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Windstar Cruises

***Important Policy Information***

Cruise Restart Policies as of March 30, 2021

Windstar currently plans to re-start cruise operations in a phased manner with the initial cruises having reduced guest occupancy, some modified itineraries, and enhanced health and safety protocols.

New timeline for resumption of operations:

Star Breeze – June 19, 2021 – Caribbean
Wind Star – June 19, 2021 – Mediterranean
Wind Spirit – July 15, 2021 – Tahiti
Wind Surf – August 8, 2021 – Mediterranean
Star Legend – September 4, 2021 – Northern Europe
Star Pride – November 3, 2021 – Caribbean

Will I need to be vaccinated?

Windstar Cruises will require proof of a current COVID-19 vaccination for all guests sailing aboard Windstar’s yachts. The cruise line arrived at the decision in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places the yachts visit.

At the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests will be required to provide proof of a completed current vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand) finished at least 14 days prior to the guest’s embarkation date.

NEW: No COVID-19 PCR test is required at the pier. Windstar will require and administer a free COVID-19 antigen test at the pier prior to boarding. A negative test result is required to board.

Will I need to wear a mask onboard?

Masks must be worn indoors in public spaces except when eating and drinking. Masks must be worn on deck when unable to social distance except when swimming.

Before you book - Flexible Booking Policy

Windstar believes vacations enrich people’s lives. The new Travel Assurance Booking Policy is an extra effort to ensure travelers feel comfortable booking a well-deserved cruise vacation now without fearing loss should they need to cancel.

EFFECTIVE AS OF January 5, 2021:
Travelers who cancel a 2021 cruise booking at least 48 hours prior to departure will receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of the cancellation fees collected excluding fees collected for air, transportation, and hotels. All Future Cruise Credits must be used within 24 months of issuance on another Windstar departure.

Cancellation Policy as of March 30, 2021

Windstar Cruises will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all guests sailing aboard Windstar’s yachts. At the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests will be required to provide proof of a current completed vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand) finished at least 14 days prior to the guest’s embarkation date.

If you are unable to meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, they will gladly provide you a refund for cancellations that occur greater than 60 days prior to sailing, and a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will be issued for cancellations occurring within 60 days before sailing for 2021 cruises. Please contact your PERX Vacation Consultant to request a refund. Windstar will process the refund to the original form(s) of payment at 100% of the amount paid to Windstar Cruises. Please note Windstar does not reimburse third-party (non-Windstar) travel expenses or fees.

Paused Sailings

  • Two Star Breeze seven-day sailings departing on June 26 and July 3 out of St. Maarten have been cancelled.

Windstar is carefully assessing multiple factors impacting their timing to resume operations. With the information they have today on COVID-related travel restrictions and government regulations, some uncertainties remain. They have made the difficult decision to postpone a number of their sailings.

In connection with this cancellation, they are offering a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at 125% of monies paid to Windstar Cruises. Guests will have 24 months from the issue date of the FCC to sail with their FCC. Given the volume of cancellations, please allow up to four weeks to receive FCC certificates. Guests may request a cash refund once the FCC certificate is received. Windstar will deactivate the FCC valued at 125% and process the refund to the original form(s) of payment at 100% of the monies paid to Windstar Cruises. Guests will have 24 months from the issue date of the FCC to request the refund. Please note Windstar does not reimburse third-party (non-Windstar) travel expenses or fees.

Health and Safety Protocols

In their preparations to return to sailing, they continue to review and update their health and safety practices including enhanced sanitation protocols, health screenings, additional medical staff on board, flexible indoor and outdoor dining, and crew training. Their new Beyond Ordinary Care program (summarized below) is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect circulated air, plus electrostatic sprayers to sanitize all surfaces throughout their yachts.

The health and well-being of their guests, crew, land-based employees and people in the communities we visit is always a top priority. They continue to monitor local regulations for all countries and ports we visit and as they approach sailing dates, they will notify guests of any local requirements. They have taken extraordinary measures to safely operate their yachts for their guests and crewmembers and will continue to do so once they resume operations.

They look forward to a safe return to travel and cruising in 2021.

Pre-boarding

  • All guests are required to have completed a full course of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation. Proof of vaccination required at cruise terminal.
  • Receive updated communications about COVID-19 policies from Windstar
  • Research COVID-19 test requirements and standards for any countries visited during travel
  • Windstar recommends purchasing travel insurance to cover COVID-19 related costs
  • Wear masks during travel to ship
  • Health screening at terminal prior to embarkation
  • No COVID-19 PCR test required at pier; Windstar will require and administer a free COVID-19 antigen test prior to boarding
  • Negative antigen test result required to board
  • Socially distanced embarkation

On board

  • HEPA filters and UV-C lights in HVAC system are a double whammy to clean the air of microbes on board ships
  • Electrostatic sprayers sanitize spaces and surfaces with a powerful, EPA-approved, hospital-grade sanitizing solution
  • Ultraviolet-C light emitting wands will be used to disinfect public items
  • Increase frequency of cleaning public spaces and high-touch points
  • Dining venues operate at reduced capacity with tables spaced apart
  • Additional medical staff on board
  • Masks must be worn indoors in public spaces except when eating and drinking
  • Masks must be worn on deck when unable to social distance except when swimming
  • Sail with reduced capacity
  • Crew wear masks and undergo COVID-19 specific training
  • Capability to test crew and guests for COVID-19 with PCR test
  • Ability to care for and treat guests if they become ill
  • Designated isolation cabins set aside

Shore excursions

  • Excursions will be reviewed and offered only if they meet appropriate standards
  • For the near term as required by the Cruise Lines International Association, guests will need to book a Windstar shore excursion to go ashore.
  • All shore excursions have been vetted for health and safety protocols
  • Tenders, motor coaches, and smaller boats will operate at reduced capacity and will be cleaned between each use
  • Shore excursions to operate at reduced capacity
  • Masks will be required according to local regulations and when unable to social distance
  • Staggered arrivals and departures in port

For more information call yourPERX Vacation Consultant at 1-888-737-9266