An Introduction to Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises offers a distinctively different cruising experience, combining the intimate atmosphere of a private yacht with the exhilaration of sailing. Known for its small, elegant ships, including three unique tall sailing yachts and three all-suite "Star Plus Class" motor yachts. Windstar delivers immersive, destination-focused voyages with personalized service, award-winning cuisine, and a "180 degrees from ordinary" approach, appealing to discerning travelers who seek unique adventures in a relaxed, luxurious setting.
A Brief History
Windstar Cruises was founded in 1984 as Windstar Sail Cruises by Karl Gosta Andren. Its vision was to create a new niche in the cruise market with luxurious, modern sailing yachts. The first ship, Wind Star, was launched in 1986, followed by Wind Song (retired 2003) and Wind Spirit. These ships captivated guests with their blend of traditional sailing charm and upscale amenities.
In 1988, Holland America Line (then a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation) acquired Windstar, which further expanded its fleet in 1998 by acquiring Club Med I and rechristening it as Wind Surf, the largest sailing yacht in the world. In 2011, Windstar was acquired by an affiliate of the Xanterra Travel Collection. A significant expansion occurred in 2013 when Windstar purchased three all-suite motor yachts (Star Pride, Star Breeze, Star Legend) from Seabourn, effectively doubling its fleet size and expanding its offerings. These "Star Plus Class" ships underwent extensive renovations, transforming them into larger, yet still intimate, vessels with enhanced public spaces and dining options, further cementing Windstar's position as a leader in small ship luxury cruising. New "Star Class" ships, Star Seeker (2025) and Star Explorer (2026), are set to join the fleet, continuing the expansion.
The Fleet: Sailing Yachts and All-Suite Motor Yachts
Windstar's unique fleet is split between its iconic "Wind Class" sailing yachts, which feature computer-controlled sails, and its "Star Plus Class" all-suite motor yachts, which underwent significant lengthening and refurbishment. Both offer an intimate onboard experience with a focus on personalized service and exceptional cuisine (Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation).
Wind Class (Sailing Yachts):
Wind Star (148 guests)
Wind Spirit (148 guests)
Wind Surf (342 guests, the largest sailing yacht)
Star Plus Class (All-Suite Motor Yachts):
Star Breeze (312 guests)
Star Legend (312 guests)
Star Pride (312 guests)
New Star Class (Upcoming Motor Yachts):
Star Seeker (upcoming, debuting Dec 2025)
Star Explorer (upcoming, debuting Dec 2026)
Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)
Windstar Cruises offers a truly diverse and port-intensive collection of itineraries across the globe, leveraging its small ships to access less-visited ports, scenic waterways, and the heart of destinations that larger ships cannot. Example itineraries for 2025-2026 include:
Europe: Extensive Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Piraeus (Athens), or Venice, exploring the Greek Isles, Adriatic, Italian Riviera, French & Spanish coasts, often with unique access to smaller ports. Northern Europe cruises from Copenhagen, Stockholm, or Leith (Edinburgh), discovering the Norwegian Fjords, Baltic capitals, and British Isles.
Tahiti & South Pacific: Year-round cruises from Papeete (Tahiti), exploring the iconic islands of French Polynesia like Bora Bora, Moorea, and the Marquesas.
Caribbean & Panama Canal: Sailings from Miami, San Juan, or St. Maarten, visiting boutique islands and offering full Panama Canal transits.
Alaska: Seasonal voyages from Vancouver or Seward, offering an intimate perspective on the Last Frontier.
Asia: Cultural journeys from Tokyo (Yokohama), Singapore, or Hong Kong, exploring Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Australia & New Zealand: Select itineraries exploring the coastlines and cities of Down Under.
Africa & Arabian Peninsula: Voyages from Cape Town, Dubai, or Muscat, exploring diverse cultures and landscapes.
Transatlantic & Repositioning: Grand voyages connecting continents during seasonal transitions.
Here's a comprehensive list of Windstar Cruises' major starting ports the links will direct you to whatsinport.com:
North America (USA & Canada):
Boston, MA, USA | Miami, FL, USA | New York, NY, USA | San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA | Seattle, WA, USA | Seward, AK, USA | Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Europe (UK & Continental Europe):
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Barcelona, Spain | Bergen, Norway | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy | Copenhagen, Denmark | Dover (London), England, UK | Dublin, Ireland | Dubrovnik, Croatia | Genoa, Italy | Hamburg, Germany | Istanbul, Turkey | Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland, UK | Lisbon, Portugal | Monte-Carlo, Monaco | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | Piraeus (Athens), Greece | Reykjavik, Iceland | Rovinj, Croatia | Southampton, England, UK | Stockholm (Nynäshamn), Sweden | Trieste, Italy (for Venice) | Venice (Marghera), Italy.
Asia & Middle East:
Dubai, UAE | Hong Kong, China | Muscat, Oman | Singapore | Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan.
Australia & New Zealand:
Auckland, New Zealand | Sydney, Australia
South Pacific:
Papeete, Tahiti French Polynesia
Africa:
South America:
Buenos Aires, Argentina | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Official Websites
Windstar Cruises maintains a strong online presence for its global clientele.
USA: Windstar Cruises | The World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line
UK: Windstar Cruises | The World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line (often redirects to the main site with UK pricing)
A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams
When planning your intimate yacht-style voyage with Windstar Cruises, it is essential to remain highly vigilant against potential scam attempts that, unfortunately, target travelers. Be aware of these common red flags:
"Free Cruise" or "Exclusive Offer" Traps: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails, texts, or social media messages claiming you've won a "free Windstar cruise" or are eligible for an impossibly low-priced "exclusive" deal. These invariably come with hidden fees, demands for immediate payment for "port taxes" or "service charges," or are simply phishing attempts to collect your personal data or pressure you into buying something else entirely. Windstar, like other cruise lines, has been the subject of such fraudulent schemes.
Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create highly convincing fake websites that mimic Windstar Cruises' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails that appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive personal information. Always manually type the official website address (windstarcruises.com) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL very carefully before entering any data.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of any offer that demands an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used by fraudsters to prevent you from doing proper research or verifying the offer's legitimacy.
Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards).
To ensure your unique Windstar journey begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official Windstar Cruises website for your region or through a well-established, reputable travel advisor who is familiar with Windstar's offerings. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact Windstar Cruises directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Embrace a voyage 180 degrees from ordinary with complete peace of mind.
Additional Resources
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Expedia
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