise line – commemorating a remarkable tenure that began in the depths of the pandemic. 

From relaunching the fleet’s operations in 2021 to debuting three completely reimagined ships by 2022 (via what is regarded as the most complex refurbishment and expansion project in the industry), along with moving the line’s headquarters from Seattle to cruise-centric Miami, Prelog’s time on the job has been anything but “business as usual.”

After all, Prelog’s background is anything but expected. He began his career on cruise ships as a waiter – transitioning from time onboard to onshore leadership with a style that keenly taps into the realities of what it’s like to be part of a cruise ship crew. 

He marks his third year as president with record-breaking sales, an expanded team (many of whom also climbed the Jacobs Ladder from ship’s crew to the boardroom), new destinations  including dozens of just-added cruise tours and air/hotel packages, exciting cultural and environmental partnerships, and a reinvigorated devotion to onboard excellence, as well as the travel advisor community. 

“I always look forward to the yearly President’s cruise,” said Prelog. “It’s a chance for me to sail with guests and crew and learn about their Windstar experiences.” 

Alongside the anniversary and in celebration of Prelog’s accomplishments, Windstar is pleased to announce a new Windstar President’s Cruise in April 2024 in the Canary Islands, a region where Windstar is greatly expanding operations and offerings kicking off next year. In addition to several new cruises in the Canary Islands in 2024, Windstar will sail there consistently from November 2025 through March 2026. 

On the eight-day Captivating Canary Islands President’s Cruise departing April 20 from Las Palmas and sailing to Lisbon, guests get a chance to get to know Prelog personally and spend time with him where he’s most comfortable: at sea. 

Video: Join Christopher Prelog in the Canary Islands

High resolution images of Prelog are available here: https://collection.cloudinary.com/windstar-cruises/65157fb4870e281f47e3eb5d80ea6ffe

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.   

---

We found a better way to renew our passports!

Formula 1® Races in Abu Dhabi + Monaco Can Be Accessed Via a Cruise Ship So Small & Nimble It Feels Like Your Own Private Yacht

MIAMI, FL, March 27, 2023 – Small ship line Windstar Cruises has added a new Formula 1® experience for its guests, this time at the final race of the 2023 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. The racing excursion is in addition to Windstar’s long-standing themed F1® cruise to the Monaco Grand Prix, with this year’s Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco slated for May 21-28 aboard Windstar’s flagship: 342-passenger sailing yacht Wind Surf. 

Offered by no other cruise line, the Windstar shore excursion to the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 is available as part of Windstar’s first-ever sailings in the Middle East on board the all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend. 

During an overnight in Abu Dhabi amidst the inaugural 10-day Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf voyage departing Dubai on November 23, guests will have the option to experience the climactic race of the F1® season on November 25 and 26 with premium grandstand seats for the time trials and the race, transfers to and from Yas Marina Circuit, English-speaking coordinators, and onboard perks like an exclusive cocktail party. Guests will also be joined by F1® Sports Broadcaster Bob Varsha, who will provide insights and expert analysis of the race and drivers. Pricing for the excursion is $1,599, while rates for the cruise are from $2,999 per person. 

Cruising to the Monaco Grand Prix has its origins in the 1990s as Windstar’s first themed cruise and one of the industry’s very first themed cruises (long before cat lovers, bikers, rockers, and other hobby groups made them so ubiquitous). Windstar’s passengers n the Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco itinerary, which consistently sells out far in advance, all receive race tickets, specifically Section K seats for the time trials and final. The entire cruise is hosted by a Formula 1® racing expert who provides behind-the-scenes insight, and there is also a themed cocktail reception and dinner on board, plus extras like high definition binoculars, comfy seat cushions, and ear protection. Cruise fares are from $7,699 per person, including all Grand Prix programming; 2024 cabins are still available. 

“I’m a huge fan of F1® racing, and with the sport experiencing its highest ratings ever in the U.S., more and more of our Windstar customers are racing fans as well,” explains Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “When we were planning our first-ever sailings in the Middle East, which begin in November, I had hoped a 2023 race date would overlap. And lucky us: our inaugural Middle East voyage aligns with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It’s a green flag for Windstar’s sailing in a new, exciting region and a checkered flag for the 2023 racing season… a perfect fit.”   

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.  

Note: FORMULA 1 and F1 are registered trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV. The use of these marks does not and is not intended to create any affiliation, connection or association with Formula One Licensing BV.

