On Tuesday, November 22, Windstar’s 312-passenger megayacht Star Breeze made her first-ever call in Australia in Sydney NSW, where she embarked on a 13-day privately chartered voyage to Melbourne, scheduled to arrive on December 4.
The charter voyage kicks off several weeks of Australia-centric consumer cruises for the U.S.-based small-ship line. It is the first time Windstar has offered extensive itineraries in the region, including first-time call ports in Mooloolaba and Phillip Island. The company will leave Australia on February 7, next year, returning in December 2023.
Windstar President Christopher Prelog said that in addition to expected Australian tourist highlights like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House, Windstar strived "to take its guests down the road less traveled to immerse them in the region’s history, traditional culture, and incredible wine country."
“Windstar goes to rarely visited small ports like Thursday and Middle Percy islands, and offers a series of thoughtfully curated shore excursions ranging from meeting with researchers at the Lizard Island Research Station to sampling Tasmania’s finest produce. We are all about getting our guests away from the crowds, up close with wildlife, and tasting the best flavors of the region.”
The next Australian itinerary of Windstar, Tasman Sea Treasures: New Zealand Fjords & Southern Australia, is scheduled to depart Melbourne on December 4, heading to Auckland New Zealand over 14 days. On December 18, Wildlife & Wines of New Zealand sails from Auckland to Christchurch, followed by the reverse on December 30. Another Tasman Sea Treasures departs on January 10 from Auckland to Melbourne, followed by a Melbourne to Cairns journey on January 25 called Deep Dive Down Under: the Great Barrier Reef & Beyond (including an overnight in Sydney).
On February 4, 2023, Windstar departs from Cairns (Queensland Australia) for Benoa (Bali Indonesia) on Hidden Indonesia & the Great Barrier Reef. There are also options to combine itineraries into longer journeys (dubbed Star Collectors by Windstar).
All voyages take place on Windstar’s renovated Star Breeze yacht. The all-suite vessel was cut in half/lengthened with 50 suites and has 2 new restaurants, a true spa & fitness center, as well as more efficient engines, among other upgrades.