By
Rebecca Gibson |
Travel industry veteran Wendy Perrin christened Windstar Cruises’ newest yacht Star Breeze in Nice, France, on 6 May.
Star Breeze, the second of the fleet’s three new all-suite, 212-passenger power yachts, was named during a pier-side ceremony in front of 250 guests, media, trade partners and parent company Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Perrin, who has sailed on Windstar ships twice as a guest lecturer and founded travel planning site WendyPerrin.com, was joined on stage by Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises, Captain Krasimir Ivanov and Father Jean Marie.
“I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be part of Windstar Cruises,” said Hans Birkholz. “The driving force to Windstar’s success is our unwavering commitment of providing a personal yacht style vacation. Our ships are small, our ambience: casually elegant, our service: personal.”
Star Breeze was christened after undergoing a US$8.5 million, three-week renovation in Genoa, Italy.
During the refit, the AmphorA Restaurant was redesigned with updated lighting, wall coverings, art work and seating layouts, while the entertainment lounge was fitted with new flooring, lighting and furniture. Other updated public areas include the former card room, which has been transformed into the Star Screening Room to enable guests to watch movies; the Compass Rose club area; and Veranda, which now has expanded outdoor seating in a courtyard with a garden wall.
In addition, the outdoor Star Deck was expanded by 4ft on each side and now has a new counter-current pool and whirlpool, while the former top-deck observation lounge has been transformed to Windstar’s popular Yacht Club coffee bar and lounge.
Star Breeze has now embarked on her maiden voyage from Nice in France to Rome in Italy, calling in Monte Carlo; Portofino in Italy; and Portoferraio in Livorno. The ship will then sail Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer season, before embarking on Windstar’s newest Caribbean itinerary, Icons of the Dutch Caribbean, in autumn. This winter, the ship will offer voyages in Panama and Costa Rica.
Windstar will also christen the 212-passenger Star Legend this May. The addition of these two ships make the company the market leader in small ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers, with a total of 1,242 berths.