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8 Experiences That Make A Windstar Cruise Worth The Price

• Cruises and Sailing
• Luxury Travel
• Types of Travel

In December, I had my first cruise with Windstar. Boarding the Star Legend in St. Maarten, my husband and I set sail on a romantic and adventurous itinerary with a cruise brand known for offering exceptional vacations and a reputation to back that claim. We had a week of sailing through the Caribbean, soaking up the sights in Antigua, the BVI, and St. Bart’s to create memories that will last for a lifetime and really get to know the Windstar brand. As an avid cruiser, this cruise’s price tag was a bit higher than my previous cruises. But, let me tell you how that extra bit more than makes up for it with these eight experiences that make a Windstar cruise worth the price tag.

Windstar hosted me as a guest to familiarize myself with this brand. As always, opinions and reviews are 100 percent my own and unbiased. 

1. Smaller Crowds

It might surprise you that the Windstar yachts only hold about 200–310 passengers. Not only is this a big difference in the mega cruise ships that often make you feel like a herd of cattle going through long buffet lines and waiting to disembark the ship at port, but it allows you to get to know the other cruisers. It also allows the crew to know you — your cruise preferences and your name. While I have met friendly cruise staff on each of the 50+ cruises I’ve taken, this was more like we were all just guests of Windstar, not crew and cruisers.

I especially think that, in the craziest of times we have faced since 2020, this is one of the most appealing cruise offerings possible. The Windstar team has assumed extra sanitation measures and are held to the highest standard of safety practices. This was apparent from the personalized service of staff members making up our buffet plates to the onboard doctor that was a seamless and pleasant transaction for the guests.

2. Windstar’s Stylish Yacht & Rooms

There are no cruise boats or ships with Windstar, only yachts and sailboats. I took the Star Legend , a small, incredibly picturesque yacht. The Legend was small enough to learn my way around in a short time, without wasting precious vacation time. Still, it was big enough to cuddle up for a warm-weather nap, read a good book, have an intimate conversation, or watch as we sailed through the mesmerizing blue waters.

Speaking only for the Star Legend , this yacht offers all-suite rooms. We even had a full-size closet, perfect for storing suitcases, hanging our clothes, and keeping our main room straight. Features in our stateroom that rated highest were L’Occitane en Provence toiletries, cozy robes, a comfortable couch, a heavenly bed, premium Egyptian cotton sheets, and a fully-stocked mini-fridge.

3. Lesser-Known Ports Of Call

I’ve studied cruise itineraries for over 20 years, and the ports of call for large cruise ships rarely change. I was shocked to see the remote destinations that Windstar Cruises travel to. My husband and I took the St. Maarten cruise that went to the British Virgin Islands, and though we had been to Virgin Gorda with others, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke were two places I’ve seldom seen on other itineraries. And we also had the chance to go to Gustavia (St. Bart’s), the island of all things luxury and exuberant.

If you are jonesing for a one-of-a-kind cruise, I’ll let you know that Windstar Cruises visits Tahiti , Kobe, Bordeaux , and Honfleur , not your typical cruise ports. 

Pro Tip: Cruise lines can change the itinerary for the passenger’s safety and best experiences. This is common practice, so please roll with the punches should it happen. Often the passengers are unaware of the entire situation unfolding that causes these decisions.

4. Windstar’s Exceptional Food

When the general public talks about cruises, they tend to think of huge, overflowing buffets with mediocre food, but lots of it. And that makes many cruisers perfectly happy. I tend to lean toward quality over quantity, so the high-end food choices — many locally sourced — on Windstar Cruises made me a happy girl. Our meals were terrific!

Indulge in delightful breakfasts with an array of made-to-order eggs, fluffy pancakes, and decadent eggs Benedict. The buffet caters to all tastes, featuring a variety of Indian delights, smoked meats, comforting food favorites, soups, and sandwiches for lunch. With 24-hour room service, unlimited ice cream, and a charming coffee shop serving tempting mini-sandwiches and sweets, your culinary desires will be satisfied.

