Windstar's Wind Surf "Degrees of Difference"

If you've sailed aboard Windstar's Wind Surf and found you loved it but wished you could have booked a larger stateroom – ideal for entertaining – your wish has been granted. The ship spent five weeks undergoing several million-dollars worth of renovations and upgrades to accomplish the companies "Degrees of Difference" agenda.

What's new? Two 500-square-feet Bridge Suites, aptly located (where else?) on the bridge deck. The layout consists of a living and dining area, separate bedroom with walk-in closet and a marble bathroom decked out with a whirlpool tub and separate shower. Upgraded services – like an unpacking service, laundry and pressing, evening appetizers, complimentary bottled water, chilled champagne upon arrival, and additional L'Occitane bath supplies – are included. Bridge Suite guests also snag an invitation to dine with the Captain.

Even if you don't book a Bridge Suite on the Wind Surf, you'll benefit from the recent work: all staterooms and bathrooms have been refurbished. You'll find new fixtures, granite countertops, porcelain sinks, glass shelves, a magnifying mirror, Egyptian cotton towels and L'Occitane bath goodies.

The library is another major area of the ship that was overhauled in a major fashion. It's been replaced with the Yacht Club, the hub for socializing with other guests. It's got a comfortable coffeehouse vibe and offers plenty of seating, an espresso bar, eight computers with Internet access (you can also use your own laptop via wireless access). There's a large flatscreen TV, plus a library outfitted with the latest books, CDs and DVDs... all available for checkout.

Restaurants also got a bit of a facelift. The Bistro has been renamed Degrees. It's menu rotates between a steak house and cuisine from Northern Italy, France and Indonesia. The Veranda, were you'll head for breakfast and lunch, has benefited from a new awning, allowing for additional covered seating.

Two other points of interest: Balinese sun beds are to be installed on the Star deck and cooling mist sprays will be added to both pool areas. Can't wait!

Broder, McFarlane & Schieffer on Seabourn

Three Washington insiders will cruise with Seabourn in 2007 as part of the Dress Circle enrichment program. They'll speak with guests and provide firsthand insights into the inner workings of public policy in Washington, as well as the news media.

David S. Broder is a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for the Washington Post; a syndicated columnist whose insights are carried in over 300 newspapers nationwide, the author of half a dozen books on U.S. politics and a regular commentator on NBC’s Meet the Press; PBS’s Washington Week in Review and CNN’s Inside Politics. He will sail aboard Seabourn Pride’s 13-day cruise of “Rio & the Amazon” departing Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2007.

Robert C. McFarlane is intimately familiar with the corridors of power, having served as national security advisor to President Reagan and in key White House posts in the Ford and Nixon administrations. As founder of Global Energy Systems and a director of the Washington Institute for Near East Studies, he is uniquely suited to join Seabourn Spirit’s 16-day voyage to “Arabia, India & Orchid Isles” departing Dubai on November 20, 2007.

Bob Schieffer was the popular anchor of the CBS Evening News in 2005 and 2006, but his exemplary career as a broadcast journalist includes 20 years as anchor of the Saturday CBS Evening News, 15 years as moderator of the network’s Sunday staple Face the Nation, and much more. As CBS chief Washington correspondent, he has covered presidential campaigns since 1972. He will be on board Seabourn Spirit’s 14-day cruise of “Asian Capitals & Vietnam” departing Singapore on December 6, 2007.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at (800) 929-9391 or Seabourn.com.

Photo courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line.

Libya a No-Go for Seabourn

Seabourn Cruise Line announced today that it has cancelled its calls in Libya scheduled for two cruises in 2007:

May 7, 2007 – Seabourn Spirit from Alexandria, Egypt to Rome, Italy
Instead of two days at Tripoli and one day at Derna, Libya, calls will be made at Kusadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus), Mykonos, Greece and Itea, Greece (near the Delphi ruins).

October 27, 2007 – Seabourn Legend from Rome, Italy to Lisbon, Portugal
Two days in Tripoli will be replaced with Naples (Italy), Palermo (Sicily) and Valletta (Malta).

Seabourn's president Pamela C. Conover said, "We regret the need to change any itinerary, but we have repeatedly petitioned the Libyan authorities to allow all of our guests into their country and they have shown no indication that they will do so. Fortunately, there are very attractive alternatives available, and we have added several."

For more information, discuss the itinerary change with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at (800) 929-9391 or Seabourn.com.

Photo of Seabourn Spirit courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line.