Windstar Cruises

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Windstar Cruises
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Windstar carries a name that suggests wind and a brochure that shows sails, but half its fleet runs on diesel. On one side, the sailing ships, staysail-rigged, where the canvas genuinely works when the wind allows. On the other, former Seabourn ships bought and then lengthened with a new midsection, with no sails and with a lift. Anyone booking a Star expecting to sail has picked the wrong half of the fleet: check that first.

Ships of Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises: half the fleet has no sails

The fleet splits into two halves with nothing in common: the sailing ships and the lengthened former Seabourn vessels. The number of Windstar cruises currently on sale is shown at the top of this page. Wind Star, Star Breeze, Wind Surf and the others share a calendar in which itineraries repeat very little: one you see this year may not return the next.

Two families with nothing in common

Three ships carry sails: Wind Star from 1986, Wind Spirit from 1988 and Wind Surf from 1990. The other three — Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride — are motor yachts, without a single mast. The line's name evokes wind, the brochure shows canvas, and half the calendar runs on diesel. A guest who books a Star expecting to sail has the wrong half of the fleet, and one sentence at booking settles it.

Where the three motor yachts come from

From Seabourn. The sale was agreed in February 2013: Seabourn Pride became Star Pride in May 2014, Seabourn Spirit became Star Breeze and Seabourn Legend became Star Legend, both in May 2015. Between 2019 and 2021 all three were cut in two at Fincantieri in Palermo to take a new 25.6-metre midsection. Length went from 135 to 160.6 metres, capacity from 212 to 312 guests, and a central elevator appeared. The work ran far longer than planned: asbestos found in Star Breeze's engine room delayed the whole series.

What our inventory does not carry

Two recent ships are not yet on this site: Star Seeker, delivered at the end of 2025, and Star Explorer, expected in December 2026. Both were bought from another owner. We would rather write that than let you believe the list above is the whole fleet: your advisor can look up those two.

The sails, without exaggeration

They work, they are computer-managed, and they go up when the wind allows. Main propulsion stays diesel-electric. On how much of a voyage is really spent under sail the line publishes nothing and we found no reliable source: we will not invent one. The rig, on the other hand, can be described precisely. Wind Surf is a five-masted staysail schooner, the former Club Med 1; Wind Star and Wind Spirit carry four masts. These are triangular sails set between the masts, not square yards. Anyone picturing sailors aloft is looking for Star Clippers' Royal Clipper.

Accessibility and the refit calendar

The three sailing yachts have no accessible cabin and no elevator, and Wind Surf has a single elevator with raised door sills throughout. The three lengthened Star ships do have a central elevator. Separately, the Wind ships go through the yard in rotation: Wind Star finished in April 2026, Wind Surf completes its second phase in December 2026 and Wind Spirit in March 2027. A departure booked before those dates does not sail on the refurbished ship, and the brochure does not always say so.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ships does Windstar operate?

The fleet splits in two: the sailing ships, staysail-rigged, and former Seabourn vessels bought and then lengthened with a new midsection, with no sails. Two more recent ships are not yet on this site. The number of Windstar cruises currently on sale is shown at the top of this page.

Do all these ships have sails?

No, and that is the first thing to know. Three carry sails: Wind Star from 1986, Wind Spirit from 1988 and Wind Surf from 1990. The other three — Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride — are motor yachts, without a single mast. A guest who books a Star expecting to sail has the wrong half of the fleet.

Where do the three ships without sails come from?

From Seabourn. The sale was agreed in February 2013: Seabourn Pride became Star Pride in May 2014, Seabourn Spirit became Star Breeze and Seabourn Legend became Star Legend, both in May 2015. Between 2019 and 2021 all three were cut in two at Fincantieri in Palermo to take a new 25.6-metre midsection: length went from 135 to 160.6 metres and capacity from 212 to 312 guests.

Does Windstar have ships that are not shown on this page?

No, and we say so rather than let you assume otherwise. The line operates seven ships; our inventory holds six. Star Seeker, delivered on 15 December 2025, has no page with us, and neither does Star Explorer, expected in December 2026. Your advisor can look for both even though they do not appear here.

Do the sails actually work, or are they decoration?

They work, they are computer-managed, and they go up when the wind allows. Main propulsion stays diesel-electric. On how much of a voyage is really spent under sail the line publishes nothing, no reliable source gives a figure, and we will not invent one. If that share matters to you, ask your advisor before booking.

What does the rig look like?

Wind Surf is a five-masted staysail schooner, the former Club Med 1; Wind Star and Wind Spirit carry four masts. These are triangular sails set between the masts, not square yards. Anyone picturing a square rigger with sailors aloft will be disappointed — that is Star Clippers' Royal Clipper they are after.

Are these ships suitable for a guest with reduced mobility?

The three sailing yachts, no: no accessible cabin, no elevator, stairs everywhere. Wind Surf has a single elevator and raised door sills throughout. The three lengthened Star ships did receive a central elevator. If a wheelchair is part of the file, settle it before booking, not at the quay.

What does the Windstar fare cover?

We will not say it in the line's place. What the fare covers changes here from one departure, market and cabin grade to the next, and we have not measured it departure by departure. Ask your advisor for the written list of the exact departure before booking, not after.

Can I book a Windstar cruise that is not shown on this page?

Yes. This page shows the departures we carry online, and our inventory does not always cover the line's full catalogue. Call us with the date and itinerary you found: in most cases we can book it for you.

Is service available in French?

It depends on the departure and the market, not on the line. On these small fleets the working language on board is almost always English. If French matters to you, say so before booking.

Should I book far ahead?

On ships carrying one hundred to three hundred guests, yes: there are few cabins and the best go early. Talk cancellation terms through with your advisor before you decide.

Who protects me if my cruise is cancelled?

Your agency, and it alone. Voyages AquaTerra operates under a licence from Quebec's Office de la protection du consommateur, your payments pass through a trust account, and the compensation fund for travel agency clients covers your departure. That holds whichever line you choose.