Two Seabourn ships will be refitted and renamed when they join the Windstar fleet this year
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Windstar Cruises is to carry out a US$17 million renovation on two former Seabourn Cruises ships when they join the fleet this May.
Windstar will take possession of the first Seabourn ship on 15 April, before she undergoes a US$8.5 million, three-week renovation in Genoa, Italy. The vessel will be renamed as Star Breeze during a christening ceremony on 6 May in Nice, France.
Joining the fleet on 4 May, the second Seabourn ship will undergo a similar US$8.5 million renovation and will be christened Star Legend on 25 May in Rome, Italy.
Star Breeze and Star Legend will join sister ship, Star Pride, marking the completion of the acquisition announced in February 2013. Together, the three ships will double the size of Windstar’s fleet, bringing the line’s total capacity to 1,242 berths and six ships.
“Star Breeze and Star Legend will receive a full stem-to-stern transformation, more than doubling the investment that was spent on Star Pride’s original enhancements,” says Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ CEO. “We learned a lot about our guests’ preferences with the debut of Star Pride last year. We are taking their feedback and giving them what they want with the launch of these two all suite yachts.”
Both Star Breeze and Star Legend will feature updated features to Star Pride. The ships’ entertainment lounges will be updated with new flooring and furniture, while the restaurant on the aft of the yacht will feature an expanded outdoor area with seating and a garden wall.
In addition, the outdoor Star Deck will be expanded by four feet on each side to provide additional seating areas, and the card room will be transformed into a Star Screening Room where guests can watch current movies and play video games.
All of the public areas on each ship will receive updated décor, upholstery, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floors.
The top-deck Yacht Club, one of the most well- received spaces on Star Pride, will be upgraded into a coffee bar and lounge with new flooring, lounge furniture, and an open layout.
Meanwhile, the club area will be turned into Windstar’s popular Compass Rose venue, with contemporary furnishings, including rich new flooring finishes, plantation shutters, chairs and bar stools. The bar area in the Star Bar will be expanded with teak decking, new stools, an awning, and lighting.
The AmphorA restaurant will be redesigned with mirror panels with Murano glass, soft lighting, wall coverings, and artwork. It will also feature a new seating layout to accommodate Windstar’s formal dining experience.
Each of the 106-guest suites will feature more luxurious carpets, linens, sofas, chairs, mattresses, curtains, and headboards, as well as a modern colour palette. The Owner’s Suites will now showcase different Windstar destinations.
“With the addition of these two newly renovated yachts, we can meet our consumer demand, enhance the feel of luxury, and continue to rank at the top of the small cruise line industry,” said Birkholz.
In April 2016, Windstar will carry out an additional US$3 million renovation of Star Pride Following the refit the ship, which underwent an initial upgrade following her introduction to the fleet in May 2014, will feature a fully renovated lounge, Veranda dining venue, Screening Room and AmphorA dining room.