WINDSTAR Cruises

Windstar Cruises.

This classy fleet of six combines Windstar Cruises’ three original sailing yachts, Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf, groundbreaking at the time for their large size and computer-controlled sails, with Seabourn’s former trio of small cruise ships, Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend, also groundbreaking back in the day for their luxurious all-suite accommodation and exquisite cuisine.

All were built between 1986 and 1992, making them senior citizens in cruise ship speak, but thanks to very recent enlarging and upgrading, these gems remain as popular as ever.

One of my first small-ship cruises ever was in the late 1990s on the Wind Spirit from Istanbul to Athens, it was a magical lovely romantic cruise with my husband and I still think about it sometimes. — Quirky’s Heidi Sarna

Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend underwent lengthening and the addition of 50 suites, all-new bathrooms, two additional dining venues, a fitness center, and more fuel-efficient new engines. The deck pool area and spa will also be redesigned. The passenger capacities increased to 312 but never fear, the trio will continue to be covered by QuirkyCruise.

The collective aim is to provide a casually elegant, no-jackets-required small-ship experience with alfresco dining, sail-away parties on deck, and generally lots of time spent outdoors soaking up the sun and sea. The MO is sophistication without stuffiness on cruises that are not crazy expensive.

Windstar Cruises runs frequent promotions, from waiving the single supplement fees to discounts on fares, and free shipboard credits, shore excursions and WiFi.

And, Windstar Cruises also welcomes corporate incentive charters starting at 148 passengers.

UPDATE: Windstar to update its three sailing ships; Anne Kalosh reports the details here.

The newly stretched Star Breeze. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

The Windstar Cruises Fleet

Wind Star (built 1986 & 148 passengers)

Wind Spirit (b. 1988 & 148p)

Wind Surf (b. 1990 & 342p)

Star Pride (b. 1988; redone 2021 & 312p)

Star Breeze (b. 1989; redone 2021 & 312p)

Star Legend (b.1992; redone 2021 & 312p)

Gorgeous Wind Star under full sail. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises’ Passenger Profile

The majority are North American couples in their 40s to 70s, with a fair number of British and European passengers in the mix.

Older children, 12 and up, will enjoy the sailing ships, especially on warm weather itineraries when there are oodles of opportunities to use the watersports equipment.

Windstar sees a particularly high repeat passenger rate. They’ve definitely got serious fans.

Price

$ – $$ Moderate to Expensive

Included Features on Windstar Cruises

24-hour room service
All non-alcoholic drinks, bottled water, sodas & specialty coffees
Welcome cocktails
Unlimited use of fitness center
Unlimited use of all water sports equipment

Windstar Itineraries

The Windstar Cruises’ fleet roams the world: Alaska, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama Canal, ocean crossings, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. Cruises can be as short as one week or as long as one month.

A shore excursion in Mallorca. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises also offers ocean crossing voyages to reposition ships across the Atlantic and South Pacific.

Star Collector cruises combine itineraries to create longer journeys with few repeated stops. Trips can last up to a month and, mercifully, include free laundry service.

When to Go?

The fleet cruises different regions of the world in the optimum months.

Windstar Cruises’ Activities & Entertainment

On some cruises, usually longer itineraries with multiple sea days and cruises with a notable feature (i.e., the Panama Canal), an expert lecturer talks about the destinations. On occasion, a movie is screened in the lounge or screening room. The fleet has an open bridge policy, so weather-permitting you are free to wander in and have a chat with the officer on duty, and perhaps the captain.

All six have gyms, plus outdoor pools and one or two hot tubs. Sea days on the Windstar sailing yachts are meant to be spent sunbathing and relaxing on deck while taking in the majestic beauty of the masted ships. If anchored in calm seas, all six have watersports platforms for easy access to swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and other water fun right from the ship and all free of charge.

