Seattle, WA, — “If you wait until retirement to go see the Parthenon, you might not make it up the steps.” Wise words from an anonymous traveler. Windstar Cruises – with small ships visiting 170 ports from Asia to Alaska, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Europe – is applauding a growing trend among its guests: celebrating milestone moments as they define them. We’re talking taking that cruise to Alaska because you crave one more child-free adventure with your friends before baby is born, or you just got divorced and want to enjoy your new happiness with those BFFs who truly support you. People are living more and more in the moment with their friends and family, celebrating these decisions and markers that go far beyond the typical and expected times to commemorate life milestones.
“We have been seeing this trend and decided to do something to support it,” said Steven Kona Simao, vice president of sales for Windstar. “Why just have corporate incentives for groups? Why not let people define their own friends and family group and reward it?”
So they did. So many people are traveling in groups that Windstar, on select dates, will give a free cruise to the eighth cruiser for every seven people booked.
“That’s a major value,” said Simao. “Some people keep the free cruise for themselves, while others divvy up the savings with the rest of the group.”
On higher-demand cruises, it’s one free cruise for every nine people that are booked.
In addition, groups also get a discount off of standard guest fares, as well as a $100 per person shipboard credit to use on things like massages, shore excursions, or a bottle of bubbly.
However guests choose to celebrate or share the savings, Windstar is also able to help elevate the festivities with a variety of intimate celebration options on board their vessels, which carry no more than 310 guests on itineraries around the globe. From vow renewals performed by the captain with a personalized cake baked by the culinary crew (gluten-free if need be), to private cocktail parties in one of the larger public spaces on board or a guest suite, there are plenty of ways to make moments special together. Windstar may also arrange for memorable shore excursions and other activities exclusively for the group. And of course, there’s also the option of gathering a group to join one of Windstar’s incredible themed cruises, or a delicious foodie-focused sailing on Windstar’s James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise Collection.
This is the beauty of small ship cruising with Windstar: flexibility and completely tailor-made revelries, no matter what milestone you’re celebrating or just because.
For additional information on private yacht-style cruising and organizing a group with Windstar, contact your travel agent or Windstar Cruises at 877-958-7718, or visit www.windstarcruises.com.
