Previous versions of the Windstar President’s Cruise have taken us through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, The Philippines, Malaysia and more. On Saturday, the 2019 edition sails the Caribbean, round-trip St Maarten. That will happen on Windstar Cruises flagship Windsurf. Sailing with us, cruise industry leaders, a number of interesting guests and influencers. The Porthole & Windstar Caribbean Celebration cruise promises to be one of the most unique Caribbean cruise experiences to date. It has to be. 180° From Ordinary is what Windstar is all about.

Familiar Focus

Like previous editions of the Windstar President’s cruise and perhaps other small ship experiences, this one also focuses on the unique culture of the places visited.

Windstar Owns Joy

Totally unique to Windstar, a serious line item on the feature list of this sailing: Joy. We will experience the joy of the Caribbean Islands as we did the joy of other places visited with Windstar. Small ship size has a lot to do with that.

Still, we already know ships are pieces of hardware and the people are going to make or break the trip. As in just about any other travel situation where I was blown away by the experience, it all comes back to leadership that enables. Enables who? In this case everyone.

“We don’t want to just show you the world. We want you to understand it” – said John Delaney, Windstar President.

That focus, that understanding, has brought some of our most memorable Windstar travel moments, like these:

Windstar Cruises Panama Canal Experience In Photos

Perhaps Unfamiliar

Different than previous Windstar President’s Cruises a different focus for a familiar part of the world. The name of this themed sailing. Not Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern or Exotic. Instead, it’s the Porthole & Caribbean Celebration Cruise.

A Ship With Sails

Also different, it’s on a ship with sails. Not our first ship with sails but the first with this cruise line. More on Windstar’s Flagship Sailing Ship Wind Surf coming up. (See Whitney Takes Chris To Photo School On A Ship With Sails)
Also different: a slight shift in focus which makes sense in the familiar-to-all-of-you-reading-this Caribbean.

Expanding The Joy

Joining Windstar President John Delaney is Porthole Cruise Magazine CEO Bill Panoff. Panoff began his career as a cruise ship entertainer, establishing PPI Group in 1987. Now an industry leader in custom publishing (the magazines you see in cruise ship staterooms, all cruise lines), video production, marketing and promotions, Panoff also founded the company’s Porthole Cruise Magazine.

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There is a lot to talk about in advance of this sailing. Let’s start with the itinerary

DAY	DATE	PORT	ARRIVE	DEPART
SAT	02/23/2019	Philipsburg, Saint Maarten	7:00 PM
SUN	02/24/2019	Falmouth Harbour, Antigua And Barbuda	8:00 AM	10:00 PM
MON	02/25/2019	At Sea
TUE	02/26/2019	Road Town – Tortola, British Virgin Islands	7:00 AM	12:30 PM
TUE	02/26/2019	Norman Island, British Virgin Islands	3:00 PM	11:59 PM
WED	02/27/2019	Norman Island, British Virgin Islands	12:01 AM	6:00 AM
WED	02/27/2019	Jost Van Dyke Great Hrbr, British Virgin Islands	9:00 AM	11:59 PM
THU	02/28/2019	Jost Van Dyke Great Hrbr, British Virgin Islands	12:01 AM	4:00 AM
THU	02/28/2019	Virgin Gorda / Prickly Pear, British Virgin Islands	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
FRI	03/01/2019	Gustavia, St. Barthelemy	8:00 AM	10:00 PM
SAT	03/02/2019	Philipsburg, Saint Maarten	6:00 AM

Porthole & Windstar Caribbean Celebration Cruise Highlights

Distinct Windstar differences include

• Relish extra beach time with late nights in both Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island
• Discover local treasures and remote island charm at Road Town and Norman Island.
• Beachcomb or mingle with the glitterati at St. Barts
• Soak in the natural bathing pools of “The Baths” at Virgin Gorda
• Indulge yourself at Windstar’s Signature Beach Party with plenty of Caribbean flavors and spirit to savor and share
• Shop and dine in duty-free St. Maarten
• Sail, swim, and kayak off the Watersports Platform
• St. Maarten Sail Away party
• Hosted event at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke
• Windstar Signature Beach Party
• Q&A session with President John Delaney and Porthole Publisher Bill Panoff
• Meet & greet with pop artist Marc Lipp at his onboard auction and art show
• Rum tasting
• Trunk show from local artists
• Other special surprises

Coming Up: More on all of the above.

Want to go? The 2019 Windstar Caribbean Celebration Cruise has space available. See your travel agent or contact Windstar Cruises for more information.

has space available at the time I am writing this.

Totally New Here

Comments are open. Ask your questions in advance, during the sailing or after.