Dan Chappelle V.P. Sales, Windstar Cruises with Cruise Strategies' Tamara Mallin, Director Sales – Western Canada &
President Vanessa Lee
Expedia CruiseShipCenters' Dale Graham & Yukako Carrothers toast Windstar's new offerings
Jan & Terry Umbach, Travel Masters Sechelt flank Sonya Orr, Travel Masters Vancouver & Windstar Cruises' Dan Chappelle
Dan Chappelle, Vice President Sales for Windstar Cruises sure knows how to get people to pay attention. At a recent training session for agents in Vancouver, he announced, “We are here to get educated and make money.”
The event was held at the members only Vancouver Club, a heritage building that exudes class and stateliness. Ears perked and interest piqued, Chappelle commanded the floor as he talked about the new Windstar Academy, an online course geared toward the luxury cruise market. Check out the Windstar Specialist Program for details.
Having just returned from the inaugural voyage of the all-suite Star Pride vessel, co-hosts for the evening, Vanessa Lee, President, Cruise Strategies, and Chappelle shared informative tidbits on that sailing experience that agents should pass along to their clients. The ship will cover new destinations including the Black Sea, which was never an option in the past as masts were too tall to go under the bridge.
For 2014 and 2015, the company has rolled out new itineraries including those to Arabia, Asia and Tahiti. Windstar is back in Tahiti onboard Wind Spirit – previously, fire damage to its Tahiti-bound ship caused them to take a hiatus.
With the acquisition of 3 new power yachts (Pride, Breeze & Legend, the latter 2 to be launched next year) that can accommodate 212 guests per vessel, clients can look forward to docking in little ports big ships cannot access. “We want guests to feel like they’re on a private yacht and to give them free reign of the vessel,” said Chappelle. Agreeing with this was Jan Umbach, Senior Travel Consultant, Travel Masters Sechelt who was impressed by staff who served her a very early breakfast without any fuss.
In 2015, guests can look forward to a complimentary, private and different event on every sailing. For instance, an optional overnight trip to the Valley of the Kings for Egypt-bound sailings or a side detour to Hoi An in Vietnam, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to Chappelle, Windstar is not an all-inclusive company. Itineraries are built based solely on what clients want, a “Luxury As You Like It” program. For instance, clients may like to have premium beverages daily or an added package to see the Grand Prix in Monaco. The best part is that each add-on is commissionable.
After the short but detailed training session, attendees moved into another regal-looking room for cocktails and some tasty hors d’oeuvres. This was certainly one classy event – participants even arrived slightly more dressed up than usual.
