With Four Seasons Yachts and Orient-Express Sailing Yachts entering the small-ship luxury cruise marketplace and continuing growth by the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Luxury Travel Advisor recently talked with Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, a veteran boutique luxury line, for his perspective. "Competition isn’t a bad thing," he emphasizes. "Those luxury hotel companies bring a whole new customer to the table.”
In addition, “cruising, as an industry, is very tiny, so it’s positive to have more spotlights on cruising,” Prelog says. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Windstar is forging its own path forward with a fleet expansion, the revitalization of older ships, new itineraries, short cruises, year-round cruising in the Mediterranean and more. Here's what's new and trending from our discussion with both Prelog and Janet Bava, the small-ship line's chief commercial officer.
Star Seeker and Star Explorer
Windstar’s new 224-passenger Star Seeker, the first new-build for the Star-class yachts, will debut this December. Following a trans-Atlantic inaugural cruise, the christening voyage will depart Miami on January 15, 2026. In addition, new sister ship, Star Explorer, will launch in December 2026.
What's important for travel advisors to know about Star Seeker? “Even though it was built under a different contract (initially for another company), we’re converting it through many changes into a true Windstar ship,” Prelog stresses. He says loyal past guests will discover such Windstar brand attributes as a whirlpool on the bow, a marina aft and the Star Grill. Those are all elements that past guests expect. Plus, the new accommodations will provide enhancements for both new-to-brand and past guests.
Each ship has 112 suites, 72 of those with full private verandas. Another 30 suites will offer expansive infinity glass windows with a portion that can "drop down" with the guest's touch of a button. That will create an open-air interior balcony. Also new, Windstar will unveil a new aft suite category, the Horizon Owner’s Suite, which offers a wrap-around balcony.
While the new hardware is important, Prelog stresses that "without the crew, it’s just a steel hull," citing the importance of Windstar’s friendly, personalized onboard service that keeps guests returning. The two new vessels will sail with one crew member aboard for every two guests.
As for its existing fleet, Windstar operates three other motorized Star-class vessels—Star Legend, Star Pride and Star Breeze. Since acquiring these former Seabourn vessels, Windstar has significantly revitalized and lengthened them. In addition, three other Windstar vessels are majestic Wind-class sailing ships.
Revitalizations Under Way
In April, Windstar completed Phase One of a multimillion-dollar drydock initiative for those three Wind-class sailing yachts. What did that entail?
- Windstar completely redesigned all public spaces with new layouts, furniture, lighting, custom art, and wall and floor coverings.
- It redesigned the Owner’s Suites, which now sport new decor, new furniture and interactive televisions.
- Each of the ships also has a new pool and whirlpool, expanded bar areas, and a redesigned, spa and gym with new equipment.
Prelog tells Luxury Travel Advisor that Phase Two of this project will involve revitalization of all staterooms. “We believe the sailing fleet is so iconic to Windstar,” he says. “We have to look after them and really care for them.”
We asked why guests might choose a sailing yacht over a motorized ship. “The destination is a big driver,” Prelog responds. Sometimes, though, consumers just desire that romantic, exhilarating feel and, at times, even participating, in the ship’s sails being unfurled.
Greece, Off-the-Beaten-Path
Both the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit are sailing in Greece this year, but not on the typical Greece itinerary that larger lines offer. For instance, during Windstar’s seven-night “Treasures of the Greek Isles” itinerary, guests on the August 23, 2025, departure can visit up to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites; explore small ports like Nafplio and Monemvasia; and savor a complimentary, exclusive "after hours" dinner at ancient Ephesus in Turkey.
Dozens of other Greek isle itineraries are also offered. One unique voyage is the “Godmother Celebration: Myths & Marvels of the Aegean” itinerary, departing October 14, 2025. Star Legend’s godmother Gloria Bohan will host that sailing.
Since Greece was in the news earlier this year for earthquakes, we asked Prelog if those natural events have deterred consumer interest in traveling there? His answer is an emphatic "no." Greece is trending quite hot for Windstar travelers in 2025. "It's a phenomenal destination and always worthwhile to explore," Prelog explains. "Yes, that hit the news, but there’s so much more than Mykonos and Santorini. We offer a different side of Greece too.”
“Earthquakes are obviously not good, but in cruising you can move your asset around,” he emphasizes. “You adjust and guests get the authentic experience” with small-ship visits to alternative, smaller, less-visited isles. Also, Windstar can use three different landing docks in Mykonos. Larger ships don't have the same options.