I was shocked (mic-drop here) that the main dining room — the basic one for those of you new to the cruise world — is the only cruise line at sea endorsed by and is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation . Yes, you read that right. The foundation was created in part to recognize the efforts of those putting America’s culinary skills a cut above the rest, and that is apparent with the chef-inspired dishes on these ships. Windstar Cruises brings people to plates on the high seas that are “180 degrees from ordinary.”

5. Star Legend’s Specialty Restaurants

As if the food wasn’t remarkable enough, there are specialty restaurants on a Windstar cruise. The Star Legend had the lovely Spanish restaurant, Cuadro 44, and Candles, a classic steakhouse. Cuadro 44 offers coastal Spanish tapas, wines, and exotic seafood in a vibrant, energetic setting, while Candles is a more romantic restaurant with white table cloths, candlelight, and al fresco dining. 

Now get this… they are included in your cruise fare. You pay no additional fees to dine in these restaurants that serve high-end items like Ibérico ham, lamb chops, Galician-style octopus, and jumbo prawns.

Fun Fact: Cuadro 44 only holds 38 passengers, so this small-scale dining experience is highly desirable.

6. Adventurous Cruise Excursions

I’ve been told that Windstar caters to a more active group of travelers. The website boasts 2,500 one-of-a-kind tours, and that is mind-boggling. I found many of the Windstar cruise excursions to be on the moderate to strenuous side of the scale, but there was still plenty for others to enjoy, too. From scuba diving to visiting private islands, there was a wide range of activities and experiences.

Windstar also offers many custom tours, including a carefully-curated excursion for your family and friends, or even a solo trip, to see the sights you wish to visit with an English-speaking guide in a private car or van. These guides are also fully bonded, insured, and licensed.

Check into the culinary shore excursions onboard Windstar Cruises, as well. These opportunities take cruise passengers to local wineries, breweries, and even hands-on cooking classes to learn from the locals and eat and drink with goods from the region you are visiting.

7. Ratio Of Cruise Staff To Cruise Guests

My cruise ship could potentially hold 312 passengers. On this particular sailing, there were only around 158 passengers, which meant running at half capacity for guests. This meant no lines, no packed swimming pools or hot tubs, and nearly 1.25 cruise staff per passenger. 

I swear, I don’t know how the Windstar staff does it, but they would remember every name, drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) choice, favorite things, and where we were from. Often, we didn’t have time to think we needed something before a smiling face showed up with said item in hand. I kept thinking of the Ritz Carlton tagline, “My pleasure Mrs. Pittman.”

Fun Fact: For even more excellent cruise concierge service, allow Windstar to help you book your air travel, pre and post hotel and tour reservations, and even your itinerary for a fantastic vacation.

8. A Unique Beach Barbecue Dining Experience

Something new to my cruising experiences happened on the Windstar Star Legend . It was supposed to be two things, but one got postponed and then canceled due to inclement weather. But, the one that did take place was incredible, and I think you will agree.

In a port where we had to tender (take small boats) to the shore, Windstar set up a beach barbecue for all of its guests to enjoy for lunch. Virgin Gorda was the perfect setting for the festive tables, steel-drum musicians, paella and bbq meats buffet, and tropical backdrop. The amount of effort that went into shuttling all things necessary (plates, glassware, utensils, food, beverages, linens, etc.) to the shore for us to have a memorable lunch honestly brings tears to my eyes. What a fantastic brand and staff that braves, in our case, extreme waves and weather conditions for a quick dining experience that creates such a heartwarming memory. It was well-appreciated.

Windstar, if you made that macaroni and cheese because I mentioned it, thank you. They canceled the deck barbecue mentioned above due to the weather, but I heard from repeat passengers that this is one of their favorite Windstar offerings.

Pro Tip: I like to bring a few cards from home and leave a tip for my favorite cruise staff, along with a personalized message to thank them for enriching my vacation.

