72 REVITALISATION Windstar Cruises has embarked on a multiyear project to refurbish its three Wind-class yachts: Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. Stijn Creupelandt tells Laura Hyde more Winds of change Windstar Cruises is in the middle of a multimilliondollar, multiyear initiative to redesign and refurbish its three Windclass yachts – Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Spirit – at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. “During the pandemic, we renovated our Star-class vessels, so as cruising picked back up, we turned our focus to the Wind-class fleet,” says Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer of Windstar Cruises. “The class is iconic to the brand, but it was time for a refresh and thankfully the dry dock cycles lined up perfectly. The Wind-class ships are 30 years old, so beyond aesthetics, there’s significant work involved to install new technology, replace structural steel and more. We had several four-week dry docks booked which gave us the opportunity to ask ourselves what we could realistically accomplish in that time. We settled on completing the refurbishments in two phases.” The 148-guest Wind Star was the first ship to be renovated, spending 26 days in dry dock in late 2023 for phase one; phase two is scheduled for April 2026. Phase one of the refurbishment on Windstar Cruises’ flagship vessel Wind Surf was completed in November and December 2024, with phase two scheduled for April 2026. The first part of Wind Spirit’s revitalisation took place in March and April 2025 and the remaining work is planned for March 2027. “We started this multiyear, multi-ship refurbishment with a third-party interior designer but quickly realised that we needed someone in-house, given the scale of the project and the need to align with our brand identity,” says Creupelandt. “So, we brought on Jessica Payne, our interior designer, to lead the creative design work and manage the project.” During phase one of the revitalisations, Windstar Cruises focused on implementing a consistent design scheme across the public spaces and the larger owner’s suites on all three yachts, with carpets, colour palettes and design details being used to reinforce its branding. Each ship also has new furniture, lighting and finishes; Technogym equipment in the fitness studio; and a new pool, jacuzzi and an extended pool bar. The outdoor deck and mast have “ It’s not just about everything being new and shiny; it’s about using thoughtful design to enhance the guest experience” The new Broadmoor Suite was inspired by The Broadmoor resort in Colorado
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