Windstar Cruises
A small-ship cruise line offering luxury sailing and motor-yacht voyages to less-accessible destinations.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Windstar Cruises is a United States-based small-ship cruise line headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company is associated with intimate, yacht-style cruising, a sailing-focused heritage, and itineraries that can reach ports unavailable to much larger cruise ships. Its fleet combines three sailing yachts—Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Surf—with three all-suite Star Class motor yachts—Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend. Depending on the vessel, the ships carry roughly 148 to 310 guests, allowing Windstar to emphasize informal service, destination immersion, and access to smaller harbors rather than the large-scale entertainment and high passenger volumes typical of mainstream cruise companies. The business was established as Windstar Sail Cruises in 1984 by ship entrepreneur Karl G. Andrén. Its first vessel, Wind Star, entered service in 1986, followed by Wind Song in 1987 and Wind Spirit in 1988. The original concept centered on sailing yachts with modern cruise amenities. Two larger sailing vessels, later known as Wind Surf and Wind Saga, were planned, but the project changed after Holland America Line acquired an ownership interest in 1987 and the remaining stake in 1988. Holland America subsequently became part of Carnival Corporation & plc. The larger ships were instead completed for Club Med. Windstar eventually acquired Club Med I in 1998 and renamed it Wind Surf, restoring the name originally intended for the vessel. Ownership changed again in 2007, when Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International. Ambassadors entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011, and Windstar was acquired at a bankruptcy auction by The Anschutz Corporation. Xanterra Travel Collection, an Anschutz subsidiary, became the line’s parent organization. This ownership connected Windstar with a broader portfolio of travel, hospitality, and destination businesses while preserving the cruise line as a distinct brand. A major strategic turning point came with the acquisition of three former Seabourn ships in 2013. Star Pride began Windstar service in May 2014, and Star Breeze and Star Legend followed in May 2015 after refurbishment. The additions expanded the line beyond sailing yachts and enabled longer or more geographically diverse programs, including Iceland, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and year-round Tahiti operations. Windstar later undertook renovations and the Star Plus project, which lengthened all three Star Class vessels by 84 feet and added capacity and onboard facilities. Windstar markets culinary and wine cruises, themed voyages, holiday sailings, cruise tours, and destination-focused itineraries. Its ships are registered in the Bahamas and have shallow drafts that can permit calls at ports inaccessible to larger liners. The brand’s positioning is premium and experience-led: it sells a smaller-scale alternative to mass-market cruising, with a strong emphasis on sailing, personal space, regional cuisine, and close access to ports. In 2024, Windstar announced plans to add two more vessels by 2026, including the future Star Seeker, its first purpose-built new ship, and Star Explorer, which was then operating as World Explorer under charter to Quark Expeditions.
History
Windstar Cruises began as Windstar Sail Cruises, established in 1984 by Karl G. Andrén. The company’s first sailing yacht, Wind Star, was launched in 1986. Wind Song followed in 1987 and Wind Spirit in 1988, establishing the three-vessel sailing-yacht foundation that would define the brand for decades. The company also planned two substantially larger sailing vessels, intended to be named Wind Surf and Wind Saga. These ships were ordered from a French shipyard, but ownership changes altered the plan before they entered Windstar service. Holland America Line acquired half of Windstar in 1987 and the remaining interest in 1988. Holland America later became part of Carnival Corporation & plc. The larger sailing ships were completed for Club Med as Club Med I and Club Med II rather than being delivered to Windstar. In 1998, Windstar acquired Club Med I from Club Med Cruises and renamed it Wind Surf. The acquisition gave the company a larger sailing yacht while retaining the Windstar sailing identity. In March 2007, Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International. Ambassadors later experienced financial difficulties and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 1, 2011. Following a court-supervised auction in Delaware, The Anschutz Corporation acquired Windstar for $39 million. Xanterra Travel Collection, an Anschutz subsidiary, became the operating parent and continues to provide the brand’s ownership structure. Windstar expanded decisively beyond its traditional sailing fleet in 2013, when it completed the purchase of three former Seabourn vessels: Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze. Star Pride entered service in May 2014 after upgrades, followed by Star Breeze and Star Legend in May 2015. Their addition increased the fleet to six yachts and enabled Windstar to offer more itineraries and destination combinations. The expanded program included Iceland, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and year-round Tahiti voyages. The company continued investing in its ships. Star Pride underwent a 2016 renovation that refreshed public areas, enlarged outdoor seating at the Veranda restaurant, and remodeled AmphorA. In 2018, Star Legend became the largest cruise ship to pass through Seattle’s Ballard Locks and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. That same year, Windstar announced the Star Plus initiative, a major program to lengthen all three Star Class ships by 84 feet. The work was carried out at Fincantieri’s Palermo facility and was intended to add space and improve the vessels’ amenities. Windstar’s modern product portfolio includes sailing and motor-yacht cruises, culinary and wine programs, themed voyages, holiday sailings, and cruise tours. Its relatively shallow-draft vessels can call at smaller ports and destinations that are difficult for large cruise ships to reach. In 2019, the line received recognition from AFAR readers and Condé Nast Traveler readers as a leading small-ship cruise brand. In October of that year it announced plans for Alaska sailings beginning in 2021. In April 2024, Windstar announced two further fleet additions targeted for 2026. Star Seeker was originally ordered for Atlas Ocean Voyages as World Seeker and was planned to make its Windstar maiden voyage from Málaga in December 2025. Star Explorer was then operating as World Explorer under charter to Quark Expeditions and was expected to join Windstar after that charter ended in December 2026. These plans represent a further move toward growth while retaining the company’s small-ship model.
