Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, offers guests a unique opportunity to cruise with Olympian Rafer Johnson aboard a Barcelona to Rome cruise on Wind Surf, departing April 26, 2009.

Windstar’s Signature Collection Host Series features distinguished guests and lecturers throughout the 2009 season including Rafer Johnson. Each stateroom will receive an autographed copy by Johnson of “Rome 1960: The Olympics that Changed the World” that profiles athletes, including Johnson, competing in the historic 1960 Olympics, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning and best-selling author David Maraniss. During the cruise, Johnson will speak and offer a question and answer session on his experience in the 1960 Olympics, host a table of guests at dinner on selected evenings and accompany guests on an exclusive Rome shore excursion.

Johnson set a new Olympic record to win a Gold Medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He went on to be named Associated Press Athlete of the Year and Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Johnson had the honor of lighting the torch at the opening ceremonies. Johnson also was a World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame inductee, one of ESPN’s 100 Greatest North American Athletes of the 20th Century and among the 100 Most Influential Student Athletes named by the NCAA. After winning his gold medal, he acted in films, was a sportscaster and worked on the presidential campaign of Robert Kennedy. Johnson is a founding member of the Special Olympics of Southern California.

Wind Surf’s 7-day Barcelona to Rome includes ports in Mahon, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Alghero, Italy; Porto-Vecchio, France; and Portoferraio, Italy. Cruise rates start at $1,799 per person, based on double occupancy. To compliment this sailing, Windstar is offering guests a special Rome shore excursion with Johnson. The shore excursion begins with a panoramic drive through the main sites of the 1960 Rome Olympics including views of the Olympic Stadium, Stadio Flaminio, Olympic Village, Stadio dei Marmi, Piazza do Siena, Colosseum, Bath of Caracalla, Palazzo dei Congressi and Pala Lottomatica. Lunch will follow in a restaurant in Via Appia. The 7-hour excursion is $199 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.windstarcruises.com.

Wind Surf accommodates 312 guests and offers deluxe, oceanview staterooms that include beds with luxury linens and mattresses, flat-screen TV and DVD player, Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods, waffle-weave robes with slippers and sumptuous L’Occitane products. Suites also include an extra bath, TV and sitting area. Bridge Suites give guests the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa. Culinary wonders abound in Wind Surf’s The Restaurant, Degrees, Le Marche and Candles. Enjoy live music in the Lounge and cocktails in the Terrace Bar. Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate Windstar’s complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking from the ship’s water sports platform.

Windstar’s award-winning reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recently awarded “Favourite Small-Ship Cruise Line” in the U.K.’s Conde Nast Traveller’s 2008 Readers’ Travel Awards. Windstar received the highest score of any cruise line in the poll and was also only one of three cruise lines in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of the “Top 100 of the Best the Travel World has to Offer.” Celebrated Living, American Airlines’ prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises “Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line” on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and “Best Tall Ship” in the 2008 10th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure’s World’s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among “The World’s Best Small Ships” by Conde Nast Traveler.

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at http://www.windstarcruises.com.

Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.

For More Information:
Vanessa Bloy
vanessa.bloy@windstarcruises.com
206.733.2970

SOURCE Windstar Cruises / PRNewswire