Windstar Cruises’ md global commercial Helen Beck has been in New Zealand in the last week, thanking travel agents for their ‘critical’ support of the small-ship cruise line, which continues to see growth from this market.
London-based Beck says Windstar’s casual luxury offering ‘really suits’ the Kiwi market, but adds that agents are essential in getting this narrative across.
Demand from this ‘resilient’ market continues, despite the conflict in the Middle East earlier this year that saw consumers ‘pause’.
“We were on track for having a strong 2026; that sort of knocked us a little bit off, but we’re still ahead year-on-year,” she says of New Zealand. “We know that 2027 has got a lot more opportunity, we’re already seeing some good forward bookings.”
. . . Bonjour Capacity
Windstar’s French Polynesia voyages have been trending locally, especially given all that has happened in 2026, says Beck, who adds that Tahiti has been a ‘critical destination’. “Tahiti definitely benefitted from Australia and New Zealand,” she says. “It’s short-haul for you guys here.”
The cruise line is bringing a second sailing yacht to the region from Mar, the 148-guest Wind Star set to sail the seven-night Dreams of Tahiti.
“We know this is going to do well in this market,” says Beck.
The Mediterranean has sold well out of this market for 2026 travel, she says, and remains on everyone’s list to visit. But Beck says a Windstar sailing includes calls into ports clients may never have heard of.
Its Star Explorer will sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe year-round from 28 Dec, catering well to the rising demand for shoulder season and winter voyages. To capitalise on the additional capacity, Beck urges agents to add a winter voyage on this ship to clients’ VFR holidays in Europe.
. . . Japan In Demand
Asia, too, continues to trend with Kiwi travellers.
Beck points out that the feedback from many Kiwi trade partners last week was the continued clients demand for, and interest in, Japan.
The nation is currently home to Windstar’s new ship, the 224-guest Star Seeker, which is small enough to sail into Japan’s Inland Sea.
“We’re seeing lovely demand and interest out of the New Zealand market,” she says. “We’ve got some really interesting itineraries there for guests to explore and really see a different side of Japan.”
. . . No Kiwi Plans, Yet
There are no plans for Windstar to return to New Zealand at this stage, though Beck says that as the company grows, it will hopefully be an option in the future.
