Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises continues to make big changes to its deployment, announcing eight new itineraries in Northern Europe and 12 new Mediterranean itineraries, bringing Windstar’s total unique itineraries in Europe for 2018 to 40. The itineraries visit 26 new European ports, increasing the company’s global number of maiden ports to 93 for 2018.
The sailings, running April through October, include a number of small ship cruising experiences, like sailing the narrow Trollfjord in the Lofoten Islands; docking in downtown London near the Tower of London, where guests can see the Tower Bridge as they sail underneath it; or tucking into exclusive San Remo on the Riviera of Flowers, known as Italy’s own Monte Carlo, Windstar said.
“These 20 new itineraries are just the latest development in response to our growing customer demand, we’re keenly focused on offering more and varied sailings that effectively leverage our fleet of six small ships,” said Windstar President John Delaney in a written release.
Windstar’s three all-suite power yachts have opened up new places for the company to explore, the line said, including more ports in Northern Europe and smaller ports in the Mediterranean. The yachts are able to sail into smaller harbors and fjords, carry out scenic coastal cruising, and traverse larger distances at higher speeds.
Windstar’s destination expansion brings a ship to Asia later this year on a number of new itineraries. Also on tap for 2018 are recently announced new voyages in Alaska, Canada and New England.
Europe 2018 cruises will range from shorter week-long sailings to multi-week voyages. Highlights include:
- Secrets of the Faroe, Shetland & Orkney Islands – Most cruise ships merely stop briefly at these remote islands on their way to Iceland, Windstar said, but this seven-day itinerary (round trip from Edinburgh) will offer more chances to see Shetland ponies, Atlantic Puffins, and the opportunity to meet the laird of a castle.
- Norway’s Famous Fjords – With a focus on scenic cruising in Norway’s fjords, this eight-day, round-trip journey from Copenhagen puts guests into ports like Geirangerfjord and Sognefjrod. Windstar will ensure guests can take advantage of the region’s hiking, kayaking, and fishing opportunities, as well as visit local sheep farms.
- Sailing Southern Italy & Croatia – Windstar’s new 11-day exploration of both coasts of Italy and the Croatian Riviera lets guests take in medieval walled cities, resort towns, and Mediterranean cuisine. From Rome to Venice, the itinerary includes two stops in Puglia’s whitewashed villages: Bari and Brindisi.
- Hidden Harbors of the Côte d’Azur – From Nice to Barcelona over eight days, this sailing visits less-frequented ports of call along the famous coastline. Stops include Bastia, Corsica; Le Lavandou, Marseille, and Sanary-sur-Mer in France; as well as Palamos in Spain.
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