---

The tech gear we travel with when we cruise.

Windstar Cruises Announces New Whole-Food, Plant-Based Menu in Partnership with the National Health Association

What Started as a Special Offering for Groups and Charters Has Morphed into a Fleet-Wide Initiative Beginning June 2023

MIAMI, FL, March 14, 2023 -- Windstar Cruises has partnered with the National Health Association (NHA) to create a new vegan menu on board all six of the small ship line’s yachts. The offerings are not only plant-based but also prepared without added salt, oil, and sugar and are gluten-free. 

Windstar has begun training its culinary team on the new menu and plans to roll out the program fleetwide in June. Vegetarian options, as well as the line’s existing omnivore menu items, will continue to be served as usual.  

“The National Health Association points out that vegetarian and vegan diets are not always healthy, and for meals to be truly health-promoting, they also need to be minimally processed and prepared,” explains Windstar’s Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler, who oversees food and beverage operations. “We’ve seen an increased demand for whole-food, plant-based dishes from our customers, and we’re really excited to work with the NHA to bring them something that’s nutritious and delicious. As a side benefit, plant-based foods also reduce our environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – allowing us to tread more lightly on this planet.”  

Sample dishes from the new menu include: 

- Daily Smoothies at Breakfast

- Roasted Butternut Squash Velouté with Baked Pumpkin Seeds

- Baked Cauliflower Croquettes with Salsa Verde and Sautéed Spinach 

- Penne Rigate Pasta, with Crisp Vegetables and Espelette Pepper Sauce

- Veggie Enchiladas with Black Bean & Cilantro Sauce

- Chia Seed Truffles with Dates & Coconut Sauce

- Tahini Brownies with Fresh Strawberries

Wanda Huberman, executive director of the National Health Association, worked closely with the Windstar culinary team to share NHA expertise and discuss Windstar-developed recipes that meet the organization’s standards for an exclusive whole-plant food diet and lifestyle.  

“The Windstar culinary team has knocked it out of the park in executing the specific requirements of our meals,” Huberman says. “Every meal is absolutely delicious and served in a beautiful presentation with so much variety that no one will leave a meal feeling hungry or less than satisfied.” 

The menu evolved out of hosting several plant-based groups, which have grown significantly in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Lisa McCarl, a former open heart recovery nurse turned travel advisor, has booked several plant-based groups on Windstar and says there is a huge demand for healthy travel options. 

“More people are changing the way they eat to prevent and reverse diet-related disease. Why not make it easy for them to continue that healthy lifestyle while sailing on the trip of a lifetime? Windstar is doing a phenomenal job in making healthy cruising a reality.”

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.  

---

The tech gear we travel with when we cruise.

Windstar Announces Wave Season Deal + Thankful for Travel – a Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Travel Tuesday Offering

MIAMI, FL, November 16, 2022 -- Miami headquartered Windstar Cruises has solidified its offering for “wave season,” when the best cruise deals are rolled out for customers to book for the year ahead. 

Windstar’s wave season deal is the popular “Pick Your Perk” and runs December 1, 2022 -February 28, 2023. Perks include a choice of one of the following: 

• A free pre- or post-cruise, “Easy Stay” which includes a one-night stay in a premium hotel, free internet, free full cooked to order breakfast, and free transfer to or from the ship

• OR up to $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom (credit amount is based on the length of sailing and type of stateroom or suite booked)

• OR free upgrade to Windstar’s All-In package (including Wi-Fi; unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails; and gratuities) for applicable premium suites & sailings.

The sale will be live and bookable on December 1 at www.windstarcruises.com/seize-someday.  

“The holiday season is prime time for gathering with friends and family and planning vacations for next year,” said Windstar Cruises’ President Christopher Prelog. “Planning ahead gives you the best selection of ships and suites, and the complimentary perks during wave season really add up.”

Windstar is also participating in the “Thankful for Travel” sale November 22-29, 2022 (beginning the Tuesday before Black Friday and running through Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday), along with all the sister brands in the Xanterra Travel Collection portfolio. 

Windstar’s “Thankful for Travel” offer is an additional 5 percent reduced deposit on top of the Pick Your Perk special listed above, meaning even more value BUT for a limited time. 

More details at https://www.windstarcruises.com/preview-thankful-for-travel/. 

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.  

