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“They will offer a full-on Windstar experience, where everything you know will be onboard. That means our great crew, facilities, service, marina, ambience, dining options, open bridge policy – and even our popular whirlpool on the bow. Like many upscale cruise brands operating smaller ships, Windstar doesn't focus on Caribbean cruises. The Caribbean is more the domain of such big-ship cruise giants as Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean. Windstar recently spent $250 million to not just update but also lengthen the three motor yachts of its Star Plus class.
Cruises
Onboard booking gives Windstar passengers various discounts, extra value and bonus perks, including reduced deposits, savings, Yacht Club Membership (loyalty program) benefits, special offers, and promotions. On November 15, 2018, Windstar Cruises announced the company's "Star Plus Initiative" - drydock refit and refurbishment program budgeted USD 250 million. The project was partially financed through Export Credit facility guaranteed by SACE Italy (financial and insurance products and services). Like the three ships of similar design currently sailing for Atlas Ocean Voyages, the new Windstar ships will be all-suite ships where most rooms come with either a private balcony or a window wall that slides open to create a balcony-like space. Five of them are the same size — 277 square feet — with two key differences. Windstar refurbished the ships to clean them up and add the line's branding before they debuted but quickly realized more was needed to bring the ships in line with modern standards, both under the hood and in passenger-facing venues.
What it’s Like: Our Year-Round Mediterranean Cruise on Star Legend
Best of all, on every cruise there would be one day that was even more special than the rest, when you land on a secluded beach for Windstar’s Signature Beach Party, elaborate buffet and watersports included. All are well appointed with luxury linens and all you need for an enjoyable cruise. The designated dress code is "Casual elegance", and that idea overtakes the onboard vibe.
Star Legend
The cruise line was known for years for its fleet of three-masted sailing yachts (imagine a hybrid of a small cruise ship and a large four- or five-masted sailing vessel). But in the mid-2010s, in a bid to expand without building new ships, the line acquired three small, aging cruise ships from luxury line Seabourn and completely refurbished them. Under this flag they are some of the few cruise ships in the world where passengers are still allowed on the bridge (though not when entering or leaving port). With a shallow draft of only 14 feet (4.3 m), the ships can enter ports that are inaccessible to larger cruise liners. In some cases, passengers need to take smaller boats into port (such as to Lipari) when the ship is at anchor.
Wind class
But in early 2024, it replaced that vessel in the region with one of its bigger motor-powered vessels, the 312-passenger Star Breeze. One of the greatest changes for Windstar Cruises, across its fleet, is the dining upgrade. Cuisine highlights the local fare of regions visited, including the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Asia, and the Mediterranean.
The itinerary includes a pre- or post-cruise package with a land tour to Machu Picchu (5-day tour) plus an optional mid-cruise tour to the Galapagos Islands (3-day tour with departures from either Manta or Guayaquil). The cruise-only 11-day "Marvels of Ecuador, Peru & the Panama Canal" itinerary offers an optional Galapagos tour. So the line announced a $250 million refurbishment project that included lengthening the ships by adding a new midsection. Extensive below-decks work was done to replace the existing engines with more efficient ones, as well as improve environmental standards. Above decks, each ship received 100 new cabins and suites, additional restaurants and expanded deck space to host a new infinity pool and more space for the line's famous deck barbecues.
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Windstar Cruises Adds Two "Motor Yachts" to its Fleet - The Maritime Executive
Windstar Cruises Adds Two "Motor Yachts" to its Fleet.
Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
36 of the staterooms have French balconies (large picture windows that open). But in response to a question from The Points Guy, Prelog suggested the line didn't have plans to deploy the ships to the most remote parts of the polar regions. The second vessel Windstar is acquiring is a 4-year-old ship in the same series that Mystic has been chartering to expedition cruise specialist Quark Expeditions.
