by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Thu January 18, 2024
Based on the success of its inaugural winter season in the Mediterranean, Windstar Cruises is expanding its offering in the region.
The 312-guest Star Legend will remain in the Mediterranean next winter, as the small-ship line rolls out new itineraries for 2024/25.
Star Legend was supposed to be visiting ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman this winter during Windstar’s inaugural Middle East season. But, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Windstar’s leaders decided to postpone those voyages, opting instead to send Star Legend to the Mediterranean for an impromptu winter season.
And, so far, passengers have loved those Mediterranean sailings. “Positive feedback” from guests and “an influx of bookings and demand” prompted Windstar to enhance its winter Mediterranean offerings next year, per the cruise line.
“On our inaugural sailing in December, every single travel advisor and guest on board told me ‘this is genius’ as we enjoyed the sunny weather of Europe’s most walkable cities when few cruise lines sail Europe’s oceans,” says Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer. “Our biggest learning from this winter’s season was we were limited by the possibilities and experiences we could offer with just the one itinerary—from Rome to Barcelona and the reverse—and we have responded to that with a variety of new itineraries for our guests to enjoy the Mediterranean’s most storied destinations in the winter.”
Next winter, Windstar will offer five new itineraries in the Mediterranean aboard Star Legend, plus three special holiday and event sailings. Now, guests will be able to book different back-to-back itineraries.
Windstar’s Mediterranean winter itineraries include an 8-day cruise from Rome to Venice, a 7-day journey from Rome to Barcelona, an 8-day sailing from Athens to Rome, a 9-day roundtrip sailing from Barcelona, and an 8-day cruise from Venice to Athens. Depending on which trips they book, guests will be able to visit various ports in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.
Windstar will also offer a Christmas cruise from Rome to Barcelona and a New Year’s cruise roundtrip from Barcelona. Star Legend will also host attendees of the International Luxury Travel Market Cannes travel expo in December.
The status of Windstar’s inaugural Middle East sailings is unclear, though Star Legend is still listed on the cruise line’s website for several Middle East itineraries later this year and early next year.
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