Have you wondered how Windstar plans its itineraries, chooses the wines for its onboard wine lists and develops shore excursions in ports of call? Welcome to Windstar’s new Winds of Change podcast, just launched in January 2025, which is all about offering insider access to how cruises are developed.
Winds of Change has been a long-planned dream for Janet Bava, its chief commercial officer. “This is something I wanted to do from day one here at Windstar,” she says, just after the pilot episode dropped. “The point is that it should be educational, insightful and occasionally offer surprise and delight moments, which to me is a reflection of Windstar itself: a casual, fun-loving, cruise line for the well-traveled guest.
Please bookmark this page and come back, often, to check on what Bava and her colleagues and friends are up to with Windstar. We’ll offer short recaps of each episode (which you can watch via provided links or subscribe to YouTube or Spotify for updates on new podcasts) and post your comments, reactions, questions and suggestions in the comments below. Bava reads every one.
Please bookmark this page and come back, often, to check on what Bava and her colleagues and friends are up to with Windstar. We’ll offer short recaps of each episode (which you can watch via provided links or subscribe to YouTube or Spotify for updates on new podcasts) and post your comments, reactions, questions and suggestions in the comments below. Bava reads every one.
“It’s a conversation between people who are part of Windstar, from our crew to our guests and hopefully we’ll all be revealing new insights, details, advice, and tips.”
The podcast “showcases the people of Windstar, including crew, staff and fellow guests,” she says. “It tells the story behind our 40-year history. And it offers a deeper discovery of the places our ships go — from French Polynesia by yacht to the Greek Isles under sail.”
Please bookmark this page and come back, often, to check on what Bava and her colleagues and friends are up to with Windstar. We’ll offer short recaps of each episode (which you can watch via provided links or subscribe to YouTube or Spotify for updates on new podcasts) and post your comments, reactions, questions and suggestions in the comments below. Bava reads every one.
Episode 5: A Vision for Cruising: Windstar’s President Chris Prelog Speaks
Chris Prelog, a native of Austria, was curious enough about traveling the world that the hospitality graduate accepted his first job on a cruise ship (the then-Seabourn Legend) as a waiter. It wasn’t an easy start; boarding in Sydney and crossing the notoriously rough Tasmanian Sea, he had his first tastes of homesickness and seasickness, both. But he persevered, and in “A Vision of Cruising,” Windstar’s president talks about his cruise career.
Favorite line: Janet notes that he’s called Mr. Tahiti around the office. “You’re either talking about Tahiti or you’re in Tahiti….”
Another favorite line: It’s our crew. “There’s an element of freedom they have as they interact with our guests. We allow them to use their own authentic way…everyone is allowed to be themselves. The amount of hugs I gave yesterday on the Wind Surf…that’s something I cherish about Windstar.”
“Tahiti is the core of what cruising means to me. It’s where my love of cruising ignited. The first time you go it’s the beauty and the landscape. Every other visit it is all about its people and their culture.”
–Chris Prelog
Still another favorite reveal: “Solo travel is on the rise, and yes, we know this. We’re offering discounts and reduced solo travel rates. Beyond that, why come to Windstar as a solo traveler? You are part of the Windstar family. We are creating events for our guests and you will be part of the group. You’ll never be alone. That’s why our solo travelers enjoy the atmosphere, the camaraderie. As well, it’s a safe way to travel.”
Q&A: What new destinations are you most excited about at Windstar? Soon, Chris reveals, you can go to Tahiti and see a Windstar ship from a Windstar ship (as its adding Wind Star to the region in 2026. “We’re also excited about Alaska and Japan on Star Seeker. Look for new itineraries to come in southeast Asia. And the Canary Islands is another destination I’m excited about. It’s the Hawaii of Europe. We’re putting a sailing ship there for the winter. These are rich cultural islands with a phenomenal food and wine tradition. And for our guests who love Europe, it’s a new and exciting way to experience it.”
Intrigued by this conversation? After you watch the podcast, check out Chris’ Instagram page to learn secrets and insights about Windstar.
Episode 4: Sailing Through Europe & Tahiti Year-Round
On Winds of Change’s 4th episode, host Janet Bava welcomes guests Jess Peterson, Windstar’s director of itinerary planning, and Paul Allen, a cruise industry veteran who is a project advisor for the line. The conversation focuses on two of Windstar’s most iconic regions: Tahiti and Europe, both year-round destinations.
