windstar windsurf cruise

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

• Already Booked?
• My Favorites
• 1.800.377.9383
• Email Deals
• Personal Quote

• Advanced Search

• Featured Cruise Deals

• Deals by Destination

• Deals by Cruise Line

• Deals by Departure Port

Last Minute Cruise Deals

Holiday Cruise Deals

Military Cruise Deals

• Family Cruise Deals

Popular Destinations

Australia/New Zealand

• Canada / New England

Popular Int'l Departure Ports

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Barcelona, Spain

Civitavecchia (rome), italy, piraeus (athens), greece.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Southampton, England

Stockholm, Sweden

Sydney, Australia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Venice, Italy

Popular U.S. Departure Ports

Baltimore, Maryland

Boston, Massachusetts

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Los Angeles, California

Miami, Florida

New York, New York

Port Canaveral, Florida

San Francisco, California

Seattle, Washington

Popular Lines

Luxury Lines

River Lines

AmaWaterways

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Avalon Waterways River Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Seabourn Cruise Line

Silversea Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

Viking Expeditions

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Land Vacations

• Cosmos Tours
• Globus Journeys
• Kensington Tours
• Tauck Tours

All-Inclusive Resorts

Cruising 101

• Free Consultation

Why Cruise?

Shore Excursions

Cruising Tips

Future Cruise Credits

Photo Galleries

Specialty Cruises

Group Cruises

Business / Incentive Cruises

Events & Meetings at Sea

Private Charters

Theme Cruises

• River Cruises

Cruise Tours

Wedding Cruises

Hosted Cruises

Family Cruises

Senior Living at Sea

News & Media

Press & News

Testimonials

Social Media

Pre-registration

Passports / Visas

Travel Protection

Why Cruise Web?

Our Approach

Low Price Guarantee

Gift Certificates

Customer Service

Not sure where to start?

Talk to a travel consultant.

Free quotes. Expert guidance. No booking fees.

Windstar Cruises: FREE Drinks, Wi-Fi and Tips*

Windstar: Exclusive Private Event and MORE

Windstar Caribbean cruises from $1,899*

6 Ships in the Windstar Cruises fleet

Ship:  .

• Destinations
• Departure Ports
• Photo Gallery

Wind Surf Overview

The Wind Surf is perhaps the most impressive of Windstar’s sailing yachts, and with space for 310 guests, she’s certainly the largest. However, the 191 crew members – and nearly 2:3 crew to guest ratio – guarantee that the Wind Surf’s service remains as astounding as would be found on Windstar’s smaller ships. Onboard, take advantage of the Wind Surf’s stunning public spaces – like the watersports platform, fitness center, WindSpa, pool, Terrace Bar, Compass Rose and more – or retreat to your luxurious suite for some rest and relaxation. Recently refurbished, the beautiful Wind Surf is primed to carry you and yours to unique destinations around the world. Contact one of our cruise experts to learn more about the Wind Surf and to find the perfect itinerary for you and yours.

• Passenger Capacity: 342 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 1990
• Last Refurbished: 2019

Wind Surf Cruise Destinations

Visit unforgettable destinations in 50 different nations with Windstar Cruises. Enjoy memorable and enlightening experiences in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America. With Windstar’s smaller ships, you’ll call at ports that larger cruise ships can’t reach – giving you unique access to these regions’ hidden gems. Continue below to learn more about each of Windstar’s destinations or contact one of our expert cruise consultants to start planning your unique small-ship voyage with Windstar.

Sail away to the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean for a unique tropical retreat with Windstar Cruises.

Dining in elegance on a James Beard Foundation Culinary cruise, attending VIP events at the Monaco Grand Prix, or skipping the lines to the Sistine Chapel are all possible on a themed cruise or cruise tour with Windstar Cruises.

Mediterranean

Explore lands of Old World charm and never-ending beauty with a Mediterranean cruise aboard Windstar Cruises.

Mexican Riviera

Pristine beaches, picturesque palms and vibrant cultures welcome Windstar Cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

Transatlantic

Sail across the Atlantic Ocean with Windstar Cruises' luxurious yachts or sail ships and enjoy a relaxing voyage like no other.

Wind Surf Departure Ports

Windstar Cruises’ unique small ships sail all over the world from a wide array of departure ports. For instance, you can depart from some of the world’s most distinguished cities like Athens, Dubai, Singapore, London, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Rome and Venice. You’ll also find smaller or more exotic departure ports, such as Papeete, Bridgetown, Philipsburg and Colon. But no matter where your cruise embarks, you’ll always know what you’re sailing towards – an unforgettable and totally unique small-ship experience.

Port Of Oranjestad, Aruba, Caribbean

Enjoy pristine beaches, lots of fun activities and perfect weather year-round in the Dutch island of Aruba.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Cozumel, Mexico

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but don’t forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

Colon, Panama

Colon, this historically important city is a gateway to the Panama Canal and full of Latin charm and New World history. 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Offering both French and Dutch experiences, St. Maarten is a leading destination in the Caribbean. You can always find exciting and interesting activities for everyone on this friendly island.

Cernobbio, Italy

Discover the wonder of Lake Como and the mountains of Italy when your cruise or cruise tour departs from Cernobbio, Italy.

Wind Surf Deck Plans

Bridge deck, wind surf staterooms.

Oceanview (A)

Stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 188 square feet of beautifully designed comfort. Your queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) is swathed in luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Before or after you enjoy an invigorating massage shower with soothing L'Occitane bath products, wrap up in your waffle-weave robe, have a snack from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and smell the flowers.

Oceanview (AX)

Oceanview (b), oceanview (bx), oceanview (tx).

The ultimate in space and style surrounds you in 495 square feet of pure indulgence. Separate bedroom and living room with an in-suite dining area is an invitation to relaxation. And possibly best of all, your expansive bathroom features both a whirlpool spa tub and a massage shower.

With 376 square feet, you'll find the perfect space for time together - and plenty of room for time to yourself. You'll even enjoy two full separate bathrooms. All the amenities of the staterooms await you, plus a beautiful sitting area, and two flat-screen television sets with DVD players.

Photo Gallery for Wind Surf Cruise Ship

Enjoy a preview of the completely unique and utterly luxurious Windstar cruising experience in the following photo gallery. You’ll quickly see that Windstar Cruises’ fleet is like no other, with some ships boasting towering masts with billowing sails. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Windstar’s amazing destinations, many of which can only be experienced by the fleet’s intimate yachts.

Windstar's Wind Surf

Sundeck aboard Wind Surf

Suite aboard Wind Surf

Accommodations aboard Wind Surf

Service aboard Wind Surf

Lounge Stage aboard Wind Surf

Lounge Bar aboard Wind Surf

Compass Rose Lounge aboard Wind Surf

Corridor aboard Wind Surf

Open Bridge aboard Wind Surf

Fine dining aboard Wind Surf

Exterior of Windstar's Wind Surf

Top 10 Wind Surf Cruises

• Wind Surf Italian Trio 15D BCN-VCE (Apr 21 2024) Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Apr 2024)
• Wind Surf Yachtmans Harbors of the Rivieras 7D BCN-CVV (Apr 21 2024) Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Apr 2024)
• Wind Surf Classic Italy & The Dalmatian Coast 8D CVV-VCE (Apr 28 2024) Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Apr 2024)
• Wind Surf Classic Italy & The Dalmatian Coast 8D VCE-CVV (May 6 2024) Departing From Venice, Italy (May 2024)
• Wind Surf Sicilian Splendors 10D CVV-CVV (May 28 2024) Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (May 2024)
• Wind Surf Cultures & Charms of Italy & Croatia 18C CVV-VCE (May 28 2024) Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (May 2024)
• Wind Surf Stories of Italy, Croatia & Greece 17D CVV-PIR (Jun 7 2024) Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Jun 2024)
• Wind Surf Classic Italy & The Dalmatian Coast 8D CVV-VCE (Jun 7 2024) Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Jun 2024)
• Wind Surf Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses 9D VCE-PIR (Jun 15 2024) Departing From Venice, Italy (Jun 2024)
• Wind Surf Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses 9D PIR-VCE (Jun 24 2024) Departing From Piraeus (Athens), Greece (Jun 2024)

Learn More About Windstar Cruises

Accessibility

Learn about Windstar Cruises' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with disabilities or special needs, including mobility issues.

Savor dining aboard Windstar Cruises, including Star Grill , AmphorA , Stella Bistro , Candles Grill and more—all included with your cruise fare.

Entertainment

Enjoy Windstar Cruises' onboard entertainment, including live music at Compass Rose, informative port lectures, destination briefings, dancing and more.

