Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is a cruise line that operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships. 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, the Panama Canal, and Costa Rica and allowed Windstar Cruises to sail Tahiti year round.

Windstar offers a variety of cruise types include culinary & win cruises, cruise tours, themed cruises, holiday sailings and more.[1]

History

Founded by ship entrepreneur Karl G. Andrén,[2] the line was established as Windstar Sail Cruises in 1984, and its first ship, the Wind Star was launched in 1986,[3] and was followed by the Wind Song which was launched in 1987 and Wind Spirit

Purchase by Holland America Line

Holland America Line (HAL) purchased 50% of Windstar Sail Cruises in 1987[4] and purchased the balance of the company in 1988. HAL became a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc in 1989.[5] 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. A few years later, HAL / Carnival planned to buy the Club Med I and the Club Med II with permission. However, Windstar cruises was unable to purchase the ships and rename them to Wind Surf and the Wind Saga because they had only enough money to purchase one 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.

Sale of Windstar to Xanterra Travel Collection

In March 2007, Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International for $100 million.[6]

On April 1, 2011, Windstar's parent company Ambassadors International filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.[7] A bankruptcy court in Delaware held a two-day auction and Anschutz Corporation won Windstar Cruises with a bid of $39 million. Subsidiary Xanterra Travel Collection is now the parent company.[8]

Fleet Expansion

In 2013 Windstar completed the purchase of Seabourn Cruise Line's Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze.[9] Star Pride entered service on May 5, 2014 with an inaugural cruise from Barcelona, after some upgrades.[10] In May 2015, Windstar increased its fleet from four yachts to six with Star Breeze and Star Legend.[11] Both yachts underwent a $17 million, three-week dry dock in Genoa, Italy, before a christening ceremony in May.[11] In 2016, Star Pride underwent a renovation to refurbish public spaces, expand the outdoor seating of the Veranda restaurant and remodeled the AmphorA restaurant.[12]

Recent History

In April 2024, it was announced Windstar would be adding two more ships to its fleet by 2026. The first of which being Windstar's first ever new build, the Star Seeker which was originally order for Atlas Ocean Voyages as World Seeker and is scheduled to do its maiden voyage from Malaga, Spain in December 2025.[17] The second, Star Explorer is currently sailing as World Explorer and is on charter to Quark Expeditions. This ship will enter service at the end of the charter agreement in December 2026.[18][19]

type	Private
foundation	1984
location	Miami, Florida, United States
area served	Mediterranean Northern Europe Caribbean Central America Asia-Pacific
industry	Hospitality
services	Cruise ship holidays
owner	Xanterra Travel Collection
parent	The Anschutz Corporation
homepage	https://www.windstarcruises.com/

History

Purchase by Holland America Line

Sale of Windstar to Xanterra Travel Collection

Fleet Expansion

Recent History

Fleet

Current fleet

Future fleet

Former fleet

See also

External links

References