Greece and More Enter the Spotlight as Windstar and Celebrity Chefs Unveil Exclusive 2027 Cruises

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Greece and more exciting destinations enter the spotlight as Windstar and celebrity chefs unveil exclusive 2027 cruises for food lovers and global travellers. These exclusive 2027 cruises bring together remarkable destinations, culinary discoveries and unforgettable experiences at sea. Moreover, Windstar invites travellers to explore Greece and more through chef-led dining, cultural encounters and fascinating coastal adventures. As celebrity chefs unveil new opportunities to connect food with travel, Greece and more promise memorable journeys for curious holidaymakers. Travel And Tour World urges readers to discover how Windstar and celebrity chefs transform these exclusive 2027 cruises into extraordinary culinary adventures across Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Windstar Celebrity Chef Cruises 2027 Put Greek Islands, French Polynesia and East Asia in the Spotlight for Food-Loving Travellers

Windstar Cruises’ 2027 culinary programme offers travellers a way to connect international destinations with regional cooking traditions, historic landmarks and local cultural experiences. The five special voyages, developed in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, feature chefs Roel Alcudia, Felix Tai, Cara Tobin, Cody Hogan and Christine Lau.

For travellers planning a longer holiday, the programme spans the Greek islands, Türkiye, French Polynesia, Italy and East Asia. Each voyage has its own itinerary, ship and culinary focus, making it important to compare dates, ports and shore excursions before booking.

The following guide expands the cruise announcement into a practical travel resource, covering destinations, local food, sightseeing, accommodation planning and official tourism statistics.

Five Windstar chef-hosted cruises at a glance

Windstar’s official 2027 programme lists five sailings ranging from seven to eleven nights. The ships, dates and culinary hosts differ, so travellers should use the itinerary that matches their preferred region and holiday length.

Source: Windstar Cruises’ official culinary voyage listings. Confirm the latest port sequence and embarkation details directly with the cruise line before booking.

1. Treasures of the Greek Isles: a culinary journey through the Aegean

The July 13–20 sailing aboard Wind Surf is a seven-night round trip from Piraeus, the port serving Athens. The programme features chef Roel Alcudia and connects historic mainland ports with celebrated Greek islands. Windstar highlights an exclusive dinner experience associated with Ancient Thira above Santorini’s caldera.

How to plan the Greek island experience

Arrive in Athens at least one day before embarkation, particularly when travelling internationally. Spend time exploring the Acropolis and the historic centre before transferring to Piraeus.

In Santorini, check whether the ship’s excursion includes Ancient Thira, as access involves additional travel and time. In Kusadasi, prioritise Ephesus if ancient architecture is your main interest. Confirm local transport and excursion duration before selecting other activities.

For accommodation, compare hotels in central Athens with properties close to Piraeus. Travellers who prefer restaurants, museums and evening walks may find central Athens more convenient, while a port-area hotel can simplify embarkation morning.

2. Māori Storytellers and French Polynesian Treasures

This eleven-night Star Breeze sailing runs from September 5–16, departing from and returning to Papeete, Tahiti. Chef Felix Tai brings experience in Polynesian culinary traditions to a voyage featuring island scenery, cultural encounters and a special imu-inspired feast in Bora Bora. The itinerary also includes the Cook Islands.

Where to stay and what to do before or after sailing

Papeete is the practical starting point for hotels, markets and transport connections. Travellers seeking a beach extension can compare resorts and guesthouses in Moorea or Bora Bora, depending on budget and onward flights.

For a cultural experience, look for locally guided activities that explain Polynesian food, agriculture and traditional cooking. At vanilla plantations, ask about cultivation and processing rather than treating the visit simply as a shopping stop.

The official French Polynesian statistics provide a useful picture of demand. Tahiti Tourisme, citing the Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française (ISPF), reports 351,289 total visitors in 2025, including 281,227 tourists staying at least one night. The total visitor figure increased by 7.5% from 2024, while tourist arrivals rose by 6.6%.