Onboard Activities

Engage in Windstar Cruises' onboard activities, including an onboard Watersports Platform, WindSpa, pool, library, fitness center and duty-free shopping.

Service & Awards

Learn how Windstar Cruises' staff and crew take care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Windstar Cruises' awards.

Spa & Fitness

Unwind in Windstar Cruises' fitness center and WindSpa, offering massages, facials, herbal wraps and more.

Special Events

Learn about Windstar Cruises' special themed cruises. Themes include wine and food, the Grand Prix and more.

Explore Windstar Cruises' ship staterooms, including suites, deluxe balconies and deluxe oceanviews staterooms, as well as the luxurious Owners Suites.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Windstar Cruises' intimate ships.

Cruise Type

We make vacation planning easy.

With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

Expert guidance. No booking fees.

Find a cruise.

• All Cruise Types
• Popular Cruises
• Luxury Cruises

Vacation Deals

Destinations & ports.

• All Destinations

Cruise Lines

• Popular Cruise Lines
• Luxury Cruise Lines
• River Cruise Lines
• All Cruise Lines
• All About Cruising
• Already Booked

Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.

• Monthly Newsletter

• CruiseMapper
• Windstar Cruises

Former name: Club Med 1

Cruise line Windstar Cruises

• Philipsburg St Maarten (Netherlands Antilles)
• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)
• Venice (Marghera, Italy)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Lisbon (Portugal)

Wind Surf current position

Wind Surf current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 41.36700 N / 2.39641 E) cruising en route to ES BCN > FR TLNN. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Wind Surf

Wind Surf current cruise is 15 days, one-way from Lisbon to Civitavecchia-Rome . Prices start from USD 7929 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 13 Apr, 2024 and ends on 28 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Wind Surf

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Wind Surf Itineraries

Wind surf review, review of wind surf.

The 1989-built (as "Club Med 1") cruise ship Wind Surf is the last of the three Windstar sailing yachts, together with the fleetmates Wind Spirit and Wind Star . These cruise ships are 4-masted schooners, uniquely designed for tall sailing cruises.

The vessel (IMO number 8700785) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 309242000) 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 310-passenger ship Wind Surf was built as "Club Med I" and served as a "motor sailing yacht" alternative for the French resort company. It is amazingly crafted with 2320 m2 (25000 ft2) of computer-controlled sails and a ballast-water stabilizing technology that keeps the vessel leveled during navigation.

When Windstar Cruises acquired the ship in 1998, its passenger capacity was reduced to 78 to make room for new onboard facilities, such as a large spa and an alternative dining venue. These additions are not available on the company's smaller ships Wind Star and Wind Spirit.

The following YouTube drone video shows the ship approaching Portrush Northern Ireland on June 26, 2017. Unfortunately, the sails are down.

Decks and Cabins

Wind Surf staterooms (171 total, in 7 grades) include 21x Suites and 150x 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 linens), fresh fruits and flowers.

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

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The speciality restaurant on Wind Surf was transformed into an elegant French Bistro. During the day, dress on board is casual. In the evenings, expect "country-club casual" attire, with men wearing collared shirts and women in pantsuits. There are no formal nights onboard Windstar Cruises ships. No tank tops or bathing suits are allowed at dinner.

Follows the complete list of Wind Surf 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

One would think that a "motor sailing yacht," full with 5 masts and 7 sails, and with a guest capacity of only 308, would be a small and comfortable little cruise vessel. But Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf cruise ship is surprisingly large, feeling much bigger inside than any passenger would expect. To make finding a way around simple, all entertainment and dining areas are on the top three decks.

Restaurants are located forward, indoor and outdoor bars are facing aft. The casino and main lounge are midship on the Main Deck – there is the famous Yacht Club, functioning as a coffee bar, library and Internet cafe. The Surf ship’s fitness centre is a deck higher. Most of the public areas feature expansive sea views, though the spa, which is an exception, is tucked away on Deck 2 aft.

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

• The Marina (retractable water sports platform for water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking; the ship provides a banana boat, waterski boat, sea kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, wakeboards, boards for windsurfing, paddleboards, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, plus Zodiacs; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• Lounge (ship’s theatre/main show lounge for live evening entertainment); Library
• Stella Bistro; Compass Rose Bar; Terrace Bar; Nautilus Room
• Yacht Club Sandwich & Espresso Bar
• 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, two whirlpools, the sunbathing area served by the Pool Bar).

Itineraries

Wind Surf itinerary program is based on Caribbean cruises leaving roundtrip from St Maarten Island (Port Philipsburg) and also Mediterranean and Baltic Sea cruises, with Transatlantic repositioning crossings between Europe and the Caribbean Sea.

Wind Surf - user reviews and comments

Photos of wind surf.

Wind Surf ship related cruise news

Windstar Cruises unveils a multi-million refurbishment project for the 3 sailing ships (2023-2026)

Windstar Cruises has announced a comprehensive multi-year, multi-million-dollar project to enhance its classic sailing yachts, including the Wind...

Windstar Cruises adds Formula 1 experience at the final race of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023

Windstar Cruises added a new Formula 1 experience for its passengers, this time at the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 in...

Windstar launches high-speed Starlink Internet across its global cruise fleet

Windstar Cruises announced the launch of Starlink Maritime's high-speed broadband satellite internet capabilities fleetwide. The company will...

3 cruise ships with capacity ~9000 passengers dock in Malaga (Spain) for the city’s fair

3 large vessels with a capacity to accommodate ~9000 passengers are expected to dock at Port Malaga (Spain Granada) to coincide with the city's Feria...

Windstar announces new Caribbean & Central America voyages (2023)

The ultra-premium travel brand Windstar announced a new itinerary beginning in winter 2023. The 7-day "Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean...

Windstar Cruises’ flagship Wind Surf restarts Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona

The USA-headquartered (Xanterra Parks and Resorts-owned) company Windstar welcomed back its 342-passenger flagship Wind Surf to the sea. The...

Windstar Cruises restarts in French Polynesia & Tahiti aboard Wind Spirit

The U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar resumed operation in French Polynesia/the Islands of Tahiti with vaccinated passengers and...

Windstar requires COVID-19 vaccine for cruising

Until further notice, the premium travel company Windstar announced it would require proof of current COVID vaccination for all passengers sailing...

Windstar resumes cruises on June 10

The ultra-premium travel brand Windstar Cruises announced it planned to relocate its office from Seattle WA to Miami FL in June 2022. The small ship...

Windstar Cruises launches Wave Sale with additional promotions for travel advisors

The top-luxury travel company Windstar Cruises released its wave season promo offer on January 5, 2021, and encourages future customers to take...

•   show more news

Other Windstar Cruises cruise ships

• Star Breeze
• Star Legend
• Wind Spirit

Wind Surf Wiki

Wind Surf cruise ship was built with a modern design, but still features sails on masts that are handled via a sophisticated computer program. This is relatively bigger tall ship with 5 masts, while Wind Star and Wind Spirit have 4 masts each.

Wind Surf has a complicated history in and out of Windstar. The company had plans to order two sailing ships with two times bigger passenger capacity. However, Holland America Line (the previous owner of Windstar Cruises) cancelled these plans. The building project, supported by the French government, resulted in two new ships for the Club Med cruise line under the names Club Med I and Club Med II. In 1998, Windstar bought back Club Med 1, and renamed it to "Wind Surf".

The yacht's design is based on smaller 5,350-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 Spirit and Wind Star and also Club Med 2 .

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

In 2018, Windstar Cruises offered booking of a 51-day "Grand Mediterranean" back-to-back cruise (itinerary July 7 to August 27, 2019) from Lisbon to Barcelona. The itinerary combined 6 smaller itineraries (7- to 10-days each) and visited a total of 40 Mediterranean ports (in Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, Monaco and France). The cruise was listed as one of the company's "Star Collectors Voyages" combining shorter itineraries. These deals are inclusive of complimentary laundry package (per stateroom) throughout the voyage.

Wind Surf drydock refurbishment 2019 review

During the ship's 20-day long drydock refurbishment (November 8-28) at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz, Spain ), the vessel's passenger capacity was increased from 310 to 342. The project also included suite modifications (decks 3 and 5) and redesigning the wellness complex (spa and gym).

On Deck 3, the 12x aft-facing suites were resized (halved) as on Club Med 1. All the 3x Bridge Deck suites were redesigned and fully renovated. The forward-starboard Bridge Suite was renamed "Officer's Suite". The WindSpa was moved from Deck 2 (aft) to Deck 5 (midship).

