Goldrush Getaways President Experiences New Kind of Cruising in 2021 Aboard Windstar Cruises Yacht

Jeff Oestreich, President of Goldrush Getaways, has shared his experience with the new Windstar Cruises 2021 cruising in the Caribbean, aboard the reimagined Star Breeze all-suite Star Plus Class yacht. He was able to enjoy the various advantages of exploring aboard a small ship with just hundreds of passengers vs. thousands. As part of a first-of-its-kind cruise industry innovation, over the last two years, Windstar Cruises has cut the ship in half and had a new section added (increasing capacity from 212 passengers for up to 312), with new suites and expanded outdoor and indoor public spaces.

Jeff Oestreich had a great time with his remote Caribbean getaway aboard the small ship, which offered the benefits of no crowds, ample deck space, and tons of chances for outdoor and private dining. There was also a lot of opportunity for swimming and playing on secluded beaches, or even off the back of the ship itself.

He was one of the very first guests aboard the new Star Breeze. Aside from the newly added suites and expanded public spaces, the Star Plus Class yacht has also been provided with a new spa and fitness center and two new restaurants. One of the restaurants is an outdoor barbecue concept with grilling guru Steven Raichlen, and the other one is a Spanish small plates restaurant from Anthony Sasso, one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide.

Star Breeze is one of three all-suite Windstar yachts to undergo the transformations, and together with Windstar’s three sailing yachts (with actual sails), are all small enough to visit the special small ports and waterways of the world. Windstar Cruises wants everyone to know that they value the health and safety of everyone on board. All passengers have to be vaccinated to cruise with Windstar, and there are several testing requirements to consider, many of which are handled by Windstar for free or for a fee. The small ship line is also going above and beyond with their installation of new systems like HEPA filters and UV-C irradiation to clean and filter the air on board the ships, as part of its Beyond Ordinary Care program.

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six boutique all-suite and sailing yachts carrying 148 to 342 guests. Their small ship cruises sail throughout Europe, Central America, Mexico, the US West Coast, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Asia, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada and New England, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Mexico and U.S. Coastal and Australia. Windstar had launched the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to transform the three all-suite Star Plus Class ships, with new suites, restaurants, and a world-class spa and fitness center.

The award-winning small ship line is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program. Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, a group of global hospitality and travel companies, one of which traces its history back over a hundred years of operating the nation’s iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Glacier, Death Valley, Yellowstone, and many others. Xanterra Travel Collection is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, which is also the owner of the Broadmoor - Sea Island Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group.

Goldrush Getaways is a membership-based organization founded in 1996 that assists independent travel agents with an in-house staff of professional agents and member-service personnel. Communication is facilitated with toll-free telephone access, email, interactive website, and on-line webinars. The company is authorized to offer Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) training for its members/agents. Information for all training classes is published in a monthly calendar of events. Face-to-face training and travel booking assistance are also available through its offices located in Citrus Heights, CA (Sacramento area), Campbell, CA (Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA and Bay area), and Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Southern California).

Those interested in learning more about the cruises offered by Windstar Cruises can check out their website, or contact them on the phone or by emailing Sarah Scoltock at sarah.scoltock@windstarcruises.com.