Voyage Operations Specialist Lead

Miami matters: cruise into America's hot new sports city. Sep 8, 2026 (C) South Florida Stadium LLC Once a sleepy resort town, Miami is rapidly evolving into a global gateway, drawing multibillion-dollar investments and luxury lifestyle seekers to its tropical glamour. A short hop from Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas, the city has become a magnet not just for superyachts, private jets and high-profile residents but for startups and conglomerates, too. "Miami has the mood, the spirit and the vibe, as well as a lot of people extremely passionate about performance," said Claudio Zanardo, CEO, Pirelli North America. To showcase the company's recent investment in U.S. operations, the Italian tiremaker has secured sponsorships at a pair of high-profile events: the Miami Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. In addition to its expanding role in elite sports, the Magic City thrives on its prestigious cultural calendar anchored by Art Basel, the Miami International Boat Show and South Beach Wine & Food Festival. These events helped the city draw a record $22.7 billion in tourism revenue last year, sparking an unprecedented wave of ultra-luxury developments currently reshaping the skyline. Just more than 1,000 feet high, the 100-story Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences in downtown is slated to become the tallest building south of Manhattan when it opens next year. In Sunny Isles Beach, a 62-story, Bentley Motors-branded residence will debut in 2028, with personal car elevators allowing residents to drive straight to their apartments. Visitors looking for a weekend jaunt have plenty of options, too. A city-wide hotel development surge will welcome luxury brands such as Aman and Waldorf Astoria to Miami Beach in 2027. Bustling Miami International Airport - currently undergoing a $9 billion expansion - and Miami Beach Convention Center are opening their own hotels, too. Perhaps nowhere is this excitement more evident than during the Miami Grand Prix, where invitation-only clubs attract A-listers to the half-billion-dollar bacchanal at Hard Rock Stadium. This year The Concours Club, a members-only club and racetrack next to Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, constructed a two-story, 10,000-square-foot trackside respite for race weekend. The space contained a private Moët & Chandon tasting room where celebrity chef Brad Kilgore hosted a seven-course omakase. Tucked inside the stadium's upper level, the Palm Club features a guest list that must be pre-approved by Miami Grand Prix managing partner Tom Garfinkel and Miami Dolphins and Miami Grand Prix chairman Stephen Ross. A holding pen outside the entrance accommodates private security details and entourages, while the V.I.P.s enjoy top-tier cuisine in an air-conditioned aerie overlooking the winners' podium. The good times are expected to continue. Last year PortMiami welcomed more than 8.5 million passengers voyaging aboard more than two dozen cruise lines. Many PortMiami cruise partners have expanded their fleets to meet demand. This winter, MSC Cruises will homeport a record-breaking four ships in Miami. Windstar Cruises, which recently relocated its headquarters to Miami from Seattle, launched the 224-passenger Star Seeker last winter as the line's first newbuild in decades. "Miami is the cruise capital of the world, but it's also full of energy, talent and people who understand this business," said Chris Prelog, president, Windstar Cruises, as the company prepares to launch another ship, Star Explorer, from PortMiami this winter. But perhaps nothing speaks to the moment more than the arrival of a startup geared toward helping well-heeled travelers bypass traffic. "Miami sits at the heart of how we think about coastal connectivity," said Neill Etheridge, founder of startup The Twenty Five. The members-only platform operates a fleet of maritime vessels that float, foil and then fly members between Miami and Palm Beach and beyond. SCENIC DRIVES Miami is a motoring city, featuring flashy cars and people-watching in equal measure, but there's plenty to enjoy beyond the gridlock. To see and be seen, cruise along Ocean Drive, South Beach's iconic beachfront boulevard. Begin near South Pointe Park on the southern tip of South Beach and head north for a leisurely drive past restaurants, nightlife and colorful Art Deco architecture. The celebrated stretch runs along Lummus Park and its popular Muscle Beach outdoor fitness area. Greater Miami is uniquely situated between two national parks: Everglades National Park to the west and Biscayne National Park to the south. For an Everglades escape, travel west along Southwest Eighth Street (Tamiami Trail/US 41) to Shark Valley, the national park entrance closest to Miami. The route passes through Little Havana before opening onto the Everglades' expansive wetlands, with opportunities to spot alligators, wading birds and other wildlife. Biscayne National Park, the largest marine park in the National