SEATTLE, July 3 -- Windstar Cruises announced today that it
will position its ship the Wind Star from the Mediterranean to Costa Rica and
the Caribbean instead of Southeast Asia as originally planned at the end of
this year.

Windstar attributes the change to unforeseen political unrest and economic
instability.

"Due to the latest round of events in Southeast Asia, particularly
Indonesia, Windstar has decided that it is in our best interest and the
interest and safety of our guests to position the Wind Star to Costa Rica and
the Caribbean for 1999," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, vice president of
marketing and sales for Windstar. "We were slated to operate for five months
in Indonesia. The region's recent unrest and State Department travel
advisories hamper our ability to market the cruises.

"Our Indonesian itineraries from Bali to Singapore were an integral part of
our year-round Southeast Asia program," added Meadows. "Without these
itineraries we think it will be difficult to operate profitably in Southeast
Asia on a year-round basis and have decided to move the ship in a different
direction."

The Wind Star will position from the Mediterranean in November to Barbados
and then through the Panama Canal en route to Costa Rica. There she will join
the Wind Song offering week-long itineraries with Sunday instead of Saturday
departures. The cruise will include stops at Coiba Island, Panama, Drake Bay,
Playa Flamingo, Tortuga Island/Curu Nature Reserve and Quepos, Costa Rica.

In April, the Wind Star will transit the Panama Canal east to Barbados to
offer 7-day Caribbean itineraries throughout the summer and early fall. The
ship will offer alternating North and Southbound Caribbean itineraries
including among others the islands of Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Tobago,
Grenada, Isles des Saintes and Martinique.

Known for it upscale yet relaxed on-board atmosphere, Windstar operates
three 148-passenger sail cruise ships and one 312-passenger sail cruiser, the
Wind Surf.

For more information see your travel agent or call 800-258-7245. Information
is also on the Windstar Cruises homepage at windstarcruises.com. SOURCE

/NOTE TO EDITORS: photography available/