Windstar Cruises News

U.S. headquartered Windstar Cruises has promoted Dianna Rom to senior director of sales, leading the domestic and international sales team for the Windstar brand.Rom has been with Windstar for seven years, first as a Midwest regional sales manager and most recently as director of field sales where she was responsible for managing all Windstar regional sales managers and business development managers. Prior to joining Windstar, Rom was the regional director of sales and marketing for Ohio State Park Lodges…

A major project to lengthen and renovate three Windstar cruise ships has been completed.The conversions were led by the Fincantieri yard starting in 2019 with the first of the three sister vessels, the Star Breeze, being completed in 2020. This was followed by the Star Legend in mid- 2020, and finally the Star Pride in October 2021. The renovation included the ships being extended in length from 135 meters (443 feet) to 160.6 meters (527 feet). The project was part of Windstar’s $250 million Star Plus initiative.The ships were each cut in half at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo…

Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo has delivered the Star Pride, the third ship of the extension and modernization Star Plus Initiative project of cruise operator Windstar Cruises.The program, worth $250 million dollars and involved the cruise ships “Star Breeze” and “Star Legend”, delivered respectively in 2020 and last May, and now “Star Pride.”Under the extension and modernization program, Fincantieri was responsible for the installation of a new 25.6 meters mid-body section; the total renewal of the propulsion engines and diesel generators for a more environmentally responsible navigation…

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri announced it has handed over Star Legend, the second of three lengthened and refurbished ships for U.S.-based boutique passenger yacht operator Windstar Cruises. The vessel was was delivered from Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo.The Star Plus Initiative program, worth $250 million and involving the cruise ships Star Breeze, delivered last year, Star Legend and Star Pride, envisaged three main complex activity areas: installation of a new 25.6 meters mid-body section…

Maritime software, services, and data analysis provider NAPA said it has been awarded type approval by DNV GL for its latest loading computer, the NAPA Loading Computer Type 4 and Loading Computer System Damage Control, LCS(DC). The type approval, which is the first of its kind to be awarded by DNV GL, is significant in enabling further adoption of a new generation of loading computers, which assess damage in real time with increased accuracy, allowing crew to make essential decisions on ship stability.According to NAPA…

Marcus Cheesman started his maritime training in 1987 at the early age of 13, attending Trinity House Navigation School, the UK’s only Nautical school. Upon graduation he was selected for a deck cadet apprenticeship with P&O Cruises and continued to progress through the ranks with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line (including Windstar Cruises) and Disney Cruise Line, ultimately obtaining his Master Mariners license in 2002. He has piloted vessels on the busy River Humber based in his home town Hull…

Several major cruise operators have voluntarily suspended operations in response to the developing coronavirus pandemic. For most, the reason given has been "an abundance of caution".On Wednesday, Viking became the first major cruise line to temporarily suspend operations, canceling all river and ocean cruises scheduled to embark between March 12 to April 30. It said it expected to resume sailings on May 1.Princess Cruises, the operator of two coronavirus-stricken ships -- Diamond…

The most complex cruise ship lengthening ever undertaken is clipping along at Fincantieri’s Palermo yard.The final welding cut to Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze was completed and  the ship’s 25.6-meter/84-foot prefabricated midsection was glided into place between the two halves in the drydock, an operation that took just half an hour.Overnight, Shipyard crews at Fincantieri Palermo had carefully split the ship, pulling the 4,000-ton bow forward centimeter by centimeter while a new 25.6-meter midsection waited on shiny black rollers at the far end of the 370-meter pit.The first Windstar ship to emerge from this transformation, Star Breeze…

esterday at Fincantieri’s shipyard, in Palermo, Italy, Christopher Prelog, Vice President of Fleet Operations for Seattle-based Windstar Cruises, activated the torch to make the first cut in the new steel that will become the newly constructed mid-section of the company’s new ship MS Star Legend. This is the second of three new mid-ship sections being designed and constructed as part of Windstar’s $250 million Star Plus Initiative which aimsto expand and transform the line’s three Star-class vessels.“This is a momentous day for Windstar as we reach another major milestone,” said Prelog.

Today at Fincantieri’s Arsenale Triestino San Marco shipyard, in Trieste, Italy, first steel was cut for the first of three new ships sections as part of Windstar Cruises’s $250 million vessel overhaul program.Windstar’s Star Plus Initiative is a complex and comprehensive small ship lengthening, engine replacement and renovation project that will see the owner renovate half of its fleet in succession. Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride will be cut in half to allow the installation of a new stepped mid-body section that will lengthen each vessel by approximately 25 meters.

Major Investment Engages Fincantieri to Renovate & Lengthen Windstar’s Three Star-Class Ships beginning in Fall 2019. Windstar Cruises today announces the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative, a major investment and expansion for the innovative cruise company. The multi-million dollar, multi-year undertaking will impact and enhance all aspects of the guest experience for the highly awarded small ship cruise line’s three Star Class vessels. “We are thrilled to announce the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative, a significant investment in the future of Windstar Cruises.

The luxury cruise operator Windstar Cruises will drydock ship following last week’s grounding in a remote region of Panama. Windstar reports that Star Pride experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. As a result the ship's December 26, January 2 and January 9 voyages have been cancelled. According to a statement on the Windstar Cruises Facebook page, Star Pride was “coming into anchor” at Isla de Coiba, off the coast of Panama shortly after 6 a.m. CST on Dec. The cruise line said all passengers and crew were safe after the incident, and guests left the ship as scheduled for the day’s private island event. "As the safety and security of guests and crew is of the utmost priority, the current Star Pride cruise is canceled.

