The new program, based on feedback from the most loyal customers, features larger discounts on select cruises and a new system that rewards cruisers in proportion to the points they earn. Cruisers start earning rewards after their first cruise and progress from a One Star to a Four Star tier of benefits.
Windstar's Yacht Club has always provided members special benefits and access including a 5% discount on all voyages and an additional 5% welcome home discount on cruises booked within 60 days of disembarking from a qualifying cruise. Members also get a $100 shipboard credit referral gift both for themselves and each referred 'first to brand' friend.
Other perks include early notification about new ports and itineraries, advance notice of sales, private sales exclusively for Yacht Club members, select Yacht Club member sailings and additional discounts at sister Xanterra Travel Collection brands (such as a $200 resort credit at The Lodge at Sea Island), and insider experiences with the officers on board.
Earn a point for every day cruised
Now, Yacht Club members will earn a point per cruise day (more points are earned daily for higher category suites), with discounts and benefits accumulating the more they sail. They will also get 20% savings on select Yacht Club member sailings (not combinable with other offers).
Rewards include on-board credits that can be used for almost everything, from spa services to shore excursions; discounts on shore excursions, Wi-Fi, laundry service, a selection of logo merchandise and two beverage packages; and interactions with the officers and captains.
Member appreciation week starts Oct. 26
Windstar is kicking off the new program with a Yacht Club member appreciation week and an exclusive private sale for members the week of Oct. 26, including attractive pricing plus double alumni savings on all 2021 and 2022 sailings. Club members can save on Windstar’s Top 10 cruises, which usually sell out, and get early access to new itineraries visiting Israel, the Black Sea, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, Alaska and along the West Coast of the United States. The newly transformed Star Breeze will sail in Tahiti from November 2021 through March 2022 for a chance to experience a Star Plus-class ship in the islands.
Betsy O’Rourke, chief markeng officer of Windstar and parent company Xanterra Travel Collection, said 2021 bookings are double-digits ahead of where they were at this time in 2019 for 2020 sailings.
New to brand customers
'We listened to our most loyal guests and have responded with a program that truly recognizes and rewards those who sail the most with us,' she added. 'We are also really pleased to see an increase in bookings from people who have never sailed Windstar before.'
According to O’Rourke, 'about 40% of our bookings are new to Windstar guests seeking our 180 degrees from ordinary small, inmate yacht experience.'
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