For more premiere cruising options , check out our recent coverage:

• Epic 3-Year World Cruise Sets Sail This November — What You Need To Know
• 6 Tips For Choosing The Best Yacht Charter Experience
• 6 Best Antarctica Expedition Cruises To Add To Your Bucket List

Melody and her daughter Taylor run both Wherever I May Roam and Travel The South travel blogs. She is a digital influencer, freelances for both print and online publications, and hosts an annual travel conference, Southern Travelers Explore. Melody has been traveling her entire adult life and has visited 49 states and 49 countries. She loves cruising, small towns, historical sights, and National Parks.

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Windstar Cruises: FREE Drinks, Wi-Fi and Tips*

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Windstar Caribbean cruises from $2,050*

7 Ships in the Windstar Cruises fleet

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Wind Star Overview

Windstar’s graceful Wind Star sail ship is a beautiful 4-masted yacht with space for up to 148 guests. The crew to guest ratio is greater than 1:2, which helps ensure memorable luxury service where no need goes unmet. Each of the Wind Star’s luxury staterooms features L’Occitane bath products, a walk-in closet, flat panel TV, stocked min-bar, fresh flowers, granite bathroom and more. You’ll find two main dining venues aboard the Wind Star: the gourmet AmphorA and casual Veranda restaurant. Or, for an extra special evening, make a reservation at Candles , an outdoor venue for dining under the stars. To work off each spectacular meal, take advantage of the Wind Star’s onboard amenities – like the fitness center, pool, whirlpool or watersports platform. Then again, it is your vacation, so you could always just retreat to the WindSpa for a relaxing massage or special treatment. To learn even more about Windstar’s Wind Star yacht, contact one of The Cruise Web’s experts today.

• Passenger Capacity: 148 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 1986
• Last Refurbished: 2023

Wind Star Cruise Destinations

Visit unforgettable destinations in 50 different nations with Windstar Cruises. Enjoy memorable and enlightening experiences in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America. With Windstar’s smaller ships, you’ll call at ports that larger cruise ships can’t reach – giving you unique access to these regions’ hidden gems. Continue below to learn more about each of Windstar’s destinations or contact one of our expert cruise consultants to start planning your unique small-ship voyage with Windstar.

Sail away to the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean for a unique tropical retreat with Windstar Cruises.

Discover a world of natural wonders, wildlife and easy living in the lush lands of Costa Rica with Windstar Cruises.

Costa Rica Cruisetours

Mediterranean

Explore lands of Old World charm and never-ending beauty with a Mediterranean cruise aboard Windstar Cruises.

Transatlantic

Sail across the Atlantic Ocean with Windstar Cruises' luxurious yachts or sail ships and enjoy a relaxing voyage like no other.

Wind Star Departure Ports

Windstar Cruises’ unique small ships sail all over the world from a wide array of departure ports. For instance, you can depart from some of the world’s most distinguished cities like Athens, Dubai, Singapore, London, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Rome and Venice. You’ll also find smaller or more exotic departure ports, such as Papeete, Bridgetown, Philipsburg and Colon. But no matter where your cruise embarks, you’ll always know what you’re sailing towards – an unforgettable and totally unique small-ship experience.

Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands

Santa Cruz on the tropical island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands is simply a remarkable place to visit.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

With its luscious greenery, steep cliffs, tropical beaches and nature reserves, Puerto Caldera is an amazing cruise destination for the adventurous traveler and beach lover.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

Colon, Panama

Colon, this historically important city is a gateway to the Panama Canal and full of Latin charm and New World history. 

San Jose, Costa Rica

The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is brimming with unique culture and a bustling nightlife.

Wind Star Deck Plans

Flying bridge, wind star staterooms.

Oceanview (A)

Luxurious Egyptian cotton linens wrap you in pleasant sleepiness as you stretch out in your queen bed (can be separated into twins if you prefer). Your spacious bath features granite counter tops, ample storage, and a roomy shower with massage shower head. L'Occitane bath products and comfy waffle-weave robe and slippers entice you to relax. You'll find fresh fruit and flowers always waiting for you. A flat-screen television and DVD, Bose SoundDock, wireless Internet access, private safe.

Oceanview (AX)

Oceanview (b), oceanview (bx).

The Owner's Suite gives you everything offered in a stateroom, plus lots more, including a beautiful sitting area and separate in-room dining space.