Jess is an uber traveler
At Windstar, Jess is director of itinerary planning and is often working three years ahead of the current season. He’s just back from a major scouting trip to expand Windstar’s Asian footprint beyond its currently scheduled 2026 and 2027 sailings. And, when we spoke, he was heading to Tahiti – for his first ever visit.
Favorite line: “With small ships, it’s all about the destination, not moving a floating resort around.”
Another favorite line: “Why is the magic of a day at sea (or more) so hard to describe? It’s the rhythm. When you have a couple of sea days, you just settle into a relaxing rhythm.”
Q&A: What’s next? I’m heading to Tahiti, our most popular destination. I’ve never been! I’m going there to learn about it because we’re adding capacity there soon (Wind Star in 2027). It’s the iconic Windstar cruise.
Editor’s Note: Spoiler alert, Jess’ podcast was taped a few weeks ago and he is now just back from that trip and tells me “I have no notes.” What does that mean? It’s that he has no concerns, no worries, about any aspect of the region. “It sets the bar for what a Windstar experience should be.”
For me what blew my mind about Tahiti is the barrier reefs, which makes the beaches on the islands so calm. You can see the waves breaking out on the horizon, and you’re sitting on this beach and you can enjoy little wavelets. The ships can sail within the reefs and there’s just gorgeous paths between islands like Raiatea and our private motu (beach) experience.
–Jess Peterson
In the cruise industry, Paul Allen is considered “Mr. Alaska” but his favorite destination might surprise you
A longtime cruise marketer, Paul Allen, a project advisor for Windstar, is one of the line’s best-traveled Yacht Club members. In his professional role, he’s best known for his Alaska expertise. In his private travels, you’ll probably find him planning – or taking – trips to the Greek Isles.
Favorite line: What sets Windstar apart in Europe? Great variety of itineraries, the opportunity to sail from both iconic places and places you’ve never been to. For instance, we were in Sicily visiting ancient Greek temples….
Another line: “Tahiti is a very special destination. I’m not really a beach person but I love its nature. For me it’s the chance to see the earth breathing.”
Q&A: Favorite cruise? Allen tells us it’s Windstar’s Greek Isles 7-night cruise but here’s the kicker: his favorite port of call on that itinerary is actually in Turkey’s Ephesus. That archeological site was founded as an ancient Greek city before transforming into the capital of the Roman world. It dates back to 6,000 B.C. What he loves, he says, is that Ephesus is the site of a Windstar Destination Discovery Event where not only do you get to experience it without crowds but also that Windstar serves a lovely dinner on site.
Episode 3: The Friends We’ve Made Along the Way (and a Magical Mystery Cruise)
What does a relatively new-to-Windstar influencer have in common with a couple who’s racked up 500 nights onboard? They both were onboard for Windstar’s Magical Mystery cruise last year. You may recall this was the traditional Tahiti “Society Islands” voyage that suddenly, because of approaching cyclones, got rerouted for Windstar’s first-ever visit to the Marquesas, one of the world’s most remote archipelagos.
First, Janet chats with Tara Zimmerman, whose @fabulouslyadrift Instagram account chronicles travels on land and at sea. A Mediterranean “locals” cruise on Star Legend last winter was her first taste of a small ship experience and she returned for what she thought was going to be a first timers’ taste of Tahiti. “An adventure is one way to put it,” she tells Janet. “It was the trip of a lifetime in more ways than one.”
Favorite line: Janet sketches in a little detail about how that trip was so unexpectedly unusual. After the ship’s first port of call, an atoll called Fakarava, “the captain approaches us and says ‘there’s a cyclone coming our way and we’re going to have to make some decisions.’ The options? Stay put in Bora Bora for three-to-four windy and rainy days until the storm passes or we can go to another remote destination that’s totally out of the way. 900 miles out of the way, as it turns out. And off we went to the Marquesas.”
Another favorite line: “The theme you are hearing,” Janet tells us, is that “professionals are leading this company. When everything is smooth sailing, all cruises are great. When things get tough, which lines are going to make sure you stillhave fun? And stay safe? We do a really good job of changing and pivoting.”
In conversation with Anne Arnold and Jerry Baker, experienced Windstar travelers who also happened to be on board for the “magical mystery sailing” also discussed the Marquesas trip. On that voyage, the highlight, which the couple had never before experienced, was “not knowing what our next day was going to bring,” Anne says, “and knowing that Windstar was doing such an exceptional job of getting everything planned for us in the Marquesas. It was unbelievable.”
