Windstar's New Ionian Sea Cruises

Windstar Cruises has introduced two new nine-night luxury holidays for Autumn 2011, The Hidden Treasures of the Ionian Sea, featuring sailings between Athens and Malta. The packages, which must be booked before May 15, include a seven-night cruise, complimentary hotel accommodation for two nights in Athens at a Windstar designated hotel, one complimentary transfer and an invitation to Windstar’s Yacht Club Party.

Hidden Treasures of the Ionian Sea voyages highlight the rich history and culture of enchanting destinations, UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient Greek civilisations, charming coastal villages and breathtaking islands.

The 7-night sailing on the beautiful Wind Star departs October 15 and visits Gozo; Gythion; Cephalonia; Butrint National Park in Saranda, Albania; and Siracusa. Prices start from £2,440 per person, including seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals and entertainment and port taxes as well as two nights’ complimentary hotel accommodation and transfer plus the invitation to the Yacht Club Party.

Another 7-night Malta-to-Athens voyage on Wind Star departs October 22 and visits Siracusa; Butrint National Park in Saranda; Cephalonia; Gozo; and Gythion. Prices are again from £2,440 per person. This offer expires on May 15 and is not combinable with any other offers.

For more info, visit http://www.windstarcruises.co.uk/ or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

More Degrees from Windstar

WINDSTAR CRUISES INTRODUCES THE NEXT PHASE OF ITS DEGREES OF DIFFERENCE INITIATIVE
** Adding Amenities and Enhancements to Fleet **

Windstar Cruises, has announced to the UK marketplace the latest phase of its ‘Degrees of Difference’ initiative, featuring added amenities and enhancements to its ships, which will be implemented in stages, looking to completion in Summer 2010.

“The next phase of the ‘Degrees of Difference’ initiative will take the ship to a new degree of excellence,” said Diane Moore, president of Windstar Cruises. “Our guests enjoy fine dining, luxurious accommodations, outstanding service, dream destinations and the feeling that they are sailing on their own private yacht. We have both listened to our guests’ wishes and anticipated their discerning needs. With these latest initiatives, we look forward to delivering an experience that continues to raise the bar.”

These new initiatives to be implemented include:

Fine Dining
The Restaurant menus on all three ships will be reinvigorated with innovative new dishes from land and sea, bringing the flavours of the world to guest plates. This unique culinary dining experience will reflect flavours of the destinations that the Windstar fleet visits.

Wind Surf’s alternative restaurant ‘Degrees’ will feature a new rotating menu reflecting the fresh and seasonal preparations of Mediterranean cooking. Other dining enhancements include the addition of a spa dining menu and redesigned menu holders with sleek and elegant lines.

Fine Wines
Wind Surf’s Yacht Club will be transformed into a contemporary wine bar, featuring a selection of luscious California, Washington, Oregon, New Zealand and Australian wines by the glass. On each ship, during each sailing, guests will be able to indulge in special wine tastings featuring crystal stemware by Riedel and led by a sommelier.

Spa Suite Accommodations
For those looking for a retreat for the mind, body and soul, Windstar will introduce relaxing spa suites on Wind Surf. Spa suites will feature special bedding and linens, spa amenities, and credits for certified organic spa services and fitness classes in WindSpa provided by The OnboardSpa Company’s O SPA London.

Relaxation and Fitness Enhancements
All guests will be able to enjoy new rejuvenating poolside spa treatments that will take pampering to a whole new level. From December Spa reservations will be bookable in advance online at www.windstarcruises.com.

Wind Surf’s Fitness Centre and Wind Star and Wind Spirit’s Gyms will receive new state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

Inspired Activities
Water sports enthusiasts appreciate the up-close and personal views of the world’s most dramatic coastlines with Windstar’s complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, ski-tubing and kayaking from the ship’s aft Marina Deck. Windstar will also be investing in new watersports equipment on all three ships.

The ships’ library DVD collection of feature films has been expanded along with travel, adventure and discovery favorites for guests to use in their staterooms.

This year Windstar’s Signature Collection Host Series returned by popular demand, allowing guests the opportunity to travel with luminaries in the world of food, wine, photography, art and sports. Windstar will continue to offer the programme in 2010 and beyond and will also add enrichment and port lectures on sailings.

Personalized Shore Excursions
Earlier this year, Windstar launched its exclusive Concierge Collection of Shore Excursions, designed to appeal to guests who were looking for extraordinary experiences in Europe and celebrating these destinations in a special way—limited to small groups of 6 to 25 guests. Expanding on this concept and offering personalized service, Windstar will arrange private shore excursions and customized pre- and post-cruise packages for guests. Windstar will also add personal iPod Discovery Walks in Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Monaco, Portugal and Spain where guests enjoy a guided tour of the destination on an iPod.

Windstar operates a three-ship fleet of deluxe motor-sail yachts combining the magic of sailing under sail with quiet, state of the art engines. The intimate size of the ships, carrying just 148 – 312 passengers, exudes a private yacht-like atmosphere, with no fixed meal times or dress code and a choice of restaurants – including Candles al fresco grill. The size of the ships also affords access to small bays and ports that larger ships cannot reach, allowing guests to explore more secluded spots.