Debbie Dixon recently returned from a two-week Atlantic crossing on Wind Star and was still feeling the glow from the trip, which she describes as transformative. “It was such a great place to change the dynamic of what cruising is,” she tells me a few days after arriving home. “It’s an opportunity to lean into yourself.”
She should know. As a life coach, author of “The Path to Freedom,” a yoga teacher and an inspirational speaker, Dixon has worked in the health and wellness industry for almost three decades. Dixon was onboard Wind Star in late fall of 2024 to lead a private group of 10 travelers who’d all signed on for a health- and wellness-oriented experience — in addition to all the other features of a Windstar voyage, from dancing and music to spa and meals.
“A cruise is such a great place to change the dynamic of your life — while you still continue to explore various parts of the world.
Debbie Dixon, Realizing Your Dreams
This kind of retreat experience, she tells me, is important to people. “A lot of people are going through big shifts in life. Maybe they are experiencing health issues, adapting to retirement or other new chapters, feeling loss, or embracing new lifestyles. They want to get away and enjoy the aspects of a cruise they love, for sure, but they also value a wellness component.”
In fact, there’s such a demand that in 2025, Windstar is cultivating the concept and introducing the Mind, Body and Spirit Collection on four sailings throughout the year. All passengers who have booked these voyages and are interested in incorporating some aspects (or all) are encouraged to participate. These activities include daily meditation sessions, classes in breathwork and yoga practices. There will be inspirational conversations that focus on mental, physical and spiritual health. In addition to Windstar’s already-existing wellness culinary options, from vegan, vegetarian and heart-healthy cuisine to morning juice cleanses, there is a pop-up bar with elixirs that improve mind and body.
“A cruise,” she says, “is such a great place to change the dynamic of your life — while you still continue to explore various parts of the world.
“These days, it’s easy to get caught up in the world that is happening to us, to feel reactive, then powerless. Participating in our retreat experiences allows us to take back power and control in our lives. Most of what I do, in small doses, is help people revise the scripts of their lives. I’ll guide participants into introspection, look into how you can change your mindset, and how that changes the world and shows up for you. If you’re looking for the blessings, you’ll see the blessings.”
What intrigued Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s chief operations officer, was the chance to create a series of themed wellness voyages that meet travelers where they are on their wellness journey, whether it’s just a light refresh or a strong embrace (and anything in the middle). “Travel is so transformative to begin with,” he tells me. “And yet, our guests are all at different places in their lives. What’s beautiful about these cruises is that travelers can pick and choose what they want to participate in, how they want to dine, where they want to spend their time, both onboard and in port.”
Windstar’s new Mind, Body and Spirit Collection cruises are available on four sailings in 2025:
- Star Pride: Feb. 8 to 15: Panama Canal, Colombia and San Blas
- Star Legend: Feb. 23 to March 2: Europe’s Winter Riviera
- Star Pride: Oct. 19 to 26: Bermuda Bliss
- Wind Spirit: Nov. 4 to 18: Ocean Crossing
There is no additional charge to participate in any of the open-to-all-guests experiences.
