Fast forward to 2007, and Carnival (of which HAL was a subsidiary) sold the company to Ambassadors International. Following the Ambassadors bankruptcy in 2011, Windstar Cruises at last found a secure, committed and deep-pocketed parent, the Xanterrra Travel Collection, owned by Anschutz Corporation. Xanterra expanded the fleet with the three little Seabourn yachts in 2013, which were eventually 'stretched' to increase their capacity from 212 to 312 guests.
So there we have it: a well-funded company, six charming little ships, a reputation for friendliness and unpretentious luxury, appealing itineraries, and a low-key, charming and well-educated passenger base - a very viable platform for growth.
Exciting then, but not surprising, when this year Windstar announced that it is acquiring two vessels - the 224-guest Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first will enter service in December 2025 and the second in 2026.
Star Seeker is currently being built, whilst Star Explorer is already in service for a small expedition line. Each will feature 112 suites, creating an intimate capacity for 224 guests, smaller than the Star Plus Yachts and Wind Surf, larger than the little sailing yachts. Most of the suites will have full balconies, and some infinity windows. Two Owner's Suites will complete the line-up.
In keeping with the existing Windstar style, both ships will have the signature Windstar watersports platform, the cosy Yacht Club café and lounge, and an expanded spa and fitness facility. We are looking forward to more detailed itineraries to Alaska (May - August 2026) and Japan (September - November 2026).
John Gunner, Windstar's vice president of expansion projects, is leading the transformation of these ships, making lots of changes to ensure they will be true Windstar ships. There will be a lot of structural and design transformations, so if you think you know what Windstar is taking on, think again. Even the profile will look quite different, and the interiors will have a softened ambience for consistency with the existing ships.
John Gunner said: "We're adding a ducktail and what that means is we'll have a super-yacht style stern with a watersports platform, accessed by steps." A ducktail is a steel structure attached to the stern, providing a swimming platform and helping with stability and fuel efficiency. It is being fabricated from steel at the shipyard in Portugal, right now.
The bow will be narrower and longer, so it looks more yacht-like, rather than the stubby design needed for tough weather in regions like Antarctica (I think we can definitively take this to mean Windstar is not planning an expedition operation). The two-deck auditorium that's part of the original design is going to be reduced to one deck, with the spa as the beneficiary of the extra deck.
The mud room (not needed) will be converted to crew accommodations for extra crew, whilst the helicopter deck is given over to top-class suites with large balconies or infinity windows. Finally, the pool area will be completely reconstructed and the whirlpool area on the bow, deck five forward that a lot of us love on Windstar's Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride, will be replicated on the new ships.
And, following the 2019-2021 US$250 million Star Plus Initiative on the Star Class ships, Windstar's lovely sailing ships Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf are currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, in keeping with their traditional style but with a refreshed boutique hotel feel.
148-guest Wind Star now has a spruced-up spa and gym, a new pool and Jacuzzi on the pool deck, an extended pool bar, a reimagined Owner's Suite and new, larger flatscreen TVs and Starlink WiFi in all staterooms and suites; Wind Spirit will undergo a similar transformation beginning in April 2025. The second phase on Wind Star and Wind Spirit in 2026 and 2027 respectively will include fully remodelled staterooms and redecorated Amphora and Veranda restaurants.
In November 2024, 310-guest Wind Surf's top three suites will be remodelled into the Broadmoor and Sea Island designs seen on the Star-class ships, alongside renovations of Amphora, the lobby, Compass Rose, the pool bar and the boutique, and in December 2026, the same remodelled accommodations as Wind Star and Spirit.
Keep tuned for more news!