Photo Gallery for Wind Star Cruise Ship

Enjoy a preview of the completely unique and utterly luxurious Windstar cruising experience in the following photo gallery. You’ll quickly see that Windstar Cruises’ fleet is like no other, with some ships boasting towering masts with billowing sails. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Windstar’s amazing destinations, many of which can only be experienced by the fleet’s intimate yachts.

Open Bridge aboard Wind Star

Fine dining aboard Wind Star

Top 10 Wind Star Cruises

• Wind Star Star Collector: Ancient to Avant-Garde Mediterranean Departing From Piraeus (Athens), Greece (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Star Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast Departing From Piraeus (Athens), Greece (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Star Mediterranean Island Mosaic Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Wind Star Ocean Crossings Departing From Lisbon, Portugal (Nov 2024)
• Wind Star Colombian & Southern Caribbean Coastlines Departing From Bridgetown, Barbados (Nov 2024)
• Wind Star Monteverde Cloud Forest & Arenal Volcano Cruise Tour Departing From San Jose, Costa Rica (Dec 2024 - Mar 2025)
• Wind Star Costa Rica & Panama Canal Departing From Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (Dec 2024 - Mar 2025)
• Wind Star Naturally Costa Rica Departing From Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (Dec 2024 - Feb 2025)
• Wind Star Star Collector: Wild Wonders of the Central America Coasts via the Panama Canal Departing From Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (Dec 2024 - Jan 2025)
• Wind Star Monteverde Cloud Forest & Arenal Volcano Cruise Tour Departing From Colon, Panama (Jan 2025 - Mar 2025)

Learn More About Windstar Cruises

Accessibility

Learn about Windstar Cruises' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with disabilities or special needs, including mobility issues.

Savor dining aboard Windstar Cruises, including Star Grill , AmphorA , Stella Bistro , Candles Grill and more—all included with your cruise fare.

Entertainment

Enjoy Windstar Cruises' onboard entertainment, including live music at Compass Rose, informative port lectures, destination briefings, dancing and more.

Onboard Activities

Engage in Windstar Cruises' onboard activities, including an onboard Watersports Platform, WindSpa, pool, library, fitness center and duty-free shopping.

Service & Awards

Learn how Windstar Cruises' staff and crew take care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Windstar Cruises' awards.

Spa & Fitness

Unwind in Windstar Cruises' fitness center and WindSpa, offering massages, facials, herbal wraps and more.

Special Events

Learn about Windstar Cruises' special themed cruises. Themes include wine and food, the Grand Prix and more.

Explore Windstar Cruises' ship staterooms, including suites, deluxe balconies and deluxe oceanviews staterooms, as well as the luxurious Owners Suites.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Windstar Cruises' intimate ships.

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Wind Star Decks and Cabins

• Flying Bridge
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• Owners Suite
• Ship info and tracking

Built in 1986, the Windstar Cruises Wind Star cruise ship weighs 6K tons and has 74 staterooms for up to 163 passengers served by 84 crew . There are 5 passenger decks, 2 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 35 gross tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for Wind Star showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all the types of cabins including pictures and videos.

Windstar Cruises Wind Star

Last Drydock: Nov 2023

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

OWNERS SUITE

Floor Diagram Suite

Sleeps up to: 3 1 Cabins Cabin: 220 sqft (21 m 2 )

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More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, stateroom cabin perks.

Floor Diagram Stateroom

Sleeps up to: 3 73 Cabins Cabin: 188 sqft (18 m 2 )

More diagrams of this cabin type

Wind Star Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

Wind Star Quick Stats

Big picture wind star decks.

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Wind Star Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• Wind Star DECK DRAG

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

• CruiseMapper

Wind Star cabins and suites

Wind star staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Wind Star cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Windstar Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Wind Star cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Owners Suite

Layout (floor plan), oceanview cabin, wind star cabins review.