---

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Windstar Cruises Partners with Coral Gardeners in Tahiti

Guests Will Receive an Adopted Coral in Their Name 

MIAMI, FL, October 18, 2022 – Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has partnered with the Coral Gardeners, a Mo’orea (French Polynesia)-based organization determined to revolutionize ocean conservation and create a global movement to save the coral reefs through reef restoration, awareness activities, and innovative solutions. The team works to grow, plant, and monitor thousands of heat-resilient corals with the goal of bringing life back to the ocean.

The three-year partnership begins this month with Windstar’s $35,000 donation to Coral Gardeners to adopt coral for all guests sailing with Windstar in French Polynesia for the remainder of 2022. 

2022 is Windstar’s 35th anniversary of sailing in Tahiti/French Polynesia – the longest of any operator in the region. (It’s also the only destination where the U.S.-based cruise line sails year-round, giving guests ample opportunity to plan a once-in-a-lifetime visit in any season.) With two ships sailing French Polynesia throughout October, Windstar has been celebrating its 35th season all month long with special events, integration with local dignitaries and artists, and a heightened infusion of local culture both on board and ashore. 

“This new partnership is a wonderful way for us to celebrate Tahiti during our 35th anniversary season, but more importantly to make a positive impact for the future of these incredible islands,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog.  “We’ve been focused on reducing our carbon footprint via updating our fleet’s engines and operations, and this next step in climate action at sea is to partner with Coral Gardeners to protect the environment in French Polynesia and beyond.”

Guests on the remaining 2022 sailings will receive a small card in their guest room, alerting them to the adoption of coral in their name. In 2023 and 2024, each guest booked on a Windstar cruise in French Polynesia will be presented with the option to adopt a coral for a donation of $35 per person. Unique coral adoption cards for those participating will be placed in their guest room on board. 

Prelog is confident the majority of guests will choose to donate to help save the reef they are enjoying on their Tahiti cruise.
For more information on Windstar Cruises and all of its itineraries, visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

---

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Windstar Announces Chefs for 2023 James Beard Foundation® Culinary Themed Cruises

Nurdjaja

Grant

Chang

MIAMI, FL, September 28, 2022 – Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has announced its lineup of James Beard Foundation®-affiliated guest chefs for its series of three themed culinary cruises in 2023. The trio of acclaimed visiting chefs include D.C.’s Jerome Grant; New York’s Ayesha Nurdjaja; and Boston’s Tracy Chang. 

Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF). The nonprofit organization’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. The Foundation firmly aligns with Windstar’s commitment to fresh and local epicurean experiences around the world, as well as efforts to reduce food waste. 

All three themed cruises in 2023, detailed at the links below, include two on-board cooking demonstrations, as well as four dishes by the JBF visiting chef at a hosted dinner with wine pairings. Each chef will also lead a market tour, gathering fresh and local ingredients for dishes served on board. In addition, all three chefs will provide multiple recipes to be featured on Windstar’s menus across all cruises—adding to a growing menu of James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs’ special menu items, served across the fleet on every sailing. 

“As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, we’ve hosted dozens of top chefs over the years. One of the best byproducts possible is a delicious and constantly rotating section of JBF dishes on our menu – on all of our sailings,” explains Windstar President Christopher Prelog. "It doesn’t get any better than sailing with a James Beard Foundation guest chef on a special culinary cruise. Not only will you get to eat their food—you’ll get to know them. You may even learn a few tips and tricks for being a better cook yourself, and you’ll definitely have a richer and deeper travel experience because of it.” 

3/4-11, 2023 on Star Legend in the Caribbean, from Panama City to Oranjestad with Chef Jerome Grant 

Jerome Grant grew up mostly in the United States—New York, Oklahoma, California, Maryland—and picked up the basics of Filipino cuisine from his mother and the Caribbean flavors of his Jamaican heritage from his paternal grandparents. After graduating from Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Grant moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he gained his first critical notice while helming the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort. Back stateside, Grant accepted an executive sous chef position at Urbana Restaurant in Washington, D.C. before working as executive chef of the Mitsitam Native Foods Café inside the National Museum of American Indian. Grant then became the inaugural chef of the Sweet Home Café inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture. His recipes and menus took the café from a simple concept to becoming a James Beard Award recognized restaurant and cookbook. Since 2020, Grant has been with Dacha Restaurant Group in D.C., including Jackie Restaurant, which pays homage to Grant’s Filipino-American roots, and Dacha Beer Gardens. He’s also preparing for the upcoming launch of Mahal, an open-fire kitchen. 