Speak to a travel consultant

• Chatbot Tips
• Destinations
• FAMILY CRUISES
• LUXURY CRUISES
• THEME CRUISES
• CULTURE SEEKERS
• ADVENTURE LOVERS
• NEXT-GEN CRUISERS
• NEW TO CRUISING
• MONEY-SAVING TIPS

You can see the best matches instantly in your custom results."> How our Bliss Filters work

Your custom results ({[{ results.meta.total }]}) Return to previous page

Patti Pietschmann

Los angeles, cruiseclout score: 95.0, wind surf: windstar's flagship provides off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Sailing on any of the trio of petite four-masted tall sail ships from Windstar Cruises is like living a fantasy — especially when you cruise in French Polynesia or any other tropical paradise. The 342-passenger Wind Surf and its siblings Wind Spirit  and   Wind Star  are especially popular with active, sophisticated sorts who enjoy being out on the open sea watching the computer-controlled billowy masts blowing in the wind.

Unlike the megaships from other cruise lines, the lithe, graceful Wind Surf and her sister ships can slip into hidden coves and tiny harbors. The vibe on board is uncrowded and unhurried, with a dash of intimacy, making guests feel as if they're sailing on their own personal yacht. The flagship Wind Surf's wide-open teak decks, highly unusual for a small ship, provide large amounts of open-deck space for guests to find concealed nooks and have private moments.

With the purchase of three more traditional motorized ships from Seabourn, the Seattle-based company now has a fleet of six. But it's the three stylish, sleek sailing yachts that truly set Windstar apart.

Who will like sailing on Wind Surf

Looking to lose the crowd? Wind Surf docks in smaller ports, appealing to cruise passengers hoping for a more personal cruise experience on board and off. Young, middle-age and young-at-heart couples, singles and adventure travelers who like charming port cities, cultural immersion and off-the-beaten-path excursions will especially like Wind Surf.

Wind Surf is not really suited for families with small children.

Where Wind Surf sails

Wind Surf sails in and around the Caribbean and the Mediterranean on 7- to 23-night voyages. Top destinations this yacht visits include Malta, Amalfi Coast, Mallorca, Malaga, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Dubrovnik and Kotor in the Med and Îles Des Saintes, Castries, Basse-Terre and Falmouth in the Caribbean.

Ratings & awards

About Ratings & awards

Where I sailed and what I loved

I have sailed all three of Windstar's original ships, twice to French Polynesia as well as the Med and the Caribbean, and each voyage was as memorable as the last. The three sailing ships also do Panama Canal cruises, Costa Rica itineraries, the Greek Isles and Turkey — take your pick. If you're a Windstar  kind of cruiser, you'll love them all. As a Pisces I love the water and the ability to dive into it whenever the captain anchors off shore or sails into a pristine beach or cove.

Highlight of a Wind Surf cruise

The main attraction of Wind Surf is the ease and availability of water sports from the retractable marina when the captain anchors the ship or in the small coves and inlets where the ships can pull up to the shores or send people off on Zodiacs .

The showcase moment, though, is the “sail around” while passengers are in port.  We saw this in the Med and Caribbean, and it was amazing to watch Wind Surf sail by in all her white, billowing masts glory. 

Food, glorious food!

Dining on Wind Spirit is open seating  and the food is often excellent.  AmphorA offers gourmet, course-by-course cuisine in the evenings, and its dishes are served on beautifully set tables with Rosenthal china with Riedel stemware. Light and vegetarian cuisine are available on request. My favorite restaurant on board is  Stella Bistro, which serves fresh fare with a French twist. I also loved the open air dining areas on the top deck, where you can take in water views, exquisite sunsets and stars while dining al fresco. 

Guests can also make a reservation for Candles , a poolside grill with seating for 30 that serves steaks and grilled skewers. The Veranda Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, while continental breakfast and afternoon tea are served on the Pool Deck. Lunch buffets are a cut above many offered at sea, always attractively presented and usually eagerly attacked by passengers hungry after active mornings. 

Activities on board

The main focal points of a Wind Surf cruise are the daytime water activities and shore excursions, so don't expect the kind of stage productions or onboard games you'll find on larger ships. On the upper deck, take a dip in the outdoor pool, stretch out in the sun or come back at night to linger in the whirlpool. On the whole the nautical scene rules on these ships by day. After dinner most passengers either hit the bar or go to bed.

Watersports : Passengers can swim in a tranquil cove or reef or get more active. Just head aft  to the open-air sports platform, where you can find sailboats, paddleboards, water skis, kayaks and snorkeling and scuba gear. 

On shore: When the crew drops anchor, the reefs and caves are yours to explore. You can also go ashore and shop, join an excursion into a rainforest or wander a medieval city.

Bar & lounge: The ship has three bars and lounges. Socializing at the bar on Wind Surf is a popular pastime, while the main lounge plays its part as a stage for singers or musicians and occasional shows put on by locals in port. 

Spa : The ship's WindSpa doles out top-quality treatments. My first mate Richard and I had aromatherapy massages that were reinvigorating, and I indulged in facials, manicures and pedicures that were quite good. 

Casino : Yes, there's also a casino on board. 

Guest rooms on board include 31 spacious suites, two Bridge Suites and 122 deluxe staterooms. Most oceanview staterooms have a refrigerator. Suite have an additional spacious sitting area.

All staterooms and suites have ocean views and luxury Egyptian cotton linens on the queen bed (which can be separated into twins if you prefer). The spacious bath features granite countertops, ample storage and a roomy shower. Rooms come with an LCD flat-screen TV, DVD/CD players, personal safe, mini-bar with complimentary soft drinks, international direct-dial phone, wireless Internet (for a fee), Bose SoundDock speakers, toiletries by L’Occitane, hair dryer, vanity desk with chair, magnifying mirrors, Euro-Top mattresses, private safe, waffle-weave robes, slippers and alarm clock. You’ll find fresh fruit and flowers always waiting for you after a day of sun or sightseeing. 

During your sailing you're also free to check out and use laptop computers, DVDs, CDs, iPod Nanos, games and books.  

The ship has seven triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails with 26,881 square feet (or 2,600 square meters) of Dacron surface area.

How about you?  Have you sailed on Wind Surf? We'd love to hear about your experience or see your photos!

Updated from an earlier review. 

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Wind Surf, contact a  Cruiseable travel consultant  at  1-877-322-3773  or  by email . We can usually offer a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL WIND SURF SAILINGS

Related articles about Wind Surf

• Wind Surf highlights: People & places (photos)
• Windstar's superb water sports marina
• Guadeloupe & Dominica on a Wind Surf cruise
• A talk with the captain of Wind Surf (video)
• At sea with Windstar's executive chef

Patti Pietschmann I'm the LA Travel Diva and spend time cruising with first mate Richard, traveling the world, reviewing fine restaurants, going to plays, movies and events. It's the good life.

Top highlights on this ship

• What: Water activities
• Where: Wind Surf

• What: Shore excursions

• What: Welcome reception
• Gaming in the onboard casino
• Spa treatments in the WindSpa
• Complimentary water sports equipment for snorkeling and other excursions
• All suites and staterooms feature ocean views

Top dining options on board

AmphorA Restaurant

• Style: Gourmet
• No additional cost
• Open: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

• Style: Continental
• Open: Breakfast & lunch

• Style: Steak
• Open: Dinner

Your take: share your experience

Cruise line partners.

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America
• MSC Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Crystal Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Paul Gauguin Cruises
• Ponant Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Star Clippers
• Viking Ocean
• Virgin Voyages
• Windstar Cruises
• AmaWaterways
• American Cruise Lines
• Avalon Waterways
• Tauck River Cruises
• Viking River
• G Adventures
• Hurtigruten
• Lindblad Expeditions
• Un-Cruise Adventures

Cruise Lines International Association Member #00454845 | Agile Travel Group dba Cruiseable

• How Cruiseable works
• Cruise glossary
• Community guidelines
• Upload or share
• Cruise ambassadors
• Cruise price drop alert
• Media center
• Contributions

Ethics Terms of Service Privacy Policy

• Cruise Lines
• Windstar Cruises

Cruise Search

Special cruise offers.

Royal Caribbean

• 60% OFF 2nd Guest + Kids Sail FREE + Instant Savings + FREE GRATUITIES or Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Norwegian Cruise Line

• 50% OFF Cruises + Take All FREE + BOGO Airfare + Up to $1,700 Cash Back

Holland America

• Up to 45% OFF + Up to $1,000 Onboard Crerdit + 50% Reduced Deposit + 3rd & 4th Guests FREE

Princess Cruises

• Up to 35% OFF + 3rd & 4th Guest FREE + Up to $1,785 Onboard Credit

Celebrity Cruises

• Up to 75% OFF 2nd Guest + FREE Amenities Included: FREE Beverage Package + Basic Wi-Fi + Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

Featured Cruise Deals

Other cruise options.

• Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Land Tour Deals
• View Golf Vacations
• Shop by Destination
• Shop by Cruise Line
• Cruise From Port Near You
• Holiday Sailings
• Luxury Cruises

About Wind Surf

Tall white billowing sails, sun-drenched teak decks and stunning renovations on the Wind Surf sailing yacht make her more spectacular than ever. Chic and contemporary, the graceful ship is large enough to pamper, yet small enough for tiny harbors and hidden coves. Enjoy the relaxed luxury of yachting in casually elegance and comfort. Accommodating just 310 guests, cruise to exciting destinations off the beaten path as you enjoy incredible cuisine and delightful amenities. Gleaming throughout, with romantic lighting and cozy spots, the modern ship also boasts computerized masts. Feel like you are sailing on your own private yacht, as you enjoy Windstar's impeccable service and freedom of choice to enjoy what you like, when you like and with whom. Leave your formal clothes at home as you experience casual elegance at its best.

Indulge in a rejuvenating aromatherapy message at WindSpa, for today's active, health-conscious traveler with organic O SPA London products and state-of-the-art equipment in the fitness center with a glass-walled gym with amazing views. Relax on a chaise lounge on deck and take a dip in the pool and two hot tubs. Enjoy live music and cocktails at a number of bars and lounges, including the popular Compass Rose and try lady luck in the casino or browse at the Signature Shop. From the convenience of the watersports platform, go kayaking, waterskiing, ski-tubing and windsurfing. Meet up with new friends at the many lounges and bars, including the popular Compass Rose on the Bridge Deck, The Lounge, Terrance Bar and Pool Bar.

Immerse yourself in Windstar's scrumptious cuisine , with open dining featured at all restaurants. Savor delicious 5-star cuisine and exquisite wines at AmphorA. Romantic dinners under the stars are offered at Candles and a delightful French ambiance is featured at the intimate Stella Bistro, where you can indulge in fabulous wine pairings with the appetizer, entrée and decadent dessert. Perfect for breakfast and a delightful alfresco lunch, The Veranda boasts fabulous buffets. Grab a fabulous snack and delicious coffee at the Yacht Club Sandwich and Espresso Bar and dine in your stateroom if you like, served in courses from the fabulous AmphorA.

Luxuriate in the tranquility of an oceanview stateroom, with the sparkling sea just outside your windows. All include a plush queen size bed with luxurious linens, flat-screen TV and DVD Player, Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods, a fully-stocked mini-bar/refrigerator, safe, Wi-Fi access, spacious closets and draws. Suites have an extra bath and TV, along with a sitting area. Spa Suites include lush spa robes, tea service and much more.

Entertainment on the stunning Wind Surf is low-key, with a small dance combo or singing duo. While small, the casino, located just off the lounge, still offers fun and excitement. Head to the many convivial bars and lounges for a fun time. Cruise on the Wind Surf, for a vacation like no other.

Cruise on the Wind Surf to the Caribbean, Transatlantic & Repositioning and Mediterranean.

Bridge Suite

(495 sq.ft.) Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens; Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers; Flat Screen TV with DVD player; Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods; Fully-Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator; Safe; Direct Dial Phone; L’Occitane Bath Amenities; Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception); Fresh Flowers; Fresh Fruit; Granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair; Spacious closets and drawers; Bathroom with teak floors, granite countertop, sink and shower; 110/220 outlets.

Officer's Suite

242 square feet (22.5 square meters), 1 bathroom

(376 sq.ft.) Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens; Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers; Flat Screen TV with DVD player; Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods; Fully-Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator; Safe; Direct Dial Phone; L’Occitane Bath Amenities; Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception); Fresh Flowers; Fresh Fruit; Granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair; Spacious closets and drawers; Bathroom with teak floors, granite countertop, sink and shower; 110/220 outlets.

Oceanview Deluxe

(188 sq.ft.) Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens; Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers; Flat Screen TV with DVD player; Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods; Fully-Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator; Safe; Direct Dial Phone; L’Occitane Bath Amenities; Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception); Fresh Flowers; Fresh Fruit; Granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair; Spacious closets and drawers; Bathroom with teak floors, granite countertop, sink and shower; 110/220 outlets.

View Deck Plan

AmphorA Restaurant

Accommodates 250 guests and offers a full service gourmet dinner from 7:30pm-9:30pm.

The Veranda

The Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch.

For dining under the stars, make a reservation for Candles which features steaks and skewers.

Stella Bistro

Pool and Pool Bar

Relax poolside or at the Jacuzzi and enjoy such touches as iced tea glasses being refilled or fresh, dry towels appearing without a request. Luxuriate in the pleasures of the sun without a care in the world.

Deck: Bridge

In Wind Surf's glorious Wind Spa, a staff of 10 stands ready to soothe your body, mind, and spirit with a myriad of treatments. Indulge in a massage, an herbal wrap, or dozens of other skin, hair, and nail indulgences.

The Lounge has a light and airy mix of natural fabrics and rich, polished woods, creating a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

Yacht Club Cafe

Offers a gourmet sandwich bar, espresso drinks, table games, library, Internet stations and the comfiest couches on sea.

Compass Rose

Enjoy your morning coffee or an after dinner drink surrounded by the nightly entertainment (singing duo) that performs in the Compass Rose.

Watersport platform

Try kayaking, waterskiing and windsurfing from the watersports platform.

Fitness Center

Enjoy a brisk workout with the latest Technogym equipment.

Signature Shop

Shopping area.

Terrace Bar

Terrace Bar.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER SAVINGS

• Forgot Password?

Often cruise lines offer special rates that cannot be displayed to the general public. By registering with Cruise.com you will be able to view these special rates and offers.

Register with Cruise.com to get access to:

• Exclusive Rates
• Special Amenities

Login to Your Account

There was an error! Please re-enter your credentials and try submitting the form again.

Reset Your Password

Please enter the email associated with your account so that we may send you a link to reset your password.

An email was sent to the address provided with instructions on how to reset your password.

Oops! There was an error with the email you provided.

Home » Cruise » Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Cruise Review

Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Cruise Review

Explore the Caribbean on the largest sailing cruise ship with our brand new Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf Cruise Review.

Share this post:

Introduction to wind surf.

The largest in Windstar Cruises’ fleet of six luxury yachts, the Wind Surf is the world’s largest sailing cruise ship. The ship holds slightly over 300 passengers and has 155 staterooms. Cruising on a ship of this size was a great departure for us, as we normally sail on some of the largest ships in the world with thousands of other cruisers. 

Being on a more intimate vessel certainly had some perks. We were both acclimated to the ship within hours of boarding. The public venues, focused on deck 4, are in close proximity to one another, allowing for easy access to the Yacht Club’s espresso cafe, pool bar, pool and loungers, and the main dining room.

With a total of 6 decks, there is plenty of outdoor space that you can enjoy. While a rather simple layout, you can easily find nooks and crannies of the ship to call your own.

There is still a gym, a spa, and the line’s signature Marina. This additional “deck” is off the back of the ship filled with sports equipment allowing you to kayak, swim, snorkel, and even wakeboard!

During our seven-day voyage, we rarely encountered any lines or wait times. No matter the time of day, there seemed to always be enough seating for popular events and meals. Cruising on a vessel of this size is certainly an adjustment for us mega-ship fans, but getting to visit unique islands that the larger ships can’t was worth the trade-off. 

Ports of Call

This seven-night Caribbean Celebrations cruise had no sea days.

Originating from St. Maarten, we were lucky to secure a direct flight from Boston, MA that landed early afternoon. With transfers arranged by the cruise line, we were taxied to the ship which was docked next to other vessels in port for the day, including Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. 

From St. Maarten, we ventured to other lesser-visited islands including several British Virgin Islands including Tortola, Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, as well as Antigua, Barbuda, and St. Barts.

In both Antigua and Tortola, we completed island tours to see some of the destinations’ most significant landmarks. In Antigua, we visited the popular vantage point Shirley Heights and spent an hour exploring Nelson’s Dockyard. In Tortola, our tour included a scenic drive around the island, a quick stop at the Callwood Rum Distillery, and a 45 minute beach break at Cane Garden Bay Beach.

Being the only cruise ship still stopping in Barbuda, we had the island to ourselves. We were able to see the island’s main city, Coddington, while also exploring the frigate bird sanctuary. Even though the natural mangroves were partially destroyed by the hurricanes, it was great to still see thousands of these majestic birds and to learn more about this rare species. We are glad to see that the island is slowly bouncing back from all the devastation in 2017.

