wardsWindstar’s six small ships win new travel awards and garner travel influencer accolades.
We wrap up the year on a high note with a bevy of travel awards from trusted travel publications. We also received accolades from influential travel insiders who have experienced a personalized cruise vacation on the line’s iconic sailing and all-suite yachts first hand. Newly bestowed awards for Windstar Cruises include:
#1 Best Boutique Cruise Line — USA TODAY “10Best” Readers’ Choice Travel Award
“Boutique cruise lines bring something extra to the cruising experience, whether it be small ships with attractive passenger-to-staff ratios, luxury amenities, or unique on-board activities and excursions,” noted USA TODAY. The news organization brought together a panel of experts in the world of cruising who partnered with the “10Best” editors to nominate 20 cruise lines. Windstar led the popular vote winning the #1 spot on Dec. 23.
Condé Nast Traveler 2017 GOLD LIST — Windstar Cruises, 5th consecutive year
“This year’s Gold List is a collective love letter to all of those… around the world that set the standard for a life well-lived,” says Pilar Guzmán in her editor’s letter. The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2017 recognizes travel providers that the title’s editors and contributors visit time and time again.
“These wonderful accomplishments showcase the unique travel experience we provide to our valued guests,” says Windstar President John Delaney. “We’re thrilled and inspired by this great news as we head into 2017, renewing our commitment to being the absolute best small ship cruise line. These awards are a credit to our dedicated and exceptional staff and employees; they are a talented group who are the heart of Windstar.”
In addition, Windstar was recently lauded by travel and cruise influencers with the following accolades:
Best Small Ship Cruise Line — CruiseReport.com
The cruise website announced 2016 Awards noting:
“We love small ship cruising and, in our opinion, nobody does it better than Windstar Cruises. The acquisition of three motor yachts (Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend) takes Windstar to a whole new level. Our 9-nights aboard Star Pride reminded us of what we love about Windstar: excellent service, surprisingly good dining, interesting destinations and great value. I love small ships and Windstar’s new Star-class ships may be my new favorites,” says Senior Editor Rickee Richardson.
LandLopers.com on Windstar Tahiti Cruise: “Experiential Luxury Travel – My Top 2016 Moments”
Cruising French Polynesia – Travel site founder and Gen-X journalist Matt Long noted that a 2016 travel bucket list cruise aboard Wind Spirit in Tahiti did not disappoint:
“Over the course of a week while on a luxurious Windstar Cruise my appreciation of how just idyllic and perfect the islands are grew, and the experiences I enjoyed there really were a dream come true.”
#8 – Top 50 Cruise Blogs and Websites by Feedspot.com
Windstar ranked #8, the highest ranking for a cruise line-published blog based on Google reputation and search ranking; influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites; quality and consistency of posts; and Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review.
Windstar’s fleet exudes adventure and romance in a casually elegant style favored by sophisticated travelers of all ages. Cruisers may choose from three luxurious all-suite yachts and three impressive sailing yachts including the 310-guest sailing yacht, MSY Wind Surf, recent recipient of Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 18th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards for World’s Best Tall Ship for the 8th consecutive year. The above awards are added to numerous accolades for the leading small ship cruise line in 2016 including:
· Cruise Critic: “Best for Romance” in the Luxury Category of their 2016 Editors’ Picks Awards.
· SHAPE Magazine: 2016 Healthy Travel Awards Best in Cruise, “Tops in Activities”
· Condé Nast Traveler’s 29th annual Readers’ Choice Awards – “Top 5 Small Cruise Lines”
The small ship cruise line is re-inventing itself under new leadership with new vessel deployments to exotic ports in Asia and Arabia, as well as in-depth discovery of hip European ports in Croatia, France, Iceland, Scotland, and across Central and Northern Europe. Currently criss-crossing warm-water seaways to tropical ports and cozy harbors of the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama, and idyllic Islands of French Polynesia, sailing to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, the Tuomotus and more, Windstar is offering special savings with the “Star Perks Event” offering reduced fares and a special cruise perk of choice including up to US$1,000 shipboard credit.
For additional information, contact a travel professional or Windstar Cruises by phone at 877-958-7718, or visit www.windstarcruises.com.
