Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, extends its special offers benefiting travel professionals and Windstar cruise guests.

Winter Sails Season Offer

Windstar has extended its Winter Sails Season Offer giving travel professionals a $50 American Express gift check upon final payment for 2009 cruises booked with a deposit between December 2008 and February 2009. Travel professionals must mention “Windstar Winter Sails Offer” when placing a booking with Windstar to receive the $50 American Express gift check. The $50 American Express gift check will be mailed to travel professionals after final payment has been received by Windstar for the cruise booking. Offer valid for bookings with deposits made between December 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009.

All the Luxury, Half the Deposit Offer

Windstar is extending its 50 percent reduction on cruise deposits on all new bookings made now through February 28, 2009, for any 2009 sailing that is not within final payment requirement. The program allows guests between now and February 28, 2009, to make a deposit of $375 per person, instead of $750 per person, within three days of booking a Windstar cruise to secure a reservation for 2009 sailings that are outside of the final payment period. The remaining deposit is due March 31, 2009, or 90 days prior to sailing, whichever comes first.

One for Five Tour Conductor Credit Offer

For travel professionals who book a new group of five full-fare guests on select 2009 sailings on Windstar by February 28, 2009, they receive a complimentary group tour conductor credit on the same sailing.

The applicable 2009 sailings are:

* Wind Spirit Sailings: 5/9, 6/20-7/25, 8/8-8/29, 10/31, 11/7, 12/12

* Wind Star Sailings: 4/25, 5/9, 5/16, 6/6, 6/13, 7/4, 7/18-8/29, 10/24, 10/31, 12/5, 12/12

* Wind Surf Sailings: 4/19, 4/26, 5/10, 5/25, 5/31, 6/7, 6/21-11/2, 11/22-12/13

The offer applies to all agencies and is combinable with pre-approved group rates. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/programs and is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at the discretion of Windstar. Valid only on new groups set up by February 28, 2009. A maximum of ten groups per agency is allowed. Tour conductor credit is based on average cruise fare tariff paid by group guests, excluding non-discountable amounts and taxes with credit applied toward every sixth guest. A maximum of four tour conductor credits are available on Wind Surf and a maximum of two tour conductor credits are available on Wind Spirit and Wind Star. To set up their group booking, travel agents should contact Windstar Reservations at 1-800-258-7245.

Up to 50 Percent Savings on Select 2009 Europe Sailings

Windstar guests can enjoy savings of up to 50 percent on select 2009 European cruises departing April through November offering the history, culture, charm and grandeur of some of the most exciting places in the world. Wind Spirit and Wind Star itineraries include sailings between Athens and Venice, Istanbul and Athens, Rome and Barcelona, and Barcelona and Lisbon. Wind Surf itineraries include sailings between Barcelona and Rome, Rome and Nice, Venice to Venice, Rome to Rome, Barcelona and Nice, Rome and Venice, and Barcelona to Lisbon.

The offer applies only to select 2009 Europe sailings. Seven-day sailings start at $1,799 per person, double occupancy. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/programs and is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at the discretion of Windstar. Taxes are additional.

Family Offer on European Sailings

Windstar is offering special family rates on summer European sailings aboard Wind Surf. Families who book one full-fare stateroom on Wind Surf sailings departing June 7 through August 30, 2009, will receive a second stateroom for family members on the same sailing at 50 percent off per person. European cruises offer families the chance to experience together some of the most exciting and historical places in the world at values superior to land-based vacations. Wind Surf’s 7-day summer European itineraries include: Venice to Venice, Venice to Rome, Rome to Nice, Nice to Rome, Rome to Barcelona, Barcelona to Nice and Rome to Venice.

Wind Surf provides families with entertaining activities on board and on land. Wind Surf features an outdoor pool and fitness room. The ship is also equipped with a water sports platform for complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking in selected ports when the ship is at anchor and is subject to weather conditions and local restrictions. Other amenities include board games, books, an expansive DVD movie collection and Apple iPods for check out. On land, Wind Surf offers a variety of shore excursions in each destination to please any traveler.

European cruise rates start at $2,249 per person, based on double occupancy. Space is limited, so guests are encouraged to book early in order to take advantage of the offer. Families are considered two adults and two children between 2 and 18 years of age. Rates are capacity controlled and can be removed at any time. Taxes are additional. The family offer expires March 31, 2009.

Windstar Suspends Fuel Surcharge

Windstar announced its suspension of fuel surcharges on all sailings departing after January 1, 2009, due to declining fuel prices. Windstar’s fuel surcharge applied only to sailings through March 31, 2009. Windstar will automatically refund the fuel surcharge to guests in the form of a shipboard credit to use during their sailing for those sailings departing between January 1 and March 31, 2009. Windstar reserves the right to impose fuel surcharges if fuel prices escalate.

Windstar’s award-winning reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recently awarded “Favourite Small-Ship Cruise Line” in the U.K.’s Condé Nast Traveller’s 2008 Readers’ Travel Awards. Windstar received the highest score of any cruise line in the poll and was also only one of three cruise lines in Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the “Top 100 of the Best the Travel World has to Offer.” Celebrated Living, American Airlines’ prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises “Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line” on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and “Best Tall Ship” in the 2008 10th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure’s World’s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among “The World’s Best Small Ships” by Condé Nast Traveler.