Windstar Cruises was founded in 1984, initially offering a small fleet of luxury yachts. The company specializes in providing small-ship cruises, emphasizing a personalized, relaxed atmosphere that larger cruise lines often can’t offer. Windstar’s ships are known for their sleek, sailing yacht-style vessels and focus on a luxurious, intimate cruising experience.
The brand operates a fleet of luxury vessels with a variety of itineraries, focusing on both classic and unique travel destinations. Windstar’s approach to cruising highlights elegant dining, small group excursions, and immersive cultural experiences in destinations that include the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond.
Key Highlights:
- Fleet: Windstar’s fleet includes five ships with capacities ranging from 148 to 342 guests. These vessels offer a luxurious and intimate cruising experience, allowing passengers to access exclusive ports and destinations.
- Destinations: Windstar cruises visit over 50 countries and 150 ports, including some of the most remote, hidden gems and small islands not accessible to larger ships. Popular itineraries include destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Americas, and the South Pacific.
- Intimate Experience: The small size of Windstar’s ships means more personal service and the ability to access ports and destinations that larger ships cannot reach, offering guests a more exclusive and immersive travel experience.
Signature Features:
- Luxury & Intimacy: Windstar is known for its elegant, smaller ships with luxury amenities, including spacious suites, fine dining, and exceptional service. The ships feel like private yachts, ensuring a relaxed, intimate cruising experience.
- Sailing Ships: Windstar Cruises offers the unique experience of sailing aboard beautiful, sail-powered vessels, which is rare in the modern cruise industry. These ships are equipped with both sails and engines, offering an authentic and environmentally-conscious cruising experience.
- Exclusive Excursions: Windstar offers curated excursions that provide deeper insights into local culture, history, and nature, often featuring small-group activities, such as private tours, yacht-style activities, and authentic local experiences.
- Personalized Service: With fewer passengers on board, Windstar is able to provide a high level of personalized service with a guest-to-crew ratio that ensures every guest’s needs are met.
Fleet:
Some of Windstar’s most iconic ships include:
- Wind Surf – The flagship of the fleet, a beautiful sailing vessel offering a spacious and luxurious experience.
- Wind Star – A sleek, all-sailing ship perfect for cruising the world’s hidden corners.
- Wind Spirit – Known for its small size and elegant, intimate setting, ideal for cruising into small harbors.
- Star Pride – A motorized yacht offering a more traditional luxury cruise experience.
- Star Breeze – A boutique ship offering luxury, with spacious suites and top-tier service.
Innovations:
- Star Plus Initiative: This is a fleet-wide upgrade initiative that enhances the luxury experience on Windstar ships by introducing new features, such as upgraded staterooms, larger suites, and new restaurants.
Vice President of Hotel Operations
Director Commercial IT Systems
Lead – Reservations Support Lead
Fleet Technical Superintendent
Capital & Technical Accounting Manager