Anne and Jerry were dining at Amphora with Windstar President Chris Prelog one night and the topic turned to how much fun it was to not know exactly what to expect on your itinerary. Chris suggested that Windstar might actually plan a mystery cruise – and so Windstar has created the first-ever 2025 President’s Mystery Cruise. The 8-night voyage, roundtrip from Athens, departs on April 19, 2025 – and aside from that capital city, guests will only learn where they’re going the night before. Anne and Jerry were the first to sign on for it.
Q&A: The couple, who have achieved 500 nights aboard Windstar’s yachts, answers this one: What brings you back? “The crew, the Windstar family. We feel like they are our family.”
Episode 2: Shaping the Past, Present, and Future of Windstar
On this episode of Winds of Change, Janet’s guest is Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s chief commercial officer. Stijn started his cruise career as a waiter on then-Seabourn Pride before rising through the onboard hospitality ranks; subsequent positions included receptionist and chief purser. He joined Windstar in 2021 as vice president of hotel operations and was promoted to his chief commercial officer in 2023. In this role, Stijn still oversees hotel-related responsibilities (all guest-facing, such as food and beverage, entertainment, housekeeping, shore excursions and administration). He’s added the nautical and engineering sides, as well, overseeing Windstar’s shipbuilding and refurbishment programs.
On this podcast, Janet and Stijn cover topics such as cultural and culinary immersion, the new Basil + Bamboo restaurant that just debuted on Star Breeze, and why Star Seeker’s Horizon Suite is the suite to book.
Favorite line: “Giving a new life to a 30-year-old ship is the biggest form of sustainability in my eyes.”
Another favorite line: When “our favorite pesto maker comes on board in Italy…it’s an experience that guests remember. It’s not so much about the pesto, it’s about his passion, and connecting with locals and sharing in their culture.”
Q&A: What’s the best itinerary for new-to-Windstar travelers? “I definitely want to recommend Tahiti…the connection with the locals is amazing. if you have New Year’s resolutions,, I would say also, take a wellness cruise, take time, step back. We’re offering five “Mind, Body and Spirit” trips this year. And for 2026, the tulip season in Holland is an amazing itinerary. Three sailings, from mid-April to early May. Starts in Amsterdam and winds up in Belgium, my home country.”
Episode 1, The People Behind Windstar
Janet hosts Dianna Rom, vice president of sales, who, with over 25 years at parent company Xanterra, reminisces about the day that Xanterra Travel Collection acquired Windstar in 2011.
Favorite line: “A lot has changed since then. At that time Xanterra was about managing parks and park systems, and today… it’s about where we can leave an imprint on the world.”
Q&A: What’s the best itinerary for new-to-Windstar travelers? “A really good starter is Italy and the Dalmatian coast,” Rom says, particularly recommending that travelers start in Venice, because its sailaway is so magical. “These days, very few lines sail in and out of Venice [due to new restrictions that require ships longer than 180 meters to dock outside of the city]. Unfurling the sails, you are listening to ‘1492: Conquest of Paradise,’ and well, if you don’t feel like a pirate then, you never will.”
“Not only did I enjoy the Windstar podcast, my 11-year-old grandson put his morning cartoons on hold to listen with me! Then actively questioned which ships we had been on and what areas of the world we have been to.” — @susanwauer7182
Next up is Hotel General Manager Andreas Pitsch, who is calling in from Wind Surf. Pitsch oversees about 80% of a ship’s operation, including culinary, housekeeping, spa, dining and provisioning.
Favorite Line: “The biggest risk is not to take a risk,” he says, reflecting back on his decision to join Windstar. “I called my wife and I said, ‘If I would have known how wonderful atmosphere on a small ship was, I would have changed 20 years earlier.’”
Q&A: What is your favorite itinerary? “I get this question often and I always give the same answer. My favorite itineraries are in the Mediterranean, Spain, Monaco, Italy and Greece.” He loves the weather and the culinary scene, too; in fact, Pitsch loves the region so much he makes his home on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Loved your video. I have been trying to decide on what cruise is next for us and are kind of stuck. We are currently booked on the Iceland Cruise in late August/early September but a little concerned about the political climate with our friends in Greenland and Canada. We feel like we may not be welcomed (and I wouldn’t blame them). Would love to chat with someone at Windstar about our Iceland trip. We definitely need some encouragement that Americans will be welcomed. We did the Mediterranean last fall, and it was fabulous, In Jan ’23 we absolutely loved our… Read more »