World Class Diving With Luxury Cruising!

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I received this press release from Windstar and thought it would be of
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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Windstar Caribbean Cruises Combine World Class Diving With Luxury
Cruising

Seattle, WA, November 16, 2005
With two motor sailing yachts exploring the far reaches of the
Caribbean this winter, Windstar Cruises’ PADI-certified (Professional
Association of Dive Instructors) dive program provides ample
opportunities to discover underwater sites teeming with marine life.
Dive instructors lead a range of programs from Discover Scuba Diving
for novices to advanced specialty courses for certified divers.
Between December and April, the msy Wind Surf is positioned in the
heart of the southern Caribbean, where dive adventures await in places
like Moon Hole near Bequia, famous for its deep crevices and abundant
marine life. At Devil’s Tabletop divers will enjoy a colorful display
of pink and red corals, purple sea fans, parrotfish as well as
turtles, grey nurse sharks and other marine life. In Mayreau, the
Purini Wreck, a gunship sunk during WWI, is home to nurse sharks,
stingrays, squirrel fish and other marine life.
The Wind Surf’s Caribbean itineraries are specially designed to give
guests the option of combining two back to back cruises into a 14-day
cruise with no repeating ports of call. The ship’s northbound
Caribbean itinerary features Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadaloupe,
Iles des Saintes and Pigeon Island (St. Lucia). The southbound
itinerary calls on Tobago, Grenada, Bequia, Roseau and Cabrits
(Dominica), and Mayreau (Grenadines).
Aboard the Wind Spirit, guests on a seven-day Caribbean cruise round
trip from St. Thomas may enjoy amazing dives near St. John at Mingo
Cay, for an incredible show of tropical fish. Wreck diving enthusiasts
will enjoy the dive to the famed RMS Rhone in Tortola. The Royal Mail
Steam Ship ran aground during a hurricane in 1867 and broke into two
parts. It’s now known as one of the world’s best wreck dives. Scenes
from the movie “The Deep” were filmed here.
The Wind Spirit sails roundtrip from St. Thomas between December and
April visiting St. John, St. Martin, St. Barts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke
and Virgin Gorda.
For certified divers, Windstar’s Adventures in Diving program offers
guests the opportunity to improve their diving skills while diving
with PADI instructors on more challenging excursions. By completing
three adventure dives, guests will earn a PADI Adventure Diver
certificate. Courses to choose from include wreck diving, deep
diving, navigation diving and more. For beginners, Windstar’s Discover
Scuba Diving program starts with a pool dive, graduating to 30- to
40-foot dives with an instructor.
A number of specialty courses are available. The Peak Performance
Buoyancy Specialty course teaches divers to fine-tune their buoyancy
to extend time spent underwater by reducing air consumption. A fish
identification course teaches basic fish identification and
characteristics of local fish families and species during two dives.
Dive programs start at $80 for a one tank dive or avid divers can sign
up for the “Dive the Five” package which includes any five dives for
$350. An Advanced Open Water course includes five dives, instruction
and certification for $495. The five dives include a Deep Adventure
Dive, Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive and three other Adventure
Dives.
The very design of Windstar’s casually elegant sailing yachts lends
itself perfectly to warm water activities. Once anchored in a
secluded cove, the ships’ water sports platform is lowered from an aft
deck to create a private marina for sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and
water-skiing. Complimentary snorkeling gear may be checked out for
the week. Windstar sports coordinators are on hand to help guests
with the complimentary equipment, recommend good swimming and
snorkeling spots, or take guests for boat rides.
After enjoying water sports, guests return to the ship’s luxurious
accommodations to enjoy the hospitality and cuisine that have earned
Windstar Cruises its award-winning reputation for sophisticated yet
casual elegance. At the full-service WindSpa, guests will relish
relaxing treatments ranging from a traditional Swedish Massage to a
more contemporary AromaSpa Ocean Wrap. Swimming pools and Jacuzzis
(two each aboard Wind Surf, one each aboard Wind Star and Wind
Spirit), open teak decks and comfortable lounge chairs invite
travelers to relax and rejuvenate as they explore the world.
Complementing the active lifestyles of Windstar’s clientele, the line
features Jeanne Jones’ “Sail Lite” and Vegetarian menus. Heartier
appetites will enjoy the line’s Signature Cuisine created together
with acclaimed celebrity chef Joachim Splichal. Evenings aboard
Windstar are relaxed and convivial, with guests gathering at the
Terrace Bar to share stories of the day’s adventures.


ABOUT WINDSTAR CRUISES

Seattle-based Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for
their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden
harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations.
Carrying just 148 to 308 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar
cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe,
the Caribbean and the Americas.
Windstar’s trademark “casual elegance” delivers a sophisticated yet
relaxed experience with all-view staterooms and suites, innovative
cuisine and wine selections, open dining, pleasant and pampering
service, enchanting ports of call, complimentary water sports and
resort-style dress.
Launched in 2005, Windstar’s Degrees of Difference initiative will add
new luxury amenities and enhancements to the five areas that anchor
the line’s overall guest experience—dining, accommodations, service,
destinations and activities. Additions include new Signature Cuisine
menus from Chef Joachim Splichal, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock
speakers, Riedel stemware, luxury linens and mattresses, L’Occitane
bathroom amenities and more. The initiative will be completed in
stages and finished in 2006.
Windstar offers optional trip cancellation protection that provides
cash back when you cancel for any reason prior to 24-hours before
departure. For more information including brochures, rates and
itineraries contact a professional travel agent.


World’s Leading Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises is a member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise
Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland
America, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and the Yachts
of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment
to quality and value, the member lines appeal to a wide range of
lifestyles and budgets. The World’s Leading Cruise Lines offer
exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable
destinations.