Please Welcome: John Delaney, President of Windstar Cruises

LauraS · January 4, 2000

We're pleased offer you the opportunity to interact directly with John Delaney, President of Windstar Cruises. John will be here on October 14th, but you can ask your questions now in our dedicated Q&A with John Delaney Forum.

Now, here's some information about Windstar Cruises from Cruise Critic, and continue reading for John Delaney's impressive bio:

John Delaney serves as Windstar Cruises President, appointed by parent company Xanterra Travel Collection in July 2016. As Windstar’s president, Delaney oversees global sales, marketing, operations and financials for the boutique cruise line that operates six small cruise ships sailing to more than 300 ports of call around the world.

In his time at Windstar, Delaney has been responsible for the award-winning small ship line’s expansion to global deployment including the launch of comprehensive cruise programs in Asia, Indonesia, the Middle East, Canada & New England, U.S. East Coast, Alaska, Mexico, Central America and most recently Australia & New Zealand, as well as continued expansion to maiden ports across Europe.

Most recently, Delaney is at the helm of the award-winning small ships groundbreaking $250 Million Star Plus Initiative, the most complex and comprehensive small ship lengthening, engine replacement, and renovation project in cruising. The initiative was announced in November 2018 and will be complete in December 2020.

"This is the biggest investment and expansion in Windstar Cruises’ history," said Delaney. “The investment of a quarter of a billion dollars ensures to our loyal and future guests, and industry partners, that these ships will continue to sail for generations and deliver on their promise of visiting the smaller ports and waters of the world that our brand is known for. We are all proud to be part of this historic event in the small ship cruise industry."

During his tenure at Windstar, Delaney has been focused on bringing on new expertise and talent to the leadership team at Windstar to offer new and innovative guest experiences. With Delaney overseeing operations, the Windstar team has developed guest-centric travel programs and partnerships such as longer Star Collector (back-to-back) and Grand Voyages; Easy Stays hotel-transfer program; Concierge Collection, Beyond Ordinary and Essentials tiered shore excursion programs; and expansion of a unique, multi-year, culinary-travel partnership as the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation.

In 2018, Delaney oversaw launch of the line’s innovative and award-winning Signature Expeditions program offered on all Alaska sailings. The program brings guests closer to nature by launching Zodiacs and kayaks direct from the ship, guided by a team of Expedition Leaders of marine biologists, glaciologists and more, who also offer lectures, narration while scenic cruising and engage daily with guests offering insider insights, tour tips, and personal experiences throughout the cruise.

Delaney was formerly Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales for Seabourn Cruise Line (a Carnival Corporation brand) from 2011 to June 2016, and also had significant tenure with Walt Disney Company and Holland America Line. He held a number of positions at Holland America Line, including vice president of revenue marketing, director of special projects at corporate audit services and manager of management advisory services.

Before working for Carnival Corporation, Delaney spent six years at The Walt Disney Company starting as a financial analyst in food operations at The Disneyland Resort, working his way up through various positions including senior business planner for theme park operations revenue and manager of marketing finance. After a brief stint with Gateway Business, he returned to The Walt Disney Company at Disneyland Resort culminating as director of financial planning and analysis.

Active in his community having served on various charitable boards, Delaney was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Reach the World, an education non-profit based in New York City that focuses on cultural diversity and awareness; he previously served on the Board of Directors for the Pike Place Market Foundation, based in Seattle.

Delaney earned his BS in Business Administration and Accounting from California State University in Long Beach, California, and resides in Seattle, Washington.