Windstar Cruises offers all-inclusive pricing optionWindstar Cruises offers all-inclusive pricing option

'In an effort to be more in line with other luxury offerings in the cruise industry, particularly with the rollout of our newly transformed all-suite Star Plus-class yachts, we’re now giving the option of an all-inclusive price for all of our sailings,' Windstar President Christopher Prelog said.

The choice of à la carte pricing remains.

'We didn’t want to take away the à la carte option from guests who enjoy going that way,' Prelog added. 'We want our guests to have the choice based on their preference, what they need on board and their general vacation philosophy.'

The all-inclusive prices are now listed on Windstar’s website and all sales materials, along with the base cruise fares, which are listed per person in US dollars based on double occupancy.

What's included

For Windstar, all-inclusive means unlimited wine, beer and cocktails; Wi-Fi; all gratuities; and the cruise fare. The new fare is available for the Wind-class yachts as well.

'We thought about only offering the all-inclusive fare on the newly transformed Star Plus-class yachts,' Prelog said. 'But after talking and listening to our repeat guests and valued travel advisors, we found some like to go à la carte and only purchase amenities as they go. After discussing internally, we all came to the same conclusion — why not offer both on all our yachts? We offer a choice between sailing yachts and all-suite yachts, and now a la carte or all-inclusive. That seems to fit the Windstar brand.'

Vaccination and COVID testing policy/costs

Windstar’s health and safety plan requires passengers and crew to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Beginning Jan. 1, the line’s policies include a free COVID-19 antigen test at the pier for embarking passengers.

For travel back home at the end of the cruise, passengers may also choose to purchase an antigen ($69) or PCR test ($135) in advance of their cruise or on board to take prior to departure from the yacht to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policies currently requiring negative tests prior to flying into the United States.

Any additional testing required by specific ports during the cruise may be purchased on board.