Happy New Year… a great time to consider NEW EXPERIENCES. If you’ve “been there, done that”, you should look at Windstar. They’ll take you to some familiar corners of the planet, but you’ll see places you haven’t been before, and experience the places you have been differently.
WHO is WINDSTAR?
- WINDSTAR has three motor yachts that carry 320 guests each (with one more arriving in 2026), and 3 sailing yachts that carry between 148 and 342 guests.
- RELAXED LUXURY – You’ll need to wear pants in the dining room, but other than that it extraordinarily relaxed. You can leave your ties and ballgowns at home.
- THE FIRST-NAME CRUISE LINE – the service is polished, polite, and personal. Many of the crew will address you by your FIRST name.
- UNIQUE ITINERARIES – You might have been to the Caribbean or the Med many times before, but WINDSTAR will take you to ports you haven’t been, and great a different experience for you in ports you have visited previously.
HOW YACHTING is DIFFERENT
Imagine yourself having been invited on some billionaire’s private yacht (but without all the pretentious dinner conversation), sailing from scenic bay to remote harbor to uncrowded port. Rather than a motor coach tour of busy tourist attractions, you instead go to a BBQ lunch on a private atoll with a few new friends.
- IT’S NOT CROWDED — not only because there are such a small number of people aboard, but also because their itineraries don’t go where other ships go. Most often, it will only be you and your fellow Windstar guests at a port of call.
- WATER PLATFORM — there’s a swim platform at the back of the vessels where you can swim in the ocean, go snorkelling, go kayaking, or just hang out — steps from your room.
- ITINERARIES – if your criteria of great cruise itinerary is being exposed to ports you never been to (or maybe even never even heard of) you’ll experience them with Windstar.
WHERE does WINDSTAR go?
- MEDITERRANEAN – Windstar is there year round, and is more about tiny Greek Islands you’ve never heard of than JUST the big name ports.
- TAHITI – 2 hours past Hawaii, with far fewer tourists, and Windstar has 2 ships there.
- NORTHERN EUROPE – The Baltic, UK/Ireland, Scandinavia, and Iceland.
- CARIBBEAN – again, like the Med – smaller islands you probably haven’t heard of.
- ALASKA – the brand-new STAR SEEKER will be there in 2026.
WHO GOES on WINDSTAR?
- People that want intimacy, authenticity and a little romance with their adventure
- NON-CRUISERS or people that have done a LOT of cruising, and have been to seemingly every region, and want to see something a bit different.
- FOODIES: Those that like casual, intimate dining venues rather than massive dining halls with assigned tables. Windstar partners with the James Beard Foundation so you’ll find the cuisine and dining experience on board to be excellent.
- NO-TUXEDO LUXURY LOVERS: High-end food and service, but no formal nights,
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED Podcast
Check out our UNPACKED PODCAST where Kim & Bob talk about Windstar, where they go, and how they differentiate in the cruise market.
In Case You Missed It:
MEDITERRNEAN QUIET SEASON: You’ll have to wear a jacket, but the amazing tourist sites in the MED have a fraction as many people October through April.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/quiet-season-mediterranean/
WHEN THE CRUISE LINE CHANGES YOUR ITINERARY: A couple of years ago the closure of the Suez Canal had substantial impacts on cruise line itineraries. What happens when the cruise line changes your itinerary?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/the-suez-canal-and-force-majeure/
BABY BOOMERS are OUR PEOPLE: Apparently our business is supposed to be chasing the Millennial Generation. We welcome everyone, but here’s why we’re sticking with the BOOMERS:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-were-sticking-with-the-baby-boomers/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
STAR BREEZE Ship Tour: Here’s WINDSTAR’s motor-yacht that is based in Tahiti year round:
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid035p4tZyMvPG7R1fXcmSCVgHq6r8Y6jZzwis5S3EEpogdDXb3ZnbcTNQZ5D2U9RekCl
Today’s Travel Opportunities
WINDSTAR
Take advantage of WINDSTAR’S BEYOND INCLUSIVE Promo: On select voyages, get a pre-cruise hotel night, transfer to the ship, an additional on board credit, the beverage package, gratuities, and wifi. Here are some examples:
MEDITERRANEAN: Istanbul to Athens via Corinth Canal departing May 2 for 8-days
- Full of History, Culture and Hidden Gems
- Start in Istanbul, then visit Myrina, Mykonos, Kusadasi (where you’ll have a 5-course dinner served to you after hours at Ephesus), Bodrum, Santorini, Delphi, and then traverse the Corinth Canal to arrive in Athens.
- Fares from $6599 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
TULIPS from Amsterdam to London departing May 5 for 7-days
- Start with 2-nights in Amsterdam so you can out to see the tulip fields at harvest, and then visit Harlingen, Rotterdam, Antwerp (overnight), Bruges, and then finish in London
- Fares From $4099 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage departing June 12 for 12-days
- Start in Vancouver, and then visit Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Tracy Arm, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Kenai Fjords, and finish in Anchorage
- Fares From $10,099 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
- On the brand new STAR SEEKER that holds only 224 guests.