All Wind Star cabins are with outside views (no inside cabins), but none of them has a private balcony. This includes even the highest grade accommodation - the Owner Suite - which has 2 picture windows. All other staterooms are with porthole (round-shaped) windows. The yacht also doesn't have connecting or handicap (wheelchair-accessible) cabins for disabled passengers. The number of all cabin categories is 5.

Follows the review of Wind Star staterooms as furniture, amenities and included (complimentary) services:

Each cruise accommodation has a separate modular bathroom (WC-toilet, washbasin, shower, luxury bath amenities by L’Occitane, premium bathrobes, towels, slippers /no bathtub), two twin beds convertible to queen-size (with luxury bedding /Egyptian cotton linens), small sitting area (table with 2 chairs), walk-in closet and separate drawer unit, multimedia center (LCD TV, DVD/CD player, Bose SoundDock digital music system, Apple iPod nano, WiFi Internet), fully-stocked mini-bar/fridge, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), intercom (direct-dial phone), controlled air-conditioning (thermostat), 110V/220V power outlets.

The only one Owner’s Suite additionally has a separate living area with a sofa, but like the other staterooms lacks a step-out balcony.

Each cabin has 2 porthole windows equipped with steel covers that can be closed in bad weather. A fruit basket and bottled water are replenished daily.

Smoking on the ship is permitted only at designated areas on its open decks.

The dress code is “casual elegance” (jackets and ties are not required, even for dinner).

Be prepared for the noise made by the yacht’s diesel generators. They operate 24 hours a day to generate power for the lighting and air-conditioning on board.

Wind Star cabin and suite plans are property of Windstar Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

The 2 classes of Windstar ships, explained

Windstar Cruises has a surprisingly varied fleet for a cruise line with only six small ships.

The cruise line was known for years for its fleet of three-masted sailing yachts (imagine a hybrid of a small cruise ship and a large four- or five-masted sailing vessel). But in the mid-2010s, in a bid to expand without building new ships, the line acquired three small, aging cruise ships from luxury line Seabourn and completely refurbished them.

Windstar's fleet is now equal parts sailing ships (known as the Wind class) and yachts (the Star Plus class), tied together by a casual-yet-upscale vibe, friendly crews and port-intensive itineraries.

While Windstar loyalists happily cross from masted yacht to regular ship, depending on the itinerary, newcomers will want to understand the differences between the line's two classes of ships because the onboard amenities are different enough to affect your vacation experience.

An introduction to Windstar ships

Windstar Cruises specializes in small ships carrying between 148 and 342 passengers each. Though the line calls them yachts, the ships are structured more like tiny cruise ships with indoor lounges and communal dining rooms.

The Wind-class sailing ships come in two sizes: the 5,307-ton Wind Spirit and Wind Star and the 14,745-ton Wind Surf. The non-sail motor yachts are all identical at 12,995 tons.

Most of Windstar's fleet was not originally built for Windstar. Wind Surf originally sailed as a Club Med cruise ship. The motor yacht trio started their lives as Seabourn vessels.

That does not mean you should expect worn-out ships. Windstar recently spent $250 million to not just update but also lengthen the three motor yachts of its Star Plus class. The ships were cut open and a new midsection was added to create more space for additional cabins (Windstar calls them suites, even if they have only one room), new dining venues and expanded outdoor deck areas.

The ships function more as a comfortable home base than destinations by themselves. Onboard attractions are limited to a few restaurants, a small spa and fitness center, a pool and hot tub, and a tiny boutique. You'll find two or three bars, rather than a large assortment. There's no kids club because children younger than 8 aren't allowed onboard.

Related: 5 cruise lines to try if you just can't stand being around kids on vacation

The biggest difference between the classes, besides the sails, is that cabins on Star Plus-class ships are marketed as suites. While most aren't true, multiroom suites, the cabins are spacious with separate living and sleeping areas, French (step-out) balconies on most rooms and good-size bathrooms. The cabins on Wind-class ships are more compact and nautical in design, with porthole windows and small living spaces tricked out with hidden storage to maximize space.

What all the ships have in common is a water sports platform. On select days when the ship is anchored (not docked at a pier) and the weather and government regulations align, crew members can offer water sports, such as swimming and kayaking, right off the back of the ship.