Park System, lies south of downtown Miami near Homestead. Its Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point offers exhibits, waterfront trails, paddling access and departures for guided boating and snorkeling excursions. Because approximately 95 percent of the park is water, exploring by boat provides the fullest experience. For a separate scenic outing, take the Rickenbacker Causeway across Biscayne Bay to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the southern tip of Key Biscayne. Visitors can kayak; bike; fish; and tour the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Get insider information and deals in your inbox! Read this next. Sep 2, 2026 All reads on this topic. Introducing FX Excursions. FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world. #globility. Sep 8, 2026 Jamaica and Panama are taking decisive steps toward creating a more connected and resilient tourism landscape, reaffirming their commitment to revitalizing their Multi-Destination Tourism Agreement in a move that could reshape regional travel across the Caribbean and Central America. Sponsored content. At the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, Los Lagos opens a landscape in constant motion. Volcanic peaks rise sharply above glacial lakes, mist moves through dense forests, and light shifts across every horizon. Here, luxury travel in Chilean Patagonia unfolds moment by moment, balancing raw energy with seamless comfort. Sep 8, 2026 Grand Bohemian Orlando enters a new era as it embraces a refreshed identity as Hotel Beauden. As part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the hotel continues to hold significance within the city's local communities while preserving anticipated guest service and amenities. Sep 8, 2026 Aman's first property in South Korea will debut in Seoul, overlooking the Han River and bringing the brand's signature hospitality to one of Asia's most energetic and dynamic cities. You've booked your cabin, mapped the ports and packed the sunscreen. Hopefully, you also bought some insurance. But have you ever thought about what actually happens if a medical emergency strikes mid-voyage? Sep 7, 2026 Signia Hilton, a portfolio of world-class hotels across the globe, introduces Signia Restore, a new and integrated wellness concept reimagining how travelers train, recover and recharge when away from home. The concept goes beyond the traditional hotel fitness experience, bringing together recovery technologies, high-performance fitness, curated retails and personalized service. Sep 7, 2026 Sep 4, 2026 It's part skillcation part creativity: Craft travel gives travelers new ways to express themselves and connect deeply to a destination. It's emerging at the right time, as the World Health Organization recently reported a variety of well-being benefits from arts-based activities and travels. Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal's program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business. Sep 3, 2026 If you're still on a quest to find the ultimate wellness bliss, here's an address to consider: The Vessyl, a brand-new wellness resort located beneath Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano. That's right - this unique destination, complete with a Frequency Dome, is positioned beneath an active volcano. Not to worry: Experts assure Arenal is in a "resting phase," and if you subscribe to theories about energy healing, proximity to all that unexpressed power may just work in your favor.

Windstar to debut Star Explorer with RiverOcean Voyages in 2027. 08-07-2026 11:14 am Windstar Cruises is expanding its European offerings with the launch of Star Explorer, a new 224-guest all-suite yacht that will debut in December 2026 before introducing a new style of cruising that combines river and ocean itineraries. The vessel will begin service with an inaugural winter season in the Mediterranean before launching Windstar's new RiverOcean Voyages in 2027. Designed to navigate both inland waterways and open ocean, Star Explorer will allow guests to sail from rivers directly to coastal destinations without changing ships. Unlike traditional river vessels that remain inland or ocean cruise ships that stay along the coast, Star Explorer is purpose-built to do both. A single itinerary, for example, can pair Bordeaux's wine country with Portugal's Atlantic coast, or sail up Spain's Guadalquivir River into the heart of Seville before crossing to Morocco. "We are building our river program deliberately," said Janet Bava, chief commercial officer, in a press release. "Star Explorer serves 224 guests, which gives us access to the Seine, the Garonne, the Guadalquivir and the Thames on a yacht that can also cross open water the same week. We have nine Star Explorer river voyages on sale for 2027 and we expect to grow that in 2028 and beyond as guests tell us where they want to go next." Mediterranean debut. Following its December 2026 debut, Star Explorer will spend January through April 2027 sailing the Mediterranean as part of