Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises logo
Type	Private
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1984
Headquarters	Seattle, Washington, USA
Area served	Mediterranean Northern Europe Caribbean Central America Asia-Pacific
Services	Cruise ship holidays
Owner	Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc.
Parent	The Anschutz Corporation
Website	Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is a luxury cruise line that operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships known for its intimate yacht style experience and unique voyages to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Its six yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May 2014, Windstar added to its sailing yachts by adding the Star Pride power yacht, followed by Star Breeze and Star Legend in May 2015. The additional capacity opened up new itineraries such as voyages to Iceland, Panama Canal, Costa Rica and allowed Windstar Cruises to sail Tahiti year round. Windstar Cruises is named World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Cradling guests in pampered comfort, Windstar's intimate ships exude a private yacht-like atmosphere allowing for sincere camaraderie and lasting friendships between shipmates. With more than one staff member for every two guests, service is attentive without being intrusive. Menus are based on fresh, local produce that the chefs purchase at local markets giving the cuisine an incomparable local flair. Windstar carefully crafts guest’s special magical moments such as Exclusive Private Events, guest visits to the Captain in the Open Bridge, dine under the stars, listen to the swell of music as our beautiful yacht leaves port and complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, ski-tubing and kayaking from the ship’s Water Sports Platform.

Windstar Cruises is a part of Xanterra Parks and Resorts®, which is known for its “Legendary Hospitality with a Softer Footprint,” Xanterra’s entities include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, a cruise line, railway and tour companies.

History

The line was established as Windstar Sail Cruises in 1984, and its first ship, the Wind Star was launched in 1986, and was followed by the Wind Song which was launched in 1987 and Wind Spirit which was launched in 1988. Two additional ships were ordered from the French "Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre" shipyard: the Wind Surf and the Wind Saga. These two ships were to be larger than the originals, holding over twice the amount of passengers and reaching a length of 660 ft compared to the smaller vessels of 440 ft in length.

Purchase by Holland America Line

Holland America Line purchased 50% of Windstar Sail Cruises in 1987 and purchased the balance of the company in 1988. HAL became a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc in 1989. The option to continue building the Wind Surf and the Wind Saga was passed up by HAL. With assistance from the French Government these two larger ships were built for Club Med as Club Med I and Club Med II, with HAL / Carnival retaining rights of first refusal for purchase. Few years Later HAL / Carnival Let them planned to buy Club Med I and Club Med II with permission. But Windstar cruises was unable to purchase Club Med I and Club Med II and rename them to Wind Surf and the Wind Saga because they don't have enough money to purchase both ships, They can only purchase 1 ship. So in 1998, Windstar acquired the sail cruiser Club Med I from Club Med Cruises, and rechristened her to her original name Wind Surf.

msy Wind Surf

Sale of Windstar to Xanterra Parks & Resorts

In March 2007, Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International for $100 million.

On April 1, 2011, Windstar's parent company Ambassadors International filled for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Windstar was planned to be sold to a company in White Plains, New York known as Whippoorwill Associates, Inc. But through a Bankruptcy court in Delaware, a two day bid was held and Anschutz Corporation won Windstar Cruises which had the best bid of $39 Million. Subsidiary Xanterra Parks and Resorts is now the parent company.

Since the sale to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Windstar has transformed into upscale cruise line with an intimate, yet luxury feel with elevated cultural components and extended itineraries to feature the best combination of hidden harbors and iconic cities around the world.

In 2013, Windstar purchased three more ships, effectively doubling the size of the fleet. Star Pride joined the fleet in 2014, while Star Legend and Star Breeze launched in May 2015.

Homeports and Cruise Destinations

Windstar is considered a high-end cruise line, with its ships typically getting a four-star (out of five) rating. The ships are relatively small, with the Wind Surf having a capacity for about 300 passengers, and the others about 150. Star Pride carries up to 212 passengers in 106 suites as well as sister ships Star Legend and Star Breeze.

