After launching its first-ever winter cruise season in the Mediterranean in December 2023, Windstar Cruises has decided to continue Star Legend sailings in the region through the winter of 2024-25.
The cruise line began offering winter Med cruises for the first time last month after being forced to postpone Star Legend's 2023/24 Middle East program due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Positive feedback and an influx of bookings and demand have enabled the luxury small ship cruise line to maintain its presence in the Mediterranean well into 2024/2025.
Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer, said: “On our first sailing in December, every travel advisor and passenger on board said to me, ‘This is genius.’ We enjoyed the sunny weather in Europe's most walkable city during a time when cruises are few and far between. The ship sails the seas of Europe.
“The biggest lesson we learned this winter season was the limited possibilities and experiences that just one itinerary could offer, from Rome to Barcelona and vice versa. We have responded with a range of new itineraries for our guests. In winter, you can enjoy one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean.”
The company confirmed that the 2025 season will feature five itineraries and three special holiday and event sailings. The expansion will allow guests to combine consecutive itineraries.
New highlights include an eight-day ‘Winter Italy and Dalmatian Coast’ cruise. 7-day ‘European Winter Riviera’ sailing; an eight-day ‘Winter in Italy and the Adriatic’ voyage; A 9-day 'Winter Tour in Southern Spain' and an 8-day 'Winter in Croatia and Greece' cruise.