Windstar Cruises
Fodor’s Expert Review
Windstar Cruises made its name in the 1990s and 2000s with a trio of tall-masted sailing ships offering an upscale yet carefree and slightly adventurous alternative to large-ship cruising. Those three ships, all constructed between 1986 and 1990 and extensively refurbished over the years (including an ongoing ship-by-ship refresh from 2024 to 2026), are still sailing, making up the Wind Class half of the fleet. They are 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit and 342-guest Wind Surf.Read More
In 2013, Windstar acquired three small-luxury ships from Seabourn, which were built from 1988 to 1991, and renamed them Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride, creating a Star Class of all-suite motor yachts. The cruise line subsequently embarked on a Star Plus initiative that expanded these ships’ size by cutting each in half and inserting a new section, which added 84 feet in length and 50 new suites. These three fully renovated Star Plus Class vessels now accommodate 312 guests.
In early 2026, Windstar will add its first new-build ship to its fleet, the 224-guest Star Seeker. An eighth ship, 224-guest Star Explorer, is also slated to join the fleet later that year.
Guests who cruise on a classic Wind Class ship can expect elevated cuisine and attentive service paired with a breezy yacht-style vibe that includes spacious teak decks and a signature sail-away event as sails are raised to the dramatic theme from 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Oceanview staterooms are on the compact side (188 square feet), but are well-designed and all bathrooms are updated. Wind Class ships feature two main dining venues, a spa, a small pool, a hot tub (Wind Surf, which is one of the world’s largest sailing ships, has two) and an aft watersports platform.
The three Star Plus Class ships offer more spacious accommodations, with at least 277 square feet of space in each suite. Unlike their Wind Class siblings, Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride also feature six suites with private verandahs and 60 with French balconies. Guests can enjoy four restaurants, a pool and two hot tubs, a spa, and a watersports platform. While there are no sails to raise, a flag is hoisted at sail away to the same stirring music.
Aside from their small-ship pedigree, Windstar ships are known for their friendly service (all vessels have a guest-to-crew ratio of around 1.5 to 1), local culinary immersion and wind-in-your-hair relaxation.
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What to Expect on Board
Elevated cuisine is a hallmark of small-ship luxury cruising and Windstar has evolved its onboard dining offerings over the past decade to include more fresh local ingredients and preparations—which means a good portion of the nightly dinner menu changes with the itinerary.
In 2025, Windstar also celebrates its 10-year anniversary as the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, which gives guests a chance to taste dishes created by established and rising talents in the industry. In addition, the expansion of its Star Plus Class motor yachts has allowed for the addition of two specialty dining venues on those vessels.
All Windstar ships feature two main restaurants. Amphora serves an a la carte dinner menu featuring James Beard affiliated chefs’ dishes along with regionally-inspired dishes, with no reservations or pre-assigned tables. Veranda is the breakfast and lunch venue on all ships. It features both indoor and outdoor seating and a buffet selection that includes an omelet station, carving station and salad bar, as well as items that can be ordered a la carte. At night, Veranda transforms into Candles, a romantic al fresco (weather permitting ) pop-up steak and seafood venue.
Windstar’s cruise fares include dining in all onboard restaurants (with just a few menu items in Candles incurring a surcharge). Beyond Amphora, Veranda, Candles and the counter-style Yacht Club Café serving continental breakfast and light bites, specialty eateries vary by ship, with only Wind Surf and the three Star Plus Class ships offering added options.
Guests on Wind Surf can dine at Stella Bistro, which serves contemporary French-inspired cuisine, while those on Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride have a choice of two venues. Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso has just 36 seats and features a Spanish-inspired menu by Chef Anthony Sasso, a 13-year veteran of Michelin-starred Casa Mono restaurant in New York. The second option is Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, a more casual spot that serves grilled and smoked meat, fish, and vegetables infused with global flavors—from Asian to Moroccan—and served with an assortment of dips and sauces.
A highlight of any Windstar sailing is the Deck Barbecue, where a giant pan of fragrant paella, a whole roasted pig, grilled favorites, and zesty side dishes are among the options.
All ships also feature complimentary 24-hour room service for private dining, with daytime a la carte selections and a dinner menu from Amphora.
