Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Windstar Cruises is bringing its unique brand of motorized yachting back to the Greek Isles for 2008. Windstar, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, offers guests exceptional opportunities to experience the mythical beauty of the Greek Isles aboard 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit. In which is arguably the romantic place on earth, sailing under the stars makes it even that much better.

In 2008, travelers on Windstar Cruises can choose from 46 7-day sailings during May through October to these ancient, hauntingly beautiful locales in the Greek Isles. Windstar is the only cruise line that offers such an extensive season of Greek Isles itineraries. These cruises have traditionally been favorites of Windstar guests who return year after year to sail on the warm, cobalt blue waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian Seas. Due to their popularity, the cruises sell out quickly each season.

Itineraries start or end in Venice, Italy; Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; or Istanbul, Turkey, with one itinerary featuring Sarandë, Albania and two itineraries featuring Dubrovnik, Croatia. A variety of Greek ports are offered including Capri, Messina, Gythion, Návplion, Ermoúpolis, Katákolon, Gythion, Mykonos, Santoríni, Rhodes, Monemvasia, Corfu, Cephaloniá and Kýthira. Sailing from one magical port to the next, highlights include historic Athens, the lush island of Corfu, the Byzantine ruins in K?thira, fashionable boutiques of Mykonos, the cliffs and white-washed architecture of Santoríni and the Acropolis of Rhodes.

Windstar’s also offers its Connoisseur Collection, which allow guests to combine two Greek Island cruises on Wind Star and Wind Spirit into a 14-day voyage with no repeating ports.

A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience for the last 20 years, Windstar has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers who appreciate the line’s casual attire, alternative dining venues, rich mix of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program, deluxe spa facilities and luxurious accommodations.

The line recently invested millions in fleetwide enhancements in its Degrees of Difference initiative which focused on structural and technical operations along with upgrades to guest areas, remodeled bathrooms in staterooms and an expanded beauty salon and spa. On Wind Star and Wind Spirit, the Lounge, Veranda and Pool Bar were renovated. In order to take each ship’s comfort level to a new degree of luxury, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock speakers, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L’Occitane bathroom amenities were added in each stateroom across the fleet.

Windstar’s commitment to providing guests with the most casually elegant, enriching and luxurious cruise vacation has consistently earned high praise from some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recognized by Porthole Cruise Magazine as the Most Romantic Cruise Line and the Best Tall Ship by readers in the 9th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards and earned top honors in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2007. All three ships in Windstar’s fleet of luxury sailing yachts were lauded among “The World’s Best Small Ships” by Condé Nast Traveler readers in 2007 and the company was recently recognized as the best small-ship cruise vacation by the readers of Celebrated Living.

Cruise rates begin at $2,599 per person, based on double occupancy.