Windstar Cruises has announced two new appointments to its leadership team today. Betsy O’Rourke joins Windstar’s team full time as its new Chief Commercial Officer and Dianna Rom is promoted to vice president of sales.   O’Rourke has been the Chief Commercial Officer for Xanterra Travel Collection, Windstar’s parent company, for 10 years and picked up oversight of the commercial functions of Windstar in 2020. O’Rourke’s move from Xanterra to Windstar puts her focus 100% on Windstar and growing the brand in the marketplace. The small ship line’s marketing, sales and reservations teams report into O’Rourke who is responsible for the line’s overall marketing strategy.   Before Xanterra, O’Rourke was senior vice president of marketing at Royal Caribbean International. During her career she’s also led marketing teams at Wyndham Worldwide and the Travel Industry Association.   “We couldn’t be happier to have Betsy fully focused on Windstar moving forward,” said Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. “She stepped up and ushered us through the challenges presented by the pandemic and her expertise has us poised for success in the luxury cruise market.”   Dianna Rom’s promotion to vice president of sales comes shortly after her promotion to Windstar’s senior director of sales. In her new position, Rom oversees the domestic and international sales team for the Windstar brand and is responsible for developing sales strategies and sales goals for the cruise line. All sales roles including groups and charters report into Rom.   Rom has been with Windstar for seven years in various sales roles. Prior to joining Windstar, Rom was the regional director of sales and marketing for Ohio State Park Lodges, formerly part of the Xanterra Travel Collection (Windstar’s parent company), where she led the sales and marketing team for eight hotels.   “Dianna’s sales acumen and knowledge of the travel and cruise landscape is so helpful to all of us at Windstar,” said Prelog. “She’s approachable and friendly. She has great relationships within the industry, and she’s an incredible asset for us as we work together to strengthen the brand and reach new to Windstar cruisers.”   O’Rourke will work remotely from Denver, CO and Rom works remotely in Ohio.   A headshot of Betsy O’Rourke is available here. A headshot of Dianna Rom is available here.   For further information and reservations call 0808 178 2233 or visit www.windstarcruises.com

Windstar Cruises is the newest member line at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Windstar Cruises president Christopher Prelog said the line is excited to be joining the cruise association and getting more involved with the industry in the region. Prelog said the timing to join FCCA coincided with the recent relocation of the cruise line’s headquarters from Seattle to Miami. “We really want to be an active participant in the area we sail a and just have a great partnership with the islands, with the destinations and the local people,” Prelog said. Windstar Cruises, which specializes in small-ship sailing, accommodating between 148 and 342 guests. FCCA encouraged Prelog to meet with the association’s cruise partners at the upcoming 28th annual conference, set for October 11 to 14 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Windstar Cruises will no longer require a pre-cruise Covid-19 test for guests The changes go into effect for cruises departing from September 6, 2022. Tests are still required if mandated by countries where calls are made during scheduled itineraries. Currently Canada, Greece, Australia and New Zealand still require Covid-19 pre-testing prior to boarding any ship in their territorial waters. As part of its health and safety program, Windstar will still require all guests to be fully vaccinated. "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.

  Your client will voyage to the great cities of Europe and take home the moments and experiences of a lifetime. On Windstar’s private yacht style cruises, there is a bucket list of must-sees and must-dos, adding in extraordinary places and hidden gems only locals know about.  

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  Windstar’s two classes of small ships — our iconic tall-masted sailing yachts and sleek all-suite Star Plus yachts — traverse Europe’s coastal cities, slipping into exquisite ports where only small ships can go. Our carefully designed itineraries deliver your clients to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, allowing them to sample rare regional specialties.  

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises unveiled its revamped all-suite Star Plus Class Star Pride yacht. The ship sailed from Athens on a sold-out, eight-day voyage to Barcelona, calling at Gythion, Corfu, Argostoli, Messina (Taormina), Trapani, and Cagliari. Star Pride is the third and final of Windstar’s Star Plus Class yachts to emerge from Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard following a lengthening and transformation project. Now, all six of the line’s all-suite and sailing yachts are back in service. The line’s three all-suite Star Plus Class yachts (Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride) underwent major transformations, with an investment of more than $250 million. Star Breeze was the first to launch in June 2021, with Star Legend following in September 2021, both with new suites and expanded outdoor and indoor public spaces. All three yachts increased in maximum capacity from 212 guests to 312 guests. “To have completed this project during a global pandemic is nothing short of amazing,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “We’re grateful to our ownership and to our partners for sticking with it, and to our customers for their excitement and support of these new products.” The three all-suite yachts, together with Windstar’s three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue visiting special small ports and waterways around the world.

 

The third, and final, Star Plus Class yacht is now transformed and sailing again  

  U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises announces the debut of its all-suite Star Plus Class Star Pride yacht today, sailing from Athens on a sold-out, eight-day voyage to Barcelona, stopping at ports including Gythion, Corfu, Argostoli, Messina (Taormina), Trapani, and Cagliari. Star Pride is the third and final of Windstar’s Star Plus Class yachts to emerge from Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard following a complex lengthening and transformation project.   Now, all six of the line’s all-suite and sailing yachts are back in the water cruising while requiring vaccines of all passengers and crew amongst a host of health and safety precautions including testing and high-tech air filtration.   The line’s three all-suite Star Plus Class yachts (Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride) underwent major transformations, with an investment of more than $250 million. Star Breeze was the first to launch in June of 2021, with Star Legend as the second in September of 2021, showcasing new suites and expanded outdoor and indoor public spaces. The yachts are also more environmentally friendly with new efficient engines, generators, and advanced wastewater treatment systems.   All three yachts increased in maximum capacity from 212 guests to 312 and provide more of what Windstar’s customers want, like additional dining experiences (one is an outdoor barbecue concept with grilling guru Steven Raichlen and the other a Spanish small plates restaurant from Anthony Sasso, one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide), a true spa and fitness center, an elegant infinity pool, and more outdoor deck areas.   “To have completed this project amidst a global pandemic is nothing short of amazing,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “We’re grateful to our ownership and to our partners for sticking with it, and to our customers for their excitement and support of these new products. We are seeing our highest guest satisfaction surveys on the new Star Class yachts, with the highest Net Promoter Scores in our brand’s history. Our guests and travel advisors really love the product we created on Star Class.”   The three all-suite yachts, together with Windstar’s three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue to visit the special small ports and waterways of the world.

