The Xanterra Parks & Resorts-owned ultra-premium cruise line Windstar announced its deployment through the summer of 2025, with key deployment moves for its fleet of 6 ships including 3 all-suite motor yachts and 3 classic sailing yachts.
Key developments by region feature:
South Pacific. Windstar, known for its expertise in small ship cruises in Tahiti for over 35 years, will expand its offerings to include the remote Marquesas Islands. In 2024 and 2025, the brand-new 14-day "Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas" cruise aboard the Star Breeze, a ship with all-suite accommodations for 312 guests, will venture beyond the regular Tahitian stops. The itinerary includes visits to the Marquesas Islands, known for their extreme remoteness. The cruise also includes stops at the Tuamotu Islands of Fakarava and Rangiroa while traveling to and from the Marquesas. During the voyage, the yacht will spend time in Omoa, Fatu Hiva; Atuona, Hiva Oa; and Taiohae, Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas, before concluding with visits to the Society Islands of Tahaa, Bora Bora (with an overnight stay), Moorea, and Papeete.
Canary Islands. Starting in 2024, Windstar Cruises will introduce new voyages in the Canary Islands aboard their all-suite ship, the Star Pride, accommodating 312 guests. One of these offerings is the eight-day "Captivating Canary Islands" cruise, which departs from Lisbon and concludes in Las Palmas. This itinerary includes a visit to Madeira, as well as overnight stays in Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In 2025, Windstar will add two additional itineraries in the region: the ten-day "Canary Island Idyll" and the eight-day "Colorful Canary Islands." These new options provide opportunities to experience the vibrant nightlife of the islands, with overnight or late-night stays.
Mediterranean. Debuting in July 2024, Adriatic Icons & Venetian Treasures is a 9-day roundtrip voyage from Venice onboard the 148-guest sailing yacht Wind Spirit. In winter 2024, a fresh offering called the "Naturally Costa Rica" cruise will be available in Central and South America. This 7-day cruise aboard the 148-passenger motorized sailing yacht, Wind Star, introduces inaugural stops in San Juan del Sur and Corinto, Nicaragua, allowing travelers to appreciate the pristine Pacific coastline. This new option seamlessly pairs with a Panama Canal itinerary, creating a 14-day adventure in the area.
Middle East. Windstar's Middle East first-ever itineraries begin in November 2023 on the all-suite, 312-passenger ship Star Legend, taking passengers to sites from world religions to Bedouin villages, Egyptian temples, and oil-rich cities risen from the desert over the past decades. Sail dates are listed into spring of 2025, with 12 itineraries to choose from.
Indicative options include:
10-day from Dubai, UAE to Muscat, Oman/the reverse (with ports in Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and UAE). November 23rd features optional tickets to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A New James Beard Foundation voyage has been added to the 2/1/24 sail date, with guest chef TBD.
9-day from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba (Petra) Jordan/the reverse (with ports in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia)
18-day from Athens-Piraeus, Greece to Dubai UAE (with ports in Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and UAE).
Timed with the announcement is a new limited-time offer where travel advisors and passengers booking 2025 journeys in Europe, Tahiti, and Canada/New England receive a US$100 per guest shipboard credit along with a free upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares (unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails; Wi-Fi; gratuities). The offer expires on July 5th, 2023.