Windstar’s President Chris Prelog received the company-owned Star Legend ship back from the Fincantieri (Palermo shipyard, Italy) on Friday, May 21, after completion of its extensive drydock part of Windstar's USD 250 million Star Plus Initiative (fleet renovation program).
The superyacht begins sailing in Northern Europe on September 4, 2021, with the "Belles of the British Isles" cruise roundtrip London-Greenwich England UK.
Windstar started on the Star Plus Initiative in 2019 with plans to stretch all its 3 "Star Plus Class" boats - Star Breeze, Star Pride, and Star Legend. To each ship was inserted a mid-section adding 50 new staterooms, as well as new and redesigned public spaces and upgraded amenities. Passenger capacity increased from 212 to 312, but the size of the 3 yachts still fit within Windstar’s credo to call at smaller, scenic ports.
Highlights of Windstar’s Star Plus Class refurb projects include:
2 new restaurants: the outdoor barbecue concept Grill by Steven Raichlen, and the Spanish small plates restaurant Cuadro 44 by Michelin chef Anthony Sasso.
Enlarged and re-imagined spa and fitness center with workout equipment by Technogym, Italy. The spa menu offers destination-themed therapies and regional spa treatments as part of the World Spa by Windstar program.
A larger pool and hot tub on the elevated top deck, offering ocean views, along with expanded outdoor deck areas for sunbathing and relaxing
50 new 275 ft2 Suites in new suite categories and open floor plan configurations, plus 2 brand-new, bigger Owner’s Suites combining to create up to a 3-bedroom, 2-balcony suite with over 1,300 square feet, the first of its kind in the industry. Every suite onboard now has an all-new bathroom.
State-of-the-art, efficient diesel generators and engines along with a new advanced wastewater treatment system.
Comfortable tender loading area situated mid-ship as well as a new elevator mid-ship.
2 new 90-guest tender boats to ferry passengers ashore when the yacht is at anchor.
The transformation also features new health and safety renovations. Windstar’s Beyond Ordinary Care program is a multi-layered strategy with hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters & UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to disinfect the air, as well as electrostatic sprayers to sanitize surfaces throughout the yacht.
Windstar Cruises requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all passengers sailing aboard its yachts.