Windstar Explores the Med and Greek Isles!

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LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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Windstar Cruises’ Three Sailing Ships Explore the Waters from the
Western Med to the Greek Isles in 2006

Windstar Adds New Itinerary and More Departures in the Greek Isles

Seattle, WA, March 8, 2006 —Windstar Cruises’ three elegant and
intimate motor sailing yachts will spend seven months this year
sailing in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands.
Windstar’s Greek Islands cruises have proven extremely popular, and
the company is increasing its number of sailings in 2006 from 27 to
38. The Wind Star and Wind Spirit will both sail the popular Athens
to Istanbul itinerary, visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum and
Kusadasi. New for 2006, the Wind Spirit will sail five Greek Islands
cruises on a new itinerary between Istanbul and Athens that includes
visits to Canakkale and Izmir Turkey; Patmos, Agios, Kos and Naxos,
Greece; and Nikolaos, Crete. The new itinerary allows guest to
combine two Greek Island cruises for a 14-day voyage with no repeating
ports of call.
Between April and November, the 308-guest Wind Surf and 148-guest Wind
Star and Wind Spirit will sail a total of 40 voyages in Europe.
Homeports include Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Monte Carlo,
Málaga, Marseille, Nice and Venice. The Wind Surf will sail the
Western Mediterranean from April through November including a 14-day
Nice-to-Nice itinerary to coincide with the Grand Prix race in Monte
Carlo, Monaco. The Wind Star and Wind Spirit will each sail three
seven-day cruises beginning late April and then again in late October.
“Europe is a very popular cruise destination for us,” says Diane
Moore, vice president of marketing and sales for Windstar Cruises.
“Our new Greek Isles sailings feature a new itinerary with smaller,
unique ports. There’s no better way to see the beautiful Greek Isles
than by sea, especially aboard a casually elegant Windstar ship.”
The Wind Star will also operate a series of eight cruises between
Athens and Venice in July and August. Ports of call on the Athens to
Venice itinerary include Monemvasia, Katakolon, and Corfu, Greece and
Dubrovnik, Croatia. The Venice to Athens itinerary visits Rimini,
Italy; Hvar and Dubrovnik, Croatia and Cephalonia and Kythira, Greece.
The company has adjusted its itineraries to allow for later departures
and more overnights in ports, so guests can enjoy more time for
shopping, shore excursions and nightlife in favorites such as Monte
Carlo, Monaco; Ibiza, Spain; Santorini, Greece; Sorrento, Italy; and
Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Taking the adventure from ship to shore, Windstar has organized shore
excursions in port ranging from active and adventurous to relaxing and
luxurious.
“We’ve done all the research and booked with the best tour operators,”
says Moore. “We take care of all the details with attention paid to
the quality and safety of each excursion so that our guests can spend
their day enjoying themselves.”
If romance is in the air, a gullet ride for two in Bodrum, Turkey is a
romantic sailing experience through the magnificent coves of the
Bodrum Peninsula. A delicious lunch of local specialties and chilled
white wine will be served on board. For adventure, see Monaco by
helicopter or take the tram 3,000 feet up to the top of Mount Capanne
in Portoferraio, Italy.
Windstar has made reservations at fine dining hot spots. At the Hotel
Splendido overlooking the picturesque harbor in Portofino, Windstar
has arranged for the maitre d’hotel to meet guests, present the lunch
menu, and discuss different types of olive oil used in Italian
cuisine. In Mykonos, dinner is served at La Maison de Katrin, a
romantic and classy restaurant in town often visited by stars. In
Monaco, a private helicopter whisks guests to Moustiers village for
lunch at La Bastide de Moustiers. Famous Chef Alain Ducasse prepares
a three-course lunch of French Provençal cuisine.

New Tours for 2006

In Canakkale, Turkey, Ancient Troy takes guests to the famous site of
the legendary city destroyed in the Trojan War. In Izmir, Turkey, the
Pergamum Acropolis & Asclepion tour visits the site’s ruins and
includes a lunch of Turkish cuisine in the city center
In Katákolon, Greece, Ancient Olympia takes guests 2,000 years into
the past. A guided tour includes one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world—the Temple of Zeus.
The Deluxe Granada & the Alhambra tour in Málaga, Spain visits the
stunning Muslim-Hispano 14th century Alhambra. Lunch will be served
at Ruta del Veleta, one of Spain’s finest restaurants. Often visited
by Spain’s royal family, the restaurant is known for their creativity
with Spanish and Andalusian cuisine.
In Portofino, guests may opt for the five-hour tour to Genoa, the main
commercial port of Italy, also known as a genteel seaside resort. A
guide will narrate the town’s history and sights.
In 2006, a collection of 20 voyages are designated “Foremast Sailings”
for alumni. On these sailings, alumni guests will receive 50% or more
off the brochure tariff.

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 Degrees of Difference initiative adds new luxury amenities
and enhancements to the lines’ three ships. 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, hammocks built for two and
more. The initiative will be completed in stages during winter 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.