40 INTERVIEW Connecting the rivers to the oceans Christopher Prelog details to Rebecca Gibson how Windstar Cruises is positioning itself at the forefront of a new form of cruise travel Luxury small-ship operator Windstar Cruises will begin offering a new form of cruise travel in December 2026: river-to-ocean journeys. The aim is to take guests into city centres by river, then seamlessly sail into the open sea to call at coastal destinations, islands and ports that are inaccessible to traditional river vessels. “The best trips shouldn’t feel like separate vacations stitched together – they should feel like one story unfolding naturally,” says Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “Our new river-toocean journeys let guests explore a region from two completely different perspectives in one seamless trip. You might sail the Mediterranean, then continue along one of Europe’s great rivers without feeling like you’ve started a second vacation. That’s where I think travel is heading – less about checking boxes and more about connecting places in ways that simply make sense.” Prelog believes the sailings will be attractive to many travellers. “River cruise guests get to discover why so many people fall in love with small-ship ocean cruising, while our loyal guests get to experience Europe’s rivers without giving up the style of travel they already enjoy,” he says. Windstar Cruises is purpose-building an all-suite yacht to operate the “deeply immersive and port-intensive” river-toocean itineraries. Set to begin sailing in December 2026, the 224-guest Star Explorer will have five complimentary dining venues, a full-service spa, a marina with direct ocean access, and 112 suites, many of which will have either private verandas or infinity windows. There will also be two aft-facing Horizon Owner’s Suites with wraparound balconies. “Star Explorer is the natural next chapter for us – it will bring everything guests already love to even more destinations around the world,” says Prelog. “Guests will recognise the relaxed atmosphere, the thoughtful design and the personal service that defines Windstar Cruises.” The ship will be a sister to Star Seeker, which debuted in January 2026 and has already earned wide acclaim from both guests and the industry. “The response has been everything we hoped for, and maybe a little better,” says Prelog. “When a new ship enters service I always enjoy watching how guests actually use the spaces. Guests immediately tell us she feels unmistakably like Windstar Cruises, just with a little more room to breathe. We’ve heard wonderful feedback about the expanded suites, the welcoming public spaces, and how effortlessly the ship flows from one area to the next. That’s something you only really appreciate after you’ve watched a few sailings unfold.” Prelog himself is “especially fond” of the Yacht Club. “In the morning, it’s full of espresso, conversation and people quietly planning the day ahead,” he says. “By evening, it offers cocktails and live music, so it becomes the kind of place where someone says, ‘We’ll just stay for one more’, and somehow an hour disappears. That’s usually a good sign.” Crew members have confirmed the ship “works beautifully” behind “ Our new river-to-ocean journeys let guests explore a region from two completely different perspectives in one seamless trip”
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