Windstar Cruises President John Delaney has announced a plan to support San Juan, Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria by joining the cruise line’s first sailing from San Juan since the storms, which departs November 25.
“Although areas of the Caribbean are still rebuilding after the recent hurricanes, so much of the Caribbean is open and welcoming visitors to their wondrous islands,” Delaney said in a written release. “Travelers should not be concerned about beginning or ending a cruise in San Juan, where the cruise terminal has been operational for weeks, along with the airport. I’ll be personally making the trip, arriving the day before my cruise to enjoy time in Old San Juan, giving updates on my Twitter account, and sharing first-person stories on Windstar’s Facebook page.”
Windstar is also offering travel agents a Caribbean Take 5 incentive offer that will net agents a complimentary cruise for booking five staterooms or suites on any Caribbean itinerary. The cruise line is also joining the Caribbean Is Open campaign by offering guests a special Caribbean Is Open Cruise Package with significant savings, a $200 shipboard credit and free onboard Wi-Fi. Rates on the special package start from $1,499 per person.
The move is the latest in a series of cruise lines – and celebrities – who are returning to the destination to offer their support. This week “Hamilton” star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has been active in hurricane relief in the destination, will run a limited engagement of the hit musical in Puerto Rico. Miranda will reprise his lead role from January 8 – 27, 2019, at Teatro UPR in the University of Puerto Rico’s main campus in San Juan, which he told entertainment media he hopes will draw tourism to the destination to aid its recovery.
Carnival Corporation’s cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn, Holland America Line, AIDA Cruises, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises UK, have all announced plans to return to San Juan from November 30 through December. Royal Caribbean will also return to the destination on November 30 with a call by Freedom of the Seas.
On land, a number of tour operators Travel Agent spoke with are running campaigns to drive business to Caribbean islands that were unaffected by the hurricanes. Additionally, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is running an awareness campaign at www.CaribbeanIsOpen.com.
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