The primary Windstar ship I ever skilled was Wind Star within the Caribbean, the 148-passenger crusing ship. The latest was Star Legend within the Mediterranean, the cruise line’s 312-passenger yacht. These two solely totally different ships, at the least so far as the vessels are involved, share many similarities, equivalent to Windstar’s pleasant crew, watersports marinas off the again (or aft), and the James Beard Basis partnership by which its cooks share their recipes with the ship’s culinary crew and host culinary sailings all year long. Most of all, each ships supply a pleasant onboard environment, by which well-traveled company mingle with one another — and officers and crew undoubtedly make you are feeling such as you’re a part of the household.
But, there are clear distinctions, each in the case of the ships’ designs in addition to their itineraries. One in all Windstar’s greatest challenges — and alternatives — and one thing that makes its fleet completely distinctive, is that there are (or slightly, can be, when Star Seeker debuts in December 2025) really two distinct courses of vessels.
In the event you’re making your alternative based on vacation spot, you’ll discover some areas, equivalent to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands, the place there’s just one possibility for the model of ship. What occurs, although, if you find yourself touring to locations like Tahiti, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, or Central America and the Panama Canal, when you possibly can go for both a crusing ship or an all-suite yacht?
Right here’s our information that will help you choose your ship — and your journey.
First, let’s speak in regards to the ships
It’s possible you’ll hear the phrase “class” bandied about. That refers back to the kinds of vessels. We’ll begin with the Wind Class, which describes the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit, and the 342-passenger Wind Surf. All are crusing ships (and have engines to make use of when wanted).
Windstar’s Star Class ships — Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Satisfaction— carry 312 company apiece. This trio, largely an identical, gives extra of a cruise-style expertise.
It’s possible you’ll hear the phrase “class” bandied about. That refers back to the kinds of vessels. We’ll begin with the Wind Class, which describes the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit, and the 342-passenger Wind Surf. All are crusing ships (and have engines to make use of when wanted).
And, debuting in December 2025 and December 2026, can be two extra ships. Star Seeker, the previous, is Windstar’s first newbuild for the Star Class. The almost an identical Star Explorer launches in December 2026. Each carry 224 company and have essentially the most state-of-the-art facilities within the fleet.
Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf
There’s no expertise in cruising as romantic as departing from the day’s port of name on one in all Windstar’s crusing ships. Sails are unfurled as Vangelis’ haunting musical rating “1492: Conquest of Paradise” performs within the background. “At every sail away … company collect on deck to toast the opening of the sails,” writes Kim Glynn on Panache Cruises’ weblog. “I nonetheless get goosebumps after I give it some thought now. It’s a correct ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ second!”
Benefits:
For small ship aficionados (or crusing fanatics), these vessels supply an intimate expertise. And also you’ll nonetheless discover facilities equivalent to watersports platforms, an onboard soaking pool, a comfy spa and gymnasium, and two lounges.
And what so many people love about Wind Surf is its distinctive outside areas. It’s the one crusing ship within the fleet the place its pool is situated on the aft deck, providing fabulous views on three sides (motor yachts Star Seeker and Star Explorer will each have aft swimming pools once they debut).
The place you’ll sleep:
Wind Star and Wind Spirit every supply one 220-square-foot suite; the remainder of the staterooms measure a comfy 188 sq. ft. On Wind Surf, suite choices vary from 242 to 495 sq. ft and embrace The Broadmoor and Sea Island suites, impressed by sister resorts. Customary lodging are 188 sq. ft. All suites function ample storage.
Eating places:
All three ships function Amphora, the principle restaurant venue, and the Veranda, with alfresco and indoor seating. Veranda transforms into Candles, the ship’s seafood and steakhouse, for dinner. Befitting its bigger measurement, Wind Surf additionally gives Stella Bistro, a French-inspired restaurant. Room service is obtainable 24/7.
The place you’ll go:
Usually, you’ll discover Windstar’s Wind Class ships in hotter climes, such because the Greek Isles in summer season, the Canary Islands in spring and fall, French Polynesia (year-round, starting in January 2027), and the Caribbean and Latin America.
Good to Know:
All three of Windstar’s Wind Class ships are present process main refurbishments. The 342-guest Wind Surf is present process its $7.5 million refurbishment in two phases and the primary was accomplished in December 2024 with the addition of three new suites (together with stunning reimaginings of lodging from sibling resorts at The Broadmoor and Sea Island). Public rooms, from the foyer to Amphora and from the pool to lounges, additionally have been accomplished. The second part of the design overhaul will deal with staterooms and can happen in December 2026.
Wind Star additionally will get a phased-in improve. Already, public rooms just like the Lounge, the World Spa and gymnasium, and the pool deck and adjoining bar, have been refreshed; the proprietor’s suite was utterly redesigned. Subsequent: In 2026, staterooms can be reworked, as will Amphora, its main restaurant, and Veranda, its ship-top café (that transforms into Candles for dinner).
