Windstar Cruises Announces 2006 Deployment

Windstar's fleet of three motor sailing yachts give cruise passengers opportunities for longer voyages in 2006 plus new itineraries featuring intriguing destinations around the world: Mediterranean, Greek Islands, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Transatlantic.

All three ships - the 308-guest Wind Surf and 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit - will sail a total of 40 voyages in the Mediterranean in 2006. In addition, more departure dates and itineraries will be offered in the Caribbean during the winter and spring of 2006. The Wind Star will also transit the Panama Canal on two, 14-day voyages.

Windstar Cruises Announces 2006 Deployment: From Costa Rica To The Caribbean, Europe To The Panama Canal, Motor Sailing Yachts Offer Array Of Itineraries In '06

147 sailings offered throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas for a small-ship cruising experience '180° from Ordinary'

Windstar's fleet of three motor sailing yachts set sail in 2006, with opportunities for longer voyages plus new itineraries featuring intriguing destinations around the world: Mediterranean, Greek Islands, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal and transatlantic.

All three ships - the 308-guest Wind Surf and 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit - will sail a total of 40 voyages in the Mediterranean in 2006. Homeports include Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Monte Carlo, Málaga, Marseille, Nice and Venice. The Wind Surf will sail the Western Mediterranean from April through November including a 14-day Nice-to-Nice itinerary to coincide with the Grand Prix race in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Wind Star and Wind Spirit will each sail three seven-day cruises beginning late April and then again in late October.

The Wind Star will also operate a series of eight cruises between Athens and Venice in July and August. Ports of call on the Athens to Venice itinerary include Monemvasia, Katakolon, and Corfu, Greece and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The Venice to Athens itinerary visits Rimini, Italy; Hvar and Dubrovnik, Croatia and Cephalonia and Kythira, Greece.

Windstar's Greek Islands cruises have proven extremely popular, so the company is increasing its number of sailings in 2006 from 27 to 38. The Wind Star and Wind Spirit will both sail the popular Athens to Istanbul itinerary, visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum and Kusadasi. New for 2006, the Wind Spirit will sail five Greek Islands cruises on a new itinerary between Istanbul and Athens that includes visits to Canakkale and Izmir Turkey; Patmos, Agios, Kos and Naxos, Greece; and Nikolaos, Crete.

In most destinations, a mixture of non-repeating, seven-day itineraries has been designed for all three ships to allow Windstar guests opportunities to create longer, 14-day voyages with no repeating ports of call. "Our alumni have asked us for longer cruises and we've delivered," says Jim McHugh, vice president of marketing and sales for Windstar Cruises. "By creating a selection of non-repetitive, back-to-back cruises in the Mediterranean, Greek Islands and the Caribbean, our guests now have ample opportunities to create longer vacation options on Windstar."

The company has also adjusted its itineraries to allow for later departures and more overnights in ports, so guests can enjoy more time for shopping, shore excursions and nightlife in favorites such as Monte Carlo, Monaco; Ibiza, Spain; Santorini, Greece; Sorrento, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Bridgetown, Barbados.

More departure dates and itineraries will be offered in the Caribbean in winter and spring 2006. The Wind Surf will embark on 17 seven-day cruises roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados visiting ports not on the traditional cruise ship path. The northbound cruise calls at Nevis, French Antilles, St. Barts, Guadaloupe, Iles des Saintes and Pigeon Island. The southbound visits Tobago; Grenada; Bequia; Roseau and Cabrits, Dominica and the Grenadines. The Wind Spirit will sail 18 seven-day cruises roundtrip from St. Thomas calling at St. Martin, St. Barts, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke, with overnights at St. John and Virgin Gorda.

The Wind Star will sail 12 seven-night cruises in Costa Rica roundtrip from Puerto Caldera between January and March returning again in December. Ports of call include San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahía Paraíso, Curu and Tortuga Island. To fully appreciate the exotic nuances of Costa Rica, Windstar has crafted a collection of custom-designed tours showcasing the very best of nature at play. With excursions ranging from easy, informative walks to downright adventurous explorations, guests will witness the true beauty of Costa Rica such as swinging tree to tree in a custom-fitted harness on a jungle canopy tour or hiking Manuel Antonio National Park as a naturalist guide points out the unique flora and fauna.

Two 14-day voyages aboard the Wind Star will take guests through the famous Panama Canal. In April, the ship will sail from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica to Bridgetown, Barbados with calls in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Netherland Antilles, Curacao, Venezuela, Grenada and the Grenadines. In November, the ship will sail from Bridgetown to Puerto Caldera with calls in Bequia, Tobago, Venzuela, Netherland Antilles and San Blas Islands.

In April 2006, the Wind Star and Wind Surf will make a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Barbados to Lisbon. The Wind Spirit will sail a 14-day voyage from St. Thomas to Lisbon. In November 2006, the Wind Star will return to Barbados from Lisbon on a 14-day voyage. The Wind Spirit will sail a 14-day voyage from Lisbon to St. Thomas, and the Wind Surf will sail a 13-day voyage from Lisbon to Barbados.

Cruise rates and itineraries vary by destination, ship, and season. In 2006, a collection of 20 voyages have been designated "Foremast Sailings" for alumni. On these sailings, alumni guests will receive 50% or more off the brochure tariff as well as special amenities.

About Windstar Cruises
Seattle-based Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 308 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at more than 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.

Windstar offers optional trip cancellation protection that provides cash back when you cancel for any reason prior to 24-hours before departure. For more information including brochures, rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.

Press Release Source: Windstar Cruises
Dateline: March 2005