Seabourn's Chris Prelog is jumping ship to expanded Windstar role

As vp fleet operations, he'll be responsible for the complete guest experience including culinary, entertainment and guest services, as well as oversight of all administrative, nautical and port operations including purchasing and logistics. Prelog starts in early January.

'Chris has a vision of future trends and commitment to excellence in the guest experience arena that is unrivaled,' said his new boss, Windstar president John Delaney. 'His acumen for presenting quality products with innovative flair will be well-received by our discerning clientele who enjoy the best of the best in understated fashion.'

'I'm super-excited about joining the team,' Prelog told Seatrade Cruise News. He's most looking forward to 'working with a small team on smaller ships. It allows you to create something unique and authentic.'

Of course Prelog is intimately versed in the original Seabourn trio, now operating for Windstar—'I know where they hide the coffee spoons,' he quipped. He's eager to get to know the sail-cruise fleet, which he compares to yachts that provide 'very personal service and authenticity.'

Prelog and Delaney worked closely together at Seabourn during the last five years and share similar perspectives on service, quality and supporting their teams.

Prelog's first priority will be understanding his 'small but mighty' Windstar team in Seattle and the crew, and he said he's committed to finding ways for them to grow, develop and succeed.

His position, heading fleet operations, is new. (Alan McGrory, who was vp operations, left Windstar several weeks ago and is back in the UK.) Prelog is well-versed in hotel operations but takes on the new responsibilities of marine operations and port operations. He's familiar with these areas, though, from years at Seabourn.

After graduating in tourism and hospitality management from Austria's esteemed Bad Gleichenberg Institute, Prelog worked at several Austrian hotels including the Vienna Hilton before going to sea in 1998 as as assistant maitre d’ hotel for Seabourn. He progressed through various management levels on the ships then came ashore in 2002, with increasing spheres of responsibility touching all aspects of marine hotel operations.

At Seabourn, Prelog is proudest of launching the second-generation ships, the Odyssey-class trio, and the accolades they get from passengers and travel partners, and their awards from travel publications. He credited his team for their hard work. And he'll miss the successful partnership with Thomas Keller that was created at Seabourn.

But for a man whose passion is the food and beverage area, Prelog can be expected to delve into further elevating Windstar in that respect.

'I'm very competitive by nature. I like to do things properly and with quality. Hopefully I can bring that to the table,' he said. 'I look forward to helping the company grow and to create a product guests really fall in love with.'

Prelog also would like to see Windstar expand deployment into Asia and Antarctica, two areas where he thinks the small ships would deliver an excellent product.

Gerald Mosslinger has been appointed to succeed Prelog at Seabourn.

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