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ABOARD THE STAR PRIDE — Windstar Cruises plans more elaborate shore excursions, an improved loyalty program and an upgraded lineup of enrichment speakers.
Speaking to a group aboard the annual President’s Cruise in Panama, Windstar president John Delaney also said that Windstar continues to hunt for new additions to its six-ship fleet.
“We truly want to grow this brand,” Delaney said.
With Seatrade, a large annual trade show scheduled in Fort Lauderdale two weeks from now, Delaney said he would be using the forum to meet with several parties about new capacity, “either new or existing.” He indicated that discussions are continuing with Club Med about the acquisition of the 310-passenger Club Med 2, a sister ship to Windstar’s Wind Surf that has long been on the line’s wish list.
“I’d love to have that ship,” Delaney said.
On excursions, Delaney said he is personally leading a team seeking to make them more luxurious. He cited the example of a day’s visit to Sorrento, Italy, that would include a helicopter ride to a private tour of Pompeii, lunch at a seaside Amalfi coast restaurant and an afternoon tour of a lemon grove and limoncello factory.
“We can do it on ships of this size. You can’t do that when you have 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 passengers,” he said.
Newly named vice president of fleet operations Chris Prelog, also on the president’s cruise, said Windstar would seek out small restaurants to bring aboard some of their signature dishes. He said that to ease traffic bottlenecks in the Veranda restaurant at lunch, another dining venue (possibly a food truck concept) may be added to an open space on Deck 8, one deck up from the Veranda.
Delaney said Windstar would like to offer more destination-related enrichment speakers — naturalists, geologists, park rangers, wildlife experts — to help narrate and interpret destinations for guests.
He dangled the possibility of improved benefits for Yacht Club loyalty members — such as free internet, laundry service and a 15% discount on shore excursions — but said Windstar must first clean up its records so that every guest is credited with the proper number of past cruises. He said Windstar would be reaching out to guests to get the proper information it needs.
Sourse: travelweekly.com