Ships in class: Wind Surf (1989), Wind Spirit (1988) and Wind Star (1986).

Size: 5,307 tons (Spirit and Star) to 14,745 tons (Surf).

Technically, Windstar's Wind-class ships comprise two different types of ships, but the line categorizes all of its ships with sails together.

The 148-passenger Wind Spirit and Wind Star are the only ships in the current fleet custom-built for Windstar. Each has four decks and as many masts for sails. The ships each feature one 220-square-foot Owner's Suite, and the rest of the cabins are 188-square-feet rooms. Each cabin, including the suite, features a window; you will not find a private balcony on these ships.

Most of the public areas are found on the upper two decks with cabins on the lower two, with the exception of a small gym and the exit to the water sports platform on Deck 2. Deck 3 features the majority of the indoor spaces, including the Amphora main restaurant, boutique, reception desk, library, tiny spa, main lounge and a cafe serving coffee drinks and small snacks.

The topmost deck features the indoor-outdoor buffet restaurant Veranda, which transforms into the waiter-served Candles restaurant in the evening. A pool, hot tub and pool bar round out the alfresco offerings.

The 342-passenger Wind Surf joined the Windstar fleet in 1998 after sailing for Club Med. It follows the same basic idea as its two sailing sisters, but with more space and a few more attractions.

It's got six decks, five masts and four types of cabins (again all with windows only, no balconies). These include 188-square-foot regular cabins and 18 suites measuring 376 square feet, which are essentially double cabins with two bathrooms, two vanities and a sitting area where the second bed should be. These rooms are found throughout decks 1 through 3.

One 242-square-foot Officer's Suite and two 495-square-foot Bridge suites are located on Deck 5 (Bridge Deck).

Like its smaller sisters, Wind Surf contains the Amphora Restaurant and Veranda/Candles, main lounge, Yacht Club Cafe, pool and hot tubs, boutique, spa and fitness center. In addition, the ship adds a third dining venue – Stella Bistro – and the Terrace Bar, both on the ship's top deck.

Windstar deploys its sailing ships to destinations with more concentrated routes, where the romance factor is high (to complement the ships' beautiful sails). These include Tahiti and French Polynesia , Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, and Greece.

Related: 5 things to love about Windstar's stretched and refurbished Star Pride

Star Plus class

Ships in class: Star Legend (1990), Star Breeze (1988) and Star Pride (1988).

Size: 12,995 tons.

The Star Plus-class ships are all pre-owned cruise ships. They debuted in the late '80s and early '90s for luxury cruise line Seabourn and Windstar purchased them and brought them into the fleet 25 years later in 2014 and 2015.

The trio came to Windstar as 312-passenger, 9,975-ton cruise ships. Windstar refurbished the ships to clean them up and add the line's branding before they debuted but quickly realized more was needed to bring the ships in line with modern standards, both under the hood and in passenger-facing venues.

So the line announced a $250 million refurbishment project that included lengthening the ships by adding a new midsection. Extensive below-decks work was done to replace the existing engines with more efficient ones, as well as improve environmental standards. Above decks, each ship received 100 new cabins and suites, additional restaurants and expanded deck space to host a new infinity pool and more space for the line's famous deck barbecues.

Work on the project began in 2019, with the renovated ships debuting in 2021 and 2022.

Similar to Wind Surf, the Star Plus-class ships feature six passenger decks, a water sports platform, Amphora and Veranda/Candles restaurants and a boutique.

Each ship has a lounge that serves as an excursion assembly station and a theater for live entertainment and talks, as well as the large Compass Rose bar and lounge for dancing, drinking and whiling the evening away. Dining venues exclusive to this class include the alfresco Star Grill by Steven Raichlen and the Spanish Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso.

The spa and fitness center is much larger on these ships, featuring a complimentary thermal suite with heated lounges and saunas, as well as a separate workout room and fitness studio for group classes. A tiered infinity pool and hot tub are the focal point of Deck 7, but there's a somewhat-secret hot tub on Deck 5 forward, as well.

