Cruising Press Releases

Small Ship Line Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Makes First Call in Australia

Small Ship Line Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Makes First Call in Australia in Sydney on November 22

A Series of Australia-Centric Sailings Continues through February 7, 2023 

 

MIAMI, FL, November 22, 2022 —  Windstar Cruises’ 312-passenger, all-suite Star Breeze yacht makes its first-ever call in Australia today in Sydney, where it will embark on a 13-day privately chartered cruise to Melbourne, arriving on December 4. The charter cruise kicks off several weeks of Australia-centric consumer sailings for the U.S.-based small ship cruise line. It’s the first time Windstar has sailed extensive itineraries in the region, including first-time ports in Mooloolaba and Phillip Island. Windstar will leave Australia on February 7, 2023, returning in December, 2023.

 

“In addition to expected Australian tourist highlights like the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef, Windstar strives to take its guests down the road less traveled to immerse them in the region’s history, traditional culture, and incredible wine country,” says Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “Windstar goes to rarely visited small ports like Thursday and Middle Percy islands, and offers a series of thoughtfully curated shore excursions ranging from meeting with researchers at the Lizard Island Research Station to sampling Tasmania’s finest produce. We are all about getting our guests away from the crowds, up close with wildlife, and tasting the best flavors of the region.”

 

Windstar’s next Australian itinerary Tasman Sea Treasures: New Zealand Fjords & Southern Australia departs Melbourne on December 4, sailing to Auckland over 14 days. On December 18, Wildlife & Wines of New Zealand sails from Auckland to Christchurch, followed by the reverse on December 30. Another Tasman Sea Treasures departs on January 10 from Auckland to Melbourne, followed by a Melbourne to Cairns journey on January 25 called Deep Dive Down Under: the Great Barrier Reef & Beyond (including an overnight in Sydney). On February 4, Windstar departs Cairns for Benoa on Hidden Indonesia & the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to the above, there are also options to combine itineraries into larger/longer voyages (dubbed Star Collectors by Windstar).

 

All sailings take place on Windstar’s newly renovated Star Breeze. The all-suite yacht was cut in half/lengthened with 50 new suites and has two new restaurants, a true spa/fitness center, and more efficient engines, among other improvements.

 

More details on Windstar’s Australia and New Zealand itineraries can be found here: https://www.windstarcruises.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand/

 

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.

 

 

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six boutique all-suite and sailing yachts carrying 148-342 guests. Small ship cruises sail throughout Europe; the Caribbean; Costa Rica and the Panama Canal; Asia; Alaska and British Columbia; New England and Eastern Canada; the U.S. West Coast and Mexico; Arabia, and the South Pacific, including a ship year-round in Tahiti.  Windstar launched the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to transform the three all-suite Star Plus Class yachts with new suites, restaurants, and a world-class spa and fitness center. The award-winning line is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program.  Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, a group of global hospitality and travel companies, one of which traces its history back over a hundred years of operating our country’s iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Death Valley, and many others. Xanterra Travel Collection is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.