Deal Alert: Windstar’s “Thankful for Travel” Black Friday Offer Just Dropped – and It’s Worth $1,350

This Black Friday, Windstar Cruises is redefining indulgence at sea—drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities included—for just $50 per person upfront.

 

Picture this: You’re on a yacht with a chilled drink in hand, Wi-Fi strong enough to make your coworkers wonder where you really are, and zero gratuities to calculate. Now imagine all of that actually included in your fare – for only $50 per person upfront.

 

This Black Friday, Windstar Cruises is feeling especially generous with its “Thankful for Travel” offer. From November 18 to December 16, 2025, anyone booking a future voyage gets a complimentary All-Inclusive Upgrade—worth $1,350 per couple on a 7-night sailing. That means select drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are now baked into the package, not tacked on as an afterthought.

 

The “Thankful for Travel” offer makes locking in your escape now and gloating about it later remarkably easy.

Bookmark the Deal Page — Live November 18

Starting November 18, our deal page will be live with the “Thankful for Travel” offer. Store this for safekeeping:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/specials/thankful/

 

Where You Can Sail

This offer covers every Windstar voyage through March 2027, giving you nearly two years of options across some of the world’s most compelling coastlines:

 

• Year-Round Europe – Think Mediterranean classics where you can wander Dubrovnik’s ancient walls at sunset, Greek Isles and Turkey where you’ll enjoy an exclusive five-course dinner near the Library of Celsus at Ephesus, and Icelandic fjords so dramatic they’ll ruin other landscapes for you. Overnight port stays mean you’re not just checking boxes—you’re actually experiencing places after the day-trippers leave.

 

• Tahiti – Windstar has been sailing French Polynesia for nearly 40 years, longer than any other cruise line, which means we know where the best snorkeling is and which lagoons turn that specific shade of turquoise you didn’t think was real. With more departures than anyone else, you’ll have plenty of chances to dive into waters that look Photoshopped but aren’t.

 

• Caribbean – These aren’t the cruise ports you’re picturing. We’re talking intimate harbors where you can snorkel straight from the yacht’s Marina, deserted beaches that feel like your own private discovery, and yes, our Signature Beach Party that’s become the stuff of vacation legend for good reason.

 

• Latin America – From Panama Canal crossings that never get old (seriously, the engineering alone) to Costa Rican rainforests where the wildlife-to-human ratio is heavily skewed in nature’s favor, these voyages deliver both adventure and those quiet moments when you realize you haven’t thought about your inbox in days.

 

Why Windstar?

With fewer than 350 guests per yacht, Windstar delivers an upscale experience without the stuffiness that can make luxury travel feel like work. Here’s what that actually looks like:

• Service that feels personal because it is—our nearly 1.5:1 guest-to-crew ratio means your preferences get remembered, not recorded in some database

 

• Yacht-exclusive perks like our Open Bridge policy, because why shouldn’t you be able to chat with the captain while watching the sunrise from the bow?

 

• Complimentary watersports launched directly from the onboard Marina (in select itineraries)—kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear are yours whenever the mood strikes

 

• Unassigned dining with menus that lean heavily on whatever’s fresh and local in port

 

• Access to harbors and coves that mega-ships can only dream about (or sail past while you’re already docked)

 

 

It’s travel that’s 180 Degrees from Ordinary®—now with a seasonal upgrade that makes the decision even easier.

 

Stories Worth Pitching

• “The Gift of Travel: Why Experiences Are the New Holiday Currency” – As holiday shopping shifts from stuff to memories, travel has become the gift that actually gets used—and remembered years later. Windstar’s Black Friday offer taps into this perfectly: it’s a present that promises months of anticipation (which research shows can be more valuable than the trip itself) without adding to anyone’s clutter, making it the ultimate antidote to consumer excess during the season of too much.

 

• “The New Luxury Travel Math: Why All-Inclusive Is Having a Yacht Moment” – As travelers become more budget-conscious in today’s economic environment, the psychology of “what’s included” has shifted from convenience to necessity. Small-ship cruising is capitalizing on this by bundling what used to be nickel-and-dimed, making the upfront cost feel more transparent and the vacation itself feel more indulgent.

 

• “How Wave Season Became Black Friday for Cruises—and Why It Matters” – The cruise industry has quietly adopted retail’s promotional calendar, with Black Friday deals now rivaling traditional wave season (January-March) bookings. This shift reflects both changing consumer behavior and the industry’s need to fill 2026-2027 inventory earlier than ever.

 

About Windstar Cruises

With a fleet of eight all-suite and sailing yachts serving up to 350 guests, Windstar Cruises offers an intimate experience like no other. Guests can explore enchanting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Alaska, New England, Canada, Japan, Asia and the South Pacific. Plus, Windstar operates year-round in Europe and will offer two unique ship experiences in Tahiti starting in 2027. Windstar will introduce two new ships to its Star Class beginning with Star Seeker in December 2025 and followed by Star Explorer in December 2026.  At Windstar Cruises, it’s not just about travel – it’s about creating experiences that resonate with the soul. With port-intensive itineraries, iconic destinations, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program, every moment with Windstar is an opportunity for discovery and delight. Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy that spans over a hundred years operating our country’s iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Death Valley, and many others. Xanterra Leisure Holding, LLC is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group. 

   

Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy spanning over a hundred years. Xanterra operates iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Death Valley. The Xanterra Travel Collection® is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.