Holland America Line has promoted Gerald Mosslinger to vice president, food and beverage, as part of the renamed Guest Experience and Product Development Department that was formerly the Marine Hotel Operations Department. The cruise line made the departmental name change to better reflect the department’s core objectives and primary focus. As vice president, food and beverage, Mosslinger will oversee all of the culinary and dining service operations as well as manage all beverage operations for the Holland America Line fleet, including revenue activities, product innovation and service. He will report to Michael Smith, senior vice president…

Today at a christening ceremony in Nice, France, Windstar Cruises debuted Star Breeze, the second of the fleet’s three new all suite power yachts. The christening ceremony and pier-side champagne celebration mark the luxury yacht’s introduction to the Windstar fleet, and the start of its inaugural voyage through France, Monaco, and Italy. Wendy Perrin, TripAdvisor's first-ever Travel Advocate and the founder of WendyPerrin.com, was honored as Godmother of the yacht, successfully breaking a traditional bottle of champagne over the bow in front of a crowd of 250 guests, media, trade partners, and parent company Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Wendy Perrin was joined on stage by Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises; Captain Krasimir Ivanov; and Father Jean Marie.

Large cruise ships could become a familiar sight on the Thames if plans for a new passenger terminal in Greenwich move forward. London could soon become a popular destination for large cruise ships in two years as new passenger terminal planned for Greenwich. It would be the first passenger terminal in London for at least 35 years. The Times reports that detailed plans for the terminal will be submitted “within weeks”, allowing it to open “within two years”. The dockside hub could allow ships more than 650ft long to stop near the Old Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark. At the moment, there are two moorings for small cruise ships in the capital: a small floating pontoon in Greenwich, which requires passengers to board or disembark via a launch, and another at Tower Bridge.

Cruise Shipping Miami 2015 is gearing up to offer the most comprehensive and robust roster of panel discussions featuring the industry's most knowledgeable and experienced executives. The panels will be grouped under several broad themes based on industry trends during the four-day conference. The 31st edition of Cruise Shipping Miami is scheduled for March 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Organized by UBM Connect, thematic topics include The Geography of Cruise Tourism, Safety and Ship Operations, Market Segments and Cruise Product Development. On Tuesday morning, March 17, the conference will open with the popular State of the Industry session. Participants in that plenary session will be announced in the coming weeks. This program may be subject to alterations and additions.

Adonis AS (Adonis) said that Windstar Cruises will be implementing Adonis Personnel Manager (APM) and Payroll for all its Human Resources (HR), time and attendance, crew management and payroll activities. The Adonis solution will enable Windstar to host and consolidate these processes using a central HR database, which will improve efficiencies and coordination between their vessels and their shore side crew in Seattle. Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships that travels to 50 nations…

Windstar’s owner, Xanterra Parks & Resorts®, to double its fleet with the purchase of three small Seabourne cruise ships. The company has agreed to buy Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend, and Seabourn Spirit. Under the project name 'Global Windstar', Windstar Cruises will become a market leader in small-ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers per ship, with a total of 1,230 berths. Windstar will take possession of the three 104 all-suite ships, which hold 208 passengers each, over the next two years in the Mediterranean.

The small-ship luxury cruise line finishes its US$18million refurbishment program on all three of its sailing yachts. With the completion of Wind Spirit's dry dock  Windstar Cruises' $18 million fleet-wide renovation project is now finished. The project, which began in December of 2011, encompassed all three sailing yachts in a stem-to-stern renovation that enhanced public spaces, dining venues, staterooms and suites, as well as new sails. The 148-passenger Wind Spirit, the last of the fleet to undergo refurbishment…

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) wins VSAT service contracts from four specialised luxury cruise ship operators. •    Windstar Cruises , a sailing luxury small ship cruise line based in Seattle, Wash. “Our team at MTN recognizes that no two customers are alike and it is our job to develop communication solutions that not only meet, but exceed their unique communications requirements,” said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager for MTN cruise and ferry services.

ISS Perennial Gold Sponsor, Viking Recruitment, Sets “Green Standard” in the U.K. by Designing and Building “Viking House,” a Passivhaus Certified Building, for its Expanding Workforce. The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is pleased to acknowledge the groundbreaking “green” efforts of perennial Gold Supporter, Viking Recruitment. Viking’s steadfast commitment to the superyacht industry is apparent in their continuing support of ISS’s efforts on behalf of crew worldwide.

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE) on March 24 announced that Joseph J. Ueberroth, President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, has resigned as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2009 to pursue other ventures. Ueberroth also resigned from the Board of Directors effective March 20, 2009. Mr. Ueberroth first announced his resignation in September 2008 giving the company twelve months notice. However, since the company, as previously announced, is substantially complete with the process of moving its corporate headquarters to Seattle to concentrate on its cruise business, Ueberroth felt it was now the appropriate time for him to leave. Mr.

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE), announced that Mark Detillion has joined the company March 23 and will become the company's Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2009. Detillion has expertise which includes performance and profitability analysis, and venture funding. For the past eight years Mr. Detillion served as the vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Cruise West in Seattle, WA. Prior to Cruise West he spent several years as the chief financial officer for Shilo Inns in Portland, OR. He also served as the director of finance for Holland America Lines. Detillion holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Washington and is a certified public accountant in the State of Washington. Ambassadors International, Inc.