Star Seeker

The 2025-built (fka World Seeker) cruise ship Star Seeker is currently under construction at the WestSEA shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2025 (December) and inauguration in January 2026. The sistership and fleetmate Star Explorer (2019-built) is currently chartered to Quark Expeditions (as World Explorer). Star Explorer will join Windstar in December 2026.

Star Seeker and Star Explorer are with ice-strengthened hulls and are designed for operations in the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). The vessel was ordered by Mystic Invest Holding (via the subsidiary Mystic Cruises USA) with plans to be chartered by Mystic's subsidiary AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages (USA-based travel company/brand owned by Mystic Invest) as well as to other small cruise companies.

Star Seeker is the 8th vessel in an initially planned 10-ship fleet of Mystic Cruises, grouping the sisterships World Explorer (2019), World Voyager (2021), World Navigator (2021), World Traveller (2022), World Discoverer (2023), World Adventurer (2024), World Seeker/Star Seeker (2025) and World Explorer/Star Explorer (2026).

The vessel (IMO number 9904819) is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255806211) and registered in Madeira/Funchal. Star Seeker will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau.

Ship history and ownership

Windstar Cruises is a luxury travel brand operating a fleet of smaller-sized ships (mega-yachts) with capacity up to 340 passengers. The company calls at 150 ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe.

Currently, Windstar is a subsidiary of Xanterra Parks and Resorts (USA's largest national and state park concession management company).

On April 10,  2024, Windstar announced that would expand its fleet by acquiring two 224-passenger ships from Mystic Invest. The exciting news was presented by Chris Prelog (Windstar's President), John Gunner (Windstar's VP of Expansion Projects) and Andrew N. Todd (Xanterra Travel Collection's President and CEO).

The acquisition represented a 25% fleet expansion (from 6 to 8 vessels) and a 30% increase in Windstar's berth capacity (from 1500 to 2000).

Unlike the sisterships from the Mystic fleet, Star Seeker and Star Explorer were both redesigned/refitted. New features are the aft/stern Watersports Platform, a two-deck wellness complex (spa and fitness), a bow-facing whirlpool (forward on Deck 5), a Windstar-style swimming pool and whirlpool (midship on Deck 7). By the original design, both ships were with a Zodiac storage area (aft on Deck 7) and a helipad (aft on Deck 8). Both decks' aft sections were redesigned to accommodate passenger staterooms (deck 7, including both aft-facing Owner Suites) and the Zodiac boats (deck 8).

Decks and Cabins

Star Seeker staterooms (112 total, in 15 grades) are all outside and in suite categories. The ship has only 10x cabins without balconies/floor-to-ceiling windows (Oceanview Suites on Deck 3). The rest are with either full step-out verandas (72x) or infinity windows (30x) that slide halfway down forming a French Balcony.

Cabin balconies are furnished with 1 low table and 2 deckchairs. Top-tier suite terraces are equipped with 2 sun loungers, 2 teak deckchairs and 1 low table.

Cabin bathrooms are with spa showers (rain shower head, handheld showerhead, 4 adjustable body jets), L'Occitane bath products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, handwash, hand lotion). All Suite bathrooms are with bathtubs. Owner Suites have double basin vanities (his-and-hers sinks) and separate WC. Star Suite's bathroom also has a double vanity with his-and-hers sinks.

The largest accommodations are the two Horizon Owner's Suites (xxx ft2 / xxx m2) located aft on Deck 7 and featuring wraparound terraces. Each Horizon Suite can be combined with an adjacent stateroom (Vista Veranda Suite).

Standard/complimentary cabin amenities include

• en-suite bathroom (double-sink vanity, bathtub, shower, WC, hairdryer, plush bathrobes and slippers, premium bath products)
• separate bedroom (Queen-size double bed convertible to 2 twins / single beds, bedside cabinets, bedside USB charging ports, wall-mounted lamps), premium bedding sets (top-quality pillows and high-thread cotton linens, down duvets), fresh fruits and flowers
• mirrored vanity table/writing desk with armchair, lounge area (2-seater sofabed, coffee table with chairs), Horizon and Veranda cabins additionally have a plush loveseat
• smart HDTV (infotainment system, Wi-Fi Internet, on-demand movies, Bluetooth connectivity), direct-dial phone, large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar (fully-stocked refrigerator)
• individual air-conditioning, LED lighting
• daily turndown service
• Still and sparkling bottled water is provided complimentary and replenished twice daily.

Towels (excluding those on the rack) and bedsheets are changed every 3rd day (depending on cruise itinerary length). Shipboard laundry and ironing services are available at extra cost. Laundry bags are provided in the cabins and collected each morning.

Each cabin is equipped with orange-colored lifejackets, which are used in cases of emergencies and during lifeboat drills. The ship's electrical supply is 220 V (50 Hz). The electrical outlets (found in all cabins and throughout the ship) are standard European 2-pin plugs. A total of 5 USB ports (per cabin) are for digital devices (cameras, smartphones, tablets, etc). Each cabin is also fitted with a total of 5 power outlets (110V / 220V).