The lesser visited islands of Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke were perfect for beach breaks. Cruisers on larger ships can access the White Bay beach in Jost Van Dyke from Tortola. It is home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. Legend has it that the popular drink the Painkiller was first crafted at this location. Cruisers can also access Norman Island for some snorkeling via an excursion from Tortola.

We highly suggest you consider taking a trip to Jost Van Dyke if you visit the BVIs. The lower bay beach was one of the best beaches that we have visited in the Caribbean. It does get busy, so make sure you take the earliest possible ferry/tour to be guaranteed a spot on the beach. 

During our stop at Virgin Gorda, the cruise line secured a section of the coastline at Fischer’s Cove for an exclusive beach party and barbecue, which included some great food, water sports, and sun time. This is another signature Windstar event that occurs every cruise and is a nice alternative to stopping at a cruise line’s “private island”. 

Finally, our last stop was St. Barts. We should have booked a daytime excursion, but instead we just walked around the port area for a little while and headed back to the ship. We loved our evening sunset catamaran cruise excursion. The weather was beautiful, and the sunset was gorgeous. The entire experience, complete with snacks and a champagne toast, made the sail even more special. This was perhaps our favorite shore activity among a list of other great experiences. 

The Ship – Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Cruise Review

Outdoor spaces.

The ship has a total of six decks, with decks 4, 5, and 6 offering outdoor areas. Like many cruise ships, there is a small pool and two whirlpools, three outdoor bars, and an outdoor dining area. There is also plenty of rail space with loungers and tables and chairs strategically located on both the port and starboard sides of the ship. Given the small nature of the vessel, the percentage of outdoor space is quite impressive, and there was never an issue finding a place to relax or soak up some sun.

You are able to circle the entire ship on deck 5, walking right past and into the bridge. Yes, Windstar has an open bridge policy, which means you can stop in and say hi to the captain and view the navigational systems while at sea. This is pretty cool for the cruise nerd in all of us. 

On a small luxury line, you would expect exceptional service. Luckily, Wind Surf truly delivered with personal and friendly services. After only a day or two, the staff will know your name, and more importantly, your preferred beverages at the bar! Throughout the ship, the crew always had a smile on their faces and seemed genuinely happy. While you do not have a dedicated dining staff, as Wind Surf has open seating restaurants, the service we received during meals was usually stellar. Our room attendant Ni Luh did a wonderful job taking care of our cabin over the course of the week.

Onboard Activities

Cruising with Windstar Cruises is really about the destinations. With a new port of call each day, sometimes even two ports of call in a day, the voyage is truly about the onshore experiences. With that being said, there were virtually no organized activities during the day. There were none of the typical cruise activities like trivia or bingo. There were only a few scheduled events like fitness classes, galley tours, and wine or rum tastings. So, we suggest taking a book or your Kindle along to keep you occupied while on the ship.

Exclusive to Windstar Cruises is the Marina. Located on deck 2 behind the spa, this water sports platform is open most days pending sea conditions. Here, you can jump off the back of the ship, take out a kayak, snorkel, jump on the water trampoline, or even wakeboard. So, if you are feeling adventurous, we suggest you definitely check out the Marina on Wind Surf.

At night, there are a few entertainment options. Every evening James, the Destination’s Manager, hosts a port talk. It was less of a sales pitch for tours than the typical port talks on other ships. He provided information about the ports of call, as well as the tour options being sold by the cruise line. Many evenings, there were also special sail away events with passed drinks and appetizers.

Food and Dining

Overall, the food on Wind Surf was on par with what we have come to expect from cruise ship dining.

There were small bites available at the Yacht Club for breakfast and lunch which did not change much during the trip. We occasionally grabbed some continental breakfast items or some finger sandwiches for lunch. The coffee here was brewing all day! By the middle of the week, Russ, our “barista”, knew the Princess’ iced, skinny caramel latte order by heart. Now that’s service!

The Veranda on Deck 6 was a hybrid casual restaurant/buffet for breakfast and lunch. We enjoyed our meals here and found the food quality to be better than a typical buffet on other ships. The food selections here were limited, but they did change every day. You could help yourself to hot and cold buffet items and/or order off the menu. Selections off the menu included items like omelets, pancakes, and waffles for breakfast and hamburgers, paninis, and pizza for lunch. There was also a carving station located in the buffet at lunch time.

For dinner, the AmphorA restaurant was the main dining room with a different menu each evening. Open from 7 to 9 pm, the venue had an open seating arrangement with no set table assignments or reservations required. The food here was pretty typical of cruise ships. Likewise, there was also your traditional lobster night one evening of the cruise.

On one evening, Wind Surf offers the line’s signature barbecue deck party. This was some of the best food of the entire trip with a wide selection of premium options like paella, grilled lobster tail, and a roasted pig. It was a great event and certainly a dining experience that sets Windstar Cruises apart from contemporary cruise lines. 

In addition to the MDR, there are two specialty restaurants. Both of these restaurants require reservations. You should make reservations as soon as you board the ship as they do book up quickly. Unlike contemporary cruise lines, these venues are included in the price of your cruise fare with no cover charges.

Stella Bistro is a French-inspired restaurant, while Candles is the outdoor Steakhouse. Located in the same outdoor space occupied by the Veranda restaurant during the day, Candles was our favorite of the two specialty restaurants.

Bars and Lounges

We could have easily completed our typical drink around the ship in a day on Wind Surf. Don’t worry, we didn’t try it. All bars served the same signature menu with a variety of cocktail options. There were also a few themed events like a Whiskey and Martini night.

Located near the pool, the Pool Bar was open from 9:30 am to 6 pm on most days. The Lounge is the hub of entertainment pre-dinner and post-dinner. A live band played here most evenings until about 11:30 pm.

On Deck 5, the Compass Rose was an indoor/outdoor venue which opened in the mornings by 9:30 am and stayed open until about midnight. Offering great views and live music most evenings, this was one of the happening places on the ship.

There was also the Terrace Bar and Cigar Lounge with bar staff routinely around during the evenings to serve drinks. 

We stayed in cabin 252, an AX Deluxe category stateroom. While the room was quite large in comparison to other contemporary cruise lines, it certainly showed signs of wear and tear. The ship is due for a four-week dry dock in a few months. Along with changes to some public venues, we hope the staterooms get some tidying up as well.

The décor in our stateroom was dated and tired with the carpet and fixtures showing their age. For a luxury cruise ship, we would expect more stylish and high-end furnishings. Even the technology was dated, with a small LCD television, a blu-ray player, and a Bose radio. Granted, we did not spend much time in the room but it did not live up to our expectations. During a Q&A session, the president of the cruise line did hint at advancements coming down the line for the brand as a whole.

Of note, there are also no balcony staterooms on Wind Surf. So, if you want that morning breeze or breakfast with a view, you will have to head to the outdoor decks.

Recap of Windstar Cruises Wind Surf Cruise Review

Sailing on a luxury yacht offered us the opportunity to spend several hours exploring ports of call that we usually do not get to visit on larger ships. However, it also meant that we needed to tender at most ports. With rough seas, this could be a challenge to those who are prone to motion sickness. Thankfully, this doesn’t impact us.

With a very visible set of officers and a crew to guest ratio of 1 to 1.5, we certainly felt pampered during the trip. There were also enough familiar cruise elements and venues that we did not feel completely out of our element on this smaller ship.

For those who have never cruised before, this ship will introduce you to the elements of cruising that we love. If you are concerned about sailing on the “monsters” (which Windstar staff affectionately calls the larger ships), these yachts would enable you to get closer to your destinations of interest while still experiencing a cruise vacation.

Wind Surf is entering a dry dock next month to undergo some maintenance, clean-up, and updates. The ship could certainly use some cosmetic work in the public venues and staterooms. She has a familiar layout and dedicated staff, so with some touch-ups and a few more entertainment options, we would consider another sailing. 

The overall experience was engaging, relaxing, and enlightening. Visiting Barbuda and speaking with the locals gave us a new perspective on life in the Caribbean after the devastating hurricanes in 2017. During our trip, Windstar Cruises and Porthole Cruise donated funds to local schools to help during the recovery efforts. 

While on our trip, president John Delaney detailed updates coming to the Star-class yachts. These include lengthening two of the ships and adding dining venues, an improved spa, and a revamped pool deck. We could certainly see ourselves cruising on one of these vessels when they re-enter the fleet.   

Have you sailed on any ships in the Windstar Cruises’ fleet? Do you enjoy the small ship experience? Drop us an anchor below to share your reviews of these boutique vessels. 

Disclaimer : We were guests of Windstar Cruises and Porthole Cruise for the Caribbean Celebrations cruise. All of the opinions and reviews are all our own. 

Related Posts

Cruiseline module – Remove Title

5 comments on windstar cruises wind surf cruise review, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to our newsletter!