Evenings aboard Windstar’s ships aren’t exactly jam-packed—remember there’s no casino and there’s also no theater—although live music is available nightly in both the Lounge and Compass Rose.
There’s typically a singer, duo or band that plays several sets of popular songs that get guests moving on a small dance floor.
Be sure not to miss the Crew Talent Show during which the ship’s waiters, cabin stewards, cooks, engineers and more show off their musical and comedic skills. It’s a night when guests see the artistic personas of these hardworking crew members from around the world—and they get to bask in much appreciated applause.
During the day, it’s possible to meet the Captain and officers and check out the ship’s operations with a visit to the bridge (the cruise line has an open-bridge policy). And on select voyages, Windstar brings guest lecturers onboard for guest enrichment on a range of topics that vary by destination.
Windstar ships also maintain a library of complimentary on-demand movies that guests can watch at their leisure in their staterooms.
Every Windstar ship features a fitness center outfitted with treadmills, exercise machines, and weights, plus a full-service World Spa by Windstar featuring a menu of internationally inspired massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy, and acupuncture.
The salon area also offers haircuts, blow-outs, and highlights.
These are small ships, so pools are on the compact side and lack the resort-style panache of larger luxury ships, However, every Windstar vessel does have a pool and either one (Wind Star and Wind Spirit) or two (Wind Surf, Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride) hot tubs. The ships’ teak decks are lined with sun loungers and all pool areas feature a bar—making them a popular afternoon gathering spot.
Each Windstar ship also has an aft Watersports Platform that’s ready for action in certain ports of call on select itineraries in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Mediterranean. Guests can borrow snorkeling gear, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, small sail boats, water trampolines, and foam flotation mats and enjoy the region’s water without having to head to the beach. Wake boarding and tubing are also an option on Star Class ships.
Key cruising tips
Your Shipmates
Windstar’s core clientele is couples and single travelers age 50 and older with a smattering of honeymooners (especially in Tahiti). The cruise line does not cater to families, but those with pre-teens and teens are sometimes on board during summer and holiday periods. Most guests are English-speaking (Americans, Canadians and Brits) with a mix of international passengers that varies by the itinerary. While Windstar is a luxury cruise line, with prices that start around $2,500 per person for a seven-night sailing, the onboard vibe is 180-degrees from formal. From the crew to the guests, there’s a convivial camaraderie that creates an atmosphere of breezy relaxation.
Dress Code
Windstar’s dress code is elegant but relaxed. Until 6 p.m. guests are welcome to dress as they please (including wearing jeans and shorts) with the exception of no swimwear in all public lounges and restaurants and no clothing with offensive language or graphics.
In the evening when dining in Amphora, Stella Bistro or Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, the dress code calls for country club-style clothing. For men: nice slacks, polo shirts, button down shirts, and shoes other than athletic shoes. Designer denim jeans without rips or holes are also acceptable. Sport coats are optional and no ties are required. For women: nice pants, skirts, tops, casual dresses, sundresses, nice sandals or casual shoes, and designer denim dress jeans that are not ripped or multi-colored or have holes.
Junior Cruisers
While children and teens are welcome on all sailings, they must be at least eight years old and all guests under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 21. There is no programming geared to junior cruisers and parents or guardians are responsible for overseeing the onboard conduct of minors.
Service
Windstar has many long-time crew members who like working on these small and intimate vessels, which allows for service that’s more personalized. By the end of a week onboard, your waiters and bartenders will know your beverage preferences and feel like old friends—and you’ll miss their smiling faces and efficiency when you disembark.
Tipping
Crew gratuities (for stateroom attendants, butlers, restaurant and bar personnel, etc.) are not included in Windstar’s Cruise Only fares and guests will be charged a $16 per person per day service charge, plus an 18% Beverage Service Charge on bar purchases and bottles of wine ordered with meals. With All-Inclusive fares, tips are pre-paid, along with Wi-Fi and unlimited beer, wine and cocktails.
Past Passengers
Windstar’s loyalty program is known as Yacht Club and guests who have cruised with the line in the past accrue daily points based on their cabin or suite type. Tiered point categories earn award benefits that range from a 5% booking discount to $100 onboard credit and dinner with the ship’s Captain or a senior officer.