The boat has 8 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

World Seeker staterooms

By the original design, World Seeker had 98 staterooms, all in Suite categories and with step-out balconies providing max passenger capacity 200 (max 140 on polar cruises).

Of the 8 decks, 3 were with cabins. 

Most passenger cabins (~90%) had private step-out balconies, except only the aft-located (decks 5-6) "French Balcony" rooms fitted with a sliding window opening to a railing/Juliet balcony.

World Seeker had 7 cabin categories ranging in sizes from 185 ft2 (17 m2, Adventure Stateroom) to 465 ft (43 m2, Owner/Navigator Suite). French Balcony cabins (Horizon/Infinity Stateroom) were sized 270 ft2 (25 m2) and feature a floor-ceiling glass wall with a slide-opening window (upper panel). Balcony cabins (Veranda Stateroom) were same-sized (25 m2) but with a step-out balcony.

Each of the 12x Adventure-type (Porthole) cabins on Deck 3 had a large non-opening window.

World Seeker's all 10 suites (top-tier accommodation) were in categories Journey Suite (380 ft2 / 35 m2), Discovery Suite (445 ft2 / 41 m2) and Navigator Suite (465 ft2 / 43 m2), plus four Junior Suites (300 ft2 / 28 m2). All suites were 2-Room/1-Bedroom and with step-out verandas (sized 110 ft2 / 10 m2) furnished with 2 sun loungers, 2 teak deckchairs and 1 low table. Each suite had 2 closets and 2 large HDTVs (wall-mounted in the bedroom/living room). Junior Suites were triple-occupancy and in 2 different configurations - with either outdoor or French Balcony.

Shipboard facilities and activities (Star Seeker ship review)

pending

Lido Deck (self-serve ice cream machine)

aft Marina/Watersports Platform with outdoor staircase access

bow-facing Yacht Club (cafe lounge)

two-deck wellness complex (spa and fitness)

a bow-facing whirlpool

a spacious sundeck with a swimming pool, food bar/grill (deck barbeques) and beverages bar.

World Seeker ship review

The ship offers plenty of public areas, including Observation Lounge (glass-domed, with surrounding outdoor terrace), Navigator Lounge (multi-purpose and full-bar venue with floor-ceiling windows and comfortable seating), Library (reading lounge), Lecture Theater (24-hour open Auditorium serving cruise company's enrichment program with daily scheduled activities, including port talks, discussions, media presentations), aft-located Dining Room Restaurant (with floor-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining/weather permitting).

Navigator Lounge doubles as a multi-purpose room hosting special events (anniversaries, birthdays, group and private meetings, etc). Fresh-baked cookies and pastries are offered in the afternoons. Hot and cold snacks are available during the evening cocktail hour (activities permitting) and special occasion events. Lounge's Bar is staffed by a professional bartender serving a selection of liquors, spirits, premium beers, wines and champagnes (by the glass). Complimentary beverages include soft drinks, juices, water, coffee, tea.

Polar Library is well stocked with books and popular board games. The Library is open 24 hours. Its collection includes books in various languages and themed on wildlife, history, marine biology, geology, ecology, also field guides, picture- and reference books.

Polar Boutique is a gift shop selling travel essentials and souvenirs, as well as a selection of expedition gear (clothing, waterproof pants, gloves, hats). The shop's opening hours are based on the daily scheduled cruise activities.

In the Lobby area is the Reception (Guest Services Desk) served by dedicated staff that assists passengers with information, purchasing PIN cards (Internet/email access, phone cards), arranging wake-up calls. The Reception also doubles as Cashier's Office for setting shipboard accounts and making payments of these accounts towards the end of the cruise. Also on Lobby Deck are the ship's two entrance areas (portside and starboard) used for passenger embarkation / disembarkation in ports of call where pier/quay/wharf is available for docking.

Wellness facilities include an outdoor jogging track (on top-deck), small gym, Sauna Room, Spa (room for massages/SeaSpa by L'OCCITANE treatments, showers, changing / locker rooms), Hairdresser. On Sun Deck is the outdoor heated swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area with loungers. The pool has a kids (shallow) area separated from the deeper saltwater plunge pool. The ship doesn't provide lifeguards on duty.

On top-deck (aft) is a Helideck - helipad used in cases of emergencies.

As complimentary shoreside activities are offered camping, seakayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac boat tours.

Windstar/Star Seeker Itineraries

In April 2024, Windstar announced its plans to deploy Star Seeker to the Caribbean and Alaska (summer 2026) and Japan and Southeast Asia (fall and winter 2026-2027). Bookings were opened in August (2024).

Star Seeker's Maiden Voyage (16-day Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA/Caribbean) starts on December 28th, 2025.

The Alaskan program (May through August) is based on 7-10-11-day itineraries leaving from homeports Juneau/Seward and Vancouver BC Canada. Optional post-cruise land packages/Denali Park tours are also available. For each Alaskan voyage, Windstar employs local expedition experts to lead its Zodiac boat tours (Signature Expeditions). These excursions allow tourists to explore coastal and remote wilderness areas (like Misty Fjords) and to book optional land experiences like kayaking and hiking. The Alaskan expedition leaders also give lectures/presentations on the ship themed on the region's flora and fauna, culture and history.

