By
Rebecca Gibson |
Windstar Cruises’ original sailing yacht, Wind Star, has returned to service following an extensive onboard renovation.
The 148-guest Wind Star began operating 40 years ago and is the first of the brand’s three Wind-class ships to be fully upgraded as part of the multi-year ‘Setting Sails’ initiative. The brand aims to create a “more refined, modern feel” to the onboard experience and “enhance how guests dine, relax and connect.” Each vessel is being refurbished in two phases, and Wind Surf and Wind Spirit are scheduled to be undergo final updates in December 2026 and March 2027, respectively.
Read more: Stijn Creupelandt explains how Windstar Cruises is giving three of its yachts a new lease of life
Wind Star now features improved guest staterooms with new integrated lighting, bedside charging points, upgraded technology, Starlink connectivity, televisions with on-demand content, and upholstered headboards. The Owner’s Suite has also been redesigned.
The Owner's Suite was redesigned during the two-phase refurbishment (Credit: Windstar Cruises)
Various public spaces – such as the Compass Rose Lounge, Yacht Club Café, pool deck, lobby, fitness centre and World Spa by Windstar – have all been revitalised too. Notable highlights include Veranda, which has a new buffet layout and a refreshed interiors, and signature restaurant Amphora, which has updated furnishings, custom banquette seating, flooring, ceiling treatments and wall finishes.
Amphora was one of multiple dining venues and public spaces that Windstar Cruises updated onboard Wind Star (Credit: Windstar Cruises)
In addition, the yacht now features new teak decking, enhanced lighting and audio systems and a collection of custom artwork created in collaboration with Miami-based organisation Fountainhead Art.
“This transformation is about honouring where we started while sailing confidently into what’s next,” said Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer of Windstar Cruises. “As our original sailing yacht, Wind Star has always held a special place in our fleet. With these significant updates, we’ve honoured what guests love most while elevating every aspect of the experience. Now, she’s ready to deliver that experience in entirely new ways, in some of the world’s most iconic destinations.”
Enhancements in spaces such as the pool bar are designed to make it easier for guests to relax and connect with others (Credit: Windstar Cruises)
Wind Star returned to service with a 10-night sailing from Libson, Portugal, to Barcelona, Spain, on 7 April. The yacht will continue homeporting in Barcelona and offer Mediterranean voyages until June, when it will reposition to Athens, Greece, to begin a series of seven-night roundtrips in the Greek Isles.
In 2027, Wind Star will join Star Breeze in French Polynesia to operate seven-day ‘Dreams of Tahiti’ itineraries.