Grant is a 2019 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. Sweet Home Café is a 2017 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and the restaurant is inspiration for the 2019 James Beard Media Award Nominated “Sweet Home Café Cookbook.” 

Grant is excited to join Windstar in the Caribbean, reconnecting with the Caribbean flavors of his Jamaican heritage along the way. 

6/17-26, 2023 on Wind Surf in the Mediterranean, from Venice to Athens with Ayesha Nurdjaja

Ayesha Nurdjaja is the executive chef at Shuka in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, as well as sibling restaurant Shukette. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she is the daughter of an Indonesian father and Italian mother. Nurdjaja graduated from culinary school in 2006 and, after watching chef Lidia Bastianich cook on PBS, walked into Lidia’s restaurant, Felidia, and asked for a job. They brought her on as a line cook and she worked her way up the ranks to become sous chef. Since then, Nurdjaja has helped lead the kitchen teams at Bar Artisanal, Michelin-starred Picholine, and at Michelin-starred A Voce under chef Missy Robbins. She also spent time as executive chef at Il Bordello and most recently at Brooklyn neighborhood favorite Red Gravy, where she offered her take on modern southern Italian cuisine. In 2015, Nurdjaja joined with restaurateurs Vicki Freeman and Marc Meyer to create Shuka, with a menu that draws on the vibrant flavors found throughout Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia. Shukette followed to great acclaim in 2021.

Nurdjaja is a 2022 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominee for Best Chef: New York State. 

Nurdjaja is a frequent traveler to the Aegean Sea and is thrilled to lead Windstar guests on a culinary journey in one of her most favorite places on the planet. 

9/21-30, 2023 on Star Breeze in Asia, from Tokyo to Osaka, Japan with Chef Tracy Chang 

Tracy Chang is the chef/owner of PAGU restaurant in Cambridge, MA, celebrating Spanish and Japanese style tapas paired with natural wines, sakes, sherry, and more. Chang’s love for the restaurant industry began at an early age—her grandmother immigrated to Boston in the 1980s and opened several Japanese restaurants. Prior to PAGU, Chang founded a pop-up restaurant, Guchi’s Midnight Ramen, and hosted events with restaurants, startups, nonprofits, and universities, including Harvard, where she is a teaching fellow. During Covid-19, she co-founded two nonprofit initiatives, Off Their Plate (OTP) and Project Restore Us (PRU), to provide essential worker communities with food and groceries. The standard operating procedures she created for her restaurant PAGU, as well as for Off Their Plate, have been compiled into a comprehensive guide by the James Beard Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and the Aspen Institute.  

Chang is an alumna of the James Beard Foundation Chef Bootcamp for Policy & Change, James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurship Leadership Program, and a 2020 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. 

Chang looks forward to sailing in Japan—exploring her family’s roots and celebrating her grandmother’s culinary legacy in the process. 

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.  

---

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Windstar Cruises Adds Arabia to 2023/2024 Sailing Schedule

New brochure just released with details on Arabia –  Red Sea and Persian Gulf explorations

MIAMI, FL, August 23, 2022 – Windstar Cruises’ small ships are known for sailing to luxurious and off-the-beaten-path ports around the world. The full breadth of sailings is highlighted best in their new brochure, available to order or access online today, including the line’s newest offering: cruises to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf – a first for the luxury cruise line. 

“With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkeling and diving, and of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf with new itineraries in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar,” explained Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. 

Cruises begin November, 2023, on the all-suite, 312-guest Star Legend. 

The 18-day Wonders of Arabia sails from Athens to Dubai, transiting the Suez Canal and spending five days in Egypt and Jordan, including an overnight in Luxor to take in the majestic Karnak and Luxor temples, followed by two days in Oman. 

The 10-day Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf will sail on 11 dates from Dubai to Muscat, Oman (and the reverse). Highlights are overnights in Doha and Abu Dhabi; a late night in Ras Al-Khaimah; stops in quieter cities like Fujairah or Khasab; as well as time on Sir Bani Yas, an island known for its pristine nature and wildlife conservation.  

The 9-day Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days will sail on two dates (one in each direction) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, Jordan – and the reverse. Highlights include an overnight in Sharm el-Sheikh and in Safaga with the opportunity to visit Luxor, and the chance to soak in the turquoise waters of the resort ports of Ain Sokhna and Hurghada. 