 

Small ship line cites uncertainty over ports reopening in the region

  Small-ship cruise line, Windstar Cruises, has cancelled its scheduled cruises in Asia for autumn 2022, citing the continued uncertainty regarding ports reopening in the region. Seven scheduled itineraries on the all-suite Star Breeze will be affected, including two Grand Japan sailings, a crossing of the Pacific from Alaska to Japan, Island Hopping through Japan, Windstar Crew Hometowns: Edge of the Outback, Philippines and Indonesia, the Great Barrier Reef and Hidden Indonesia.   In late August,  the Star Breeze itinerary will be extended with the Alaska season "Alaskan Splendors", followed by West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza down the US coast, a trans-ocean voyage from San Diego to Tahiti, and 5 sailings in French Polynesia.   Windstar will celebrate its 35^th anniversary of operating cruises in Tahiti in October 2022. It is one of the first lines to offer overnight cruises in the region. All sailings aboard Star Breeze and Wind Spirit will join in the celebration with unique events.   Star Breeze departs on 11^th November for a trans-ocean journey to Sydney, arriving on 22^nd November for a scheduled charter cruise. The shift will make the 4^th December Tasman Sea Treasures: New Zealand Fjords & South Australia Windstar’s first commercial cruise offered in the region. 2022 marks Windstar’s first time offering comprehensive itineraries to New Zealand and Australia, visiting small, rarely visited ports of call such as Middle Percy Island.   “As Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and South Korea are all currently still closed to cruising, Windstar joins several other cruise lines in making this decision to cancel cruises in Asia for the autumn,” says Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. “We hope our guests rebook on these same fantastic itineraries for next year.”

Small-ship cruise line, Windstar Cruises, has appointed  The Cruise Line as its new general sales agent for the UK. The team at The Cruise Line will support Windstar Cruises’ dedicated business development manager, Megan Saunders with a targeted sales and marketing campaign. This is aimed at driving revenue and market share. Effective immediately, The Cruise Line are available to take new Windstar bookings and help with queries. Anna Perrott, Windstar Cruises’ business development manager for UK & Ireland, added: “We have enjoyed a successful relationship with The Cruise Line for many years and I’m confident they can help us with our expansion plans within the UK.” Windstar has four ships based in Europe this year.

 

Original artwork created to adorn three Star Plus Class yachts and a new office in Miami

  Windstar Cruises has partnered with Fountainhead Arts to paint murals on each of the three Star Plus Class yachts and in its new Miami office.   Fountainhead will select local artists to board the ships and paint murals over the course of the next 15 months. These murals will adorn the large top deck wall aft of the Star Grill.   The arts organization was founded in 2008 by Kathryn and Dan Mikesell, collectors and passionate art appreciators who believe in connecting people intimately with artists to impact how we move through the world. Their goal is to empower artists by making connections that lead to growth in their careers.   "These murals, all painted by local artists, will enliven the top decks of our Star Plus Class yachts and be a great conversation piece for our guests. However, this project is also about connecting to the Miami arts community in Windstar’s new corporate home... The entire team is excited to meet the artists in Fountainhead’s artistic ecosystem and see the original artwork come to life on board and in our office,” says Christopher Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises.   Guests can observe the artists while they are aboard the ships installing the murals and attend a “reveal” event. Artists will host a table for dinner with guests selected by Windstar after the event and will also conduct two evening seminars explaining the conception, meaning and installation process. One for guests and one for crew.   “In our 13-year history, Fountainhead has become a pioneering force in the arts and culture landscape, developing innovative artist and community engagement programmes and cultivating key relationships with leading art institutions in South Florida and beyond... We’re thrilled to bring that relationship to sea by partnering with Windstar – and further connect them to their new home in the Miami community via the arts,” says Mikesell.   Murals will be replaced once on each yachts in 2024, 2025 and 2026 as part of the agreement.

Windstar Cruises will host a mega-fam for at least 25 UK agents onboard Star Pride from 9 to 17 June 2022. The fam trip is one of the largest that Windstar has held for the UK trade. It will be hosted by Megan Saunders, Windstar Cruises’ acting business development manager for UK and Ireland. Agents can choose to do the entire eight-night sailing from Athens to Barcelona or select a three- or five-night option. While most of the places will be invitation only, Windstar Cruises is giving agents the chance to win places on the Fam. Agents who complete the Windstar Cruises’ training on OTT in March or April will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two cabins. Agents making any Windstar Cruises’ booking between 1 and 30 April will be entered into a prize. Agents can also email [email protected] to register their interest.

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Windstar Cruises will leave its Seattle base and move to Miami next year. The lease on its Seattle downtown headquarters is due to expire then. According to CEO ChristopherPrelog, it makes sense to be in the 'center of the cruise industry' in South Florida.   Read full story