Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts, introduces its new 2013 collection of luxury sailing voyages in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Northern Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Transatlantic Crossings.
Leading Windstar’s new offerings for 2013 are seven entirely new voyages, each designed to provide guests a unique sailing experience in extraordinary destinations. The 2013 schedule is highlighted by two 11-day voyages, Footsteps of Faith, exploring origins of world religions between Athens and Alexandria, and Scandinavian Tapestry, which includes scenic sailing in the Norwegian Fjords and Stockholm Archipelago. New voyages also include intimate explorations through the British Isles, the French coasts, and the Canary Islands.
All New Finishings and Furnishings
Windstar will also unveil the complete renovation of the line’s three sailing yachts – Wind Star and Wind Spirit, each hosting 148 guests, and Wind Surf, welcoming 312 guests. All three yachts will feature completely redesigned staterooms, owner’s suites, corridors, and public spaces for 2013 sailings. The four-masted Wind Star and Wind Spirit will also introduce new design in The Restaurant, Veranda, Lounge, Pool Bar, Library, and WindSpa. Wind Surf, a five-masted sailing yacht, will feature newly designed style in The Restaurant, Degrees, Veranda, Compass Rose, WindSpa, Yacht Club, and Pool Bar. The $18 million renovation will bring a new level of casual elegance to Windstar’s landmark cruise experience, large enough to provide guests with world class service and entertainment, yet small enough to access small coves and hidden harbors larger vessels cannot reach.
2-for-1 Fares, plus Additional 5% Savings
In addition to receiving 2-for-1 savings fares, guests who book by May 31, 2012 will receive an additional 5% savings on back-to-back cruises. Windstar’s Foremast Members receive an additional 5% discount on all itineraries.
Three New Voyages in the Mediterranean
Casablanca & the Canary Islands – From the magic of Morocco to the tropical serenity of the Canary Islands, this voyage is a perfect blend of indulgences. Seven-day sailings from Lisbon, Portugal visit Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco, as well as Lanzarote and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, concluding the voyage in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Wind Surf departs November 16, 2013. Wind Spirit departs November 25, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $1,999 per person.
Provence & Cote d’Azur -The French have a word for this beautiful region – magnifique. Seven-day sailings between Nice and Barcelona include Cannes, France; Sanery Sur Mer, France; an overnight stop in Marseille, France; Sete, France; Port-Vendres, France; Palamos, Spain; and Barcelona, Spain. Wind Star sails Nice to Barcelona on July 13 and Barcelona to Nice on 20, 2013. Wind Spirit sails from Nice to Barcelona on November 10, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $2,199 per person.
Footsteps of Faith – This 11-day voyage through the Holy Land, origin of many of the world’s great faiths, traces the mythologies of ancient Greece and Egypt to the Judeo-Christian traditions of today. Sailing aboard Wind Spirit the journey includes Athens, Greece; Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Antalya, Turkey; Larnaca, Cyprus; Haifa, Israel; Ashdod, Israel (with visit to Jerusalem); and Alexandria, Egypt. Athens to Alexandria departs on October 5, 2015. Alexandria to Athens departs October 16, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $4,599 per person.
Four New Voyages in Northern Europe
Europe’s West Coast Odyssey – The dramatic coastline between Lisbon and Portsmouth challenges the imagination with terraced hillsides, soaring chalk-white cliffs, sweeping white sand beaches, and the tower turrets of Mont St. Michel. Eight-day voyage aboard Wind Surf includes Lexio/Porto, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; A Coruna, Spain; Brest, France; St. Malo, France; and Cherbourg, France. Wind Surf sails from Lisbon on July 3 and from Portsmouth on September 7, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $2,799 per person.
Idyllic British Isles – Explore England’s most charming counties, Devon and Cornwall, and the best of Wales and Ireland in this enchanting 7-day cruise. Wind Surf sailings include Portsmouth, England; Dartmouth, England; Falmouth, England; Scilly Isles, England; Milford Haven/Pembroke, Wales; Waterford/Dunmore East, Ireland; Holyhead, Wales; and Dublin, Ireland. The voyage departs from Portsmouth on July 11 and from Dublin on August 31, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $2,999 per person.
Gaelic Explorers – From the pubs of Dublin to the castles of Edinburgh, this voyage includes hills and highlands, idyllic islands, and lyrical landscapes. Ports of call include Dublin, Ireland; Isle of Man, UK; Portrush, Ireland; Stromness, Scotland; Invergordon, Scotland; Peterhead, Scotland; and Edinburgh, Scotland. Wind Surf sails from Dublin on July 18 and from Edinburgh on August 24, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $2,999 per person.
Scandinavian Tapestry – The eleven-day voyage includes the stunning beauty of Norway’s fjords, as well as sparking Scandinavian capital cities and charming villages in the region’s heartland. Wind Surf’s itinerary includes Edinburgh, Scotland; Kristiansand, Norway, through Norwegian Fjords to Oslo, Norway; Marstrand, Sweden; an overnight stay in Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany; Visby, Sweden; Sandhamn, Sweden; and an additional overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden. Cruises depart from Edinburgh on July 25 and from Stockholm on August 13, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $3,199 per person.
Also new for 2013 are more Transatlantic options. Transatlantic travelers may choose from a variety of sailings for 2013. Wind Surf sails from Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Lisbon, Portugal for a 14-day crossing on March 30, 2013, and for a 14-day sailing from Tenerife to St. Maarten on November 23, 2013. Wind Star also offers two options, sailing eight days from Colon, Panama to Hamilton, Bermuda on March 30, 2013, and from Hamilton, Bermuda, to Lisbon, Portugal, on April 7, 2013. Wind Spirit will sail from Tenerife to Barbados in a 12-day crossing on December 2, 2013. Two-for-one cruise fares starting from $1,299 per person.
Windstar Cruises, 800-258-7245, www.WindstarCruises.com