Windstar sends two to Aus

SMALL ship cruise operator Windstar Cruises will deploy two of its ships to Australia in 2020, VP of Sales Steven Kona Simao told media in Sydney on Fri.

Wind Spirit will be the first to arrive down under, calling in at ports in northern Australia as the vessel makes it way to Singapore for a dry dock, followed by the arrival of Star Breeze in Nov.

Star Breeze will operate departures out of Australia and New Zealand from Cairns, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, including one roundtrip from Melbourne. Star Breeze will be the first of Windstar’s all-suite vessels set to undergo a lengthening, engine replacement and renovation under a US$250m Star Plus initiative which will upgrade 80% of each of the ships.

Following the works, each ship will have an additional 50 suites, cater for a total of 312 passengers, and feature two new dining locations, new retail space, a larger fitness centre and a new spa.

Simao is pictured right with Travel the World Chairman Andrew Millmore in Syd on Fri.