The ultra-premium travel brand Windstar Cruises announced it planned to relocate its office from Seattle WA to Miami FL in June 2022. The small ship cruise line alerted customers and travel agencies on February 24 that it was pushing back the restart of passenger shipping operations from May to June 2021.
The company's Miami office is to accommodate mostly cruise operation functions as well as some direct supporting teams to operations. Functions like marketing, accounting, revenue, and IT will have the chance to move to parent company Xanterra’s Denver office. Windstar is owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, a Denver-based group of global hospitality and travel companies, based in Denver. Windstar Cruises plans to open the new Miami office and transition shared & support services to Denver in June 2022.
On Wednesday, February 24, the company announced that after assessing multiple factors it was canceling May 2021 sailings and would restart operations in June. The decision was made after reviewing information on COVID transmission rates, government regulations, and travel restrictions. Windstar will restart operations in a phased manner with initial sailings at a reduced passenger occupancy, modified itineraries, enhanced health and safety protocols.
The timeline for resumption of operations includes:
- (June 10, 2021) Wind Spirit - Tahiti
- (June 19, 2021) Star Breeze - Caribbean
- (June 19, 2021) Wind Star - Mediterranean
- (June 29, 2021) Wind Surf - Mediterranean
- (July 4, 2021) Star Legend - Mediterranean
- (July 14, 2021) Star Pride - Northern Europe/Iceland
Windstar Cruises also announced it is extending the wave season (promotion offers) through March 31. Originally scheduled to run between January 5-February 28, 2021, the offer encourages cruisers to book early so as not to miss out amid the rush of planning. The Sail Small, Live Large with Big Perks offer lets guests choose from a set of complimentary perks along with a reduced deposit of 5%.
Now extended through March 31, “Pick Your Perk” savings options include up to US$1000 OBC (onboard credit) per stateroom or 1-night hotel pre-/post-cruise on voyages in Europe, or premium beverage package (beer, spirits, wine, soda) or free Wi-Fi.
Passengers may pick one complimentary perk which varies depending on the length of the cruise and room category. Deposits have been reduced from 15% of the fare to 5%. The line’s updated Travel Assurance Booking Policy allows cancellation up to 48 hours before departure on 2021 cruises.