Aboard Windstar’s Newly Stretched Star Breeze in the Caribbean

Windstar’s Newly Stretched Star Breeze

By Dana Freeman

I recently spent a week sailing in the Caribbean round-trip from St. Maarten on Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze, July 24-31 (2021), their Star Class Yacht that recently underwent a $250 million renovation and lengthening.

Although not my first cruise with Windstar, it was by far one of the most impressive, proving to me once again why Windstar really stands a part from the crowd, especially appreciated in the challenging pandemic era we’re living in.

Dana & hubby Andrew aboard the newly reimagined Star Breeze, in the Star Grill. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Redesigned & Reimagined

Cut a ship in half? That’s crazy! But it is precisely what Windstar Cruises did to the Star Breeze, launching their Star Plus Initiative to transform all three of their suite-style Star Class vessels.

Her hull was cut in half and “stretched” by inserting an 84 feet section in the middle. This unbelievable feat added 50 new suites increasing passenger capacity from 212 to 312 guests.

RELATED:  Windstar’s Star Breeze Stretched & Transformed.  by Anne Kalosh.

The new Star Breeze in St. Lucia. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Suites

I stayed in one of the brand-new “Star Balcony Suites” on deck 5, #541.

The first thing returning Windstar guests will notice is that they have flipped the cabin configuration. The bed is now placed next to the window, which in my case was a French balcony. The seating area with two chairs, a table, and a couch, is closer to the cabin door.

A new Star Breeze suite, room #541. * Photo: Dana Freeman

These beautiful suites have spa-style bathrooms with double vanities, lots of under sink storage and shelving, plus a large, tiled shower. In fact, all of the bathrooms on the Star Breeze have been renovated and redesigned in this way.

There is plenty of storage too. We had a walk-in closet with shelving and a small set of drawers, plus an additional three-drawer dresser in the cabin and smaller drawers in the nightstand on either side of the bed.

Can’t complain about a walk-in closet! * Photo: Dana Freeman

In addition, the staterooms are outfitted with plenty of USB ports and 110/220 electrical outlets for all of your devices.

The well-stocked suite minibar. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The only thing missing was a full-length mirror and motion sensor under-bed lighting or nightlights. The cabin’s blackout shades really work, and I found it very dark if I had to get up in the middle of the night.

Dining

This massive renovation of Windstar’s newly stretched Star Breeze includes adding two new restaurants (for a total of five onboard dining venues), both designed by renowned chefs.

Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso is an eclectic Spanish restaurant that serves tapas-style (small plates) meals, several main dishes and has excellent vegetarian options. This intimate, reservation-only restaurant with under 20 tables is only open for dinner and requires reservations.

Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso is an eclectic Spanish restaurant. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The appetizing plates in Cuadro 44. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The Star Grill by Steven Raichlen serves traditional grilled and barbecued favorites al fresco on the top deck. It is open for lunch and dinner and offers a mid-afternoon burger bar. No reservations are needed for the evening meal; however, it was only open for dinner once on our cruise.

The crew informed me that the conditions are too windy, making serving dinner at the Star Grill difficult.

Seating at The Star Grill by Steven Raichlen on the top deck. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The Star Grill. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Though I have found Windstar’s food to be good on past sailings, overall, I thought the food was even better on this cruise, in terms of quality and choice. The menus in the five venues seemed to change quite a bit, so no chance to get bored.

Lunch in Veranda. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Dishes my husband and I are still dreaming about include the Grand Marnier soufflé at Amphora and the filet mignon at Candles.

Grand Marnier soufflé at Amphora. * Photo: Dana Freeman

An Amphora dinner. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Spa & Fitness Area

One of the highlights of the renovation is the extra space allocated to the World Spa. Not only do they offer excellent and innovative treatments, but they also have a relaxation area complete with a spa shower, steam, and sauna, plus heated tile lounge chairs.

The heated tiled loungers in the World Spa. * Photo: Dana Freeman

In addition, there is a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment and a fitness class studio, although some classes are held in the pool or on deck.

My first treatment was acupuncture, designed to enhance digestion and get rid of cellulite. Although I have had acupuncture before, this session uses acupuncture needles attached to electrodes (a first for me) to stimulate the fat layer just under the skin and hopefully make it disappear. The jury is still out on how well this works.

A lovely spa treatment room. * Photo: Dana Freeman

I also tried the seaweed body treatment, which was fantastic.

It begins with a full-body brush, after which a seaweed mask is applied to your entire body. You are then wrapped up to let the mask soak and rid your body of toxins. After a shower, I enjoyed a head-to-toe body massage that left me feeling pampered and relaxed.

There are plenty of treatments for the guys too. My husband indulged in his first-ever Gentleman’s manicure/pedicure, and boy did his feet look nice afterward. He also tried the Gentleman’s facial and cleansing salt scrub body therapy, which left his skin looking better than ever.

Be prepared for the hard sell of spa services on the first day of the cruise when you can take a tour of the spa. Or after your treatment when your esthetician encourages you to purchase several more treatments to “get the most benefit” from the healing ritual. 

Star Boutique

Returning guests may notice that the casino is now gone.

But in its place, the reimagined and expanded Star Boutique now includes everything you might need or want like sunscreen, flip flops, jewelry, resort wear, and souvenirs. In addition, you can purchase products from the full lineup of L’Occitane products like the ones found in your suite.

Wi-Fi

Although improved in the last few years, poor Wi-Fi connectivity still plagues most cruise ship passengers, and Windstar is no exception. I often found turning on my cellular service while in port to be a better solution if I needed to be connected. Some passengers reported that the Wi-Fi was strongest in the Yacht Club Lounge. It isn’t a bad spot to work if you need to with the specialty coffee bar that serves smoothies, all-day snacks, and treats.

