Luxury cruise line · 7 ships · sailing 7 regions — Small sailing and power yachts, 180 degrees from ordinary.
Windstar runs a small fleet of intimate yachts — three engine-assisted sailing yachts under billowing computer-controlled sails and four all-suite power yachts — carrying just 148-342 guests. Marketed as "180 Degrees from Ordinary," it leans on small-port yachting, casual luxury, and a watersports platform that folds out from the stern.
Suits couples and experienced travellers who want a relaxed, casual-luxe small-ship experience, hidden harbours and an active, watersports-friendly holiday. Less suited to families with young children or anyone wanting big-ship nightlife, casinos and production shows.
Seven yachts in two styles. The sailing yachts — Wind Star and Wind Spirit (148 guests, four masts) and flagship Wind Surf (342 guests, five masts) — fly computer-operated triangular sails. The all-suite Star Plus power yachts — Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride — were cut in half and lengthened in 2020-21 to 312 guests each, and the 2025 newbuild Star Seeker (224 guests) added an ice-strengthened, expedition-capable hull.
The standout vessels in the fleet — and the amenities that set them apart.
The fleet flagship and largest of the sailing yachts.
The line's purpose-built namesake sailing yacht.
One of three stretched all-suite Star Plus power yachts.
Newest ship, delivered December 2025; pushes Windstar into expedition-style sailing.
Windstar is the only cruise line endorsed by the James Beard Foundation, and all dining is included with open seating. Venues include the main Amphora restaurant, the Veranda buffet and outdoor Star Grill, plus specialty Candles (steak and seafood) and, on the Star Plus yachts, Cuadro 44 by chef Anthony Sasso.
Low-key and yacht-scaled: small lounges with live music, local performers brought aboard, deck barbecues and a signature sail-away set to music, rather than large production shows or casinos.
Geared to adults, with no dedicated kids' clubs or children's programs; the watersports platform and pools appeal mainly to active adult travellers.
Watersports from the marina platform — kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling gear, water skiing and more — are complimentary, as is all onboard dining. An optional all-inclusive package adds drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities for a flat daily rate.
Regions in Noura's Cruise Navigator, most sailings first. Tap a region for its ports and season.
Wind Surf · from Rome (Civitavecchia)
Barcelona, Spain → Palamós, Spain → Saint-Tropez, France → Monaco / Monte Carlo, Monaco → Portofino, Italy → Portoferraio (Elba), Italy → Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Wind Surf · from San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico → Virgin Gorda, BVI → Jost Van Dyke, BVI → Gustavia, St. Barthélemy → Basseterre, St. Kitts → Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe → St. John's, Antigua → San Juan, Puerto Rico
Wind Star · from Athens (Piraeus)
Athens (Piraeus), Greece → Nafplio, Greece → Monemvasia, Greece → Santorini, Greece → Patmos, Greece → Kusadasi, Turkey → Mykonos, Greece → Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Star Legend · from Reykjavík
Reykjavík, Iceland → Grundarfjörður (Snæfellsnes), Iceland → Ísafjörður, Iceland → Akureyri, Iceland → Seyðisfjörður, Iceland → Djúpivogur, Iceland → Heimaey (Westman Islands), Iceland → Reykjavík, Iceland
Noura turns this intelligence into a real itinerary — flights, hotels with perks, and timing dialled in — at no planning cost to you.
Compare Windstar Cruises with other luxury lines — or read how the tiers differ.
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