Last updated: 8:10 PM ET, Tue October 24, 2023
WHY IT RATES: After shifting its Middle East sailings, travelers can take advantage of fewer crowds, cooler weather and better access to museums, cultural events and restaurants in Europe. —Janeen Christoff, Travel Pulse Managing Editor
Windstar Cruises has announced its new winter and holiday sailing itineraries from December 2023 to April 2024, offering travelers the opportunity to discover iconic ports like Barcelona, Nice, Florence/Livorno, Marseille, and Rome in an entirely different light aboard the award-winning all-suite, 312-guest, Star Legend.
"The ship was originally scheduled to sail in the Middle East. We’ve postponed our launch in that region to begin in November 2024,” said Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. "With a ship in the Mediterranean, we saw an opportunity to offer guests a legendary winter season in Europe. Our small ships and intimate atmosphere provide a truly unique way to explore Europe's winter wonderlands while enjoying the magic of the season and the comforts and casual luxury that Windstar is known for."
While the allure of summer in the Mediterranean is undeniable, the quieter, more intimate charm of the winter months offers an exclusive perspective on these timeless destinations. These seven-night itineraries have been carefully designed for guests to take advantage of fewer crowds and easier access to museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, as well as local cuisine and genuine engagement with locals. The itineraries offer guests a blend of cultural exploration and festive celebrations that can only be enjoyed during the winter season through Spring.
New weeklong cruises in the Mediterranean will be offered from December 2023 through April 2024. Sixteen cruises sail between Rome and Barcelona (or reverse) visiting Florence & Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Marseille, France with overnights in the iconic cities of Rome, Barcelona and Monte Carlo. The last of the new Mediterranean series is an eight-night cruise from Rome to Athens visiting the Amalfi Coast and Greece. A Christmas holiday sailing can be booked as a 8- or 9-day cruise, the latter including New Year’s Eve.
Travelers can participate in some of Europe’s most magical winter experiences including holiday markets and ice skating in Nice, France; Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Trevi Fountain excursions in Rome during the holidays; and Florence’s spectacular Light Festival, among many other once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Guests will also have several extraordinary holiday opportunities including the option to celebrate Christmas eve and day in Rome; ring in the New Year in Barcelona; spend Valentine’s Day in Nice; or enjoy Carnevale celebrations in both Spain and Italy at the end of February.
The schedule change has presented Windstar with the opportunity to position its all-suite Star Legend in Cannes in early December to coincide with the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) conference. Windstar executives including Prelog, Vice President of Sales Dianna Rom, and Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava will be on hand to showcase to those in attendance the ship’s renovation completed as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative and with an opportunity to sail on a two -night cruise to Rome after the event. For travel partners and media interested in touring or sailing, please contact [email protected].
Windstar Cruises’ new winter sailings will be ready for purchase on November 6, 2023.
SOURCE: Windstar Cruises press release.
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