You kids are great. We love following your adventures and keep cruising as often as we can. We just disembarked from Celebrity Equinox on Saturday, March 2nd from a Western Caribbean Cruise and we are looking forward to refurbished Celebrity Summit in September, We saw a Windstar (in the distance) years ago while on a “Barefoot Cruise”. I won’t even begin to describe. Keep us up to date, We love to read your posts.

We are about to set sail this Saturday on our 4th Windstar cruise. We are celebrating our daughters 18th birthday….funny…took this same cruise to the Caribbean 18 years and 9 months ago. Bon Voyage!

We have sailed Windstar many times over the years and enjoy the sailing yachts the most. The pricing at Windstar have been climbing in our opinion at a faster rate then the level of satisfaction and Windstar is quickly becoming for us a rare choice given it’s failures to deliver on a Luxury Cruise. We have found that the larger Windstar Ships lacking in many area’s from the condition of the ship to the service. In Windstar defense we did find that some crew and the Ship Captain who sought us out for background on the problems we experienced was refreshing while the Hotel Director and Maintenance Folks we found were simply disinterested. We are scheduled again for a summer Spain trip on the Surf and are hopeful for a pleasant experience although our experience right now isn’t starting out well. We don’t have the inability to even log into MY WINDSTAR to complete registration and review excursions. We did submit an online request for assistance and 3 days later no response.

I sailed in the Surf repeatedly for years. Each & every crew member have always gone above & beyond to make the voyage enjoyable. I look forward to seeing the crew again after her new refurbishment & plan to sail again in 2020.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

What’s Trending

Contact Us: [email protected]

Wind Surf Decks and Cabins

• Bridge Deck
• Click here for ALL
• Bridge Suite
• Ship info and tracking

Built in 1990, the Wind Surf cruise ship weighs 15K tons and has 171 staterooms for up to 376 passengers served by 178 crew . There are 6 passenger decks, 4 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 39 gross tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for Wind Surf showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all the types of cabins including pictures and videos.

Last Drydock: Nov 2021

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

BRIDGE SUITE

Floor Diagram Bridge Suite

Sleeps up to: 2 2 Cabins Cabin: 495 sqft (47 m 2 )

Click for    

More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, stateroom cabin perks, more diagrams of this cabin type.

Floor Diagram Suite

Sleeps up to: 3 19 Cabins Cabin: 376 sqft (35 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Important Size Information

Floor Diagram Stateroom

Sleeps up to: 3 150 Cabins Cabin: 188 sqft (18 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Wind Surf Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

Wind Surf Quick Stats

Big picture wind surf decks.

Opens in new window (warning: large file)

Wind Surf Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• Wind Surf DECK DRAG

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

• Windstar Cruises

Windsurf - Sicilian Splendors Itin

By OliveOil2330 , June 12, 2023 in Windstar Cruises

Recommended Posts

OliveOil2330

We have sailed Windstar previously, Windsurf and the yachts, loved them all, especially Windsurf.  I always wanted to do the Sicilian Splendors due to itin.  I see they have either changed itin or just named them differently.  That aside, I would appreciate hearing from those who have done this itin recently and also their impressions of the vessel, etc.  I have been reading some poor reviews which saddens me as we have great memories of our trip on her.  Don't want to spend the money if the intin wasn't great and the ship run down.  Thank you in advance!  

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

We did Sicilian Splendors in September 2018 as the third leg of our back to back to back. It was a glorious itinerary! We loved it!

We sailed on the Dalmatian itinerary on Wind Surf out of Venice back to Rome in September 2022. Another wonderful itinerary!

We have sailed on Wind Surf many times. We love her crew and the sails. The cabins are laid out well and if you can splurge on a cabin, we love the ones on Deck 3 that are the suites with 2 bathrooms. But any cabin is wonderful. We did think there were a few cosmetic issues on our last sail. Nothing that would stop me from sailing her again but there were some tired spots.   

It’s all about the itinerary, the crew and the other wonderful passengers (now life long friends) that we’ve met on Windstar that keeps us coming back!

We did the Sicilian Splendors last October after canceling twice due to Covid. We loved every minute and the trip was the same as this coming October's 

The condition of the ship for us was simply fine. That was our 26 th cruise with WS, most have been  on the Surf which we love. I love that the Surf is first and foremost a sailing ship with great deck space. I have been on a full ship many times and always have found silent spaces with the exception of the sounds of the sea. We do not need bling, we love comfort and tranquility.  We usually do not notice what is wrong but we found her as pretty and as nice as ever. 

We had great weather, one day was rainy and a bit rougher and we could not go into Lipari we went to Naples in the rain. The folks who went on the excursions to Herculaneum and Pompeii it did not rain my mistake for not taking an excursion. 

The afternoon we sailed out of Amalfi we had the most spectacular sail along the coast that lasted 4 hours, it was magnificent and exceptionally beautiful.We sat on the starboard side on the top of the ship simply gazing at the beauty for hours.

In Malta we did the 4x4 excursion in jeeps, that was fun, we saw all the ancient monuments, the museum, I could take a swim, fabulous sights. In Valletta, the reason I was on this trip, I had a guide and driver from Tours by Locals because I had to get to the painting by Caravaggio before the crowds, Italian art history is a passion, we also saw Rabat and Medina and spent time sight seeing the beautiful Valletta Harbor. Great island loved it.

We have been to Sicily many, many times and this trip hit the great sights. We were on our own but there is so much to see. We have a guide we know and adore in Catania so we spent time at the extraordinary market, the cathedral plaza and he drove us to Siracusa and the ruins. Great day.

In Sorrento, again another tour company we love we hired a driver to take us the coastal village of Nerano to meet a chef we knew at a restaurant we love and I learned how  to make my pasta Nerano without lumps. 

For us a fabulous time. Of course our last night in Italy we took the WS bus to their hotel Savoy which we adore because of their  roof top garden to see the sun set over the Vatican with a glass of Prosecco. Absolutely great trip for us, well worth the wait. We saw nothing wrong with the ship and the food was as usual great and the service as always great. Happy Sailing if you have questions as away. 

IpswichChris

My husband & I sailed on the Wind Surf a few weeks ago.  It was the only cruise we’ve ever taken so we have no basis of comparison.  But we loved the Wind Surf and have in fact booked another cruise on her.  I also had read very negative comments re her condition, so was very nervous about it.  Nothing we saw onboard bothered us- we just loved the experience so much that signs of wear didn’t matter.  We did book a suite on Deck 3 as we thought regular cabin would be too small.  For us, it was well worth the extra $.

2 hours ago, Ski Mom 2 said: We did Sicilian Splendors in September 2018 as the third leg of our back to back to back. It was a glorious itinerary! We loved it!   We sailed on the Dalmatian itinerary on Wind Surf out of Venice back to Rome in September 2022. Another wonderful itinerary!   We have sailed on Wind Surf many times. We love her crew and the sails. The cabins are laid out well and if you can splurge on a cabin, we love the ones on Deck 3 that are the suites with 2 bathrooms. But any cabin is wonderful. We did think there were a few cosmetic issues on our last sail. Nothing that would stop me from sailing her again but there were some tired spots.    It’s all about the itinerary, the crew and the other wonderful passengers (now life long friends) that we’ve met on Windstar that keeps us coming back!  

Thank you so much for your reply.  Our cruise is from September 22nd to October 2nd but in 2025.  I had major surgery so won't be ready to cross over to Europe until then.  We did the Dalmatian Itin on the Star Legend and it was wonderful.  Last Windsurf was Caribbean and love it.  Since then we have done several Celebrity cruises but becoming disenchanted, while we have always had great service and food we like a smaller ship and theirs are tending to be larger or ports we aren't interested in.  

The Sicilian Splendors has been on my bucket list!  Appreciate your input.  

