Pursuitist puts the leading companies in the luxury travel industry in the spotlight and presents an exclusive interview with Chris Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises, presented to you by Ramsey Qubein.
Small ship cruises have never been so hot as travelers are looking for experiences that give them the freedom to explore new places by ship, but with fewer passengers. Three of Windstar Cruises’, as they are known, yachts are from a $ 250 million renovation project that physically expanded the size of the ship, added more cabins, and created new specialty restaurants from celebrity chefs.
Windstar’s parent company, Xanterra, is known for operating many of the best lodges within the US national park system. Another spring from Xanterra, this high-end small ship cruise brand is set for growth as the pent-up travel demand finally climbs to the seas.
We spoke to Chris Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises, about the three-ship expansion project, what it’s like to sail again after a break of almost a year, and what awaits the six-strong fleet of luxury yachts and sailboats.
You started working on a ship. What did you do?
I worked as a server on board the Seabourn Legend. On a small ship, the staff take on a lot of roles, so I did everything from polish cutlery to delivering food. Interestingly, the Seabourn Legend is now part of the Windstar fleet as the Star Legend, so the circle has in some ways come full circle.
What is it like to resume operations during a pandemic?
We are very excited to be back at sea. We currently have the Wind Star in the Greek islands and Star Breeze in the Caribbean.
We navigate regulations that change very quickly. Things will continue to flow for a while as governments adjust their rules, vaccination requirements, and testing protocols week after week. Our largest ship can carry 342 passengers, but we are currently operating at reduced capacity to meet social distancing guidelines. As more people around the world get vaccinated, we believe booking a cruise will get a lot easier. The demand, especially for 2022, is exceptional.
On board our six ships, extensive hygiene and cleaning protocols make it extremely safe. Our entire crew has been vaccinated and our passengers are required to get a negative Covid-19 test and show their vaccination cards before boarding at the pier. Other protocols include constant cleaning of high contact surfaces, electrostatic spraying of passenger baggage, and converting buffets into staffed stations.
The crew are tested weekly and stay on the ship, which means they won’t be exposed to anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated and tested. Passengers and crew must wear masks in public areas except when eating and drinking. These all comply with the regulations of many of the ports of call we visit, but these guidelines are regularly reviewed. While it’s not the same as it was before the pandemic, our passengers look forward to cruising again and are used to these demands from home. They don’t seem to mind following many of the same protocols at sea, and our open air decks are the perfect place to relax and feel safe.
Star Breeze is fresh from major renovations that have expanded the ship. Tell us about it.
Star Breeze is one of three yachts that underwent this transformation, which saw the ship cut in half in dry dock. We then added a pre-made section of 50 beautiful suites in the middle before resealing the hull. It’s a technical marvel, and the yacht has been beautifully remodeled with new restaurants, a larger spa and fitness center, relaxation pool, and newly decorated interiors. For the company this means a capacity increase of almost 27% for our three ships in the “Star Plus” category.
Known as Star Plus Initiative, Our ships were not just lying idle. We took the time off sailing to invest in the interior and maintenance of the fleet, in both the Star Plus and Wind Class categories. All cabins have new high quality beds and mattresses; The same investment was made for crew cabins. There are new TV systems, artwork in the hallways, completely remodeled bathrooms with double sinks, new furniture and decor, and even four new (greener) motors.
What do you like best about the newly designed ships?
I like the way the spa has been redesigned, as well as the pool deck, which has new teak and handrails, plus a plunge pool with a glass wall and waterfall. There are two hot tubs, one on the pool deck and another at the very front of the ship.
The Star Breeze has two new specialty restaurants. Is there an extra charge to dine there?
Our specialty restaurants are included in the price of the cruise, and we wanted our guests to have more options when and where to dine. Cuadro 44, a Spanish tapas restaurant under the direction of Michelin-starred chef and James Beard Foundation member, Anthony Sasso, serves everything from freshly cut jamon Iberico to authentic Galician octopus. There are also several vegetarian specialties.
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Star Grill is another new outdoor grill restaurant. We produce all of our smoked meat ourselves and prepare it on a rotisserie according to recipes and tailor-made spice mixtures by Steven Raichlen. He moderates three different cooking shows in three different countries and our guests simply love the delicious menu that he has put together for our three Star Plus ships. We all follow his guidelines and for some of the slow cooked meats we often start the process the night before.
Both celebrity chefs came on board to train the staff in the preparation and presentation of all dishes. Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation that includes hosting multiple culinary-themed sailing routes.
What are some of the signature features of Windstar?
We have a beach barbecue every day of sailing which is very popular. All of our ships operate on an open deck policy so guests can watch the crew in action and ask questions. All trips include soft drinks, free 24-hour room service and the use of non-motorized water sports equipment that guests can use from a platform in the stern of the yacht.
Sail away is a dramatic experience that plays a newly created theatrical song recorded by the Seattle Symphony as the ship leaves each port.
Our cruises are aimed at customers looking for customizable high-end experiences that enable local immersion and entertainment on board. Many of them are also frequent river cruisers and appreciate the opportunity to visit smaller ports with late night or overnight stays that give them time to explore a destination. We welcome families with children over the age of eight, but we usually only see them during the summer months.
What does the future of Windstar look like?
We are bringing our yachts back to Alaska and will have two ships in Tahiti for the first time this year. We see a lot of catching up to do with the “new brands” in particular. 2022 is another first for Windstar when we send a yacht to Australia and New Zealand. Because these ships have new engines, they can sail faster. You will visit marquis, popular ports as well as smaller destinations that large ships cannot go to.
Courtesy photo: Windstar Cruises
