Windstarβs First-Ever Winter Sailings in the Mediterranean Exceed Expectations; Small Ship Line to Position Ships in the Mediterranean Year-Round
After pivoting to a first-ever winter cruise season in the Mediterranean this year, Windstar Cruises has announced its intent to position ships in the Mediterranean year-round. The cruise line will keep Star Legend in the region for another winter season. Positive feedback and an influx of bookings and demand have led the luxury small ship cruise line to enhance their winter Mediterranean deployment with new itineraries and opportunities to book longer voyages in 2024/2025.
βOn our inaugural sailing in December, every single travel advisor and guest on board told me βthis is geniusβ as we enjoyed the sunny weather of Europeβs most walkable cities when few cruise lines sail Europeβs oceans,β explains Windstarβs Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava.
βOur biggest learning from this winterβs season was we were limited by the possibilities and experiences we could offer with just the one itinerary – from Rome to Barcelona and the reverse and we have responded to that with a variety of new itineraries for our guests to enjoy the Mediterraneanβs most storied destinations in the winter.β
Windstar will now offer five itineraries in the Mediterranean for the 2025 season, plus three special holiday and event sailings. The expansion also allows guests to combine back-to-back itineraries, providing a unique opportunity to experience different destinations while unpacking just once.Β
New Itinerary Highlights for 2024/2025
- Winter Italy & the Dalmatian CoastΒ will set sail on five dates in 24/25. The 8-day itinerary sails from Rome to Venice, with stops in Naples, Taormina (Sicily), an overnight in Dubrovnik (Croatia), a full day in Zadar (Croatia), and ends with an overnight in Venice. The route and timing, particularly the beginning of January, will take advantage of Italyβs strict rules surrounding retail sales (with just winter and summer sales allowed and items up to 70 percent off).Β
- Europe Winter RivieraΒ will have eight departure dates on a 7-day cruise. From Rome, guests will sail to Livorno (Italy) for an overnight stay, followed by a day in Genoa and then Nice, France before ending with an overnight in Barcelona.Β
- Winter in Italy and the Adriatic,Β an 8-day cruise,Β will take place on just one sail date. Leaving from Athens, the yacht will sail through the tiny Corinth Canal to Itea (Delphi) before overnighting in Corfu. Then itβs off to Crotone (Italy) followed by an overnight in Taormina (Sicily) before a day in Naples, ending the journey in Rome.Β
- Southern Spain Winter EscapesΒ will be a 9-day roundtrip sailing from Barcelona offered on four departure dates. Starting with an overnight in Barcelona means plenty of time to explore the city center before sailing to Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga (for an overnight), Gibraltar (U.K.), Palma, and then returning to Barcelona. Guests will easily be able to hop on the high speed train to/from Madrid in order to extend their explorations inland either pre- or post-cruise.Β
- Winter in Croatia & GreeceΒ departs March 26, 2025Β for an 8-day sailing from Venice to Athens. An overnight in Venice lets guests explore the historic city from the shipβs convenient city dock location. Port calls include Koper, Slovenia; Zadar and Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Delphi, Greece and a transit of the scenic, narrow Corinth Canal.Β Β
Special Holiday and Event SailingsΒ
- AΒ Christmas holiday cruiseΒ will sail from Rome to Barcelona, December 23-30, 2024. It includes an overnight in Livorno for the opportunity to attend Christmas Eve mass at the Duomo followed by stops in Genoa and Nice before ending in Barcelona with an overnight stay.Β Festive decorations, traditional dishes and activities bring the holiday spirit on board the ship.Β
- A New Yearβs cruiseΒ sails roundtrip from Barcelona, December 30, 2024-January 8, 2025. New Yearβs Eve itself is an overnight in Palma, Mallorca β one of Europeβs ultimate party meccas for an epic celebration. Then itβs onto Cartagena, an overnight in Malaga, followed by stops in Gibraltar (U.K.), Valencia, and returning to Barcelona.Β
- Additionally, Star Legend will return for a special appearance at theΒ International Luxury Travel Market CannesΒ travel expo, which takes place in December 2024. The ship will sail from Rome to Barcelona, November 30-December 7, 2024. It includes stops in Livorno, Genoa, Cannes (overnight) and Barcelona (also an overnight). Ship visits will be available in Cannes for conference attendees.Β
Find more details on WindstarβsΒ MediterraneanΒ cruises.Β
SOURCE Windstar Cruises
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