1 hour ago, Strenz said: We did the Sicilian Splendors last October after canceling twice due to Covid. We loved every minute and the trip was the same as this coming October's  The condition of the ship for us was simply fine. That was our 26 th cruise with WS, most have been  on the Surf which we love. I love that the Surf is first and foremost a sailing ship with great deck space. I have been on a full ship many times and always have found silent spaces with the exception of the sounds of the sea. We do not need bling, we love comfort and tranquility.  We usually do not notice what is wrong but we found her as pretty and as nice as ever.  We had great weather, one day was rainy and a bit rougher and we could not go into Lipari we went to Naples in the rain. The folks who went on the excursions to Herculaneum and Pompeii it did not rain my mistake for not taking an excursion.  The afternoon we sailed out of Amalfi we had the most spectacular sail along the coast that lasted 4 hours, it was magnificent and exceptionally beautiful.We sat on the starboard side on the top of the ship simply gazing at the beauty for hours. In Malta we did the 4x4 excursion in jeeps, that was fun, we saw all the ancient monuments, the museum, I could take a swim, fabulous sights. In Valletta, the reason I was on this trip, I had a guide and driver from Tours by Locals because I had to get to the painting by Caravaggio before the crowds, Italian art history is a passion, we also saw Rabat and Medina and spent time sight seeing the beautiful Valletta Harbor. Great island loved it. We have been to Sicily many, many times and this trip hit the great sights. We were on our own but there is so much to see. We have a guide we know and adore in Catania so we spent time at the extraordinary market, the cathedral plaza and he drove us to Siracusa and the ruins. Great day. In Sorrento, again another tour company we love we hired a driver to take us the coastal village of Nerano to meet a chef we knew at a restaurant we love and I learned how  to make my pasta Nerano without lumps.  For us a fabulous time. Of course our last night in Italy we took the WS bus to their hotel Savoy which we adore because of their  roof top garden to see the sun set over the Vatican with a glass of Prosecco. Absolutely great trip for us, well worth the wait. We saw nothing wrong with the ship and the food was as usual great and the service as always great. Happy Sailing if you have questions as away. 

Thank you for your input, lots of information for sure.  Our dates are Sept. 22nd to Oct. 2nd but in 2025 due to major surgery I have had so not ready to go abroad just yet.  We are also thinking when we end the trip to do a few days in Florence/Tuscany before returning home.  

Really appreciate all you info......  

55 minutes ago, IpswichChris said: My husband & I sailed on the Wind Surf a few weeks ago.  It was the only cruise we’ve ever taken so we have no basis of comparison.  But we loved the Wind Surf and have in fact booked another cruise on her.  I also had read very negative comments re her condition, so was very nervous about it.  Nothing we saw onboard bothered us- we just loved the experience so much that signs of wear didn’t matter.  We did book a suite on Deck 3 as we thought regular cabin would be too small.  For us, it was well worth the extra $.

We loved Windsurf when we did her in the Caribbean and have done Star Legend on the Dalmatian   Coast a few years back, just loved it.  We do love a smaller ship, we had our own sail boat in San Diego years back and did some great sailing.  You will be hooked.  Lately we have done Celebrity and enjoyed their ships, service and food but we are more laid back so don't need the fanfare of shows, etc.  

Appreciate you replying to me and your input.  

• 2 weeks later...

On 6/12/2023 at 12:30 PM, OliveOil2330 said: Thank you for your input, lots of information for sure.  Our dates are Sept. 22nd to Oct. 2nd but in 2025 due to major surgery I have had so not ready to go abroad just yet.  We are also thinking when we end the trip to do a few days in Florence/Tuscany before returning home.     Really appreciate all you info......  

If you have not been to Florence and Tuscany, defiinitely add this to yor trip.  It is one of our favorite places.

We are researching that now.......so yes, we are going to end our trip with Florence/Tuscany.  Thank you though for the info.....

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 10:06 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 09:00 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 07:42 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 07:01 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 06:19 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

These 3 lesser-known cruise lines offer amazing voyages on sail-powered ships

There is nothing quite as magical — or romantic — as a cruise on a sailing ship.

To stand on the deck of a vessel topped with dozens of billowing sails, propelled through the waves by the power of the wind alone, is to go back in time to an earlier age of travel, when crossing the world's oceans was as adventurous as it was challenging.

It's an experience that's all about the feeling of the wind in your hair, the lean of the vessel (known as the heel) as it's pushed by the wind and the sway from the waves (which is actually smoother than what you get on a motor ship).

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

In contrast to what you'll find on so many motor-powered ships, cruising on a masted ship is about the simple thrill of traveling across the sea and not about all the many attractions you'll find on board.

Only a handful of small cruise brands — so small that you might never have heard of them — offer trips on sailing ships. Here, we look at the three biggest players in this niche subset of the cruise industry.

Sea Cloud Cruises

If it's an authentic, old-style sailing experience you want, then Sea Cloud Cruises is the line for you. The Germany-based company operates three large sailing ships where the sails are unfurled by hand, just as they were on sailing ships centuries ago.

On the biggest of these three vessels, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , 18 deckhands scurry high into the rigging on sea days to manually untie and prepare the sails, an amazing sight. Unveiled in 2021 , it's a full-rigged, three-masted sailing ship of the sort that hasn't been common on the world's oceans for more than a century.

Related: Why Sea Cloud Spirit is a sailing vessel you'll want to try

Sea Cloud Cruises' two other vessels — Sea Cloud 2 and Sea Cloud — are smaller but offer a similar show as the sails are set by hand the old-fashioned way. The former is a 23-year-old, three-masted barque propelled by 23 sails (five fewer than Sea Cloud Spirit); the latter is a 93-year-old, four-masted barque with 30 sails and a storied past.

Now configured to carry 64 paying passengers, Sea Cloud was originally the private yacht of Postum Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, the famed financier E. F. Hutton. At the time, the vessel was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the U.S. Navy as a weather ship during World War II, after which it became the presidential yacht for the Dominican Republic. It only began sailing as a cruise vessel in the 1980s.

If you have money to spare, you can still book Post's opulent private quarters on Sea Cloud, now its owner's suite. It'll set you back around $5,000 per day per couple. Her husband's slightly smaller quarters are also available to book at a similar rate.

Post, the wealthiest woman in the U.S. during her lifetime, notably also built Mar-a-Lago, the massive estate in Florida that is now the official residence of Donald Trump.

Sea Cloud Cruises is the most all-inclusive and upscale of the three brands listed in this story, with pricing to match. Expect to pay nearly $1,000 per person per day or more for many sailings.

Sea Cloud Cruises' three vessels offer a diverse array of sailings in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and Morocco, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Cruising Costa Rica, Panama with Sea Cloud Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Founded in the 1980s, Windstar Cruises got its start as a sailing ship line. While it now operates traditional motor-powered ships, too, voyages on sailing ships are still a big part of its business.

Three of the Seattle-based brand's six vessels — Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf — are sailing vessels, and they all offer a similar yacht-like, small-ship experience.

Two of the three vessels (Wind Spirit and Wind Star) are particularly intimate, measuring 5,407 tons and carrying just 148 passengers with every berth full.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The line's third sailing vessel, Wind Surf, is nearly three times the size at 14,745 tons. It's one of the biggest sailing ships in the world (only a sister vessel that sails for Club Med is bigger). Wind Surf carries 342 people, an enormous number for a sailing ship.

Unlike on the vessels operated by Sea Cloud, the sails on Windstar's sailing ships aren't unfurled by hand in the old-fashioned way but by the push of a button from the bridge. It's a fully automated system that is much more modern, if less dramatic.

Still, the experience of slicing through the waves by the power of the wind alone on Windstar ships is as glorious and romantic as it is on the Sea Cloud ships.

Windstar Cruises is less all-inclusive and pricey than Sea Cloud but still offers a relatively upscale experience. Its dining program is done in partnership with the food-focused James Beard Foundation, which also brings James Beard Award-winning chefs to the ships regularly for food-themed itineraries.

For an extra $89 per person per day, passengers can also make the experience more all-inclusive with included Wi-Fi, unlimited beer, wine and cocktails, and gratuities (three things that aren't included in regular fares).

The line's three vessels typically spend nearly all of their time sailing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Read more about Windstar's itineraries

Star Clippers

Like Sea Cloud and Windstar, Star Clippers operates three sailing vessels that are among the biggest and most elegant sailing vessels in the world.

The belle of the ball at the line is Royal Clipper, a stunning five-masted ship that is billed as the largest square-rigged ship in the world. Its enormous array of 42 sails has a sail area of 56,000 square feet — significantly more than the sails atop any of the Sea Cloud or Windstar vessels. (Only Sea Cloud Spirit comes relatively close with a sail area of 44,100 square feet spread across 28 sails.)

Built to resemble Preussen, a legendary tall ship of the 19th century, the 24-year-old Royal Clipper shares the spotlight at Star Clippers with two smaller sister vessels, Star Flyer and Star Clipper.

Carrying 166 passengers apiece, the smaller vessels were designed to resemble the speedy clipper ships of the 19th century, which were known for their narrow profile and large sail area. Each vessel has a sail area of 36,000 square feet spread across 16 sails, a large amount for the size.

When it comes to the setting of sails, Star Clippers vessels offer a level of old-style authenticity that is in between the ships of Sea Cloud and Windstar. Like on Sea Cloud vessels, the sails are pulled into position by a team of deckhands using hand power and winches to tighten the "sheets," or ropes.

