Wind Spirit

The 1988-built Wind Spirit cruise ship is the second of the three Windstar sailing yachts - together with Wind Surf and Wind Star (sistership). The three 4-masted yachts are uniquely designed for tall sailing ship cruises.

The vessel (IMO number 8603509) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309056000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Windstar Cruises is a luxury brand operating a fleet of smaller-sized ships (mega-yachts) with capacity up to 310 passengers. The company call 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).

The 160-passenger ship Wind Spirit is trendy and sophisticated, with large white sails on top deck. The sails are computerized and not really necessary for navigating (although in some conditions they are ideal, the engines are cut and the vessel is completely wind-driven), but travelers do not really care when the effect is exquisite.

Decks and Cabins

Wind Spirit staterooms (74 total, in 5 grades) include one Oceanview Owner’s Suite and 73x Oceanview Deluxe cabins. All staterooms are with modern amenities including fully-stocked minibars, Wi-Fi Internet, smart HDTVs (infotainment system), spacious wardrobe (with electronic safe box), phone (direct dial), large bathroom (single-sink granite countertop vanity, WC-toilet, L'Occitane bath products, rain showerheads, luxury towels), premium bedding sets (top-quality pillows and Egyptian cotton linens), fresh fruits and flowers.

The boat has 5 decks, all of which are passenger-accessible and 2 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

During the last refurbishment, Wind Spirit Restaurant was renamed to AmphorA and redesigned, a new menu was provided. Pool Bar was renewed to create alfresco additional seating for Candles Grill sunset dining, with new deck furniture and awning. The reception area was also updated. The Lounge got a brand new AV system and hardwood flooring. 

Wind Spirit ship has two primary dining venues, both open seating: the AmphorA Restaurant in the evenings which offers course-by-course gourmet cuisine and Veranda restaurant with casual full-service and buffet dining (breakfast and lunch). A reservation is needed for Candles if you choose to dine under the stars. The ship combines the highest food and service levels with casual attire and single open seating.

Follows the complete list of Wind Spirit restaurants and food bars.

• AmphorA Restaurant (ship’s dining room, open-seating; offers 5-course gourmet dinner menu which is changed daily; along with onboard-made bread, in all ports of call the executive chef goes to the local markets to shop for fresh ingredients)
• Candles Cafe & Veranda (a smaller “dining room” which offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as a la carte menu through the wait staff; its indoor area is called “Candles Cafe” and features floor-ceiling panoramic windows; the outdoor seating area is called “Veranda” - in the evenings, it transforms into “Candles Grill” al-fresco steakhouse).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

What wasn't changed during the last refurbishment of Wind Spirit, however, was Windstar Cruises onboard experience. The line has stuck to the core concept: small-ship features and low passenger occupancy balance, with high ratios guest-to-crew and personalized service. Alcoholic beverages and excursions are charged additionally, though soft drinks and water are included. Wind Spirit onboard atmosphere is the right mix of laid-back and upscale. 

Follows the complete list of Wind Spirit lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Marina (retractable water sports platform for water skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking; the ship provides a banana boat, waterski boat, sea kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, wakeboards, boards for windsurfing, paddleboards, scuba diving and snorkelling equipment, plus four Zodiacs; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• Lounge (ship’s theatre/main show lounge for live evening entertainment); Library
• The Signature Shop/Boutique Shop (sells duty-free luxury fashion clothing and accessories)
• The Casino (with blackjack/roulette gambling tables, slot machines)
• WindSpa (operated by Steiner; has a treatment room, Sauna and Beauty Salon. “Spa Under the Stars” program offers spa treatments out on the deck)
• The Fitness Center (with free weights, exercycles and treadmills; offers complimentary exercise classes)
• Pool Area (with one swimming pool, a waterfall cascading from the whirlpool, sunbathing area served by the Pool Bar)
• The Flying Bridge deck is designed to resemble the traditional navigation point.

Itineraries

Wind Spirit itinerary program is based on round-trip French Polynesia cruises from Papeete, Tahiti.

The 4-masted megayacht Wind Spirit is a sailing ship with 2 sisterships - Wind Star, and Wind Song. Wind Song experienced an engine room fire in 2002 and was scuttled. These are tall-sailing cruise ships with modern design and 6 sails mounted on 4 masts. The sails are handled via a sophisticated computer-controled system.

The yacht's design is based on smaller 5350-ton motor sailing yachts constructed by the French shipbuilding company "Societe Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre". Among those are the Windstar sail ships Wind Surf and Wind Star and also Club Med 2.

In 2012, Windstar Cruises completed an extensive (18-month long) drydock refurbishment project for renovations of the company's all three sail yachts - Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf. Works included overhauls of all passenger staterooms, dining venues, public spaces, as well as new sails.

For season 2020-2021 (February through December), Windstar scheduled new South Pacific itineraries on Wind Spirit. The ship had planned 14 itineraries (total 23 departures) visiting call ports in Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Tuamotus, Niue.

Wind Spirit refurbishments 2026-2027 review

Wind Spirit ship's next major drydock refurbishment is a multi-million project divided into two phases - Phase 1 (April 2026) and Phase 2 (March 2027).

By this project will be fully redesigned all public areas and venues (changing layouts, furniture, wall coverings and flooring, lighting, artworks).

Among the remodeled/redesinged areas are the Lobby (expanded reception area, more seating and retail space), Compass Rose Bar Lounge (furniture, finishes, lighting, multi-purpose stage area for live performances, redesigned bar area, updated evening entertainment), Amphora Restaurant (completely refreshed, redesigned with curved booths providing seating for 2-8 guests, new dining chairs), Wellness Complex (The World Spa by Windstar & Fitness Center/new color palettes, finishes, gym equipment), Pool Deck (expansion by removing the SkyLight, new swimming pool and Jacuzzi, larger Pool Bar, new poolside furniture/sofas, poufs, ottoman beds, deckchairs, outdoor lighting, speakers, greenery).

Two new category staterooms will be added - CO/Broadmoor Suite, and GA/Sea Island Suite, the Owner’s Suite (adjacent to the Wheelhouse) will be redesigned. All passenger staterooms will be fully refurbished (interiors, furniture) and outfitted with smart TVs with an infotainment system (integrated with Windstar’s Wayfinder app for easy access to onboard schedules, menus, on-demand movies, and guest accounts) and new WiFi points.

Phase 2 of the renovations (March 2027) will include updates to the staterooms and enhancements to dining venues and fitness facilities.