The new pool on the Star Breeze. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Before and after dinner, passengers enjoy drinks and the company of their shipmates, plus live music from a pianist or singing duo in one of the lounges. Usually once per cruise, local performers come on board for a few hours to entertain guests with folkloric dance or other cultural traditional entertainment.

In port once per cruise, there is a complimentary special experience, the likes of a wine tasting and traditional lunch in Sicily or in Ephesus, a private dinner under the stars at the stunning ruins of the Celsus Library.

Ships

The Sailing Yachts

Wind Star
Wind Spirit
Wind Surf

These three ships have much the same features and amenities, with some differences. The 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit are four-masted sailing ships, each with four decks and no elevators. The 342-passenger Wind Surf has the honor of being the world’s tallest sailing ship and has its six decks accessed by elevator.

UPDATE: Windstar to update its three sailing ships in 2024; Anne Kalosh reports the details here.

Windstar Cruises Wind Surf in French Polynesia

The Wind Surf in French Polynesia. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Dining on Windstar

The Wind Surf has four restaurants, including a formal venue serving continental, a modern French bistro, a poolside grill for steaks and grilled skewers, and a casual buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch.

The Wind Star and Wind Spirit have a main formal restaurant (though jackets aren’t required, passengers dress smartly and some men wear jackets anyway) for multi-course fine dining with a continental menu and the more casual indoor/outdoor buffet venue called The Veranda at the stern that’s transformed into the a la carte Candles restaurant for dinner. Dining out on the deck facing the ship’s wake is a lovely experience.

Mealtime is a big part of the Windstar Cruises experience, with all ships having several dining venues, including at least one with outdoor seating so diners can soak up the sun or starry nights.

Public Rooms on Windstar Ships

Life on the Wind Star, Wind Spirit, Wind Surf in fine weather is focused on the expansive outdoor teak deck space with its inviting bar, pool and hot tub (Wind Surf has two hot tubs), and lots of seating.

All three also have an indoor lounge and bar, tiny boutique and library, slip of a casino, plus a gym and spa (both of which are larger on Wind Surf ).

The indoor lounge. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Cabins on Windstar

Standard cabins are 188 sq. ft. with a nautical flair. Cabins on all Windstar Cruises’ ships come stocked with L’Occitane bath amenities, bathrobes, slippers, fresh fruit, and 24-hour room service.

The cabins on Wind Star, Spirit & Surf are compact yet offer everything you’ll need and more * Photo: Roger Paperno

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, phone, Wi-Fi, minibar, safe, hair dryer.

Windstar’s Star Ships

Star Pride
Star Breeze
Star Legend

When they were relaunched in 2021, the three sister ships became 84 ft. longer, with increased passenger capacity from 212 to 312 and new onboard features following a major $250 million renovation program. The ships have 6 decks with elevators between all.

Dining on the Star Ships

With the expansion comes two new dining rooms: the outdoor Star Grill by Steven Raichlen and fine Spanish-inspired Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso.

All dining venues have open seating with plenty of ocean views and al fresco options.

rendering of new spaces on Windstar's stretched ship

The Star Grill by Steven Raichlin is a new casual, alfresco restaurant on the fully transformed top deck. * Rendering: Windstar Cruises

Star Breeze’s Amphora Restaurant. * Photo: Windstar Cruises

Star Ships’ Public Rooms

Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend will offer an elevated infinity pool and whirlpool with ocean views. The renovation has expanded the spa and fitness center. Other onboard spaces include a number of indoor and outdoor lounges and bars, the Yacht Club Café & Library, a small boutique, a screening room and water sports platform.

Cabins on the Star Ships

Post-relaunch, these three all-suite ships now have 50 additional cabins, called Star Suites. Most suites measure 277 sq. ft., many have a balcony while those in the lowest category have porthole views. Larger suites are from 400 sq. ft. Bathrooms have been completely remodeled and upgraded.

Along the Same Lines

SeaDream Yacht Club is a blend of Windstar’s sailing ships (where life is lived outdoors on deck) and ex-Seabourn ships (moderate-size cruise ships without sails).