Five essential things to know before you board a Windstar cruise ship

Telegraph

30-07-2025

Launched in 1986, Windstar Cruises ticked along for years with four, then three, motor sailing ships – meaning they sail but are often powered by an engine.
One was based in Tahiti, the others spent summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean.
That changed in 2013 when it bought three all-suite yacht-like ships and spent millions of dollars 'stretching' them – a procedure that involved cutting them in half and adding a new bit in the middle – to take capacity from 212 to 312 passengers.
At a stroke, Windstar had a fleet of something-for-everyone vessels (as long as you wanted something small), between them offering romantic holidays under canvas, cabins with or without balconies, a variety of places to eat and an informal ambience.
More ships also meant more destinations, with Alaska, Japan and Asia among those added to the line-up.
The story doesn't end there.
This December, Windstar – part of cruise giant Carnival's empire until bought by US-based travel group Xanterra – launches Star Seeker, a new 224-passenger ship able to cruise the polar regions (although so far there are no plans to take it there). Star Explorer, a sister ship, joins in December 2026.
1. Where does Windstar sail?
Whether you fancy island-hopping in the Caribbean or Greece, going in search of geysers in Iceland or hiking through rainforest in Central America, Windstar has a cruise to suit.
The yachts visit popular ports such as Kusadasi in Turkey (for Roman Ephesus) and Dubrovnik in Croatia, but their smaller size means they also sail to ports and harbours others can't.
Instead of St Lucia's cruise port, its vessels anchor in quiet Rodney Bay. They can squeeze through Greece's narrow Corinth Canal. In Thailand, they dock close to the city on the Khlong Toei River in Bangkok, instead of being two hours or more from the city.
All three sailing ships are in the Mediterranean in summer and autumn. Two then follow the sun to the Caribbean in winter while the third heads to the Canary Islands for a series of 10-night island-hopping cruises from Tenerife.
Caribbean cruises are mostly one or two weeks, visit a port every day and depart from Philipsburg in St Maarten, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Bridgetown in Barbados.
Two motor yachts are also in Europe in summer, sailing the Mediterranean and Northern European cruises to Norway, around Iceland and from the UK.
One relocates to the Caribbean and Costa Rica for winter. The other, Star Legend, stays in the Med, offering out-of-season sailings for those who want to escape the heat and crowds.
A third yacht, Star Breeze, sails seven-night cruises around the Society Islands year-round from Papeete in Tahiti and on longer voyages that also visit the Tuamoto Islands.
New ship Star Seeker will sail expedition-style cruises in Alaska between May and August 2026, then relocate to Japan and Asia.
2. Who does Windstar appeal to?
Cruises in Europe are likely to have a higher number of Brits on board, but the vast majority of Windstar fans are couples from North America, with an average age of 50.
That's a tad lower than many other cruise lines, mainly because the sailing ships have a romantic aura that attracts a younger audience, especially in the Caribbean. Couples can also splash out on various wedding, engagement or renewal of vows packages.
Regardless of age or nationality, Windstar cruisers are active types who like the line's casual 'do as you please' vibe. Something smart of the evening is all it asks, which essentially boils down to no ripped jeans or vests.
Food-themed cruises in partnership with the James Beard Foundation and restaurant menus created by JB's award-winning chefs are an extra draw, especially for Americans.
Smaller ships make it easy for solo travellers to meet people.
The standard 75 per cent supplement sounds steep but keep an eye out for special offers that can bring that down to 20 per cent.
3. Windstar's fleet
Wind Surf (342 passengers)
With its five 67-metre tall masts and seven sails, Wind Surf is quite the picture when the canvas is hoisted. Just be aware that a lot of the time it is only for show. Don't expect large cabins or private balconies; instead there are fixed windows or portholes.
If space matters, choose one of 18 suites that are essentially two cabins made into one with a living area and two bathrooms, or the three grander rooms on the bridge deck. Four restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and a water sports platform complete the line-up.
Sails to: Mediterranean and Caribbean
Wind Star/Wind Spirit (148 passengers)
These were the line's first ships, launched in 1986 and 1988 respectively. They have teak decks, four masts and six sails, and handle better under sail than Wind Surf but again the canvas is hoisted mostly for show.
Cabins have fixed windows or portholes; the Owner's Suite has separate living and dining areas. There are three places to eat, including al fresco. Passengers can snorkel, kayak and paddle board at no extra cost.
Star Legend, Star Pride and Star Breeze (312 passengers)
These three launched in the early 1990s but their story really began five years ago when they were stretched to add capacity (50 more cabins, or 100 passengers).
Cabins and suites have fixed windows, portholes and balconies big enough only to stand on. New restaurant Basil + Bamboo serves a blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, has opened on Breeze and will be added to Star Legend and Star Pride in December 2025 and April 2026 respectively.
From December 2025: Star Seeker (224 passengers)
The first of two sister ships joining the fleet in the next 18 months (Star Explorer is slated for December 2026), Star Seeker will have four places to eat, including Basil + Bamboo and Star Grill, an alfresco option that's heavy on barbecued meat and fish.
All rooms are suites and in a first for Windstar several have full-size private balconies. For the biggest and best, choose the Horizon Owner's Suites (there are two) with beds looking out to sea.
Sails to: Caribbean, Alaska, Japan
4. Loyalty scheme
Passengers are enrolled in the Yacht Club loyalty programme after their first cruise and move up the ranks the more they sail, earning discounts off excursions, laundry and other rewards.
5. Access for guests with disabilities
There are no accessible cabins on the sailing ships (and no lifts either on Wind Star and Spirit). Choose instead the Star-class ships (Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend), which each have four accessible suites.