Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Company type	Private
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	1984 (1984)
Headquarters	Miami, Florida, United States
Area served	Mediterranean Northern Europe Caribbean Central America Asia-Pacific
Services	Cruise ship holidays
Owner	Xanterra Travel Collection
Parent	The Anschutz Corporation
Website	www.windstarcruises.com

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six intimate yachts, each accommodating between 148 and 310 passengers. The line offers voyages to 150 ports in 50 countries, spanning regions such as Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. Between 2014 and 2015, the company expanded its fleet with the addition of the motor yachts Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend. These acquisitions opened up new itineraries including destinations like Iceland, the Panama Canal, and Costa Rica, while also enabling year-round cruises to Tahiti.

History

Established in 1984 by businessman Karl G. Andrén, Windstar initially operated under the name Windstar Sail Cruises. Its inaugural ship, Wind Star, was launched in 1986, followed by Wind Song in 1987 and Wind Spirit in 1988. Subsequently, two larger vessels—Wind Surf and Wind Saga—were commissioned from the French shipyard Sociéte Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre. These ships significantly increased passenger capacity and extended length to 660 feet, compared to the earlier models measuring approximately 440 feet.

Acquisition by Holland America Line

Holland America Line (HAL) obtained a 50% stake in Windstar Sail Cruises in 1987 and fully acquired the company by 1988. HAL became part of Carnival Corporation & plc in 1989. HAL chose not to proceed with building the Wind Surf and Wind Saga, which were ultimately completed for Club Med as Club Med I and Club Med II. However, HAL/Carnival retained first refusal rights on these vessels. In 1998, Windstar purchased Club Med I from Club Med Cruises and restored its original name, Wind Surf.

Transfer of Ownership to Xanterra Travel Collection

Carnival divested Windstar to Ambassadors International for $100 million in March 2007. Following Ambassadors International’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on April 1, 2011, Anschutz Corporation acquired Windstar at auction for $39 million. This acquisition placed Windstar under the ownership of Anschutz’s subsidiary, Xanterra Travel Collection.

Growth of Fleet

In 2013, Windstar procured three vessels from Seabourn Cruise Line: Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze. After extensive upgrades, Star Pride re-entered service in May 2014. By May 2015, the fleet expanded from four to six yachts with the addition of refurbished Star Breeze and Star Legend, both undergoing $17 million renovations at Genoa before their official launch.

The year 2016 saw further enhancements to Star Pride, focusing on public areas and dining facilities. In June 2018, Star Legend made history as the largest cruise ship to transit Seattle's Ballard Locks. Later that year, Windstar unveiled a $250 million 'Star Plus' program aimed at lengthening its three "Star Class" vessels by 84 feet at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard.

In recognition of its service quality, Windstar was named Best Small Ship Cruise Line by readers of AFAR and Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2019. Additionally, in October of that year, the company announced plans to introduce Alaska cruises beginning in 2021.

Recent Developments

In April 2024, Windstar revealed its intention to grow its fleet by adding two new vessels by the year 2026. The initial addition, named Star Seeker, was initially commissioned as World Seeker for Atlas Ocean Voyages and is expected to commence operations in December 2025, marking Windstar's inaugural newly constructed ship. The subsequent vessel, Star Explorer, presently leased to Quark Expeditions under the name World Explorer, is scheduled to be incorporated into Windstar's fleet in December 2026 following the conclusion of its charter agreement.

Fleet

Windstar's fleet consists of small-sized ships, with passenger capacities ranging from approximately 150 to 300 individuals. Among these, Star Pride along with its sister vessels Star Legend and Star Breeze each provide accommodations for up to 212 passengers distributed across 106 suites. These ships are registered under the Bahamas flag and feature a shallow draft of 14 feet, which permits access to ports that are off-limits to larger cruise ships, offering guests distinctive opportunities such as occasional bridge visits.

Current Fleet

Name	Built	Builder	Entered service for Windstar	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes	Image
Wind Star	1986	Sociéte Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1986–present	5,307 tons	Bahamas	Windstar's inaugural vessel
Wind Spirit	1988	Sociéte Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1988–present	5,307 tons	Bahamas
Wind Surf	1989	Sociéte Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1998–present	14,745 tons	Bahamas	Largest vessel; previously operated as Club Med 1 under Club Med branding
Star Pride	1988	Schichau Seebeckwerft	2014–present	12,995 tons	Bahamas	Formerly known as Seabourn Pride; modified with an extended hull
Star Breeze	1988	Schichau Seebeckwerft	May 2015–present	12,995 tons	Bahamas	Previously operated as Seabourn Spirit for Seabourn Cruise Line
Star Legend	1990	Schichau Seebeckwerft	May 2015–present	12,995 tons	Bahamas	Formerly called Seabourn Legend while with Seabourn Cruise Line

Upcoming Fleet

Name	Built	Builder	Service Entry	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes
Star Seeker	2025	WestSEA Shipyard	December 2025	9,934 tons	Bahamas	Initially commissioned for Atlas Ocean Voyages under the name World Seeker; currently in construction.
Star Explorer	2019	WestSEA Shipyard	December 2026	9,923 tons	Bahamas	Presently chartered by Quark Expeditions as World Explorer.

Former fleet

Name	Built	Builder	Service Period	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes	Image
Wind Song	1987	Sociéte Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1987–2002	5,307 tons	Bahamas	Experienced an engine room fire in December 2002; subsequently scuttled in January 2003.