Setting sail with Windstar Cruises brings a distinctly different approach to ocean voyaging, where the emphasis rests squarely on refined elegance rather than mass-market experiences.
Small Ship Luxury: A Different Maritime Experience
Windstar’s approach centres on creating an atmosphere more akin to a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship. Their vessels accommodate fewer than 350 guests, fostering connections between passengers whilst maintaining personal space and privacy. This smaller scale means staff members quickly learn guest preferences, from favourite breakfast spots to preferred evening cocktails.
The Fleet: Six Stunning Vessels
The Windstar fleet comprises six vessels, each offering unique characteristics whilst maintaining the brand’s signature sophistication. Three sailing ships – Wind Surf, Wind Spirit, and Wind Star – feature distinctive tall sails that cut striking silhouettes against ocean horizons. Three all-suite motor yachts – Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze – complete the collection, having undergone extensive refurbishments to enhance their luxury credentials.
Global Reach, Local Touch
These smaller vessels navigate more than 150 ports across 50 countries, reaching destinations larger ships simply cannot access. From threading through Greek islands to anchoring off hidden Caribbean coves, Windstar’s itineraries emphasise authentic experiences. European voyages might include stops at medieval Croatian towns or French Riviera fishing villages, whilst South Pacific routes explore remote Polynesian islands.
Culinary Excellence at Sea
The gastronomic programme stands as a cornerstone of Windstar’s offering. Through partnership with the James Beard Foundation, passengers experience dishes created by celebrated chefs. The culinary team regularly visits local markets, incorporating fresh regional ingredients into menus. Guests can join these market excursions, learning about local produce and cooking techniques.
Distinctive Dining Venues
Amphora serves as the main restaurant, offering sophisticated evening dining with changing menus highlighting regional specialities. The Veranda transforms from casual breakfast spot to elegant lunch venue. Stella Bistro provides French-inspired cuisine, whilst Candles offers alfresco dining under the stars. Notably, Windstar eschews traditional buffet service, focusing instead on personalised dining experiences.
Beyond Standard Maritime Offerings
Each ship features a water sports platform, allowing direct ocean access for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. This setup creates a private beach club atmosphere, particularly valuable in remote locations. The company’s commitment to environmental stewardship manifests through sustainable practices, including reduced plastic usage and local sourcing initiatives.
Destination Deep Dives
Schedules prioritise extended port stays, often including overnight stops. This approach enables thorough exploration of destinations, whether that means evening cultural performances in Asia or late-night tapas crawls in Spain. Themed voyages focusing on food and wine pair regional specialities with expert insights from culinary professionals.
Service Excellence
Staff-to-guest ratios exceed industry standards, enabling attentive service without intrusion. Crew members anticipate needs whilst maintaining discrete distances, creating an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. This approach has earned numerous industry accolades, particularly for service quality and culinary excellence.
Corporate Values and Vision
As part of the Xanterra Travel Collection, Windstar maintains strong commitments to sustainability and responsible tourism. This manifests through partnerships with local communities, environmental initiatives, and careful selection of suppliers and shore excursion partners. Their focus remains on delivering extraordinary experiences whilst minimising environmental impact.
The essence of Windstar Cruises lies in combining luxury with authenticity. Rather than competing with mega-ships, they carve their own path, attracting passengers who value intimate experiences, superior cuisine, and meaningful cultural connections. Their success demonstrates strong demand for sophisticated small-ship cruising that prioritises quality over quantity.
Through careful itinerary planning and partnerships with cultural organisations, Windstar creates voyages that transcend traditional cruising. Whether sailing through Norwegian fjords or anchoring off remote Pacific islands, passengers experience destinations through local perspectives rather than tourist-focused lenses.
Each voyage becomes a carefully crafted narrative, combining cultural immersion, culinary discovery, and maritime tradition. This approach attracts experienced travellers seeking deeper connections with destinations and fellow passengers who share similar interests and expectations.
The result is a cruise experience that feels both exclusive and genuine, where luxury comes from authenticity rather than ostentation. As the cruise industry evolves, Windstar maintains its position by focusing on what matters most to discerning travellers: meaningful experiences, superior service, and genuine connections to destinations and people.
