How about 52 days at sea to sample "slow travel"?

Slow travel, particularly for retirees, or those with time on their hands, is a growing trend. 

How about taking your time and visiting 26 ports on one cruise? One such offering is Windstar Cruises' 52-day sailing from Singapore to Papeete, designed for those who want to take time and chill out. 

The cruise is being promoted as an example of the shift away from short, fast holidays to longer, more immersive travel, particularly for the retiree market - albeit those with cash to splash. 

The cost of this extravagance exploring Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and south-east Asia. comes in at under $500 per person per day. 

The 52-Day Cruise for Travellers Who Finally Have Time, is the Star Collector: Grand South Pacific Adventure. 

With prices starting from $21,553 per person and stops at ports throughout the South Pacific, the deal includes wifi, dining, unlimited select beers, wines and cocktails, gratuities, accommodation and more - if you snap up an "early bird" offer.

Windstar says: "This is slow travel at its most rewarding. Instead of ticking off one or two islands, guests will journey across the entire South Pacific, whether it’s French Polynesia’s biosphere reserves and the Marquesas’ dramatic valleys, or the lagoons of the Cook Islands and Tonga’s royal heritage".

The journey traverses Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea with overnight stays in destinations like Bora Bora, Fiji, Bali and Papeete, plus repeat visits to Moorea. 

The days at sea offers the chance to slow down, recharge and enjoy the simple luxury of uninterrupted time. It all sounds rather enticing. 

For more info see the Windstar Australia website or call 1300 749875. 

The website is a bit glitchy, however. I seriously doubt the cruise calls at Flissengen (Antwerp) on Day 21. That would be a serious diversion.

Unprecedented demand for small ship cruises to Japan

Following "unprecedented demand" for its 2026 sailings in Japan on board its newest ship, Star Seeker, small ship luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises has opened up its 2027 Japan itineraries for booking earlier than planned. 

The cruise line has also added an extra 2026 sailing date.

“Just months after announcing our 2026 plans in Japan, we’re nearly sold out,” says Windstar Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava.

“The combination of our return to Asia for the first time since 2023, along with the anticipation of a new ship and the fact that Japan is now one of the world’s most-visited countries, has created an excitement for this region that we have not seen before.”

Star Seeker will cross the Pacific from Alaska to Japan in early September of 2026, where Windstar will bring back its popular 10-night Grand Japan itinerary on five dates through October. 

The spring 2027 sailings will take place on seven dates from March through May.

Grand Japan highlights include scenic cruising the Inland Sea; sailing around the abandoned island of Hashima; visiting the Peace Memorial Parks of Nagasaki and Hiroshima; and calling on smaller ports like Takamatsu (famous for its gardens and udon) and Karatsu.

Cruisers can also extend their stay with the Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour, featuring inland tours to Kyoto where guests can bathe in hot springs, experience a traditional tea ceremony, and visit the Golden Pavilion.

The 2027 spring dates also offer the potential to experience Japan’s famed cherry blossoms, and Star Seeker’s accommodations are poised for ample spring season sightseeing as most have balconies and infinity windows.

Windstar's early booking offer includes a free upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares (valued at US$99 per day or $157 per day),which bundle in wifi, gratuities and unlimited select beer, wine and cocktails, plus $200 onboard credit per stateroom.

The offer expires February 28, 2025.

To find out more call Windstar Australia on 1300 749 875 or email reservations@windstar.com.au.

Cruise line doing its bit for the environment

Cruise ships do not always have the best reputation when it comes to looking after the environment, but small ship cruising company Windstar Cruises is bucking that trend. 

For the past year, Windstar has partnered with Coral Gardeners, a Moorea (French Polynesia)-based organisation that aims to revolutionise ocean conservation and create a global movement to save coral reefs through reef restoration, awareness activities, and innovative solutions. 

Windstar Cruises has just announced new efforts to support Coral Gardeners including the expansion of its coral reef adoption program for cruise guests, a new educational shore excursion in Tahiti, and its recently launched informative speaker series on coral reef preservation.

The partnership launched in October 2022 onboard Star Breeze in Moorea with the option for all guests sailing on a cruise in French Polynesia to adopt a coral for a $35 per person donation.

Windstar has now expanded the program allowing all guests sailing in any destination the opportunity to adopt a coral.

To date, Windstar, along with its guests, has adopted over 2,400 corals and expect to exceed its goal of 2,500 by the end of the year. 

The cruise line’s goal is to open a dedicated nursery supporting 5,000 corals in 2025.

Beginning in 2024 in Tahiti, when Star Breeze returns to this region with a brand-new itinerary including the Marquesas, Windstar will introduce a new shore excursion taking guests to the Coral Gardeners facility to meet the team, visit the nurseries, and learn about the importance of protecting the corals. 

Staff from Coral Gardeners will explain their process of selecting heat-resistant coral, growing coral in nurseries, and replanting healthy coral on damaged reefs to restore the ecosystem and bring back marine diversity.

In an effort to continue to raise awareness, Windstar Cruises has also recently launched an engagement speaker series on board ships calling in Moorea.

"We are proud of this important partnership with Coral Gardeners and the support and interest from our guests,” said Windstar president Christopher Prelog. 

"Having sailed in Tahiti for more than 35 years, Windstar has a deep-rooted relationship with the destination and is excited about the work and positive impact Coral Gardeners is making for the health of our oceans. By working with Coral Gardeners, we can actively contribute to the preservation of these fragile ecosystems and inspire meaningful change."

Learn more about Windstar Cruises’ partnership with Coral Gardeners here. For more information on Windstar Cruises visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

The all-suite 312-guest Star Breeze takes over from Wind Spirit in February 2024 as the year-round ship in Tahiti.