Source: Tahiti Tourisme, using ISPF data. “Total visitors” and “tourists” are different statistical categories and should not be added together.

These figures suggest a substantial tourism market for the islands, but they are not a forecast of cruise demand or proof that any individual port will be crowded. Travellers should confirm excursion capacity and transport availability for their specific sailing.

3. Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal

The September 8–16 voyage aboard Star Legend connects Piraeus with Istanbul, bringing together Greek islands and Türkiye’s Aegean coast. Chef Cara Tobin, known for Eastern Mediterranean-inspired cooking, is the culinary host. Windstar highlights a special dinner experience in Kusadasi, near the ancient city of Ephesus.

Planning your time in Greece and Türkiye

The most important pre-cruise decision is whether to explore Athens before departure. Two nights give travellers more flexibility to visit major archaeological sites and enjoy a relaxed meal in the city.

In Itea, plan the journey to Delphi carefully because the archaeological site lies inland. In Kusadasi, allow enough time for Ephesus and its surrounding attractions. Istanbul deserves additional time after disembarkation if your flight schedule permits.

For accommodation, central Athens suits visitors interested in museums and restaurants. In Istanbul, compare hotels in Sultanahmet for historic sightseeing with properties in other central neighbourhoods for shopping and dining.

Greek tourism statistics also demonstrate the scale of international interest. The Bank of Greece recorded approximately 43.31 million inbound traveller movements in 2025, up 6.4% from 40.69 million in 2024. These figures cover inbound travel through airports and road border crossings and are not a direct count of cruise passengers alone.

Source: Bank of Greece. These are national inbound traveller flows, not cruise-specific port arrivals.

4. Enchanting Greece and the Amalfi Coast

Wind Surf’s October 14–21 sailing features chef Cody Hogan and connects southern Italy with Greece. The route includes Sorrento, Messina, Monemvasia and Gythion, with the wider holiday offering opportunities to discover coastal scenery, historical sites and Mediterranean cuisine.

Where to stay and how to extend the trip

Rome is the best option for travellers who want to combine the sailing with major historical attractions. Consider spending two or three nights there before travelling to Civitavecchia, allowing time for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican area.

In Sorrento, central accommodation makes it easier to explore on foot and arrange excursions around the Bay of Naples. Travellers should check transfer times before attempting visits to Pompeii or other inland attractions during a port call.

For food lovers, southern Italy offers opportunities to compare regional pasta dishes, seafood and pastries. Choose restaurants that highlight seasonal ingredients and local specialities rather than assuming every restaurant serves the same regional cuisine.

Italy’s national tourism figures provide broader context for the route. The Italian National Institute of Statistics, ISTAT, reported 139.6 million arrivals and 466.2 million overnight stays at accommodation establishments in 2024. International visitors accounted for 54.5% of overnight stays. These figures refer to accommodation tourism across Italy, not cruise passengers alone.

Source: ISTAT, 2024 tourism-flow statistics. The data measures stays at accommodation establishments rather than total visitors entering Italy.

5. East Asian Legends: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam

The November 4–14 voyage aboard Star Seeker is hosted by chef Christine Lau. Windstar lists Kobe, Okinawa, Ishigaki, Taipei, Hong Kong and destinations in Vietnam among the experiences associated with this sailing. The published route connects Kobe, which serves the wider Kyoto region, with the Halong Bay and Hanoi area.

Practical travel tips for East Asia

Travellers should treat this sailing as a multi-country trip rather than a single-destination holiday. Confirm passport validity, entry requirements, permitted shore excursions and visa conditions for each jurisdiction.

In Japan, allow time for local transport between the port and the attractions you want to visit. In Taipei and Hong Kong, food markets and neighbourhood restaurants offer an accessible introduction to local cooking traditions. For Halong Bay, verify the excursion’s departure point and duration before arranging independent activities.

Visitors who want to explore Kyoto should check the actual time available in Kobe and the distance to their preferred sights. Kyoto is not immediately beside every port facility, so a short call may not allow an extensive independent visit.

