Starboard Resort opens new retail concept at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort, Florida

Starboard Resort, the land-based vacation retail division from cruise ship retailer Starboard Group, has opened a new retail concept at Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee, Florida. 

Known as Crafted by Starboard, the new 780 square foot boutique was designed with families in mind and includes carefully curated assortments and personalization in an immersive retail environment. Brands offered at the new retail concept include America & Beyond, Eat My Socks, NYS Collection sunglasses, Shiraleah, Venus, Citizen, and Weekender.

“This launch marks another major milestone in our Starboard Resort growth strategy and the latest expansion of our strong partnership with Westgate,” said Lisa Bauer, President and CEO of Starboard Group, in a statement. “Conceptualized and created with personalization at the center, Crafted by Starboard combines thoughtful curation and unique, immersive retail experiences to ultimately redefine vacation shopping.”

The new boutique features the first-ever dedicated customization station in a Westgate resort, where guests can turn a selection of products into a unique memento. Personalization offerings include embroidery of apparel and accessories, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, handbags, backpacks, and plush toys, and personalization of tumblers from The Darling Effect. Guests can also personalize jewelry, with options available including engraving by Metal & Stone, charm stations by Jet Set Candy and Canvas Style, and custom-length chain jewelry from Inch of Gold.

“We’re constantly innovating to create memorable experiences that offer convenience, connection, and fun for our guests of all ages,” said Jared Saft, Chief Business & Strategy Officer at Westgate Resorts, in a statement. “By partnering with Starboard Resort, we’re able to enhance the vacation experience for our guests with a range of unforgettable shopping experiences in a single, on-site destination. Crafted by Starboard gives our guests new ways to discover products and brands, connect through creative retail experiences, and customize items to make them their own.”

Located in the resort’s lobby, the opening of Crafted by Starboard is part of a broader series of renovations and new additions to the Westgate’s largest resort. Other new retail experiences to open include the 10 million USD Mystery Fun House Arcade Experience, Viva, a new coffee shop, and Sid’s American Bistro, a new upscale, yet laid-back American restaurant.

“We’ve drawn on our strong network of global sourcing partnerships and our curation expertise to craft an unforgettable array of products, brands, and immersive experiences that will delight Westgate Vacation Villas Resort guests and enhance their stay,” said Stacy Shaw, Senior Vice President, Luxury & Resorts, Starboard Group, in a statement.