Windstar has hired three senior personnel to support its growing business, as it looks to welcome the seventh and eighth small ship to the fleet.
Victor Valencia (pictured) joins as Vice President of Revenue along with Michelle Pharr and William Kammerman who join the sales team.
Valencia comes from leadership roles at Amazon to drive strategic growth, oversee all revenue and pricing functions, and optimise profitable growth via the employment of data science and data analytics.
His most recent role was as head of finance at Amazon where he held roles in strategic planning, finance, revenue optimisation, and capital investment.
He has also held key roles in finance, revenue, strategy, risk management, and treasury at organisations, such as DSV logistics, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and American Express.
He will be based at Windstar’s global headquarters in Miami, FL.
“This is the perfect time for Victor to join Windstar Cruises as we expand our commercial business operations, globally. His impressive background in revenue optimisation, finance, and data-driven strategy – shaped by leadership roles at innovative companies like Amazon, DSV Logistics, and Royal Caribbean Group – aligns perfectly with our vision for profitable growth,” said Windstar’s CCO, Janet Bava.
“Victor’s expertise in leveraging technology, strategic pricing, and financial optimisation will be instrumental in delivering long term, sustainable growth for Windstar,” she said.
William (Kam) Kammerman, now Strategic Business Development Manager of Host Agencies, has joined the sales team to manage host agency relationships for the cruise line.
He will expand and enhance relationships with host agencies and provide training to drive host agency sales growth.
Kammerman recently worked for MSC Cruises as a strategic account manager for host agencies. He’s also worked for Norwegian Cruise Lines as a direct sales manager and began his career working in the hotel industry. He is based in St. Petersburg, FL.
Michelle Pharr, appointed Regional Sales Manager, South Central Region, brings 14 years’ experience in the travel industry to her new role as a regional sales manager for the US south central region.
Based in Texas, Pharr is responsible for managing travel advisor partnerships and providing training and support to help build business and increase sales.
She most recently worked for Royal Caribbean as a strategic account manager and before that at Palace Resorts in a business development role.
“Kam and Michelle both have outstanding skill sets in the travel trade sector, and with direct experience in the cruise industry, they are positioned to quickly make a positive impact on Windstar’s support for the trade side of our business,” said Joe Jiffo, Windstar’s Director of Sales.
Windstar Cruises is celebrating 40 years of operating yacht style cruises. ‘Star Seeker’, a 224-guest all-suite yacht, joins the fleet in December, this year, followed by sistership ‘Star Explorer’ in December, 2026.
These two vessels will join the line’s ‘Star Class’ fleet of luxury yachts bringing the fleet up to five ‘Star Class’, plus three ‘Wind Class’ sailing yachts, each carrying between 148 and 342 guests.
‘Star Seeker’ is due to be christened in Miami on 15th January 2026.
