Seattle, WA, January 21, 2002 - Windstar Cruises announces that it will return to Tahiti and her islands in May of 2002, after a four-and-a-half year hiatus. The msy Wind Song will sail a total of 34 newly announced cruises in 2002.
A joint agreement between the government of French Polynesia and Windstar Cruises was signed last Thursday, January 17, 2002. The public signing ceremony was held in Papeete, Tahiti, and gateway to the South Pacific.
"This agreement is a tourism boon for both Tahiti and Windstar. We are thrilled to be renewing our long-standing relationship," said Tom Russell, vice president of marketing and sales for Windstar Cruises. "Historically, Tahiti has been one of our most popular destinations - it's the perfect match for Windstar's luxury sailing ships.
"We anticipate that these cruises will fill up quickly," Russell added. "Many of our past guests have been eagerly awaiting our return to Tahiti and her islands."
The 148-passenger sailing yacht Wind Song was designed specifically for cruising among tropical islands and spent her first ten years from 1987 to 1997 plying the crystalline waters of the South Pacific. With her four tall masts and 21,500 square feet of soaring white sails, the Wind Song will ride on the famous South Pacific trade winds.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Windstar back and introducing many new guests to Tahiti and our spectacular islands," stated Al Keahi, managing director of Los Angeles-based Tahiti Tourisme.
Wind Song will begin her South Pacific journey on May 1, 2002 with a 14-day repositioning cruise from Auckland, New Zealand to Papeete, Tahiti. The ship will cross the International Date Line and stop at Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Atiu in the Cook Islands.
The season kicks off with a 10-day "Tahiti Reunion" cruise sailing round-trip from Papeete, Tahiti on May 14, 2002. Passengers aboard this memorable cruise will celebrate Wind Song's return and visit the idyllic islands of Rangiroa, Arutua, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti.
The Wind Song sails thirty-two 7-day cruises through the end of 2002. Passengers will board in Papeete, Tahiti on Friday afternoon and spend a week visiting Tahiti and her exotic islands of Raiatea, Huahine, Bora Bora, and Moorea.
Windstar will participate in an ongoing series of travel agent educational seminars hosted by Los Angeles-based, Tahiti Tourisme. Agents attending these educational seminars will be awarded the designation of "Tiare Agent" or "Tahiti Specialist."
Windstar will partner with Air Tahiti Nui, the pre-eminent airline of Tahiti and her islands. The current air schedule will allow cruisers to fly in and out of Tahiti on embarkation or disembarkation day.
Airfare add-ons from 32 major U.S. and Canadian cities, hotel arrangements, and pre- and post-cruise tours are available at very attractive rates.
Windstar also offers a trip cancellation protection program that provides cash back for cancellation for any reason prior to 24-hours before departure.
ABOUT WINDSTAR
Celebrating its 15th anniversary year, Windstar pioneered the concept of a luxury cruise vacation with a laid-back attitude. The company's trademark of "casual elegance" delivers a sophisticated yet relaxed experience with all ocean-view staterooms, innovative cuisine and wine selections, open dining, pleasant and pampering service, enchanting ports of call, complimentary water sports, and resort-style dress.
Recently heralded by Porthole Magazine as "Most Romantic" cruise line, Windstar finished second in Condé Nast Traveler "2001 Readers' Choice Awards" and made the "2002 Gold List of Best Places to Stay in the World."
Seattle-based Windstar Cruises operates four sailing yachts, the 308-passenger Wind Surf, and 148-passenger Wind Star, Wind Song and Wind Spirit. Windstar's unique cruise vacations are a mix of casual elegance and small-ship intimacy. The fleet sails worldwide to over 47 countries with regularly scheduled cruises to Tahiti, New Zealand, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Florida Keys, Central America, Panama Canal and Trans-Atlantic.