On Wind Spirit, the phases are an identical to Wind Star; solely the timing is totally different. Its first stage takes place in 2026 and the second in 2027.
Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Satisfaction
Windstar’s Star Class options Star Breeze, Star Satisfaction and Star Legend. The ships are, by and huge, an identical, and carry 312 vacationers.
Benefits:
You need a small ship expertise with just a few extra consolation options, like spacious suites extra leisure and restaurant selections, bigger spa, and a super-wide vary of itineraries.
The place You’ll Sleep:
This trio of ships options the most important suites within the fleet, together with proprietor’s suites and the Broadmoor and Sea Island, all of which have non-public balconies, and separate residing and bedrooms and vary from 575 to 820 sq. ft. Even normal ocean view and French veranda lodging, measuring 277 sq. ft, have distinct residing and sleeping areas and a walk-in closet. Additionally they have not too long ago refurbished loos with energy showers and twin sinks.
Eating places:
Mainstays onboard embrace the Veranda, which is open for buffet and off-the-menu dishes and has indoor and outside seating. At evening, it transforms into Candles, its steakhouse. At Amphora, open solely within the evenings, the menus mirror extra continental fare with the choice to strive dishes created by James Beard Basis cooks. Cuadro 44, one in all my favourite onboard eateries wherever, has been serving up Spanish-influenced tapas (greatest lamb chops ever). It’s slowly being changed by Basil + Bamboo, a brand new idea providing a mix of Mediterranean and Asian delicacies. It’s at present on Star Breeze and can be added to Star Legend (beginning December 13, 2025), Star Seeker and Star Satisfaction (debuting April 7, 2026).
Additionally secret’s 24-hour complimentary room service.
The place You’ll Go:
As a result of these are motor ships slightly than working (at the least partially) by way of sail, they provide extra numerous itineraries just because they will transfer at a sooner velocity and thus journey higher distances. In Tahiti, for one, Star Breeze can incorporate a trek to the unique Marquesas right into a 14-day itinerary that additionally consists of the favored, bucket-list-worthy Society Islands equivalent to Moorea and Bora Bora.
As effectively, these ships are excellent for cooler climate locations, just like the Mediterranean in winter and Iceland in summer season as a result of there’s extra flexibility indoors. For example, if climate precludes the road’s signature outside BBQ, there’s the equally fascinating “galley” dinner, by which a luxurious buffet is specified by Amphora’s kitchen, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the restaurant operates.
Good to Know:
This trio has further indoor area; for lots of us, the Yacht Membership on the prime of the ships is a favourite onboard spot. It’s a café for a light-weight breakfast and lunch the place you possibly can put collectively a puzzle, learn a e book, or just take pleasure in sea vistas. We additionally love the two-deck, spacious sundeck the place you possibly can all the time discover a chaise with a view. There are two soaking swimming pools: one is situated proper within the heart of the pool deck; the opposite, a little bit of a thriller for its outlying location, is all the way in which ahead on Deck 5 (it’s a whirlpool).
Like all Windstar vessels, Star Class has a well-outfitted watersports marina on the aft, for company to take pleasure in whereas the ships are at anchor. For after-dinner socializing, the Lounge gives extra structured performances whereas Compass Rose is fabulous for dancing.
Additionally A part of the Star Class: Star Seeker, Star Explorer
With Star Seeker debuting in December 2025 (and Star Explorer following a yr later), these are the road’s first designed-for-Windstar vessels since Wind Star and Wind Spirit debuted 40 years in the past.
Benefits:
These new ships, which carry 224 vacationers, permit Windstar to increase the itineraries it gives (whereas persevering with with core experiences that exist already). Amongst these embrace southeast Asia, Alaska, and Japan. And, as with the Star Class ships, these permit flexibility, by way of expanded onboard choices, to sail in colder climates; Star Explorer will take over winter-in-the-Mediterranean from Star Legend in 2027.
Moreover, there are new facilities being launched on this class of vessel; we’re significantly intrigued by its expansive spa, a super-spacious sundeck with pool, and the most recent watersports marinas within the fleet. And most staterooms have balconies, a primary for Windstar (the most important Star Class suites have them, and others have step-out verandas).
The place You’ll Sleep:
To start with, most suites, from normal to swanky, have patio doorways with full sliding glass doorways for further gentle. As effectively, Star Seeker and Star Explorer function Windstar’s widest vary of lodging. On the prime quality are Horizon Proprietor’s Suites, which have the ships’ largest balconies, wrapping across the aft and including one other 248 sq. ft. Different choices embrace Star Suites and Basic Suites clocking in from 353 to 540 sq. ft, with full balconies providing added area.
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