Reasons to Book
The World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line
All cruise ships let you see the world. Only Windstar’s private yacht style cruises brings you close enough so you can truly experience it. Each of our Windstar Cruises yachts serves between 148 and 342 guests. This intimacy provides you with the luxuries of time, space and freedom to immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination — in ways you may never have imagined possible.
Two Styles of Yachts
There are six yachts in the Windstar fleet. Stretch out on our three reimagined Star Plus Class yachts, fresh from a $250 million transformation.
Or, take to the seas in one of three classic Wind Class yachts featuring masts with sails and largest sailing ship in the world, Wind Surf.
Perfectly Sized, Newly Transformed
Banish cliché, toss aside regimen, steer clear of stuffy. Our perfectly sized yachts, fresh from a $250 million renovation, make it possible to flip the script on cruising. Free yourself from crowds and indulge all your senses, especially your sense of awe. Experience cultures in ways that are personal and authentic, with the power to change your perspective. With 148-342 guests, a Windstar yacht is large enough to pamper, yet small enough to explore secluded coves and docks in the heart of charming villages, sparkling cities, and remote islands.
Not Just Different, Better
We go out of our way to find out-of-the-way places to go. It's easy to build an itinerary made up of tried-and-true ports of call. It's not so easy to find smaller, less-visited ports of call - places out of the limelight where locals go to vacation, where authentic food and traditions take the place of tourist fare, and where you can still find deserted beaches and bustling markets filled with unfamiliar produce and colorful characters. We're always looking for hidden gems like these. If we fall in love with them, we figure there's a good chance you will too.
Authentic Experiences
Yes, our yachts are beautiful, but their real beauty lies in how close they can get you to the kind of authentic, immersive experiences you're looking for.
Signature Expeditions | Introducing the Windstar Signature Expeditions program. Helmed by a team of onboard expedition experts who sail with the cruise the entire time, they'll provide more insight, understanding, and commentary to show you an Alaska you've never seen before.
Beyond Sightseeing | Have dinner with a Croatian family in their village home, and see what life is like from a local perspective. Snorkel with whale sharks off the coast of La Paz. Get closer with a kayak launched directly from the ship on one of our Signature Expeditions in Alaska. Our carefully curated onboard lecturers deepen and enhance your experiences with an insider's look at intriguing local topics. Get closer to each destination through the best small ports and hidden harbors, for access to different cultures and far-off lands.
Enrichment Programs | At Windstar, we don't just take you to fascinating destinations, we take you into them, giving you unique access to knowledge and activities that enhance your understanding of the places you visit.
Complimentary Destination Discovery Events treat you to iconic experiences that capture the essence of your locale. Guest Lecturers intrigue you with regional topics, adding new dimensions to your voyage. And small group excursions take you to meet locals who are delighted to share their homes, cuisines, and cultures with you.
Shore Excursions | You don't want to just dip a toe in local culture, you want to dive into the deep end, and that's exactly what Windstar shore excursions are designed to do. All of our excursions are created to provide authentic local experiences - the kind traveler's like you are looking for. And with more than 2,000 excursions to choose from, you can experience your destination in whatever way is most meaningful to you, whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, a history buff or someone who loves to get to know the faces behind the many places we travel.
No Schedule to Keep. Except Your Own
We don't have jam-packed onboard programs filled with bingo and black jack tournaments. Instead, visit local markets with our Chef. Drop by the Open Bridge for an impromptu lesson in chart reading. Share bottles of wine and stories with the couple sitting next to you in Candles. Listen to live music in the Lounge. Jump directly off the yacht from our Watersports Platform.
And most of all, do more of the things you want to do when you travel.
If We Can We Do, Making a Difference One Detail at a Time.
Of all the things that make Windstar 180 degrees from ordinary, the most exceptional may be our crew. To them, hospitality is not just a job, it’s a calling, and the more you enjoy your voyage, the more they enjoy serving you. They notice things others might not – your affection for turn-down chocolates, for instance, resulting in extra sweets magically appearing on your pillow.
World Class Dining
We've upped the onboard dining game with our culinary program, featuring an array of fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from each port along the journey, and menus inspired by a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Each nightly menu is crafted to highlight the spectacular flavors of the regional cuisine. Every meal is just what you'd expect on your private yacht - perfect and included in Windstar's Cruise Fare. You're free to dine when, where, and with whomever you please.
