Windstar Welcomes World-Renowned Artist!

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Windstar Cruises Welcomes World-Renowned Artist Dale Chihuly Aboard
the Wind Surf

Chihuly to create five paintings

Seattle, WA, March 1, 2006 –Renowned artist Dale Chihuly joins the msy
Wind Surf’s voyage from Rome to Nice departing June 11, 2006. Chihuly,
best known for his glass artwork, will board the 308-guest msy Wind
Surf with his family for a week of cruising in the Mediterranean.
Guests are invited to see the artist in action along the way. Instead
of glass art, Chihuly will create five paintings. All painting will
be done pier side. One painting will be auctioned off on board the
ship with proceeds donated to Chihuly’s designated charity— The
Hilltop Artists in Residence Program, an at-risk program for teens
located in Chihuly’s hometown of Tacoma, Washington.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Dale Chihuly and his family on
board the Surf this summer,” says Diane Moore, Windstar’s vice
president of marketing and sales. “It’s not everyday you have the
chance to meet a legendary artist like Chihuly and seeing him in
action painting on the pier will be a highlight.”
Chihuly will host a cocktail reception aboard the ship one evening.
All guests will be invited to attend.
Known for his avant-garde blown glass artwork, Dale Chihuly is a
leader in the development of glass as a fine art. His work is included
in over two hundred museum collections worldwide and he’s been the
recipient of many awards, including eight honorary doctorates and two
fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. The founder of
Pilchuk Glass School in Washington, Chihuly was introduced to glass
while studying interior design at the University of Washington. He has
created many well-known series of works, among them the Baskets,
Persians, and Seaforms, but he is also celebrated for large
architectural installations such as Chihuly Over Venice and Chihuly in
the Light of Jerusalem.
Other ports visited on this itinerary include Rome; Porto-Vecchio,
France; Portoferraio, Elba; Livorno and Portofino, Italy; Monte Carlo,
Monaco; and Nice. The ship will overnight in Livorno and Monte Carlo
to allow guests more time for shoreside exploration and dinner ashore.
A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience, Windstar
has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers
who appreciate the line’s casual attire, alternative dining venues,
rich mix of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program,
progressive spa facilities, and luxurious accommodations. The line’s
relaxed approach to enjoying time at sea free of scheduled events has
become a benchmark for others in luxury travel to follow.
In keeping with its exacting standards of excellence, the line
recently invested more than $8 million in fleetwide enhancements.
Windstar’s Degrees of Difference initiative will add new luxury
amenities and enhancements on board the ships. Additions include new
Signature Cuisine menus from Chef Joachim Splichal, Apple iPod Nanos
and Bose SoundDock speakers, wireless Internet, Riedel stemware,
luxury linens and mattresses, L’Occitane bathroom amenities and more.
The initiative will be completed in stages and finished in summer
2006.
Cruise rates for the June 11 voyage with Chihuly start at $2,449 per
person based on double occupancy.

About Windstar Cruises

Seattle-based Windstar Cruises operates three motor 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. The unobtrusive service and attentive staff create a
casually elegant atmosphere that effortlessly fosters camaraderie
among guests and crew. 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 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.