INTERVIEW Stars align for a bright future Rebecca Barnes sits down with Windstar Cruises’ Christopher Prelog to talk about brand visibility, ship refurbishments and in-demand destinations Along with high-tech hardware and exciting itineraries, savvy cruises lines are employing fresh strategies to connect with new audiences. Luxury small-ship operator Windstar Cruises, for example, has created a new podcast series, ‘Winds of Change’, to give behind-the-scenes access into the world of Windstar. The brand has also formed a sponsorship deal with entertainment firm AEG, becoming the official cruise line of AEG’s venue The O2 in London, UK, and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. It expects this partnership will draw in curious newcomers. Investing in long-term partnerships and continually increasing brand visibility are high on Windstar president Christopher Prelog’s agenda. In addition to nurturing the brand’s 10year partnership with the James Beard Foundation and its relationship with celebrity chef Steven Raichlen, who created onboard restaurant Star Grill, Prelog recently travelled to Tahiti (his favourite destination) to meet with partners and enjoy a tasting in Star Breeze’s new restaurant, Basil + Bamboo. Upgrading its existing fleet with new dining venues and other enhancements is another key priority for Prelog. Windstar is in the process of carrying out a fullscale makeover project, with all three of its Wind-class ships being redesigned and updated as part of a multi-year initiative. The brand has completed phase one of the project, which involved making major renovations to most of the yachts’ public areas. Notable work included adding a new pool and whirlpool, expanding bar areas and redesigning and upgrading the spa and gym with high-tech equipment. “Feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many of them commenting how beautiful the ships look,” says Prelog. “They have said that there is a great overall vibe, especially in public spaces like the Lounge, which feels welcoming and cosy. “Guests also like the updated decor across the reception, staircase and lobby, the expanded shop with its wide selection of merchandise, the library with its excellent book collection, the spacious and well-equipped gym and the beautifully refreshed spa. New TVs with Wayfinder have enhanced the experience, and guests have said that they have made it much easier to access information about daily activities, ondemand movies and the ship in general.” There’s also newness on the horizon in the form of Star Seeker, the cruise line’s first newbuild Star-class yacht, which is set to launch with a transatlantic maiden cruise and a Caribbean christening cruise departing Miami, Florida, in January 2026. The new addition will be followed a year later by Star Explorer. Star Seeker will feature Windstar’s new complimentary speciality restaurant, Basil + Bamboo, which will serve a blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. The restaurant will also replace Cuadro 44 on the three existing Star-class ships to enhance the onboard dining experience for guests. Another focus for Windstar is designing itineraries that meet passenger demand. Asia is particularly popular with many guests, says Prelog. “We decided to return to Southeast Asia after significant consumer research which led us to focus on two itineraries: Thailand with an “ Windstar’s fun, yacht-style holidays differ from those offered by the more traditional, high-end cruise lines” 40
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