The ships are registered in the Bahamas. Under this flag they are some of the few cruise ships in the world where passengers are still allowed on the bridge (though not when entering or leaving port). Given their small size the service is very personal, and interaction with the ship's officers is easy. With a shallow draft of only 14' the ships can enter ports that are inaccessible to larger cruise liners. In some cases passengers need to take smaller boats into port (such as to Lipari) when the ship is at anchor, but access on and off a shipboard ramp is easily made.

Key Cruise Destinations Include:

· Caribbean Cruises

· Mediterranean Cruises

· Greek Isles & Turkey Cruises

· Italy Cruises

· Northern Europe Cruises

· Costa Rica & Panama Cruises

· Tahiti Cruises

· Ocean Crossings Cruises

· Themed Cruises

Recent History

It was announced on February 19, 2013 that Windstar completed the purchase of Seabourn Cruise Line's Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze. The Star Pride entered service 5 May 2014 with an inaugural cruise from Barcelona to Rome. In May 2015, Windstar increased its fleet from four yachts to six with Star Breeze and Star Legend. Both yachts underwent a $17 million, three-week dry dock in Genoa, Italy, before a christening ceremony in May.

Both yachts, each holding 212 passengers at double occupancy, received full stem-to-stern upgrades to the suites, public areas, and dining venues. Every guest suite received new carpets, linens, couches, mattresses, and more. To the public spaces and dining venues include more deck space, upgraded color palettes, more modern upholstery, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, and a complete transformation of several lounges. The redesign added an overall feeling of increased elegance.

In 2016, Windstar is planning a $3 million continuation of the Star Pride renovation. The Star Pride received a partial overhaul in 2014. The continuation includes the completion of the AmphorA remodel, and a total renovation of the reception, Screening Room, and more.

Fleet

Current Fleet

Name	Built	Builder	Entered service for Windstar	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes	Image
Wind Star	1986	Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1986–present	5,307 tons	Bahamas	Windstar Cruise's first ship	300x300px
Wind Spirit	1988	Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1988–present	5,307 tons	Bahamas		300x300px
Wind Surf	1989	Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1998–present	14,745 tons	Bahamas	Windstar Cruise's biggest ship in the fleet and was previously Club Med 1 for Club Med	300x300px
Star Pride	1988	Schichau Seebeckwerft	2014–present	9,975 tons	Bahamas	Previously Seabourn Pride for Seabourn Cruise Line	300x300px
Star Breeze	1988	Schichau Seebeckwerft	May 2015–present	9,975 tons	Bahamas	Previously Seabourn Sprit for Seabourn Cruise Line	351x351px
Star Legend	1990	Schichau Seebeckwerft	May 2015 – present	9,975 tons	Bahamas	Previously Seabourn Legend for Seabourn Cruise Line	300x300px

Former Fleet

Name	Built	Builder	Entered service for Windstar	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes	Image
Wind Song	1987	Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre	1987 - 2002	5,307 tons	Bahamas	The ship suffered an engine room fire on December 1, 2002 and was scuttled and sunk the next month on January 22, 2003.

Awards & Accolades

Windstar Cruises has been recognized with top honors from some of the most respected leaders in the travel industry. Below are the awards and accolades Windstar Cruises has received through out the years.

2016

2016 Condé Nast Traveler - Gold List of our favorite cruise lines for 2016

2015

2015 Porthole Cruise Magazine - Windstar Cruises won Most Romantic Cruise Line of the 17th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards

