The christening of a brand new vessel, all the time a glamorous, joyful occasion spotlighting a gleaming new ship, ushers in a brand new period. Its shipyard interval, from development to outfitting, is over and it’s now able to develop into a trip vacation spot. What isn’t observed, maybe, is the quantity of labor {that a} new vessel’s crew places in to push it over the ending line. For Star Seeker, Windstar has simply introduced its lineup of onboard officers who’re answerable for making that seamless transition.
“It is a particular honor for the chosen crew as a result of it’s a brand-new design for Windstar,” says Teijo Niemela, editor of CruiseBusiness.com.
As we’ve been reporting on Star Seeker and from our first three updates from the shipyard, we’ve gotten a very good sense of what the ship itself will really feel like for vacationers. Now it’s time to study what it will likely be wish to embrace a brand new, state-of-the-art vessel for the crew that oversees its operation.
The complete ship can be fitted out with new tools and furnishings in a considerate and environment friendly design for all,” says Capt. Mark Symonds. “This not solely is fantastic for our visitors to see, however can be improbable for our crew to make use of. Everyone knows that one of the best factor a couple of Windstar expertise is the interplay with our improbable crew.”
In reaching out to every member of the senior crew, it was additionally heartwarming to see what number of of them commented that Star Seeker can be a brand new Windstar expertise, not only for visitors. Like this remark from Lodge Normal Supervisor Richard Meier: “For the crew, the Seeker will open up alternatives for higher collaboration, extra participating roles, and a piece surroundings that’s each extra environment friendly and fulfilling. The brand new design will embrace areas that make each day operations smoother and extra intuitive.”
Enhancing and upgrading dwelling areas for the crew is a part of an ongoing initiative with all Windstar renovations, and the brand new Seeker kicks it up even additional. “Star Seeker will function quite a lot of new areas comparable to new crew health club,” says Chief Engineer Robert Farac, “together with the addition of a crew day room and naturally new crew cabins outfitted with trendy facilities, together with the interactive TVs.”
They’ll arrive, Windstar’s John Gunner tells us, about two months (in November 2025) earlier than the ship’s contract requires supply from shipyard to the cruise line. “A very powerful job for them is to familiarize themselves with the ship, perceive what’s the place and the way the whole lot works, and to be there to make sure the ship is totally operational on day one.” Past understanding operational procedures, lodge basic managers should, for example, handle the “mushy items” course of — gadgets like towels, bar glasses, china, paintings, mattresses and naturally culinary merchandise. All are ordered from Windstar headquarters. Crew, who arrive in early December, have two weeks previous to departure from the yard to be sure that cabins are pristine, eating places are totally outfitted and bars are stocked.
Who can be working all these efforts? Certainly, you might spot some acquainted faces among the many members of the senior management crew.
Capt. Tom Schofield
His story: The British native was raised in an Military household and spent his childhood dwelling all around the world. He was impressed by a grandfather within the Royal Navy to decide on a maritime profession.
Windstar historical past: Schofield has helmed quite a few ships within the fleet, together with Star Pleasure, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. “Crusing by way of Venice previous the Piazza San Marco,” he says, was “a reasonably large spotlight.”
Cocktail celebration dialog: He lives on a barge in Belgium and favourite pastimes embrace crusing and classic motor autos that hardly ever get him the place he needs to go.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “Star Seeker may even current new profession alternatives for our officers & crew; working with cutting-edge tools, delivering their distinctive service in first-class eating places and bars and being a significant half of what’s going to be a groundbreaking chapter within the Windstar’s story. It’s an thrilling second for the crew, providing not only a new ship, however the final stage upon which the officers and crew can carry out and exhibit their phenomenal abilities.”
Capt. Mark Symonds
His story: Capt. Symonds is a U.Ok. native.
Windstar historical past: “My first and present ship has been the Star legend. While I spent my first three years with Windstar on the Legend, taking her into Palermo for her ‘Stretch,’ I used to be additionally lucky sufficient to sail on all three of this class each throughout and after their Stretch initiatives.’
Cocktail celebration dialog: A seasoned walker, ask him something about England’s Peak District, the place he spends most of his trip time with spouse Kerry and daughter Grace.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “It’s all the time a privilege to be requested to be a part of a crew to arrange a brand new ship for the primary time. Having accomplished many new builds with earlier firms, I understand how a lot one can really feel a way of feat when the itinerary is run, and the visitors go away with smiles on their faces saying, ‘We can be again.’ Similar to our vehicles at house, driving a basic is simply wonderful, however when you’re handed the keys of one thing model new, it’s arduous to comprise your pleasure.
“As in all industries, advances in expertise hold coming yearly. Star Seeker’s bridge will due to this fact be fitted out with the very newest and greatest. So, after the preliminary studying curve and head-scratching, we all know it will likely be a improbable expertise. The truth that the ship has been particularly designed to be used in waters comparable to Alaska the place we use Zodiacs may even enrich the consolation and expertise for our visitors, and the smaller measurement permits us higher alternatives to get away from the common visitors and actually immerse ourselves within the surroundings.”