Following the inaugural Alaskan deployment (summer 2026), Star Seeker repositions to Japan (September-November) to operate the 10-day "Grand Japan" itinerary with departures from homeports Tokyo and Osaka. Follows a seasonal deployment in Southeast Asia.

Star Seeker's itinerary program starts with the Maiden Voyage in December 2025. The 16-day Inaugural Cruise is a Transatlantic crossing from Malaga Spain to Miami Florida USA (Dec 28-Jan 13, 2026). Following the christening ceremony in Miami, the ship will operate in the Caribbean before the Panama Canal transit to Alaska.

Mystic/Nicko Cruises Itineraries

When chartered by Nicko Cruises, the World Seeker ship was planned to operate mainly in Europe (Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Coastal, Baltic Sea, Norwegian Fjords).

When chartered by other companies, the ship had to operate polar cruises to destinations Antarctica and the Arctic (Iceland, Greenland, Canada).

All Mystic Invest newbuilds as investments were backed by ICBC Leasing - part of ICBC Ltd (Chinese multinational bank, ranked world's largest by assets, deposits, loans, customers and employees). The shipbuilding financing was supported by Portuguese banks (during construction) and ICBCL Leasing funding (following delivery) through sale and charter-back of the vessel, with an obligation to repurchase it on maturity. Mystic Invest intends to build a 10-ship fleet of the same design.

In August 2017 were completed design's tank tests. The testing water tank and ship model were conducted by the Wageningen-based MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands).

In 2018 (February 20 through March 1), Nicko Tours scheduled a total of 10 roadshows in Germany to promote the company's new "ocean cruising" business. Each of the shows started with a casual get-together and buffet with finger food, followed by the presentation of the vessel and its Nicko cruise itineraries. Then travel agents enjoyed full meals and gourmet desserts.

The shipbuilder is West Sea - Estaleiros Navais Lda.

The physical construction/assembly of the vessel (WestSEA hull number C020) officially started on October 26, 2023, with the keel-laying ceremony, attended by Mario Ferreira (Mystic Cruises' CEO and President).

World/Star Seeker ship technology

The ship's design is based on a Rolls-Royce expedition vessel platform developed by Giuseppe Tringali (Italian naval architect). It features an ice-strengthened hull (ice class 1B), top-notch automation and control system, modern propulsion (based on electrical pods / azimuthing thrusters), dynamic positioning system (using GPS data to accurately maintain the ship's position without anchoring), advanced water treatment system, hybrid powerplant (diesel-electric) with efficient marine engines (two Rolls-Royce engines running on ULSD / ultra-low-sulfur diesel).

The Rolls-Royce powerplant costs GBP 7 million (EUR 7,75 million / USD 8,9 million) and includes two main engines (Bergen C25-33L8P) and one auxiliary dual-fuel genset (Bergen C25-33L6P). The engines are connected to the ship's electric power system (Rolls-Royce SAVe CUBE) allowing them to operate efficiently at variable speeds. Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion is an integrated propeller-rudder system to optimize hydrodynamic efficiency. Promas includes two controllable pitch propellers integrated with two flap rudders, steering gears and pump-jet/tunnel thrusters.

The vessel is fitted with shore power connectivity allowing connections the the port's power grid during docking.

Star Seeker has a hydrojet propulsion (technology initially developed for military/navy vessels). The ship is fitted with two SPJ Pump Jets by SCHOTTEL (model SPJ 82, total power output 670 kW) allowing silent navigation at 5 knots speed (9 kph). This is an alternative propulsion system as the hydrojets are used only in destinations with specific marine life. Both hydrojets pump water to propel the ship and similarly to the in-hull mounted Azipods (underwater azimuthing thrusters) can rotate 360 degrees. They also allow dynamic positioning (via GPS) to stabilize/fix the vessel without using propellers or anchors.

The vessel's draft is only 15 ft (4,7 m) allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. The two lifeboats are fully enclosed and with full-capacity (accommodate all passengers). Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet). Landings (passenger transportation) and coastal exploration voyages are served by the ship's fleet of 10x Zodiacs (motorized boats) and 2x loading stations.

The shipbuilder WestSEA (Viana do Castelo, Portugal) is owned by Martifer Group via the subsidiary Martifer SGPS. This is a family-owned holding company founded in 1990 (by the brothers Carlos and Jorge Martins), headquartered in Oliveira de Frades (Portugal) and Euronext Lisbon (stock exchange) listed since 2007. Martifer Group has over 3000 employees and specializes in metal construction and (since 2004) in renewable energy (wind and solar energy equipment production). Martifer Group is one of Europe's largest metal construction companies, with subsidiaries in Spain, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Brazil and Angola.

The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on November 25, 2024. The ceremony was attended by Mario Ferreira and Manuel Barros (representatives of the shipowner Mystic Invest) and John Gunner (Windstar’s VP for Expansion Projects).