JAPAN and EAST ASIA from Hanoi to Osaka departing March 1, 2027 for 10-days
- Fly to Hanoi, and start in Halong Bay, then visit Hong Kong (overnight), Taipei, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Amami, and finish in Osaka.
- Fares From $7799 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
CANADA/NEW ENGLAND: Boston to Montreal departing September 14 for 11-days
- Fall foliage, historic towns, and lighthouse views!
- Start in Boston, then visit Rockland, Portland MN, Halifax, Sydney, 2 stops in the Quebec Eastern townships, an overnight stay in Quebec City, before finishing in Montreal.
- Fares from $7099 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
CARIBBEAN: San Juan round-trip departing November 29 for 14-days
- Warm weather escapes, Island Hopping, beaches
- Start in Puerto Rico, and then spend the next two weeks visiting US Virgin Islands, Gustavia, Brasseterre, St. Maarten, Great Harbour, British Virgin Islands, St. George’s, Bequia, Mayreau, Les Saintes, and Marigot.
- Fares from $4899 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities
TAHITI: Papeete round-trip departing November 5 for 7-days
- Tropical Beauty, Remote Islands, Dreamy Lagoons.
- Start in Papeete, and visit Moorea, Raiatea (overnight), Taha’a, Bora Bora (overnight), and Huahine before returning to Papeete.
- Fares from $4254 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities.
- Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM
Can’t find the WINDSTAR cruise you’re looking for? There are dozens of sailings that include the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities:
https://www.windstarcruises.com/specials/cruise-beyond/?promo=cruise-beyond
RIVER CRUISES – Tauck
Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines, and they have some unique itineraries in Europe:
GERMAN OKTOBERFEST: Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
- 2026: Sold Out
- 2027: Depart September 15 or 22 from $8990
FRENCH RIVIERA to SWITZERLAND for 14-days
- Fly to Marseille, and visit Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Tain L’hermitage, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Burgundy, Lyon, Geneva, Chamonix.
- 2026: Departures in July & August from $9190
- 2027: Departures April through October from $9790
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES
If you want to visit where few others get to go, and see spectacular scenery and wildlife, check out these two options from ATLAS:
GREENLAND & NEWFOUNDLAND departing September 21 for 17-nights
- Visit 4 ports in Greenland, then 4 ports in the Canadian Arctic, and then onto Newfoundland and Labrador for 6 different port stops. You’ll then see the rarely visited French Territory of St. Pierre/Miquelon, before returning to St. John’s, Newfoundland where it’s a quick flight back to the US Northeast.
- Fares from $15,212.
POLAR NORWAY: From Longyearbyen to Tromso departing June 23, 2027 for 11-nights
- This is like a safari at sea! Spot puffins, reindeer, arctic terns and foxes. See the ice floes, icebergs, and do some glacier cruising.
- This cruise includes a private jet ride back to Oslo, Zodiac landings, boots, and a parka you get to keep.
- Fares from $8589
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury Rail Journey
The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular, and can be easily added on to ANY Alaskan cruise that starts or finishes in Vancouver. You’ll get to see world-class scenery and wildlife spotting, all while enjoying great food and wine. There are options between 3 and 12 nights. Here are two:
Rocky Mountain DUAL Crossing: Banff to Jasper for 5 Nights
- This is a great itinerary that is ONLY OFFERED in 2026 due to the FIFA event in Vancouver (and the shortage of hotels rooms there in June/July). You get to cross the Rockies by rail TWICE, and see both Banff and Jasper National Parks.
- Fly to Calgary, and then spend 2 nights in Banff. Board the train for the trip across the Rockies to Kamloops, and spend a night there. Get back on the train to travel a different route over the Rockies to spend two nights in Jasper NP. Fly home from Edmonton. The scenery doesn’t get much better than this.
- Departures in June and July from $3070.
Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights
- If you really want a comprehensive feel for the spectacular Canadian Rockies, this is the trip for you.
- Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
- Departures available April through October from $8999
TRAVELLING in SUMMER 2026? Be READY
FIFA WORLD CUP is the largest sporting event on the planet, and it’s coming to North America this summer. Even if you’re NOT a soccer fan, you SHOULD have this on your radar if you plan to travel (internationally or domestically) in June or July of 2026. Here’s why:
- AIR TRAVEL domestically, as well as to/from Canada and Mexico will be very busy.
- AIRPORTS: Even if you’re flying to Europe or Asia, domestic airports will be busy.
- HOTELS: If you’re trying to find lodging in a host city around game day, it will be tight.
- SECURITY: The security in airports and at venues will be enhanced, and slow everything down.
- SEATTLE & VANCOUVER: If you’re going to Alaska in June or July, book your hotel NOW. Both these cities are hosting multiple games.
- HOST CITIES:
- CANADA: Toronto, Vancouver
- MEXICO: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
- UNITED STATES: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
FIFA’s impact on travel to host cities is equal to travelling to an Olympic Games. Be prepared.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
