Partner content: Windstar Cruises
Windstar knows the way to explore a world that’s 180 degrees from ordinary. Guests get closer to everything, get away from the crowds and explore the world more intimately. Windstar knows the way. Windstar Cruises is a small luxury cruise line operating six yachts, each with a capacity of fewer than 350 passengers.
It offers guests a different kind of cruise – one where you have the freedom to explore your way and to your heart’s content.
Windstar Cruises’ yachts are perfectly sized, perfectly appointed and perfectly poised for today’s travel environment. The small vessels welcome between 148 and 342 guests and visit iconic ports and yacht harbours, hidden coves and small towns. Getting closer to these ports means your clients can explore the world more intimately.
Wind and Star Plus Class
Windstar Cruises operates two classes of yachts, Wind Class and Star Plus Class.
Wind Class yachts
The three yachts in Wind Class boast wide open decks and elegant outdoor spaces, making them the perfect way to experience warm seas and tropical breezes.
Each yacht has three world-class restaurants, Amphora, Veranda and Candles, with no restaurant reservation charges.
The Ocean View staterooms have queen beds and roomy showers with massage shower heads. All staterooms and suites offer ocean views and come with special touches such as L’Occitane bath products.
The three Wind Class yachts are:
Wind Surf (342 guests)
151 Staterooms, 18 Suites, 2 Bridge Suites
Wind Star (148 guests)
73 Staterooms, 1 Owner’s Suite
Wind Spirit (148 guests)
73 Staterooms, 1 Owner’s Suite
Wind Surf, the flagship yacht from Windstar Cruises, has recently undergone a renovation, and includes the new World Spa by Windstar, a new Officer’s Suite right behind the bridge and an expanded lounge.
Star Plus Class yachts
The three yachts in Star Plus Class are identical, and newly transformed, and all with suites only.
All suites on the yachts are ocean view suites featuring a minimum of 277 square feet, with either picture windows or French balconies.
The yachts are small but spacious, and all have a lounge, yacht club cafe and popular star bar. There are two speciality restaurants on board, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso and Star Grill by Stephen Raichlen.
The three Star Plus Class yachts are:
Star Pride (312 guests)
10 Porthole Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites,
58 Balcony Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 2 Classic Suites,
4 Owner’s Suites, 2 Grand Owner’s Suites
Star Legend (312 guests)
10 Porthole Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites,
58 Balcony Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 2 Classic Suites,
4 Owner’s Suites, 2 Grand Owner’s Suites
Star Breeze (312 guests)
10 Porthole Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites,
58 Balcony Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 2 Classic Suites,
4 Owner’s Suites, 2 Grand Owner’s Suites
Windstar health and safety
We know your clients want to travel, and to do so comfortably, safely and with peace of mind. Our Beyond Ordinary Care Program is a multi-layered strategy designed to provide a healthy environment while sailing on a Windstar yacht. This program includes:
• Vaccine requirement for all guests and crew
• Complimentary Covid-19 testing at the pier during embarkation with negative test results required to embark
• Weekly crew testing
• Hospital-grade HEPA air filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to disinfect the air
• Electrostatic sprayers to sanitise all surfaces throughout the yacht
• Covid-19 testing facilities on board all yachts supporting a dynamic travel environment
• Pre-disembarkation testing available as a convenience for guests on their journey home
Plus, our Travel Assurance Booking Policy protects your clients’ vacation investment if their plans need to change up to 48 hours prior to departure. Applicable on cruises departing on or before June 30, 2022. Additional terms apply.
Visit our Health & Safety page for the most current information.
Why book your clients onto a Windstar Cruises sailing?
• Curated itineraries designed to maximise time in iconic ports – with extended stays or overnights in many ports – that take your clients to hidden harbours only yachts like ours can visit.
• Your clients can choose to travel all-inclusive, including unlimited alcoholic beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi and all gratuities, or choose Cruise Only. And as always, all Windstar guests receive unlimited non-alcoholic beverages including coffee, tea, soda, bottled water and zero-proof cocktails.
• Watersports Platform right off the back of the ship, including all watersports equipment featuring complimentary kayaks on some sailings, paddleboards, water trampoline and more (dependent on port and weather conditions).
• Beyond Ordinary shore excursions that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as helicopter flights to a Michelin-starred restaurant or yoga in a private monastery.
• Time with the Captain or officers learning about navigation on our Open Bridge.
• Casual, friendly, welcoming and unpretentious ambience.
• Unfailingly heartfelt service with a guest-to-crew ratio of 1.5: 1 that delights in seeing your clients smile.
• Watch popular movies on demand from the comfort of your clients’ stateroom (available only on Star Class ships).
Our Star Promise commitment to travel agents is to provide
– Extraordinary guest experience
– Outstanding educational programs
– Fresh sales tools and support
– Excellent advisor support
Engage with us on our Advisor Hub for all things Windstar at your fingertips, including our current promotions, policies, sales tools, digital brochures and advisor incentives.
Opt in to receive our email communications, including Trade Winds, our monthly advisor newsletter.
Discover the Star Specialist Training – in under an hour you can feel confident making a recommendation for Windstar Cruises.
Find out more here.
More information
To learn more about Windstar Cruises, take the free online training course here.
To book your clients on a Windstar Cruises sailing, call The Cruise Portfolio on 020 7399 7620
Visit Windstar Cruises Facebook page.
PICTURES: Michel Verdure; Jeff Zaruba; Michael Nalley