Windstar Cruises’ Earns Two 'World’s Best Awards' from Travel + Leisure Readers
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) July 21, 2016 -- Boutique cruise line Windstar Cruises recently landed on two “World’s Best” lists, named both #3 World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line and #3 World's Best Medium Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s annual readers’ awards. Voters specifically recognized Windstar ship staff for their high level of service standards.
Windstar’s five small ships garnered a top three spot among Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines (249 or fewer passengers) with a voter score of 92.98. Windstar’s Wind Surf also claimed third for Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines (250 to 599 passengers) scoring 93.40 — within 1.61 points of the top mark.
“The ongoing recognition Windstar has experienced over the last few years by readers who enjoy and use the tips and information found in these expert travel publications inspires us to bring even more to the table for our cruisers,” commented John Delaney, president of Windstar Cruises.
“These awards are also a direct testament to the unequivocal, personal-touch service that cruisers receive when they step aboard any of our six Windstar yachts. Our ship staff and back-of-house operations teams are simply the best! We share these honors with every one of them including our travel agent and shore-side partners who help craft each day of your cruise vacation into a series of wonderful experiences and events that you’ll never forget,” shared Delaney.
As a market leader in boutique, small ship cruising, Windstar prides itself on consistently high levels of guest service and satisfaction, for which the crew of all ships were specifically recognized for their exemplary skills as noted in the article accompanying the World’s Best Medium Cruise Line Award.
T+L Editor Jacqueline Gifford noted, “Windstar Cruises — which placed third and operates one of the world’s largest sail-assisted passenger ships, the Wind Surf — also prioritizes more exclusive experiences and ports. But one could argue that interacting with the staff can be the true highlight of the trip.”
The annual editor-designed World’s Best Awards survey asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences from around the globe. For the cruise category, respondents rated individual cruise ships on their cabins, facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value.
Over the course of 2016, Windstar Cruises has received other notable awards including:
- Condé Nast Traveler – 2016 21st Annual Gold List of “Our Favorite Cruise Lines”
- BRIDES Magazine – Top 10 Cruise Lines for Couples, 2016
- Celebrated Living – Named to American Airline’s in-flight magazine Celebrated Living for their 2016 Platinum List, “Best Boutique Cruises”
- Cruise Critic Online – Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2016, Best Service on Star Breeze
- Cruiseable Online - Best Cruise Lines for Honeymoons Award, 2016
- Smarter Travel Online – 10 Best Cruise Lines for Foodies, Windstar Cruises James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise
Small ship cruise innovator, Windstar Cruises, operates a fleet of six yachts sailing internationally to more than 150 ports of call — three new-to-brand, all-suite yachts, including Star Breeze, Star Pride, and Star Legend carrying 212 guests, as well as Windstar’s classic sailing yachts Wind Surf with 310-guests, and Wind Star and Wind Spirit carrying 148 guests. Windstar’s casual yet elegant approach to cruising with stops in smaller harbors, destination immersion and exemplary service, generate a meaningful experience for all guests.
For information on global destinations, yacht accommodations and more, contact a travel professional, call 800-258-7245 or visit Windstar Cruises online at http://www.windstarcruises.com.
Editor’s Note: Images may be downloaded here: https://windstarcruises.webdamdb.com/bp/#/assets
Follow the Windstar yachts:
Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet of boutique sail and all-suite yachts on seasonal cruises throughout Europe including the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Adriatic, Scandinavia, Baltic and British Isles; to the small harbors of the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panama Canal; and sailing year-round in Tahiti and the South Pacific. The boutique cruise ships visit more than 150 international ports and are known for an intimate yacht-style experience, unique itineraries and exclusive access to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Windstar’s fleet is the market leader in boutique small ship cruising with a total of 1,242 guest berths. All ships in the fleet have recently undergone multi-million dollar transformations to embody casually-elegant yacht travel. The all-suite yachts, Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride, serve 212 guests in all-suite accommodations; while sailing yachts Wind Spirit and Wind Star sail with up to 148 guests, and Wind Surf serves 310 guests. The yachts cruise to 50 nations worldwide visiting more than 150 port son 6- to 14-day sailings. Windstar Cruises is a part of Xanterra Parks & Resorts®, known for “Legendary Hospitality with a Softer Footprint.” Xanterra’s entities also include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, railway and tour companies.
Mary Schimmelman, Windstar Cruises, http://www.windstarcruises.com, 206.733.2970, [email protected]
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