There is only one Red Sea Revelries via the Suez Canal, a 12-day voyage from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Athens. Highlights include an overnight in Luxor; a later night in Ain Sokhna, Egypt; a transit through the Suez Canal; and a day in Heraklion, Crete. 

Small ship cruise aficionados can choose to sail aboard the line’s Wind Class sailing yachts – 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit and 342-guest Wind Surf – or the newly transformed Star Plus Class all-suite yachts – 312-guest Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend. Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation and provides an elevated dining experience aboard its yachts. 

For more information on Windstar Cruises and all of its itineraries, visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

---

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Windstar Cruises Eliminates Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Tests

 All guests must be vaccinated

MIAMI, August 18, 2022 – Windstar Cruises has revised its COVID-19 protocols and procedures and will no longer require a pre-cruise COVID-19 test for embarking guests (unless required by one of the countries on our current scheduled itineraries).  These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022.

As part of its Beyond Ordinary Care health and safety program, Windstar will still require all guests to be fully vaccinated and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

The exception to this new testing procedure is that Windstar must follow the local rules and regulations of all the countries it visits and currently Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand (subject to change) still require COVID-19 pre-testing prior to boarding any ship in their respective waters.

“Safety and wellness are our first concern, and these new procedures will simplify the process of sailing with us on a fully vaccinated ship,” said Chris Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises.

In summary:

1. All guests must be vaccinated and provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation.  All Windstar crew are fully vaccinated and nearly all crew have received booster shots. 

2. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required in most countries

3. The updated guidelines are subject to the local regulations of applicable homeports and destinations (presently that includes Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand on Windstar itineraries)

For more details about Windstar Cruises contact a professional travel advisor or visit www.windstarcruises.com or call 1-800-713-4254.

---

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Beach Fun & Sun: Windstar Cruises Reveals New Caribbean and Central America Cruises

MIAMI, FL, AUGUST 9, 2022 – Windstar Cruises has just the thing to shake off the winter blahs. The small ship cruise line has drawn up a new beach bum’s delight of an itinerary beginning winter of 2023. Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway has seven days on some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean including stops in St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Barts, Anguilla, Jost Van Dyke (overnight), Virgin Gorda, and Tortola. The November 4 sailing only will take place on Windstar’s all-suite Star Pride and the other eight departures are aboard the 342-guest classic sailing yacht Wind Surf.

Both yachts’ Watersports Platforms (which allow guests to jump from the yacht into the sea) will be operational daily on these cruises, except for embarkation/disembarkation days, so the sailings will be very focused on beaches, swimming, watersports, and snorkeling – all the things we want to do in paradise. Current rates are from $2,599 per guest. Beach Fun & Sun can easily be combined with Windstar’s Classic Caribbean for a two-week cruise, as the itineraries alternate and both depart from St. Maarten. Classic Caribbean includes stops in Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, and Nevis, as well as a repeat in St. Barts (and who could complain about that).  

“We created this itinerary specifically for people who like to spend time enjoying some of the best tropical beaches, swimming and watersports activities,” said Windstar Cruises’ President Christopher Prelog. Our small yachts visit scenic Caribbean islands for a peaceful, relaxing vacation away from crowds.”
Also new in the Caribbean: Windstar will be sailing from Miami for the first time in December, 2022. 

The small ship cruise line just relocated its offices to Miami from Seattle, with a grand opening in June, which makes the sailings particularly meaningful to Windstar staff and crew. Jungles & Jewels of the Central American Coast stops in Key West before heading to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, then returning to Miami. The new Central America & the Panama Canal Revealed cruise brings guests from Miami to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

Starting winter 2023, Windstar is introducing a new, seven-day round trip Costa Rica cruise itinerary (from Puerto Caldera) called Naturally Costa Rica, including inaugural calls in San Juan del Sur and Corinto in Nicaragua. Current rates start at $2,699 per guest. The new option easily combines with a Windstar Panama Canal itinerary for a 14-day adventure in the region. 

Other returning Caribbean itineraries include Windward Island Surfs & Sunsets, a seven-day roundtrip San Juan sailing that’s a quick escape up and down the Windward Islands; Windward Ways & Tobago Cays, sailing through the Windward and ABC Islands; Yachtsman’s Caribbean, a classic voyage to the Caribbean’s private yachting scene; and more – full Caribbean listings can be found here: https://www.windstarcruises.com/destinations/caribbean/. 

For more information on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

---

Our review of Silversea Silver Moon