Employees Capt. Sam Hunter
Windstar historical past: My first Windstar ship was the Wind Spirit again in 2007, boarding in Izmir, Turkey. At present I’m in the course of the Pacific Ocean on the Star Breeze, heading again to Tahiti following a dry dock in Panama.
What does being a part of the management crew imply to you? “I really like that we’re persevering with with our personal type and introducing smaller, extra intimate ships into the cruising business, with small financial footprints however a giant presence! Having skilled giant and small cruise ships, I really consider that smaller cruise ships enable us to supply a much more private expertise the place the visitors develop into a part of the ship and really feel rather more linked to the man visitors and crew on board.
“Our visitors ought to know that by crusing on the Seeker they are going to be a part of the brand new evolution of Windstar Cruises. All that Windstar has targeted on through the years and strives to realize can be introduced in a recent, newer and extra trendy vessel, with redesigned cabin layouts and methods to benefit from the views that aren’t obtainable elsewhere within the fleet.”
Employees Capt. Rui Morais
His story: Born in Portugal, he now lives in Estoril along with his spouse and kids. He started his profession in 2004 on container ships and bulk carriers earlier than engaged on cruise vessels.
Windstar historical past: Morais began with Windstar in 2014 as workers captain on Wind Star; he’s at the moment crusing on Wind Spirit.
Cocktail celebration dialog: Ask him about his fascination with geocaching in Portugal.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “It’s a fantastic alternative to work on a model new luxurious cruise ship. I’m very intrigued to study Star Seeker’s maneuverability, clean crusing, and naturally the marina operation.”
Lodge Normal Supervisor Richard Maier
His story: He’s from Austria however now lives along with his spouse and canine in Lisbon, Portugal.
Windstar Historical past: First ship: Star Legend. Final deployment: Star Breeze in French Polynesia.
Cocktail celebration dialog: There’s nothing that Richard doesn’t find out about wine, particularly Portuguese wines, since Portugal is the place he spends most of his time.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “New ships and ideas all the time include challenges. Being one of many lodge basic managers chargeable for launching Windstar’s first new ship is a deeply significant expertise. It looks like a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to assist form one thing that may have an enduring influence on the Windstar model and our visitors.”
Lodge Normal Supervisor Andreas Pitsch
His story: Born and raised in Austria, Pitsch now lives in Spain’s Malaga along with his spouse and daughter.
Windstar historical past: Having spent 30 years at sea, he joined Windstar in 2019. On his second day aboard, he referred to as his spouse and instructed her, “If I might have recognized how fantastic the ambiance was, I might have joined 20 years earlier.”
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “I’m honored to be a part of the opening crew but additionally perceive the tasks to make it a hit. New ships and ideas all the time include challenges. For me the bottom line is to promote it to our onboard crew, hold them motivated and lead them by way of the thrilling preparations to start out crusing.”
Chief Engineer Rick Hopwood
His story: Rick lives within the Wirral Peninsula within the northwest of England, along with his pretty spouse, Lucy, their grown kids and a home filled with animals.
Windstar historical past: “I joined the Wind Star as fourth engineer in 1995 in Barbados. Most lately I’m on the Star Legend, which aside from two journeys to Tahiti on the Spirit and the Breeze, has been my Windstar house for nearly the final 10 years.”
Cocktail celebration dialog: If in case you have plans to tour England and also you need one of the best locations to go for fish and chips, simply ask Rick.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “Having been in a roundabout way concerned in all the brand new Windstar vessels since I joined the corporate, to be thought of for the chief engineer slot on the Seeker makes me very proud, each professionally and personally. I’m slightly excited to familiarize yourself with among the new expertise, such because the pump jet system for gradual velocity shallow water cruising.”
Chief Engineer Robert Farac
His Story: Born in Croatia, Farac lives in Dubrovnik.
Windstar historical past: Becoming a member of Windstar 4 years in the past, Farac’s first ship was Star Breeze and he was concerned within the stretch venture for the three Star-class ships (which additionally embrace Star Legend and Star Pleasure). His most up-to-date ship was the lately renovated Wind Surf.
Cocktail celebration dialog: He enjoys energetic pursuits, from watersports to motorbikes.
What does being a part of the Star Seeker management crew imply to you? “On a private stage, being concerned within the integration of an progressive engine room and superior tools into Star Seeker could be an thrilling problem. For somebody enthusiastic about sustainability, the concept of serving to to form a vessel that operates extra effectively whereas decreasing its environmental footprint could be deeply rewarding. Seeing new applied sciences being utilized — whether or not it’s a brand new engine system, superior air filtration, or various fuels — would really feel like contributing to the larger good of the planet, in addition to guaranteeing the way forward for luxurious cruising.”