Back to Alaska and Asia Bound
After sailing in the Caribbean during winter 2025-26, Star Seeker will head for Alaska and Japan in 2026. The executives report that a recent Windstar marketing study showed that guests absolutely wanted the line to return to Alaska. Windstar hasn't sailed there since 2023. This spring, it's a very strong performing destination for sales, according to Prelog.
In Alaska, “Windstar isn’t full, hard-core expedition, because we’re always a cruise line first,” he explains. As a result, the line’s Signature Expeditions team will offer “soft expedition” with Zodiac and kayaking excursions, giving guests a taste of wildlife spotting and getting closer to the destinations. Team members will also lecture on board. “It’s a good, happy medium,” Prelog believes.
Heading beyond Alaska, Star Seeker then will head for Japan, where demand is also trending strong. As a result, in December 2024, the line announced its 2027 Japan cruise dates earlier than normal. That new ship will also sail new Southeast Asia itineraries to Vietnam and Thailand.
Tahiti Is Trending Hot
Having sailed in Tahiti for 37 years, Windstar is also experiencing increased demand for this South Pacific region in 2025. Star Breeze sails year-round in French Polynesia, but starting in 2027, Windstar will also bring back its Wind-class ship Wind Star. So, guests will have a choice of either a motorized or sailing ship for their Tahiti vacation.
Since Tahiti has direct air service from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, guests can get from the West Coast to the South Pacific to board their Tahiti ship in less time than if they’d flown to Europe. “It’s eight hours and you’re in paradise,” quips Prelog. “I’ll take that anytime.”
Overall, wherever guests desire to sail, “travel advisors are helping us attract a lot of new-to-brand guests,” says Bava. Often, those curious travelers are enticed by new experiences or cruising to remote islands. In 2026, the line will tap into that trend with visits to Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands, in addition to existing sailings in Tahiti and the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, and the Marquesas.
New, shorter itineraries also include a seven-night Tuamotus voyage and an 11-night Marquesas cruise. Plus, Windstar recently launched several pre- and post-cruise romance packages for Tahiti; those combine air, overwater bungalow stays and a cruise within the islands.
Leaning Into Winter Med Sailings
Interest in off-season cruise travel is another trend that Prelog is seeing this year. So, Windstar recently became one of only a few U.S.-based cruise lines to sail the Mediterranean during wintertime. “Many more people are aware of overtourism,” Prelog points out, adding that travelers want to go to destinations at times when there are fewer crowds. “Being with thousands of people probably isn’t as cool as it used to be.”
The winter Med 2025-26 sail dates comprise six itineraries, plus six Star Collections "combination" voyages. Wind Star, for instance, is now sailing the Canary Islands in wintertime. Also notable, the wintertime sailings also call at European ports that Windstar doesn’t typically visit during summer. Among those are Valencia, Spain; Crotone, Italy; and Catania in Sicily.
New, Shorter Cruises
In addition, "we’re seeing that people just want to ‘get a taste’—maybe after a busy land trip—to relax for a few days,” Prelog believes. The new short voyages give first-time cruisers a chance to try out cruising as a vacation choice. Bava adds that the short options are also helping build “new to brand” sales.
This year, she's particularly surprised to see hefty last-minute multigenerational family and group bookings for those short cruises. For the first time in 2026, Windstar’s Star Pride will offer three- and four-day United Kingdom cruises roundtrip from London. Guests can explore Brittany in France and also Belgium. In addition, a new three-night cruise will sail from Rome, Italy, to Porto Venere, Italy, and Bonafacio, Corsica.
40th Anniversary and More
Windstar began celebrating its 40th anniversary in October 2024 and the festivities will continue through this coming October. On board, guests can expect special cocktails, trivia events and onboard ways to spotlight Windstar’s crew members.
Windstar also recently launched a new podcast, “Winds of Change,” which is a behind-the-scenes look at the line’s people and stories. Hosted by Bava, the podcast offers insight from Prelog, collaborators, crew members and loyal past guests. Advisors can find this new podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and other major podcast platforms.
In addition, travel advisors and consumers will soon have more options for booking cruises/tours and communicating with Windstar via a new website now under development.
And finally, Bava says Windstar has created new pre- or post-cruise experiences including one from Barcelona that includes high-speed rail within Spain. “Advisors love that we have done all the research and curated these types of experiences for them," she says, adding that the line also pays commission for these add-ons.
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