Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2024

107 Windstar Cruises Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has embarked on a multimillion-dollar, multi-year initiative to redesign and refurbish its Wind-class yachts, Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. Wind Star was the first ship to be renovated, spending 26 days at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, from 7 November until 2 December 2023. The vessel’s lobby has been opened up to create a more expansive reception area with additional seating and a larger retail space. The layout of the ship’s lounge has been redesigned and fitted with new furniture, lighting and finishes to achieve a living room-style ambience. Both the gym and The World Spa by Windstar have also been redecorated with updated finishes and feature new Technogym equipment. The ship also has a new pool, jacuzzi and an extended pool bar. This area also features updated furniture, including sofas, ottomans and chairs. The Owner’s Suite has been redesigned and all staterooms now offer access to on-demand movies and shows, as well as additional access points for better connectivity to Starlink internet. The second phase of the ship’s renovation, which includes refurbishing the remaining staterooms and Amphora and Veranda dining venues, is scheduled for 2026. The renovation project for Wind Surf is scheduled to begin in September 2024 and finish by July 2025. Wind Spirit’s renovation project will be completed in two phases, in 2024 and 2026. “This Wind-class refresh is all about providing guests with updated spaces that inspire relaxation, foster connection, and ‘offer the multifunctionality that an intimate-sized sailing yacht needs,” says Stijn Creupelandt, vice president of operations at Windstar Cruises. “Spending time on our yachts is all about moments of connection, whether that be guest to guest or guest to crew and we want to make sure our spaces reflect that desire.” Windstar Cruises says its refurbishment project “takes inspiration from the sails, the sea and a desire to foster connections”

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