SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 2016 – Luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises announces its 2017 Voyage Collection. Known for in-depth cultural exploration, the line’s broad spectrum of worldwide cruise vacations includes two new cruises added to dozens of itineraries visiting more than 150 ports of call — including 13 new ports for 2017 — in 50 countries.
Cruise offerings span the globe from exotic Dreams of Tahiti cruises offered year-round to popular summer sailings in Europe such as Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast and Lands of the Midnight Sun voyages. Two new 2017 itineraries in the Mediterranean feature the picturesque ports of Croatia, and due to popular demand, the award-winning line is deploying a second all-suite yacht to sail Around Iceland next summer.
The luxury cruise operator doubled its fleet in the last two years adding three all-suite yachts to complement three sailing ships, each serving an exclusive 148 to 310 guests in private yacht style. Windstar’s six-yacht fleet indulges guests on appealing itineraries to Tahiti, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic, Trans-Atlantic, as well as Western and Northern Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland.
“Windstar is devoted to offering the best travel destinations and experiences in the world. We promise our guests unparalleled access to amazing places, meaningful cultural experiences with locals, and personalized, world-class service unique to our special brand of yacht travel,” remarked Joe Duckett, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our 2017 Voyage Collection exemplifies this, providing guests with more opportunity than ever to sail into classic harbors and quaint ports off the beaten path, all in private yacht style.”
“We are excited to continue expanding our curated Private Events program in 2017 with over-the-top cultural and culinary events offered complimentary on every cruise. We also have more overnights and late night stays giving guests more time in Bora Bora, Bordeaux, Monte Carlo, Portofino, and St. Petersburg to name a few,” noted Duckett.
Private Yacht-Style Cruising 180 Degrees from Ordinary — Free from the crowds and hassles of larger cruise lines and land journeys, Windstar yachts bring guests closer to the worlds and cultures they want to discover in luxurious comfort. Each itinerary features visits to hidden harbors and little-known ports off the tourist radar. Caribbean cruises such as the Jewels of the Windward Islands, popular with first-time cruisers, take the less-traveled course visiting islands such as Mayreau, a tropical island with pristine beaches and a population of just 300; and picture-perfect Bequia, a yachter’s paradise with natural, protected harbors and clear blue water surrounded by steep, verdant hills.
New 2017 Itineraries & Yacht Voyage Highlights
Quintessential Croatia: A new eight-day sailing aboard the 148-guest sailing ship Wind Star provides four summer departure dates and several new port calls for Windstar, cruising roundtrip from Venice. Guests will see fairy tale castles and enchanting medieval villages in style while sailing on azure waters. The timeless magic of Venice, surreal rainbow colors of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Dubrovnik’s incomparable city walls and Old Town are just a few of the highlights on the new voyage. Visits to the remarkable ports of Opatija, Korcula, and Zadar in Croatia, as well as Piran in Slovenia, make this a stand-out Mediterranean cruise only available by Windstar yacht.
Marvels of the Croatian Coast & Greece: Two new 12-day cruise departures sail on a Venice to Athens adventure aboard Wind Star. The voyage is a tour-de-force of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with access to 11 on a single cruise – a Windstar record. In addition to history and stunning views, like Kotor’s incredible fjord-like bay, the itinerary is a feast for the senses with Italian pasta, Croatian seafood, and mezze delights from Greece.
New Panama Canal Private Event & Costa Rica Maiden Port: Windstar staff make it their job to create magical moments, always striving to achieve the perfect guest experience, unique and engaging. New for the 2016-17 winter-spring season, daylight transits of the Panama Canal allow guests to learn about the inner-workings of this modern engineering marvel. In addition, each sailing will celebrate the historic continental divide with a Captain’s Toast, live narration by a Naturalist, and local music and cuisine — all part of Windstar’s newest complimentary Private Event. Two eight-day Costa Rica and Panama Canal cruises aboard all-suite Star Pride and Star Breeze span the 2016-17 New Year’s holiday and feature an unusual call to Bahia Herradura, known as the fishing capital of Costa Rica, close to famous surf mecca Jaco Beach.
Two All-Suite Yachts Sail Around Iceland: A guest favorite and popular new addition in 2016, the 2017 Around Iceland sailings are offered on the luxe, all-suite Star Legend and Star Pride, allowing guests more date options when choosing their “private yacht.” The cruises sail roundtrip from Reykjavik on seven-day cruises while vacationers enjoy scenic cruising of remote fjords, raging waterfalls, and visits to small fishing villages as they circumnavigate this country.
New Scotland Departure: Also in Northern Europe, the Lands of the Midnight Sun sailings in 2017 will offer a new homeport departure from Edinburgh sailing to Reykjavik (and reverse) on two separate dates, in addition to a set of Dublin to Reykjavik (and reverse) options.
Enhancements to Year-Round Tahiti Cruises: Vacationers planning an island paradise getaway will delight with more date choices in the South Pacific for Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands sailings aboard the 148-guest sleek sailing yacht Wind Spirit. Starting in June 2017, the ship will switch to Thursday departure dates for year-round Dreams of Tahiti cruises. New Thursday departures will allow more flight options for departure and arrival for those planning tropical honeymoons and beach-oriented vacations.
To order the 2017 Voyage Collection Atlas and for additional information contact a travel professional. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.
