Windstar Cruises announced today that it plans to relocate its office from Seattle, Washington, to Miami, Florida, in June 2022. The cruise line has informed customers and travel agents that it was delaying the restart of its operations from May to June 2021.
“Although we have all adapted to working remotely with great success, we have been working on a plan for a new office location,” said Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. The Miami office will primarily house cruise operations functions and some direct operations support teams. Prelog states that, as the center of the cruise industry in the United States, a Miami office will be beneficial for building industry relationships and will allow operations employees in Miami to be closer to the line’s ships and crew as they pass through Florida, shortening flight times to ships in Europe and the Caribbean.
Windstar also announced that, after carefully evaluating multiple factors, it is canceling its May sailings and will resume operations in June 2021. The line will resume cruise operations in a phased manner, with initial cruises featuring reduced passenger capacity, some modified itineraries, and enhanced health and safety protocols.
New schedule for the resumption of operations:
Wind Spirit – June 10, 2021 – Tahiti
; Star Breeze – June 19, 2021 – Caribbean;
Wind Star – June 19, 2021 – Mediterranean;
Wind Surf – June 29, 2021 – Mediterranean;
Star Legend – July 4, 2021 – Mediterranean;
Star Pride – July 14, 2021 – Northern Europe/Iceland
Regarding bookings, Windstar Cruises has announced it will extend its early booking offer until March 31, 2021. The “Sail Small, Live Large with Big Perks” offer allows travelers to choose from a range of free perks and a reduced deposit of 5%. Until March 31, 2021, the “Choose Your Perk” savings options include:
- Onboard credit for cabin or
- One night in a hotel before or after the cruise on trips to Europe or
- Premium beverage package (wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks) or
- Free Wi-Fi
Guests can choose one complimentary perk that varies depending on the length of their cruise and stateroom category. Along with this offer, deposits have been reduced from 15% of the cruise fare to 5%. Windstar Travel Assurance's updated booking policy allows cancellations up to 48 hours before departure on 2021 cruises.