2015 Condé Nast Traveler — Windstar Cruises recognized as #3 World’s Best Cruise Line in Small Ship

Cruising in the 2015 Reader’s Choice Awards

2015 Cruise Critic.com— Windstar Cruises Costa Rica is listed in Best Cruises for Nature Lovers

2015 Landry & Kling – Wind Spirit included on the Top 10 Ships for Top-Tier Events

2015 Travel Weekly – Ranked as Overall Market Leader in Small Cruise Ships (500 passengers or less) in Magellan Awards

2015 Cruise Critic.com – Star Breeze named Best Ship Refurbishment in the Cruise Critic US Editors’ Picks Awards

2015 Cruise Critic.com – Windstar Cruises listed as Best for Romance in the Cruise Critic US Editors’ Picks Awards

2015 Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines, Annual Readers’ Poll rated #3

2015 Islands Magazine – Star Legend’s San Juan & the Virgin Islands listed as one of the Best 6 Cruises for 2016 with its unique

call in Montserrat.

2015 Condé Nast Traveler – Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands featured as the #1 Cruise to Book

2015 Forbes Life – Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast featured as one of 6 Romantic Escapes to Live Out Your Italian Dreams

2015 Fox News – Rated among Top European Cruises If You Are a Honeymooner

2015 Island Magazine – Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast is recognized as #1 Best Cruise Trip: Editor’s Pick

2015 Islands Magazine – Wind Star is ranked #1 Best Cruise to Greece

2015 Metro – Jewels of the Windward Islands included in Five Caribbean Cruises “Off the Beaten Path”

2015 Travel + Leisure – Windstar Cruises recognized as Best Small Ship Cruise Line in World’s Best Cruise Lines Award

2015 Travel Channel – Top rating in Travel’s Best Honeymoons

2015 Wall Street Journal – Dreams of Tahiti is featured in Luxury Ocean Liners with the Best Travel Perks

2015 Yahoo Travel – Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands listed in Cruises to Unknown Islands That Are Hard to Pronounce But Easy to Love

2014

2014 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises recognized as #1 in the world in Readers' Choice Awards “Top Small-Ship Cruise Lines”

2014 Cruise Critic.com – Windstar Cruises awarded Best for Romance in Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks

2014 Travel Weekly – Ranked as Overall Market Leader in Small Cruise Ship (500 passengers or less) in Magellan Awards

2014 Wall Street Journal Cheat Sheet – Wind Surf’s Culinary & Wine Delights of Spain featured as one of the top 7 cruises for non-cruisers

2014 Luxury Cruise News – Wonders of Arabia featured as the Best Exotic Destination Cruise in the Best Cruises of 2015

2014 Travel Channel – Greek Isles & Turkish Delights selected for the Best Mediterranean Cruise

2014 Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines, Annual Readers’ Poll rated #2

2014 Travel Pulse.com – Wind Surf’s Culinary & Wine Delights of Spain voyage recognized as one of “Seven Cruises Foodies Must Try”

2014 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar’s Wind Surf Suites recognized as one of the 10 “Sexiest Cruise Ship Cabins”

2014 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises listed on 19th Annual Gold List of “Best Cruise Lines”

2014 Condé Nast Traveler – Wind Surf, Wind Spirit and Wind Star listed in list of “Best Small Ships” in 2014 Reader’s Cruise Poll

2014 Fodors – Star Pride’s Singapore & Malay Peninsula recognized as one of the 10 Best New Cruise Itineraries for 2014

2014 USA Today – Windstar’s Costa Rica voyage listed as one of the best cruises for animal lovers.

2014 Wall Street Journal Cheat Sheet – Wind Surf’s Classic Italy & the Dalmatian Coast featured as the #5 best cruise to take.

