Windstar Cruises has been offering a unique cruising experience for distinguished travelers since 1984. It was originally know as Windstar Sail Cruises and had one ship, MSY Wind Star, which was launched two years later. By 1987, 50% of the company was bought by Holland America Line. In 1988, his company bought the whole line and became a subsidiary of another company in 1989. In 2002, one of the ships, Wind Song, got irreparable damage as a result of an engine room fire. Windstar is one of the leading lines in the today.
Windstar Cruises offers a variety of amenities and accommodations on its fleet of small cruise ships while sailing across the oceans of the world. Big enough for top quality pampering, while small enough to dock at any harbor, hidden cove, or narrow waterway. Such as Keil Canal, Corinth, or Wrangell. Each ship provides top quality service, 24-hour meal service, room service, access to the fitness center, and water sports equipment. There are beautiful dining rooms, and the different rooms offer different views while traveling. Yet, with a focus on Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride, and Wind Spirit, each ship is unique, offering a different experience.
There is so much to enjoy. From the enchanting views to the gourmet dining, trips to the hot tub, and libraries to enrich the mind. And if you like, perhaps a romantic voyage with that special someone. The choice is up to you. Make your trip anything but ordinary.
Star Pride
The All-Suite Star-Class ship known as Star Pride may have similar offerings to the Star Legend, a veranda view of the ocean, suites with only the best amenities for the ultimate trip, and housing 212 guests, it offers something more. Perhaps, after that decadent dessert, and a day of pampering, stop by the Bridge and examine the navigation charts with the Captain, himself. Imagine, fresh flowers and fruit in your room, a beautiful day of relaxation, and then you can go to the Bridge and see the Captain. A wonder, his knowledge is that of thousands of years of travel.
Star Legend
Star Legend is another All-Suite Ship. While it holds only 212 guests and offers Ocean View, Classic, and Owner’s style suites, you can expect the same top quality service and unique experience. Enjoy the view from your private veranda, followed by a day of pampering, and then curl up with a good book at the library onboard. This ship is quite suitable for that time you need to take for yourself.
Originally built as the Queen Odyssey 1992, the Star Legend was refurbished in 2000 . This luxury yacht offers an intimate sailing experience to some of the world’s top cruise destinations. IT has a guest capacity of 208 passengers and a staff of 150.
Star Breeze
The Star Breeze is the largest in the group, holding 312 guests. It offers the most variety of accommodations, living up to its name, the All-Suite Ship. From the Ocean View Suite to the Owner’s Suite, a room for every type of guest. One style of suite that stands out is the Star Section. Sleep where the sailors of old rested and gazed at the stars. Star Breeze is currently finishing up renovations, known as the 250 Million Star Plus Initiative. It will even more amenities to its guests for an even grander experience. The Star Breeze began life in 1989 as the Royal Viking Queen. It has been refurbished 3 times since 2000 keeping it’s 104 suites up to the luxurious standards of Windstar’s clients.
Wind Surf
Built in 1990, Windsurf the magnificent luxury cruise ship, one of the largest of it’s kind. It’s currently registered to Nassau Bahamas. Windsurf weighs in at a whopping 14,745 tons, with a total sail span of 26,000 sq ft. It is 614 ft in length by 262 ft in height, and equipped with 4 diesel-electric engines; this cruise ship was thoughtfully built for the endless road of crashing waves that lie ahead.
The Wind Surf is the largest of the Windstar fleet. It has a capacity of 300 passengers while the rest have an average of capacity of 150 passengers. The destinations that Windstar Cruises cover are many. They include Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Italy, Mediterranean, Baltics, Greek Isles and Transatlantic.
Assigned the designation as Windstar’s Flagship Sailing Vessel, one can see that its goal was truly to meet the needs of its prospective patrons who desire to take in the beautiful sights of the Caribbean Seas. With that being said, this luxury ship currently has the capacity to hold a total of 386 passengers. Windsurf offers it’s guests accommodation options, which include a total of 154 staterooms, 31 ocean view rooms, and 122 Deluxe Oceanview stateroom; All which have been newly renovated.
Wind Spirit
The most unique of the ships is the Wind Spirit, known as the Essence of Small Ship Sailing with its sleek, four-masts, and open teak decks. It holds 148 guests, the smallest number, yet with so much to offer. The open teak decks offer ocean views and hidden nooks for those private moments together. Enjoy the best amenities, with an added flair—a chance to dine under the stars. The Wind Spirit has a very romantic feel, with the open deck and places to steal those moments with that special someone. Or, if you are a more casual guest, enjoy the buffet, and more laid-back dining.
Wind Spirit is a motor sailing yacht, sailing as a cruise ship for Windstar Cruises. This vessel is one of an unusual class of only three vessels (msy Wind Star, msy Wind Spirit, and msy Wind Song). They are designed as a modern cruise ship but carrying an elaborate system of computer-controlled sails on four masts. Wind Spirit built in the 80s by builder Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, Le Havre, France.
This ship holds 148 passengers and 90 crew members. All staterooms aboard have ocean views, queen sized beds, flat screen TVs with DVD players. The owner suites come with an addition of a seating area along with the other amenities of the staterooms. When it comes to dining they offer two primary dining venues. Amphor a restaurant fishing out gourmet course-by-course cuisine in the evenings and the Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch. All dining is open seating. And, for dining under the stars, make a reservation for Candles which features steaks and skewers.
You can find yourself cruising along the islands of Tahiti, Costa Rica & Panama Canal, Lisbon to Rome, Barcelona, and Athens. These are just a few of the stops you can choose from as you set sail aboard the ship.
Luxury Small Ships
Windstar Cruises offers a luxury small ship cruising experience. On average, its ships get a four star rating out of the possible five. This means that the standards are high and these cruises are not for the budget conscious. The clientele is well cultured lending to a consistent cruise experience overall.
Windstar is known for its hospitality, as it aims to continually please and delight its patrons. This brand it’s known for spoiling it’s guests, as they have become well- accustomed to being greeted in their staterooms with a beautifully arranged bowl flowers, as well as a tantalizing array of fresh fruit. This is one of the special touches that set this Cruise Line as well as Windsurf apart from the rest. When guests are, what can seem like a million miles away at sea, they are nonetheless, continually reminded that they’re still at home on Windsurf!
