A new opportunity for advisors: river-to-ocean cruising from Windstar

For travel advisors with clients who can’t decide between a river cruise or an ocean cruise, Windstar Cruises is setting sail with a new category of travel — river-to-ocean cruising that connects both experiences in a single journey.

And that means, no changing ships; no interruptions; just a seamless way to move beyond the river and into a much broader world of exploration. Designed to help advisors retain and grow their most valuable clients, these sailings also create new opportunities for group bookings and specialty travel, including wine-focused sailings.

Driving this new category forward is Windstar’s newest all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, which launches in December 2026.

Purpose-built for river-to-ocean travel, the 224-guest yacht is designed to navigate waterways that are too small for larger ocean ships and reach coastal destinations that traditional river vessels can’t access.

That capability speaks directly to discerning travellers who are seeking deeper cultural connection, looking to get away from crowded, over-visited destinations and eager to experience places that feel more authentic and less traveled.

It also gives advisors an exciting new product to offer clients who are ready to go further, without sacrificing the style of travel they already love.

Janet Bava, chief commercial officer at Windstar Cruises, observed: “River cruisers are among the most loyal and engaged travellers, but many have already explored the world’s most iconic waterways.”

Bava continued: “With Windstar, advisors now have a seamless way to retain those clients by offering something new: yachts that move from rivers to the open sea, unlocking destinations that traditional river ships and large ocean vessels simply can’t reach. It’s a natural next step for clients and a growth opportunity for advisors.”

For Windstar, its new river-to-ocean cruising model gives travel advisors a powerful way to expand their river cruise business while retaining their most loyal clients.

Instead of losing guests who have already sailed Europe’s major rivers, advisors can build on the same intimate, destination-focused experience while opening the door to new regions and itineraries.

That opportunity grows with Windstar’s flexible group program. Advisors can easily create group sailings with as few as 10 guests, unlocking valuable benefits including complimentary staterooms, shipboard credit and additional commission opportunities.

With Star Advantage Groups, advisors can access enhanced perks such as a 1:7 tour conductor credit, bonus commission and onboard amenities, making it especially attractive for group organizers.

Wine-focused travel presents another compelling opportunity. With itineraries that explore regions like Bordeaux, Portugal and beyond, Windstar is a natural fit for advisors working with wine groups or clients interested in culinary travel.

Advisors can take advantage of existing culinary sailings or create their own customized group departures tailored to wine enthusiasts.

Group rates vary by sailing, typically offering 5% to 10% savings depending on availability, giving advisors flexibility in how they package and position these experiences for their clients.

Star Explorer’s 2027 voyages give advisors a clear way to position river-to-ocean cruising to their clients, pairing river access with broader coastal exploration.

• Impressionist France (10 nights on Star Explorer) – Ideal for Seine veterans ready to go further, this trip from Bordeaux to London / HMS Belfast pairs the Seine and the Thames with overnights in Bordeaux, St. Malo and Paris/Rouen, plus access to the D-Day beaches.
• Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal (8 nights on Star Explorer) – Perfect for travellers who have sailed the Rhône and are ready to expand their wine-focused journeys, this voyage extends from France into Spain and Portugal, pairing Bordeaux’s Garonne and Gironde rivers with culinary discoveries along the Spanish coast and time in Portugal’s Douro region.
• Moroccan Markets & Iberian Icons (8 nights on Star Explorer) – Danube cruisers seeking deeper cultural exploration will find a natural next step with this journey into Seville via the Guadalquivir, continuing on to a broader mix of Iberian and Moroccan destinations.
• Ireland Circumnavigation (10 nights on Star Explorer) – For travellers who have sailed past the castles of the Rhine and are ready for a wilder, more dramatic landscape, this sailing includes a call at Cork City Quay on the River Lee, then continues along Ireland’s rugged coastline of cliffs and castles.

Sail on over to www.windstarcruises.com