2014 Bridal Guide – Wind Surf featured as the best honeymoon option for free spirits

2014 SAVEUR Magazine – Windstar Cruises recognized as an Outstanding Culinary Cruise Line in SAVEUR’s Culinary Travel Awards

2013

2013 Celebrated Living, American Airlines Magazine for First Class Passengers – Windstar Cruises named the #1 Small/Midsize Cruise Line for the fourth year in a row

2013 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises #2 on “Top Small-Ship Cruise Lines” Readers' Choice Awards; recognized as #1 in Service, Itineraries, and Design

2013 Condé Nast Traveler – Wind Surf and Wind Star listed in list of “Best Small Ships” in 2013 Reader’s Cruise Poll

2013 Cruise Critic.com – Windstar Cruises awarded Best for Honeymoons in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards

2013 Cruise Critic.com – Wind Surf voted #3 in Best Overall Small Ship in the Cruisers’ Choice Award

2013 Cruise Critic.com – Wind Surf voted #1 for Best Embarkation in the Cruisers’ Choice Award

2013 Cruise Critic.com – Wind Surf voted #2 for Best Service in the Cruisers’ Choice Award

2013 Islands Magazine – Wind Surf’s Islands of Italy voyage ranked #1 in Top 10 Luxury Cruises

2013 Islands Magazine – Wind Spirit’s Jewels of the Windward Islands voyage listed in Top 20 Caribbean Cruises

2013 SAVEUR Magazine – Windstar Cruises recognized as an Outstanding Culinary Cruise Line in SAVEUR’s Culinary Travel Awards

2013 Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines, Annual Readers’ Poll rated #3

2013 Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Service for Small-Ship Cruise Lines Annual Readers’ Poll rated #3

2013 Travel Weekly – Received a Gold Magellan for Overall Market Leader in Small Cruise Ship (500 passengers or less)

2013 Yahoo! Travel – Windstar Cruises’ Passage Through Panama voyage named as the top Central American cruise for Yahoo! Cruise Picks for 2013.

2013 Fox News – Windstar Cruises ranked one of the top 10 Caribbean Cruises for 2013

2013 Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine – Windstar Cruises voted the Best Cruise Line Food aboard Luxury Cruise Lines.

2013 Women’s Choice Award – Windstar Cruises received the most recommended cruise line for adventure and small ship cruising among women from WomenCertified Inc.

2012

2012 Cruisecritic.com – Windstar Cruises awarded Best for Honeymoons in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards

2012 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises listed on 18th Annual Gold List of “Best Cruise Lines” and Platinum Circle Honor

2012 Condé Nast Traveler – All three Windstar ships listed in list of “Best Small Ships” in 2011 Reader’s Cruise Poll

2012 National Geographic – Windstar Cruises selected as one of the World’s 10 Best Cruises in the National Geographic: The 10 Best of Everything 2012

2012 Celebrated Living, American Airlines Magazine for First Class Passengers – Windstar Cruises named the #1 Small/Midsize Cruise Line for the third year in a row

2012 Islands Magazine – “All-Time Best Cruises” List for Mediterranean Voyages

2012 Tourism Review – Windstar Cruises #8 in “Top Ten Cruise Lines for Fitness”

2012 Porthole Cruise Magazine – Windstar Cruises named “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and Wind Surf “Best Tall Ship” 14th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards

2011

2011 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises #3 on “Top Small-Ship Cruise Lines” Readers' Choice Awards (score 85.8)

2011 Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines, 16th Annual Readers’ Poll rated #5

2011 Condé Nast Traveler – Windstar Cruises listed on 17th Annual Gold List of “Best Cruise Lines”

2011 Condé Nast Traveler – All three Windstar ships listed in list of “Best Small Ships” in 2011 Reader’s Cruise Poll

2011 Celebrated Living, American Airlines Magazine for First Class Passengers – Windstar Cruises named the #1 Small/Midsize Cruise Line, Readers’ Choice Platinum List

2011 Cruisecritic.com – Windstar’s Wind Surf named “Best Public Rooms” for Small Ships category

2011 Cruisecritic.com – Windstar’s Wind Surf named #2 for “Best Overall” for Small Ships category

2011 Islands Magazine – “All-Time Best Cruises” List for Mediterranean Voyages

2011 Porthole Cruise Magazine – Windstar Cruises named “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and Wind Surf “Best Tall Ship” 13th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards

See also

• List of large sailing vessels

External links

• Windstar Cruises Official Site