Small ships are in big demand for 2021 & 2022
Seattle, WA, January 4, 2021 – With a brighter travel environment now visible around the corner, Windstar Cruises released its annual wave season offer January 5, 2021 and encourages prospective cruisers to take advantage of the offer now and book early so as not to miss out amid the coming rush of travel planning. The Sail Small, Live Large With Big Perks offer lets travelers choose from a set of complimentary perks plus a reduced deposit of 5%. To incentivize travel advisors, the line is adding in bonus commissions and is extending its groups promotion and Sell 3, Sail Free offer.
Running from January 5 through February 28, 2021, Windstar’s “Pick Your Perk” savings options include:
- Up to $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom or
- One night hotel pre- or post-cruise on Europe voyages or
- Premium beverage package (wine, beer, spirits, soda) or
- Free Wi-Fi
Guests may pick one complimentary perk which vary depending on the length of their cruise and room category. Along with this offer, deposits have been reduced from 15% of cruise fare to 5%. Windstar’s updated Travel Assurance Booking Policy allows cancellation up to 48 hours prior to departure on 2021 cruises.
As part of its wave season offer, travel advisors can pick their own perk on each confirmed booking – a $50 bonus commission payable with regular commission or a $50 gift card payable at final payment. It increases to $100 per booking for new to Windstar guests. An extension of a currently running groups promotion lets advisors earn a Tour Conductor credit at a reduced rate of 1:7 on Star Advantage Group dates, normally 1:9. And the Sell Three, Sail Free promotion gifts a free cruise to advisors when they sell three qualifying voyages in 2021. Qualifying cruises must be booked by February 28, 2021 and the advisor’s free cruise may be any voyage of eight days or fewer and must be taken by March 31, 2022.
“With the vaccines here, we are seeing people planning further ahead,” said Windstar Cruises’ Vice President of Sales, Steve Simao. “Reach out to your clients now to ensure they secure their first choice with us. The wave offer is a tool to help you close the sale and the incentives are a thank you to our valued travel advisor partners. We hope to see you and your clients on our yachts soon.”
Windstar Cruises specializes in small ship cruising to waterways and ports where the mega ships can’t sail. Its three small, all-suite yachts and three sailing ships host between 148 to 342 guests, known for visiting small ports, waterways, canals, and rivers that the “cities at sea” just can’t access. The phones are ringing, and bookings are coming in for 2021 and beyond for one primary reason: small, upscale cruise ships to aspirational, exotic places are very appealing.
These yachts that have fewer people on them than a New York City subway car in rush hour, or less passengers than can fit into a lifeboat on a 200,000-ton cruise ship that holds up to 7,000 people. These are yachts where you can dine outside, rarely tie up to a major cruise port with dozens of other ships and tens of thousands of people on the piers, and where you can quite literally swim, kayak or snorkel off the back of the yachts thanks to a Watersports Platform on the stern. While there are no Broadway shows, rock walls or zero gravity flight simulators, there are nights under the stars with the deck-lights out for star gazing, plenty of quiet space to be at peace with yourself, family or friends and evenings and overnight port calls where it’s likely to be the only ship in port.
“These are cruises to escape the rushing, worried world,” said Windstar President Chris Prelog. “We are expecting a tidal wave of bookings in the months ahead. The Caribbean is easy to access for many and will be very popular, especially aboard the newly transformed Star Breeze. And our most popular destinations that typically sell out are the Greek Isles, Italy, Iceland and Tahiti.
In addition, safety is a top concern of travelers. Windstar announced a new Beyond Ordinary Care program, which is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus backpack sprayers to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yacht. The company hopes this extra effort to provide a healthy environment on board is giving consumers (both avid cruisers and new ones) the confidence to book.
For updated information, reservations, and itineraries, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six boutique all-suite and sailing yachts carrying 148-342 guests. Small ship cruises sail throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada and New England, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Mexico and U.S. Coastal and Australia. Windstar launched the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to transform the three Star Class ships with new suites, restaurants, and a world-class spa and fitness center. The award-winning line is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program. Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, a group of global hospitality and travel companies, one of which traces its history back over a hundred years of operating our country’s iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Death Valley, and many others. Xanterra Travel Collection is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.