“We have a tremendous brand,” says John Delaney, president of Windstar Cruises. “We have the three iconic Wind ships, which are absolute favorites of so many people, and then we have the three small [Star] ships, which are beautiful 212-passenger, all-suite vessels. Windstar [is in a place] where we can own the sweet spot of small ship cruising with the six ships we have and with a new global deployment.”
Darci Upham, CruiseOne franchise owner and vacation specialist, adds that, “Windstar is almost like two cruise lines in one—offering classic sailing vessels and all-suite power yachts, so clients can choose which style best fits them.”
She points out that, “Windstar gives us a product to offer clients who want the convenience of a cruise, but they don’t want to dress formally, they don’t want to be on a ship with thousands of people, and they’re not interested in the ports that the mega-ships visit. They want a more intimate environment with exquisite dining; they want to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations; and they want to stay longer in port.”
Travel agents are critically important [for Windstar]. You have to have travel agents who understand the brand and can put the right people on the right ship. When you have an average transaction that’s close to $8,000, that’s a complicated sell, and travel agents need to be able to match product with consumer.
– John Delaney, President, Windstar Cruises
In fact, says Delaney, Windstar Cruises caters exactly to those clients Upham points to, adding that “they love the social ambiance of a small ship. Our guests are very affluent, but they don’t show it off. We don’t have formal nights; they are on vacation, so they want to be more casual.”
To cater to this worldly clientele, which, Delaney is quick to point out, includes “folks who are in their late-30s all the way to retirees,” one of the main pillars Delaney is focusing on—he was appointed president of Windstar Cruises in mid-2016—is creating what he calls “destination authenticity.
“When you have only 200 passengers, for example, on a ship, you can design your itineraries, your days in port, your tours, your excursions, in a very different and personalized way. I really want to get to the real cultural jewels in cities, be able to
offer private access.”
The Culinary Scene
Delaney is also very interested in making sure that Windstar offers some of the best cuisine at sea. “The food is absolutely amazing,” says Delaney. And Upham adds that her clients “love the exceptional food and service.”
Windstar is a perfect fit for some of my clients who
would not choose a traditional cruise vacation.– Darci Upham, CruiseOne Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist
Adding to its culinary prowess, earlier this year the cruise line announced that it was named the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF). What that means is that cruise guests will receive exclusive access to JBF-endorsed cuisine, recipes and culinary demonstrations on every sailing, and they’ll have the option of sailing on an epicurean adventure to France, Spain and Portugal with James Beard award-winning chef and cookbook author Hugh Acheson. There’s also the JBF Culinary Cruise Collection, a series of cruises throughout the year that feature James Beard award winners and nominees.
What’s New
Windstar Cruises, which recently debuted 12 new itineraries through East and Southeast Asia, as well as Arabia for its winter/spring 2017-2018 season, sailing to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo, as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Borneo and the Philippines, is set to return to Alaska and British Columbia in summer 2018. It will offer 11-day voyages sailing through such stunning landscapes such as the Misty Fjords National Monument and Kenai Fjords National Park, as well as the Tracy Arm Fjord.
Also for 2018 is a host of new European cruises, including a 15-day Norway North Cape cruise—a first for Windstar. It includes two fjord experiences (Geiranger and Flam), and visits to Lofoten Islands, Trollfjord, and the North Cape (the northernmost point in Europe). There’s also a 7-day North Atlantic Islands cruise sailing from Edinburgh that’s ideal for active guests who like hiking and birdwatching. It visits some of the most remote islands in Europe, including Orkney, Shetland, and Faroe. And there are two new Italian Islands and Riviera cruises (seven or 10 days) that visit Sicily, Sardinia, the Amalfi Coast, and the Italian Riviera.
And from Manhattan, the cruise line will be sailing on its first-ever itineraries in New England and Canada beginning summer/fall 2018. Windstar’s Star Pride will embark on four sailings (with five sail dates) that span nine to 16 days.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Windstar Cruises
Tel: (888) 614-7016
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website: WindstarCruises.com