East Asian tourism statistics over five years

Official statistics show the recovery of tourism in several destinations relevant to the wider East Asian route. However, national arrivals cannot be used to predict the number of cruise passengers at a particular port.

Sources: Statistics Bureau of Japan and JNTO data; Hong Kong Tourism Board; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. Figures are rounded where indicated. Definitions and finalisation schedules differ, so the series should not be treated as directly comparable across countries.

Japan recorded 36.87 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2024, exceeding its pre-pandemic record. Hong Kong reported provisional arrivals of approximately 49.9 million in 2025, while Vietnam’s national tourism authority reported around 21.5 million international arrivals for that year.

These national statistics help travellers understand the wider popularity of the region, but individual ports have different transport facilities, excursion capacities and visitor patterns. Check local conditions before choosing a private guide or booking a shore excursion.

Five-year tourism comparison: how to interpret the numbers

A reliable travel article should distinguish among international arrivals, overnight tourists, accommodation arrivals, cruise passengers and total visitors. They measure different things. For example, Tahiti’s total visitor figure includes categories that differ from its overnight-tourist count, while Greece’s inbound traveller figures include land and air arrivals.

These figures provide context for the destinations featured in the cruise programme. They should not be interpreted as a ranking of cruise ports or as a direct comparison of visitor volumes because the statistical definitions differ.

How to plan and budget for a Windstar culinary cruise

The best way to organise one of these journeys is to build the land arrangements around the sailing rather than attempting to fit every attraction into a port call.

1. Choose the region first. Greece and Italy suit travellers interested in ancient history and Mediterranean food. French Polynesia is more appropriate for island scenery and tropical activities, while East Asia combines several food cultures and major cities.

2. Book flights with a time buffer. Arrive at the embarkation city at least a day before sailing. For long-haul journeys, additional time may be sensible where flight connections are complicated.

3. Compare accommodation locations. A central hotel is useful for sightseeing, while a port-area hotel may reduce transfer time. Compare cancellation terms and transport costs as well as nightly rates.

4. Confirm what the cruise fare includes. Ask Windstar about chef-hosted dinners, demonstrations, drinks, shore excursions, transfers and special culinary events. Do not assume every activity is included.

5. Plan meals ashore. Look for local markets, traditional restaurants and regional specialities. Reserve popular restaurants in advance where appropriate, and inform providers about dietary requirements.

6. Check travel documents. Multi-country voyages can involve different visa rules, customs requirements and entry procedures. Verify the official requirements for every destination on the confirmed itinerary.

Final outlook for food-focused travellers

Windstar’s five 2027 chef-hosted voyages offer a structured way to combine food, culture and destination discovery. The Greek and Italian itineraries emphasise Mediterranean history and coastal cuisine, French Polynesia focuses on island traditions, and East Asian Legends links several distinctive culinary regions.

Tourism data from the destinations shows that international travel has recovered substantially in many markets, although national arrivals do not guarantee any particular level of activity at individual ports. The most rewarding approach is to select the itinerary that fits personal interests, verify the final route, and leave enough time to experience local food and culture beyond the ship.

For travellers seeking more than a conventional cruise, these sailings provide a starting point for building a holiday around regional flavours, historic sites and meaningful encounters with the places they visit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Windstar and celebrity chefs are bringing an exciting culinary dimension to exclusive 2027 cruises, with Greece and more remarkable destinations entering the spotlight. These journeys combine exceptional dining, local flavours, cultural discoveries and immersive experiences for global travellers. From European coastlines to Asian ports and the islands of French Polynesia, guests can explore distinctive destinations while enjoying chef-inspired cuisine at sea. As travellers seek more meaningful and memorable holidays, Windstar’s culinary cruises offer an appealing way to connect food, culture and exploration. Travel And Tour World highlights these exclusive 2027 cruises as an exciting option for food lovers planning their next extraordinary getaway.