COVID Protocols, Testing & Travel Requirements

The return to cruising has not been without challenges for the industry.

However, I was extremely impressed with how Windstar Cruises handled COVID protocols for our voyage.

During the embarkation process of the newly stretched Star Breeze, we had to present proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test; all crew are also vaccinated. Additionally, the nurse took our temperatures, and we were antigen tested again just to be safe.

Embarkation protocols. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The nurse screening station on embarkation day. * Photo: Dana Freeman

In ports like St. Lucia, we had our temperature taken and were given wristbands denoting that we were vaccinated and cleared to enter.

COVID Temperature Check in St. Lucia. * Photo: Dana Freeman

However, other ports like Antigua required Windstar to administer an additional antigen test on board before we arrived.

COVID Antigen Testing. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Mask Wearing

Despite being vaccinated, passengers are required to wear a mask in public spaces, even outdoors. However, you are allowed to take them off for eating, drinking, and when you can safely socially distance.

I felt comfortable taking mine off whenever I was lounging on the deck and dining, but put my mask back on any time I was moving about the ship. 

Throughout the Star Breeze, you’ll find hand sanitizer, handwashing stations, and signage reminding you to wash often and keep your mask on. Everyone complied, leaving me feeling safe while onboard, plus Windstar staff members always wear their masks. Your cabin also comes with extra face coverings and a small bottle of sanitizer.

Masks & sanitizer in the suites. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Additionally, during the renovation, Windstar invested in a multi-million dollar system that uses hospital-grade HEPA filters and UV-C light to keep the ship extra clean.

While the buffet has not disappeared, it has changed. You cannot serve yourself; a crew member must do it for you. It makes meal service a bit slower, but I am ok with it if it is safer.

Although passengers might be hesitant to book a cruise right now, I actually found it to be the best time to be onboard.

With passenger capacity limits, the ship never felt full. A plus when booking spa treatments, dinner reservations and finding a lounge chair on deck.

Additionally, the passenger vaccination requirement and COVID testing before and during the voyage made me feel very safe to be on a Windstar cruise right now.

Excursions

Due to changing COVID restrictions on some Caribbean islands, our itinerary was amended two weeks before sailing, which meant our excursion choices also changed.

Our new route sailed round-trip from St Maarten and included Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua. To control passenger exposure to locals and other visitors to the island, we were offered several Windstar guest-only excursions to choose from, including sailing, segway tours, sightseeing, and beach escapes.

Disappointing, yet understandable, the option to get off the boat and explore a port on our own was not one of them.

St. Lucia

In St. Lucia, I signed up for a small, six-person learn-to-sail excursion and a coastal cruise on a larger catamaran with approximately 50 people.

As both only had fellow Windstar guests on them and were outdoors, I felt as though the exposure to COVID was relatively low.

Catamaran excursion. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Catamaran excursion with the Pitons of St Lucia in the background. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Additionally, Windstar hosted one non-paid excursion, as they do on most cruises. They arranged a beach day and barbecue on St. Lucia that provided an opportunity for passengers to disembark and ensured we all stayed in the guest-only bubble.

A free beach day in St. Lucia. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Staying on Board is a Treat Too

I decided to stay on board the ship on the Antigua day, as the tender ride to shore was 25-30 minutes one-way and then it was another 45-minute bus ride to the beach, leaving little time for any excursion booked (and paid for).

Honestly, we greatly enjoyed staying on board — we could sample the ship’s water sports platform (it was only open one day the entire week) and also take a dip in the nearly-empty pool.

Speaking of the pool, the newly stretched Star Breeze’s expansion made room for an impressive new pool with enlarged deck space giving passengers more room to relax on the upper two decks; a great improvement from the old pool deck, which was cramped and shadowy.

Dana enjoying her “private pool!” * Photo: Andrew Freeman

The newly expanded pool & deck area from the other direction. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Why Windstar?

When you “step on to a Windstar Ship you become more than a guest,” as we were reminded by senior Windstar staff during the Yacht Club cocktail hour. With an emphasis on the guest experience and customer satisfaction, Windstar’s highly trained crew will do anything to enhance your vacation, and they always do it with a smile on their face.

The crew of Star Breeze. * Photo: Dana Freeman

As a result, you will feel welcome from the moment you get on board. In addition, the friendly, accommodating staff often recognizes you by name within 24 hours of embarkation.

Constantly evolving, Windstar offers several exciting new itineraries in 2021-2023 to destinations such as Israel, Egypt, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and more.

Plus, their other star-class ships Star Legend and Star Pride, will receive the same makeover and enhancements at the Star Breeze. 

Quick Facts

• There were 139 passengers on this cruise.
• While the newly stretched Star Breeze can now carry a maximum of 312, Windstar is currently filling its ships to 75% occupancy to encourage a degree of social distancing.
• The passengers on this cruise were all Americans, except for two German nationals.
• All passengers and crew must be vaccinated to sail with Windstar.
• 7-night Caribbean cruises on the newly stretched Star Breeze this summer start at $1,499 per person; fares include meals, non-alcoholic beverages, a welcome cocktail, water sports equipment, live entertainment, fitness center and classes. If you are looking to upgrade, Windstar is now offering an “All-In Package” with premium wine and spirits, unlimited wifi and gratuities for $89/day per person.  
• This fall (2021), Star Breeze will head to French Polynesia.
• As for the launch of the newly stretched and renovated sister ships, Star Legend will debut September 27, 2021, in the Mediterranean from Lisbon to Barcelona.  Meanwhile, Star Pride is slated to sail November 20, 2021, in the Caribbean round-trip from St Maarten. 

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