Seattle, January 2, 2014 – Windstar Cruises, a leader in small ship cruising, has been named to Condé Nast Traveler’sannual 2014 Gold List of Top Ocean Cruise Lines. Windstar Cruises ranked #3 with an overall score of 92.0, a notable achievement in a year where the publication noted “when you set sail, smaller is often better. River and small ship cruise lines dominate this year’s list.”
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Gold List identifies the best of the best - the gold standard of hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. Nearly 80,000 of the world’s most discerning travelers (a record-setting number) produced a final selection of the very best places in the world, by participating in the annual Readers’ Choice survey.
“We are honored to be recognized as #3 overall cruise line in the world, in both big and small cruise ship categories, byCondé Nast Traveler readers,” said Hans Birkholz, chief executive officer and president of Windstar Cruises. “We will continue our commitment to providing our guests with the best small ship cruise experience possible through our unique itineraries, personalized service and private yacht style cruising.”
It’s been a banner year for Windstar Cruises, the small ship line doubled its fleet with the expansion of three all suite, power yachts and introduced new global itineraries to places such as Southeast Asia and Arabia. These changes are being recognized among guests and travel industry alike. The line’s new Singapore & the Malay Peninsula voyage was recognized as one of the 10 Best New Cruise Itineraries for 2014 by Fodor’s Travel. Additionally, Windstar was named #2 Small Ship Cruise Line in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards. The line also garnered #1 placement in the Small Ship Cruise Line Service, Itineraries, and Design categories in the same survey.
For more information about Windstar Cruises and to book, contact a travel professional, call Windstar at 800-258-7245 or visit www.WindstarCruises.com.
About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships known for their intimate yacht-style experience and unique voyages to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Its three recently renovated sailing yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Arabia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May of 2014, Windstar will launch the first of three all suite motorized sailing yachts. The power yachts, with a capacity of 212 passengers each, will double the size of Windstar’s fleet, making the company the market leader in small ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers, with a total of 1,230 berths. In 2013, Windstar Cruises was ranked #2 Small Ship Cruise Line in Condé Nast Traveler prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards, and #3 Small Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. For more information including rates and itineraries, contact a travel professional or call Windstar at 800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at WindstarCruises.com orBlog.WindstarCruises.com. Windstar Cruises can also be followed on Windstar’s Facebook and Twitter fan pages.