Unlike on Sea Cloud vessels, the deck hands don't climb high into the rigging to untie and prepare the sails for winching. That part is done automatically at the push of a button from the bridge, as it is on Windstar vessels.

In one key difference, though, Star Clippers lets passengers harness up and climb into the crow's nest of its vessels — a thrilling experience. Just be prepared for your knees to go a bit wobbly as you get to the top; it's way up there.

Star Clippers sailings are the most affordable option among the three sailing brands, in part because the onboard experience is less all-inclusive and upscale.

The three Star Clippers vessels mostly operate sailings in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and along the west coast of Central America.

Bottom line

It's still possible to get a taste of what traveling the world's oceans was like in the days before motor power. Three small cruise companies — Sea Cloud Cruises, Windstar Cruises and Star Clippers — offer voyages on large sailing ships that are as majestic as anything that has sailed the seas in centuries past.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This Small-ship Cruise Line Just Announced 2 New All-suite Vessels Will Join Its Fleet

Windstar Cruises is scheduled to launch Star Seeker in 2025 and Star Explorer in 2026.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Boutique small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is growing its fleet, adding two 224-passenger vessels — both acquisitions from Mystic Cruises —  in the next two years. Star Seeker is slated to make its debut in December 2025 and Star Explorer is scheduled to follow a year later in December 2026. 

Star Seeker is under construction, while Star Explorer is currently sailing as Quark Expeditions' World Explorer. B oth ships will be reworked to include signature features of Windstar ships, from a watersports platform to Owners Suites with wraparound balconies to a whirlpool on the bow. 

Dining, in particular, will be a main focus on the ships, as Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The ships' dining options spaces will be expanded to include the on-deck Star Grill, the casual Yacht Club café and lounge, and a re-imagined Amphora main dining room, which will now have outdoor seating.

“Our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” Christopher Prelog, Windstar Cruises’ president, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure . “We are thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of our game-changing Star Class in small-ship cruising with guests and travel partners, while offering new experiences. This growth reflects the dedication of our incredible crew and team, allowing us to broaden our destination portfolio and even bring one of our Wind Class sail ships back to Tahiti.”

Though both ships have ice-strengthened hulls capable of sailing in the polar regions, Windstar doesn't currently operate such itineraries, focusing primarily on the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. But these new ships may open doors to adventures in the years to come.

“As part of our company’s expanding portfolio, Windstar Cruises is poised for remarkable growth and an exciting future ahead," Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of parent company Xanterra Travel Collection, said in a statement. "We’re excited about the possibilities of where Windstar will sail and the opportunities it brings our officers, crew and staff, and our guests.”

Itineraries and booking information for Star Seeker will be announced in June 2024. You can sign up for updates at windstarcruises.com/newships .

Windstar Cruises is growing again with 2 new ships

Small-ship specialist Windstar Cruises is finally back in growth mode.

Windstar President Chris Prelog on Wednesday said the brand would add two new vessels by the end of 2026 — a 33% expansion of its fleet that would end a decadelong drought in new ship additions.

"This is going to allow Windstar not only to grow but to go back to favorite destinations where we have been before and explore new destinations," Prelog told cruise writers at a press conference in Miami Beach, Florida.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Prelog called the acquisition of the two vessels from another company "an amazing opportunity" that would allow Windstar to double the number of ships it operates in French Polynesia, one of its core markets.

The press conference took place at Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry's annual meetup at the Miami Beach Convention Center. More than 10,000 executives from cruise lines, shipyards, suppliers and destinations attend the event.

2 new all-suite ships

Windstar is acquiring the two new vessels from Portugal-based Mystic Invest Holdings, the parent company of small-ship operator Atlas Ocean Voyages , Germany-based Nicko Cruises and several other brands.

The first of the vessels, to be called Star Seeker, is a still-under-construction, 224-passenger vessel that Mystic was originally building for its Atlas Ocean Voyages brand to operate under the name World Seeker.

The ship was to be a sister vessel to the three Atlas Ocean Voyages vessels currently in operation: World Navigator , World Traveller and World Voyager .

Mystic was building the ship for Atlas Ocean Voyages at a shipyard in Portugal that it also owns.

The second vessel Windstar is acquiring is a 4-year-old ship in the same series that Mystic has been chartering to expedition cruise specialist Quark Expeditions. Currently operating for Quark as World Explorer, it'll be renamed Star Explorer and also have room for 224 passengers.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The two vessels will join the Windstar fleet in December 2025 and December 2026, respectively, after the addition of several signature Windstar elements to each of them.

For example, both of the vessels will get water sports platforms, something that isn't currently part of their design. Water sports platforms are a signature feature of Windstar vessels.

Other changes to the current design of each of the vessels will include adding a new pool and a two-story spa. Windstar will also add a whirlpool to the bow of the ships.

A helipad that is currently part of the design of each of the ships will become a large Owner's Suite, with a wraparound balcony.

Like the three ships of similar design currently sailing for Atlas Ocean Voyages, the new Windstar ships will be all-suite ships where most rooms come with either a private balcony or a window wall that slides open to create a balcony-like space.

Windstar said each of the ships would have an Amphora dining room, a Windstar signature, and a more casual Star Grill. Each of the vessels will have a no-extra-charge specialty restaurant and offer 24-hour room service, too.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Windstar ship

As is the case for all of the vessels in the series that have operated for Atlas Ocean Voyages and Quark, the ships will have ice-strengthened hulls that allow them to operate in icy polar destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic's Svalbard Archipelago. But in response to a question from The Points Guy, Prelog suggested the line didn't have plans to deploy the ships to the most remote parts of the polar regions.

That said, the ice-strengthened capabilities of the ships could be of value when sailing to places such as Greenland and Alaska, Prelog said.

First new Windstar ships since 2015

Windstar last expanded its fleet in 2014 and 2015, when it added three small motor vessels that were formerly operated by Seabourn.

Windstar currently operates six ships — the three former Seabourn vessels, all of which have been significantly renovated and lengthened over the years to have more cabins and venues, as well as three sailing ships.

Related: Don't miss these loyalty perks when booking a Windstar cruise

During Wednesday's announcement, Prelog said the addition of the two Mystic vessels would allow Windstar to send one of its sailing ships, the 148-passenger Wind Star, back to French Polynesia starting in 2027. Wind Star will join the 312-passenger Star Breeze in sailing year-round in French Polynesia, a major expansion for Windstar in the region.

Prelog on Wednesday did not say where the new Star Seeker and Star Explorer would sail. But he said itineraries and pricing for the first of vessels scheduled to debut, Star Seeker, would be announced in June.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers TV with DVD Player Fully Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator Safe L'Occitane Bath Amenities Fresh Fruit Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception) Bathroom with granite countertop and shower Granite vanity with magnifying mirror

• CAPACITY: 342 Guests
• STATEROOMS: 150 deluxe ocean view staterooms
• SUITES: 18 deluxe ocean view suites
• BRIDGE DECK SUITES: 2 deluxe ocean view bridge suites
• OFFICER'S SUITE: 1, located in the officer's quarters
• DECKS: 6 decks
• CREW:  210 international staff
• SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
• LENGTH: 535 feet (162 meters) at waterline; 617 feet (187meters) including bowsprit
• DRAFT: 16.5 feet (5 meters)
• TONNAGE: 14,745 gross registered tons (grt)
• BEAM: 66 feet (20 meters)
• SAILS: 7 triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails with 26,881 square feet (or 2,600 square meters) of Dacron surface area
• MASTS: 5 at 221 feet (67.5 meters)
• ENGINES: 4 diesel electric generating sets, 2 electrical propulsion motor
• SPEED: 10 to 12 knots with engines only; up to 15 knots wind and engine assisted

Electrostal History and Art Museum

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Electrostal History and Art Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.19 mi) Elektrostal Hotel
• (1.21 mi) Yakor Hotel
• (1.27 mi) Mini Hotel Banifatsiy
• (1.18 mi) Elemash
• (1.36 mi) Hotel Djaz
• (0.07 mi) Prima Bolshogo
• (0.13 mi) Makecoffee
• (0.25 mi) Amsterdam Moments
• (0.25 mi) Pechka
• (0.26 mi) Mazhor

ELECTROSTAL HISTORY AND ART MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.19 mi) Elektrostal Hotel
• (1.21 mi) Yakor Hotel
• (1.27 mi) Mini Hotel Banifatsiy
• (1.18 mi) Elemash
• (1.36 mi) Hotel Djaz
• (0.07 mi) Prima Bolshogo
• (0.13 mi) Makecoffee
• (0.25 mi) Amsterdam Moments
• (0.25 mi) Pechka
• (0.26 mi) Mazhor