Name: Jess Peterson
Title: Director, itinerary and revenue planning
Company, city: Windstar Cruises; Seattle, Washington
Number of employees: 1,800 (140 at the Seattle headquarters)
Recent project: Launch of Wind Surf’s Grand Caribbean voyage, a 56-night itinerary covering every corner of the Caribbean. The flagship will visit many ports for the first time, including a partial transit of the Panama Canal and stops in Central America and Cayman Brac.
First job: Product manager, Imgur Technologies
Little-known fact about you: I studied computer science and expected to work in Silicon Valley after college.
Your Business
What innovations or initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next few years? Demand for small-ship and expedition cruising continues to grow. Windstar has long been a leader in small-ship experiences, and we are expanding our expedition program beyond Alaska to other regions. Travelers seek more immersive, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and small ships are uniquely suited to access smaller ports, remote coastlines, and intimate shore activities.
Best career advice you’ve received: Luck and timing play a role in career progress, but you can increase your chances by putting yourself in situations where opportunities are likely to arise.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? Commit to learning broadly. The cruise industry is multifaceted, so gain exposure to different areas—marine operations, shore excursions, sales, revenue management. Volunteer for projects outside your immediate role, ask questions, and seek to understand financial and executive decision-making. A wider perspective will make you a stronger contributor and leader.
Jess Peterson as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: On an Alaska cruise I stood on deck and heard splashes—looking over the side I saw porpoises playing at the bow. It was a small, magical moment that captured why I love travel.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Pack essential clothes and toiletries in your carry-on in case checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Best advice for business travelers: I try to eat local food and engage with the culture wherever I go. Much of my business travel involves scouting new ports and experiences for Windstar, so staying open to local life helps me make better decisions about itineraries and guest experiences.
About Windstar Cruises
Tell our readers about the seven new European and four new Asian itineraries introduced in 2019. These itineraries play to Windstar’s strengths: accessing smaller ports and docking closer to major attractions than larger vessels can. On the Thai Temples itinerary, for example, we dock in the heart of Bangkok rather than at a distant cruise terminal, and we visit Phuket with direct access to beaches and local waters. Instead of stopping at a port a half hour from Patong Beach, we anchor off the shore and open our watersports platform for activities like stand-up paddleboarding or simply floating in the sea. In Europe we continue to uncover lesser-known gems such as Vis Island in Croatia and Porto Ercole, the gateway to Tuscany, giving guests unique and memorable destinations.
Windstar returned to Alaska after a 20-year hiatus. What can travelers expect from those voyages? Our Alaska program offers variety and depth, combining well-known ports like Juneau with smaller communities such as Wrangell and Metlakatla. Onboard expedition staff provide expert-led optional activities—kayaking and Zodiac excursions in places like Tracy Arm, Misty Fjords, and Kenai Fjords National Park—so guests can experience wildlife, glaciers, and the rugged coastline up close.
What can premium travelers expect from the Windstar experience? Tell us about the partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Windstar delivers casual, approachable luxury where the crew quickly gets to know guests’ preferences, creating a warm, personal atmosphere. Our partnership with the James Beard Foundation enhances dining across the fleet: every evening guests can choose dishes developed by a James Beard-affiliated chef, and on select sailings JBF chefs join the cruise to create and refine new menu offerings that are then rolled out fleetwide. The result is elevated culinary programming that complements Windstar’s relaxed luxury.