More back-to-back cruise options on Windstar

How do you turn a seven-night cruise into a 14-night cruise? Stay on the ship!

Windstar Cruises has cleverly arranged its 2007 and 2008 calendar to allow for more back-to-back cruise options. Its “Connoisseurs’ Collection” cruises feature seven-day itineraries that can easily be combined into two-week trips without repeating the same ports. Plus, you’ll save five to 10 percent off the cost of the cruise when you combine two itineraries.

You can find options for back-to-back sailings in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean. In the Mediterranean, you can choose to link one-way voyages, such as sailing from Rome to Barcelona, then on to Lisbon. Or, you can sail round-trip from one port, such as sailing from Rome to Venice then back to Rome. In the Caribbean, you can combine alternating northbound and southbound itineraries from Barbados to explore many more islands.

Given the growing popularity of longer cruises and the need for shorter cruises to accommodate busy schedules, I think Windstar has come up with a smart plan. They’ve even thought of small details like instituting a longer menu rotation so guests aren’t repeating meals on week two. Now if only I had time for a two-week cruise…