Windstar's Signature Collection Host Series features distinguished guests and lecturers throughout the 2009 season, including David Shalleck. Shalleck will host cooking demonstrations highlighting local ingredients, give culinary presentations sharing techniques from the region and feature dishes from his culinary travel memoir "Mediterranean Summer: A Season on France's Cote d'Azur and Italy's Costa Bella."

Shalleck has worked for over two decades in the culinary industry as a chef, author and television producer alongside some of America's most celebrated chefs and hosts. In addition to chef duties in notable restaurants and special events in New York, London, Provence and Italy, his television credits include the PBS series "Jose Made in Spain" with Jose Andres, "More Fast Food My Way" with Jacques Pepin and the Food Network's "Iron Chef America." For more information on Shalleck, please visit www.volochef.com or www.mediterraneansummer.com.

Wind Surf's 7-day Rome to Nice itinerary includes ports in Ischia, Italy; Amalfi, Italy; Livorno, Italy; and Monte Carlo, Monaco. Cruise rates start at $1,799 per person, based on double occupancy.

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 Marché 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 Condé 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 Condé 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 Condé 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 www.windstarcruises.com.

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