- 2024
Two future fleet additions are announced
[1]Windstar announces planned additions of Star Seeker and Star Explorer by 2026.
- 2019
Windstar announces Alaska expansion
[1]The company announces plans to begin Alaska cruises in 2021.
- 2018
Star Plus initiative is announced
[1]Windstar announces plans to lengthen its three Star Class ships by 84 feet.
- 2015
Fleet reaches six yachts
[1]Star Breeze and Star Legend enter service after refurbishment, joining Star Pride.
- 2013
Three former Seabourn yachts are acquired
[1]Windstar purchases Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze, beginning a major fleet expansion.
- 2011
Windstar changes ownership after bankruptcy auction
[1]After Ambassadors International files for Chapter 11, The Anschutz Corporation wins Windstar at auction for $39 million.
- 2007
Carnival sells Windstar
[1]Carnival sells the cruise line to Ambassadors International for $100 million.
- 1998
Club Med I becomes Wind Surf
[1]Windstar acquires Club Med I and restores the planned Windstar name Wind Surf.
- 1988
Holland America acquires the remaining stake
[1]Holland America becomes the full owner of Windstar Sail Cruises.
- 1987
Holland America acquires a 50 percent stake
[1]Holland America Line purchases half of Windstar Sail Cruises.
Products and positioning
Premium small-ship and yacht-style cruising focused on intimate service, sailing, culinary experiences, and access to smaller ports.
Sailing yachts · 1986
Wind Class sailing yachts
Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Surf form the brand’s sailing-yacht group. These vessels combine mechanically assisted sailing with cruise accommodations and are central to Windstar’s intimate, destination-oriented identity. Their smaller size supports calls at ports and anchorages that may not be practical for large cruise ships.
All-suite motor yachts · 2014
Star Class motor yachts
Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend are all-suite motor yachts acquired from Seabourn and introduced to Windstar service between 2014 and 2015. They expanded the line’s capacity and itinerary range while preserving a small-ship, yacht-style experience. The vessels were subsequently refurbished and included in the Star Plus lengthening program.
Themed cruises
Culinary and wine cruises
These voyages place regional food, wine, chefs, and culinary programming at the center of the cruise experience. They complement Windstar’s destination-focused positioning and use the small-ship format to emphasize local ports and cuisine.
Cruise programs
Cruise tours and themed sailings
Windstar offers cruise tours, holiday sailings, and other themed programs alongside conventional itineraries. The programs broaden the product range without departing from the company’s premium small-ship model.
Controversies
2011
Parent-company bankruptcy and ownership auction
Ambassadors International, Windstar’s parent at the time, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A Delaware bankruptcy-court auction resulted in The Anschutz Corporation acquiring Windstar. This was a corporate ownership event rather than a reported consumer scandal involving Windstar’s cruise operations.
Brand decisions
2024
Planned Star Seeker and Star Explorer additionsProduct launchBackground
Windstar announced further fleet growth while maintaining its small-ship positioning.
Action taken
The company announced plans to add Star Seeker, its first new-build vessel, and Star Explorer by 2026.
Aftermath
Star Seeker was planned for a December 2025 maiden voyage, while Star Explorer was expected after its Quark Expeditions charter ended in December 2026.
2018
Star Plus fleet-lengthening programGeneration changeBackground
Windstar aimed to add space and improve its three Star Class motor yachts without abandoning the small-ship model.
Action taken
The company announced plans to lengthen Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend by 84 feet at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard.
Aftermath
The program became a major modernization and capacity-enhancement project for the motor-yacht fleet.
Program investment. 250 million USD (Announced November 2018)
2013
Acquisition of three former Seabourn yachtsM&ABackground
Windstar sought to expand beyond its sailing-yacht fleet and increase its itinerary flexibility.
Action taken
The company acquired Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze from Seabourn and introduced them after refurbishment.
Aftermath
The fleet grew to six yachts and Windstar added destinations including Iceland, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and year-round Tahiti.
2011
Acquisition by The Anschutz CorporationM&ABackground
Windstar was sold through a bankruptcy-court auction after Ambassadors International filed for Chapter 11 protection.
Action taken
The Anschutz Corporation won the auction with a $39 million bid, with Xanterra Travel Collection becoming the parent organization.
Aftermath
Windstar continued as a private small-ship cruise brand within Xanterra Travel Collection.
Auction bid. 39 million USD (2011)
2007
Sale from Carnival to Ambassadors InternationalM&ABackground
Carnival Corporation’s ownership followed Windstar’s earlier acquisition by Holland America, which had become part of Carnival.
Action taken
Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International for $100 million.
Aftermath
Windstar operated under Ambassadors until that parent entered bankruptcy in 2011.
Acquisition price. 100 million USD (March 2007)
Recent events
Windstar Cruises partners with University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center for health guidance[3]
Reported:
Windstar Cruises formed a partnership with the epidemiology department at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Center to receive ongoing guidance for its health and safety program.
Sources3 sources
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