A Delicious Pairing | Windstar Cruises has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to bring you culinary experiences that are truly 180 degrees from ordinary. Now guests can dine on dishes created by not just one celebrity chef, but by a list of all-stars recognized by the James Beard Foundation, an organization committed to celebrating, nurturing and honoring chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable for everyone.
Innovative New Restaurants | With two brand new restaurants on our Star Class ships, you will be able to taste a variety of cuisines from around the globe. Whether you are looking for afternoon tapas or barbecue grilled by a master, the option to relax and enjoy delicious meals is always a guarantee. In Michelin star-rated Chef Anthony Sasso's Cuadro 44, enjoy small plates and exquisite Iberian flavors.
Or indulge at Star Grill, the most inventive, modern grill at sea with recipes from Chef Steven Raichlen. Both included in Windstar's Cruise Fare.
The Option to Make it All Inclusive
Make your cruise all inclusive with our All Inclusive Fare at just $89 per guest per day. Receive everything in the Cruise Fare plus Wi-Fi, unlimited beer, wine & cocktails, and gratuities. Make your vacation hassle free with everything arranged before you depart.
- Alcoholic Beverages - Unlimited beer, wine and cocktails. Cheers!
- Gratuities - Includes all service and bar gratuities.
- Wi-Fi - Unlimited internet so you can stay connected and make your friends wish they were there with you!
Members Club
When you step aboard Windstar Cruises, you're more than a guest. You become part of a club that's 180 degrees from ordinary. Windstar's Yacht Club gives you more great rewards the more you sail. Each cruise you earn bigger rewards and recognition as you move up from One Star to Four Star.
You’ll earn one point per cruise day for most bookings, 1.5 points per cruise day for bookings on Wind Class suites or Deluxe Suites on Star Plus Class, and 2 points per cruise day for Owner’s and Classic Suites on the Star Plus Class and the Bridge Suite on Wind Surf after you complete your qualifying cruise.
ONE STAR | 1-15 POINTS
You start earning great rewards after the first time you sail:
- 5% cruise fare saving plus an additional 5% for onboard bookings or bookings within 60 days after disembarkation*
- 5% off unlimited laundry package
- 5% off Wi-Fi**
- 5% off Windstar branded merchandise, plus special discounts on additional onboard retail items
- Customised keycard
TWO STAR | 16-39 POINTS
You get next-level rewards for your continued loyalty:
- 5% cruise fare saving plus an additional 5% for onboard bookings or bookings within 60 days after disembarkation*
- $50 onboard credit per person*
- 5% off beverage packages**
- 5% off unlimited laundry package
- 5% off Wi-Fi**
- 5% off Windstar shore excursions
- 5% off Windstar branded merchandise, plus special discounts on additional onboard retail items
- Customised keycard
THREE STAR | 40-89 POINTS
Your Three Star status comes with an opportunity to dine with a yacht's officer, plus:
- 5% cruise fare saving plus an additional 5% for onboard bookings or bookings within 60 days after disembarkation*
- $75 onboard credit per person*
- 5% off beverage packages**
- 10% off unlimited laundry package
- 10% off Wi-Fi**
- 10% off Windstar shore excursions
- 10% off Windstar branded merchandise, plus special discounts on additional onboard retail items
- Customized keycard
FOUR STAR | 90+ POINTS
At this top-tier level, you've earned the special privilege of dining with the yacht's Captain or a Senior Officer, plus:
- 5% cruise fare saving plus an additional 5% for onboard bookings or bookings within 60 days after disembarkation*
- $100 onboard credit per person*
- 10% off beverage packages**
- Complimentary unlimited laundry package
- Complimentary Wi-Fi**
- 15% off Windstar shore excursions
- 15% off Windstar branded merchandise, plus special discounts on additional onboard retail items
- Customised keycard
*Terms and conditions apply, not combinable with certain promotions or rates
**Only applies to amenities purchased individually and not as part of the All-Inclusive Fare
All Yacht Club Members Receive:
- 20% discount on Yacht Club Member sailings: Hidden Indonesia & the Great Barrier Reef, Star Breeze - February 4, 2023; Colombian & Southern Caribbean Coastlines, Wind Star - March 18, 2023;
- Advanced notification of new deployment
- Advanced notification of sales events
- $100 onboard credit when you refer a new guest to Windstar, who will also receive $100 onboard credit per person
- Members only private sales
- Exclusive members only cocktail party with the officers
- Exclusive onboard tote
- Additional discounts at sister Xanterra Travel Collection brands