The Yacht Club is a gorgeous circular hangout and library space with board games and a little cafe area, and the Star Bar is surrounded by comfortable patio furniture one deck above the pool. There's also a screening room on Deck 5.

Related: Everything you need to know about Windstar Cruises' loyalty program

Cabins come in nine varieties. Five of them are the same size — 277 square feet — with two key differences. The first is whether the room offers a porthole, picture window or French balcony (which is big enough for one person to step out onto, but too small for a seating area); the second is whether the room has the original furnishings and the bed by the bathroom or is a newly built cabin with more modern furnishings and the bed by the window.

You can tell which style of cabin you're getting by the name. Star porthole, ocean-view and balcony suites are the new suites; plain ocean-view and balcony suites are the originals.

All cabins have updated bathrooms, some with tub-shower combos and others with shower only.

True suites range from 400 to 820 square feet, and include the Classic, Deluxe, Owner's Suite Forward and Owner's Suite Midship. The latter can be combined with surrounding standard suites to transform into a three-bedroom, 1,374-square-foot Grand Owner's Suite.

Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship

The Star Plus-class ships are the line's traveling class, taking the longer, more sightseeing-focused routes in places like Alaska , Asia, Australia and northern Europe. With more indoor space, these ships can better handle destinations like Iceland and Alaska where the weather may prevent passengers from spending large amounts of time outdoors when sailing.

Bottom line

Windstar's two classes of ships can be quickly summarized as either sailing ships with smaller cabins and limited public spaces or upscale small ships with spacious cabins and more choices of restaurants and hangouts.

No matter which you choose, you'll get a similar experience. That's because each of the six ships honors the brand's themes of a casual onboard vibe with adult-focused upscale touches, fine dining in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, low-key outdoor fun, destination exploration and a friendly, helpful crew.

Windstar's fleet is so small that many cruisers find that the destination guides their vacation choice more than the ship. As the line carefully matches ship style to the itinerary, you'll likely find yourself content with whichever class of ship you find yourself sailing.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Small Cruise Yachts

The best of small ship cruises.

Windstar's 148 to 342-guest small ships and personalized approach bring you closer to each destination and every port, so you can see the world from new perspectives. Share intimate moments away from the crowds, and immerse yourself in local, exotic cultures, all on a small cruise ship where surprise and delight are constant companions.

The Wind and the Stars Know the Way

You can slip past the crowds to discover smaller ports and get to know the local culture on more intimate excursions. Windstar's 148 to 342-guest small ships and personalized approach bring you closer to each destination and every port, so you can see the world from new perspectives. We offer two different yacht styles — the iconic sailing Wind Class and all-suite Star Plus Class — with custom-crafted journeys that highlight their unique attributes, whether island-hopping in Tahiti or cruising the Norwegian fjords. No wonder Windstar was voted the World’s Best midsize-ship ocean cruise line by the readers of Travel + Leisure in 2022.  

Iconic Wind Class

Windstar's flagship, Wind Surf sails with just 342 guests in 171 total staterooms: 18 Ocean View Suites with his and her bathrooms, 2 Bridge Suites, 1 Officer's Suite, and 150 Ocean View Staterooms.

Wind Star sails with just 148 pampered guests in 74 total staterooms: 73 deluxe, ocean-view staterooms and 1 deluxe Owner’s Suite with queen beds and a dining/sitting area.

Wind Spirit sails with just 148 pampered guests in 74 total staterooms: 73 deluxe, ocean-view staterooms and 1 deluxe Owner’s Suite with queen beds and a dining/sitting area.

All-suite Star Plus Class

Star Pride welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

Star Breeze welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

Star Legend welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

Star Seeker (January 2025) welcomes 224 guests in 112 total suites: 2 Horizon Owner’s Suites, 4 Star Suites, 2 Classic Suites, 2 Triple Infinity Suites, 4 Deluxe Suites, 24 Infinity Suites, 4 Vista Infinity Suites,10 Vista Veranda Suites, 2 Triple Premier Veranda Suites, 32 Premier Veranda Suites,16 Veranda Suites, and 10 Oceanview Suites