Windstar's Local Season program, which focuses on off-season travel when larger cruise ships have typically departed for the Caribbean. The yacht's smaller size allows it to berth in ports inaccessible to larger vessels while offering extended stays so guests can dine ashore and experience destinations during the quieter winter months. Highlights include the eight-night Carnival of Venice: Winter Italy and the Dalmatian Coast, timed to coincide with Venice's Carnevale celebrations, as well as the 24-night Star Collector: Winter Mediterranean Adventure, which visits destinations including Málaga, Cartagena, Nice, Genoa, Naples and Dubrovnik. River & ocean in one itinerary. Windstar's RiverOcean Voyages eliminate the need for guests to switch ships between river and coastal cruising. Instead, the same yacht sails inland before returning to sea, allowing travellers to combine both experiences in a single voyage. Nine RiverOcean itineraries are available for 2027, including sailings through France, Spain, Portugal, England, Morocco and Ireland. Fares for the RiverOcean Voyages start at US$2,118 per guest, based on double occupancy. Advisor opportunities. Windstar says the new itineraries provide travel advisors with an opportunity to build on the popularity of river cruising by offering clients a single vacation that combines inland waterways with coastal destinations. The cruise line is also highlighting its flexible group program, which supports groups of as few as 10 guests and includes complimentary staterooms, shipboard credit and increased commission opportunities. Through its Star Advantage Groups program, advisors can earn a 1:7 tour conductor credit, bonus commission and onboard amenities, while group rates typically offer savings of five to 10 per cent.

Windstar's upcoming Star Explorer begins major refit ahead of Med debut. Windstar Cruises' future Star Explorer is undergoing a major refit ahead of its December debut. The former expedition vessel World Explorer is currently at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, where it is being transformed into a luxury cruise ship before entering service for Windstar Cruises at the end of the year. The 8,000-ton vessel arrived at the Portuguese yard in early April after completing its final season for Quark Expeditions. Originally built for Mystic Cruises in 2019, the ship is being extensively refurbished before commencing its maiden voyage for Windstar on December 28th, 2026. As part of the conversion, the ship will be renamed Star Explorer and adapted from an expedition vessel into a yacht-style cruise ship aligned with Windstar's existing fleet. The refit includes the removal of expedition-specific equipment and facilities, alongside the addition of new accommodation, dining venues, and public spaces designed to reflect the company's luxury product. Among the most significant additions is Windstar's signature Basil + Bamboo restaurant, which has become a feature across the line's fleet. The accommodation offering is also being upgraded with the addition of new staterooms, including two 74-square-metre Horizon Owner's Suites. Located on the corners of the vessel, the suites will feature separate living and dining areas, together with large private balconies, making them the largest accommodation on board. Once the refurbishment is complete, Star Explorer will operate year-round in the Mediterranean. Its inaugural programme includes a series of seven- to nine-night cruises sailing from homeports including Venice, Civitavecchia and Barcelona, allowing the vessel to serve a mix of Western and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries throughout the year. The ship has already enjoyed a varied operational history despite entering service only in 2019. Originally built for Mystic Cruises, World Explorer first entered service for Germany's Nicko Cruises, operating itineraries in Northern Europe and the Atlantic. It subsequently sailed Antarctic expeditions for Quark Expeditions while also operating a range of voyages for French operator Rivages du Monde. Windstar announced its acquisition of the vessel in early 2024 as part of a broader fleet expansion programme aimed at increasing capacity while maintaining its focus on small-ship cruising. The conversion also continues Windstar's relationship with the West Sea shipyard, which recently completed work on the company's newest vessel, Star Seeker. Unlike Star Explorer, Star Seeker was acquired while still under construction for Mystic Cruises and modified during the build process to incorporate Windstar's onboard product before entering service in December 2025. Following its debut, Star Seeker spent its inaugural season operating cruises in the Caribbean before repositioning for its next deployment. With Star Explorer set to join the fleet later this year, Windstar will continue expanding its presence in Europe, adding another small ship tailored to the line's emphasis on destination-focused itineraries and access to ports beyond the reach of larger cruise vessels.