Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises began in 1984, when ship entrepreneur Karl G. Andrén founded Windstar Sail Cruises around a new idea: a small cruise ship with computer-controlled sails. Wind Star arrived in 1986, followed by Wind Song and Wind Spirit, and in 1998 the line added the much larger five-masted Wind Surf, built for Club Med. Holland America Line bought into Windstar in 1987 and took full ownership in 1988; Carnival sold it to Ambassadors International in 2007, and after that company's bankruptcy it was bought in 2011 by the Anschutz Corporation. It now belongs to Xanterra Travel Collection.
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About Windstar Cruises
In 2014 and 2015 Windstar added three former Seabourn yachts, Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend, and later lengthened all three. Its first new build, Star Seeker, joined in December 2025, and her sister Star Explorer follows in December 2026, taking the fleet to eight ships for roughly 150 to 350 guests each.
Windstar calls at more than 330 ports in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, Japan, Asia and the South Pacific, and it sails year-round in the Mediterranean and Tahiti. Days are port-focused, the atmosphere is casual, dining is included, and an all-inclusive package covering extras is sold separately.
What Windstar Cruises is known for
Windstar is known for intimate ships, relaxed service and itineraries that reach small harbors bigger ships skip; in 2019 AFAR readers and Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards named it the best small-ship cruise line, and it runs a culinary partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The sailing yachts, where guests can visit the bridge at sea, are its signature. The trade-offs are ships that date from 1986 to 1992 apart from the new Star Seeker, standard staterooms of about 188 square feet on the Wind Class, and fares that cover dining but leave drinks and other extras to an optional package. In 2018 Star Pride lost power for several hours in Buzzards Bay off Massachusetts, and tugboats were sent to help. The current Setting Sails and Star Plus refits have modernized much of the fleet.
Who it's for
Luxury · small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
- Couples
- Food lovers
- History and culture
Windstar fits couples and experienced travelers who want a small-ship feel without the formality or price of ultra-luxury lines, and who would rather spend their days ashore than at sea. The Wind Class sailing ships appeal to anyone drawn to the romance of sails, while the all-suite Star Class offers more space and amenities. Food-minded travelers will appreciate the James Beard partnership. Families with young children, travelers who want the variety of a large resort-style ship, and those who want everything included in the base fare should look at other lines.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 4.1/5
- Dining
- 4/5
- Entertainment
- 2/5
- Service
- 5/5
- Pools & decks
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 7 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Windstar Cruises sails
Ships
Best rated
#23.7 ★Star Breeze1989 · 12,995 GT · 312 guests · South Pacific · AsiaStar Breeze is an all-suite Star Class yacht for 312 guests, completed in Germany in 1989 as Seabourn Spirit. In November 2005, sailing as Seabourn Spirit off Somalia, she was…
#33.7 ★Star Legend1992 · 12,995 GT · 312 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanStar Legend is an all-suite Star Class yacht for 312 guests, completed in 1992 as Royal Viking Queen; she later sailed as Queen Odyssey and, from 1996 to 2015, as Seabourn…Every ship, by class
Star class
4 ships · 1988–2025 · 9,315–12,995 GT · avg 3.7 ★
Wind class
3 ships · 1986–1990 · 5,307–14,745 GT · avg 3.7 ★
Coming soon
Where to fly in
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO)2 Windstar Cruises ships sail from Civitavecchia, Italy10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)1 Windstar Cruises ship sails from Piraeus, Greece9 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT)1 Windstar Cruises ship sails from Papeete, Tahiti
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)1 Windstar Cruises ship sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico4 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Windstar Cruises known for?
Windstar is known for intimate ships, relaxed service and itineraries that reach small harbors bigger ships skip; in 2019 AFAR readers and Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards named it the best small-ship cruise line, and it runs a culinary partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The sailing yachts, where guests can visit the bridge at sea, are its signature. The trade-offs are ships that date from 1986 to 1992 apart from the new Star Seeker, standard staterooms of about 188 square feet on the Wind Class, and fares that cover dining but leave drinks and other extras to an optional package. In 2018 Star Pride lost power for several hours in Buzzards Bay off Massachusetts, and tugboats were sent to help. The current Setting Sails and Star Plus refits have modernized much of the fleet.
Who is Windstar Cruises best for?
Windstar fits couples and experienced travelers who want a small-ship feel without the formality or price of ultra-luxury lines, and who would rather spend their days ashore than at sea. The Wind Class sailing ships appeal to anyone drawn to the romance of sails, while the all-suite Star Class offers more space and amenities. Food-minded travelers will appreciate the James Beard partnership. Families with young children, travelers who want the variety of a large resort-style ship, and those who want everything included in the base fare should look at other lines.
Where does Windstar Cruises sail?
Windstar Cruises's ships in service sail Caribbean (4 ships), Mediterranean (4 ships), Transatlantic (4 ships), Panama Canal (3 ships), Asia (2 ships), South Pacific (2 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Northern Europe (1 ship), Canada and New England (1 ship) and Canary Islands (1 ship).
How is Windstar Cruises rated?
Windstar Cruises's fleet averages 3.7 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 7 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Star Seeker at 3.8.
Does Windstar Cruises have new ships coming?
Yes: Windstar Cruises has 1 new ship on the way: Star Explorer (debuts December 28, 2026).
How many ships does Windstar Cruises have?
Windstar Cruises has 7 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride, Star Seeker, Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf.
What ship classes does Windstar Cruises sail?
Windstar Cruises sails 2 classes of ship in service: Star class (4 ships) and Wind class (3 ships).
Who owns Windstar Cruises?
Windstar Cruises is part of Xanterra Travel Collection.
Where is Windstar Cruises based?
Windstar Cruises is headquartered in Doral, Florida, United States. It has operated since 1984.
What is Windstar Cruises's loyalty program called?
Windstar Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is Windstar Yacht Club.
What is the largest Windstar Cruises ship?
Wind Surf is Windstar Cruises's largest ship at 14,745 gross tons, carrying 342 guests.
Cruising with children
Windstar can be considered for an older child interested in a small-ship holiday with the family. Age acceptance and the daily experience should both guide the decision.
Read the Windstar Cruises family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on Windstar Cruises? Enter the price the line quotes and what you'd pay for a drink on board. If your fare already includes drinks, you can skip this one.
We haven't found a published wine price for Windstar Cruises yet, so enter your own.
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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- Windstar says it has raised Caribbean prices this winter while others face pressure to cut
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- 5 things Windstar Cruises does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Windstar Cruises, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
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