Windstar's Stijn Creupelandt promoted to COO with Paul Barrett to retire

With more than two decades of cruise industry experience, Creupelandt, VP hotel operations and product development, is adding Barrett's marine and technical portfolio, making him now responsible for the entire fleet operation and with the overlap to ensure a smooth transition.

'I'm grateful for this next step in my career,' Creupelandt told Seatrade Cruise News. 'It's been an amazing time since I joined Windstar Cruises, looking back at the last three years and how much we've been able to achieve and how much aspiration we still have for the future. It's energizing and motivating.'

High-profile projects

Current high-profile initiatives include the design and product development of new ships Star Seeker and Star Explorer, the development of new cruise regions, a refresh of the interiors of the three Wind-class sailing ships, with Wind Surf coming up in November, and culinary innovations. (Creupelandt spoke to Seatrade from Belgium where he and the culinary team were 'looking at some exciting new concepts.')

'Stijn brings a unique blend of analytical thinking, organization and creativity to his work,' Windstar President Christopher Prelog said. 'His extensive experience and deep understanding of the cruise industry, coupled with his commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences, make him the ideal candidate to lead Windstar’s operational strategy as the company continues to expand its fleet and enhance its offerings.'

Related:First look at Windstar Cruises' Star Seeker accommodations

Barrett's distinguished career

Barrett is retiring after a distinguished, 30-plus years in cruising. The VP marine & technical operations has been with Windstar since 2017, and the line credited his leadership and operational expertise as playing a critical role in its growth and success.

He's led sustainability initiatives to increase ships' energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and cut Windstar's overall carbon footprint. He also spearheaded enhanced training for marine and engineering officers.

'Paul's professional knowledge, technical insights and contributions to our success cannot be overstated,' Prelog said. 'He leaves behind a legacy of excellence and innovation at Windstar Cruises. We thank him for his years of service and dedication, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.'

Search for a new VP hotel operations

With Creupelandt's promotion, Windstar is launching a search to fill his VP hotel operations role in Miami.

A seasoned pro, Creupelandt joined Windstar in 2021 after nearly 20 years with Seabourn, ultimately as director, hotel services. While marine and technical will be new areas, he already works closely with the marine and technical department to deliver the guest experience.

Related:Windstar's sailing ships are getting a multimillion-dollar update

While his education and passion are in hospitality, Creupelandt has demonstrated the ability to take on new duties that expanded his scope. At Seabourn jobs included director, fleet manning; HR business partner; senior manager, marine hotel purchasing; manager, hotel services and administration; fleet financial manager; and manager, hotel operations.

Leading the charge

Plus, 'I have a lot of skilled people working in different departments so I don't need to know everything,' Creupelandt said. 'I am here to lead the charge, provide direction and guidance, and I look forward to doing it as one leader responsible for everybody on the vessels so I can sail that ship in one direction.'

Of course Creupelandt will be delving deepr into marine and technical, particularly with newbuild Star Seeker coming at the end of 2025. He's already been visiting WestSea Viana with Barrett and John Gunner, VP expansion and newbuilds.

'Nothing changes. We continue to work closely with WestSea shipyards and I look forward to continuing those visits with Paul and John, with a different hat on,' Creupelandt said.

Crew recruitment

Recruitment is an ongoing process but with the capacity increase, Windstar will begin more intensive crew sourcing in early 2025.

'We are fortunate at Windstar we have very loyal team members. Recruiting is always a challenge but we're not building a 6,000-passenger ship,' Creupelandt said. The line can 'easily' crew up Star Seeker with existing team members and spread the new hires throughout the year across the existing fleet without impacting the guest experience, he added.

So Star Seeker will be manned 'at least 90% with people who know our brand and DNA, and the new people can learn our culture on the ships that are already established.'

Shoreside support

Windstar has been gearing up for growth by bolstering its commercial and sales teams, and now the restructuring with Creupelandt's new role continues that in operations.

Besides recruiting a successor in hotel operations, there are likely to be further needs shoreside, but he wants to get settled into his new role before assessing what will most help the organization.

New itineraries

Itinerary developments include expanding destinations and itinerary variety in the South Pacific where Windstar is already strong, and it's thr only region other than the Mediterranean where the line sails year-round.

Additional ships allow an expanded footprint. Going back to Alaska and Japan is an example, 'and there's been tremendous demand for those new itineraries so we'll be able to continue growing.

'Look out for new itineraries,' Creupelandt said.

Proudest accomplishments

Creupelandt signed on with Windstar in 2021 just as the 'stretched' and transformed Star-class motor yachts were entering service.

'Bringing those new ships out with new new guest experiences and new restaurants was amazing,' he said. 'And then we continued that improvement, investing in the Wind-class ships with their "Setting Sail" program and announcing our expansion with the two new ships.

'And during all of that, our teams continue to elevate the guest experience, whether that's improving our destination experience or our culinary offerings ... Our guest satisfaction levels have never been as high.'

One of Creupelandt's first interior design projects was bringing in The Broadmoor and Sea Island suites, whose design won the Cruise Ship Interiors Award for Best Suite. A partnership with Fountainhead Arts in Miami brought murals to the ships. Now Fountainhead is curating the art for the 'Setting Sail' upgrades.

Xanterra's support and Prelog's leadership

'These are a lot of initiatives I've been able to kick off in a very short period of time thanks to our ownership (Xanterra Travel Collection, part of the Anschutz Corp.) but also Chris's leadership,' Creupelandt said.

'And being a small and nimble company, I'm not pushed back by layers of bureaucracy. We are able, with a small and mighty team, backed by an owner and supported by a leader and all our team members, to accomplish all these things in a very small amount of time.'

He's particularly proud of helping establish an 'energetic and motivating' culture in the Miami office, opened two years ago.

Windstar's flex policy asks workers to spend three days a week in the office.

'But people want to come in,' Creupelandt said. 'It's fun. It's an optimistic and often loud atmosphere but in a very good way ... Creating a culture is not something companies do easily. But it's something we did in Miami and I'm very happy for that.'