Windstar Cruises acquiring two Mystic Invest ships, one a newbuild - Seatrade Cruise News
Windstar Cruises acquiring two Mystic Invest ships, one a newbuild.
Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Windstar sailing schedule 2025 summer
As the line carefully matches ship style to the itinerary, you'll likely find yourself content with whichever class of ship you find yourself sailing. The spa and fitness center is much larger on these ships, featuring a complimentary thermal suite with heated lounges and saunas, as well as a separate workout room and fitness studio for group classes. A tiered infinity pool and hot tub are the focal point of Deck 7, but there's a somewhat-secret hot tub on Deck 5 forward, as well. Well-heeled and well-traveled, Wind Star passengers are active, adventurous and skew toward middle age, with some in their 70s or older and some in their 30s or younger. Sea-loving honeymooners are attracted to the enchantment of a sailing yacht.
The 2 classes of Windstar ships, explained
Windstar is acquiring the two new vessels from Portugal-based Mystic Invest Holdings, the parent company of small-ship operator Atlas Ocean Voyages, Germany-based Nicko Cruises and several other brands. Prelog called the acquisition of the two vessels from another company "an amazing opportunity" that would allow Windstar to double the number of ships it operates in French Polynesia, one of its core markets. True suites range from 400 to 820 square feet, and include the Classic, Deluxe, Owner's Suite Forward and Owner's Suite Midship. The latter can be combined with surrounding standard suites to transform into a three-bedroom, 1,374-square-foot Grand Owner's Suite.
The main dining room, Amphora, will serve a variety of upscale and inventive dishes, including rotating items from James Beard Foundation-affiliated guest chefs. Alfresco dining will now be available at both Amphora and the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen. A no-charge specialty restaurant seating 38 and 24-hour room service rounds out the dining options. Dining, in particular, will be a main focus on the ships, as Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The ships' dining options spaces will be expanded to include the on-deck Star Grill, the casual Yacht Club café and lounge, and a re-imagined Amphora main dining room, which will now have outdoor seating.
Our experience of the food on our recent Windstar voyage was superb, with delicious food wherever we ate. Windstar Cruises have a very loyal fan-base, predominantly within the United States. However they are a less familiar product to the European cruise market, particularly here in the U.K. The trips all are one-way, starting in either Aruba in the Caribbean or the port of Balboa on the Pacific side of Panama.
For the epicureans who want an expert’s tips on molecular gastronomy and recommendations on riojas in Spain, sail on a culinary-themed cruise with a James Beard Foundation chef and sommelier. The Islands of French Polynesia invite you to discover their own distinct magic. Hop ashore to the enchanted landscapes of the Marquesas, explore the origins of Polynesian culture in Raiatea, or spend the night in an overwater bungalow for a romantic experience you'll have a hard time topping.
Revel at a feast during our Destination Discovery Event complete with fire dancers in Bora Bora. Jump into a beautiful palm-fringed lagoon from the Watersports Platform on the yacht’s stern. Star Collector Voyages combine some of our most popular cruise itineraries for a more in-depth exploration of each region. Featuring longer voyages of 13+ days and few repeated ports, take advantage of your time here and unpack only once. Amphora restaurant offers gourmet, course-by-course cuisine in the evenings and Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch. And, for dining under the stars, make a reservation for Candles which features steaks and skewers.
Star Pride entered service on May 5, 2014, with inaugural voyage Barcelona to Rome. Windstar increased its fleet in May 2015 (from 4 to 6 yachts) with Star Legend and Star Breeze. Both yachts underwent 3-week USD 17 million drydock refurbs in Genoa Italy, before the christening ceremony in May. The 212-passenger Legend and Breeze received complete upgrades of all cabins, dining venues, public areas. Windstar currently operates six ships — the three former Seabourn vessels, all of which have been significantly renovated and lengthened over the years to have more cabins and venues, as well as three sailing ships. Windstar said each of the ships would have an Amphora dining room, a Windstar signature, and a more casual Star Grill.
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