Planning a Cruise on Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is great for:

• Travelers who want to explore remote locations, especially Tahiti
• Honeymooners and romantic couples
• Anyone looking for a cozy and intimate cruise with exceptional service

Windstar Cruises might not be great for:

• Guests seeking a wide range of onboard activities
• Families traveling with children

Windstar Cruises likes to say that they are a complete 180° from the traditional cruise experience.

That is actually true. Windstar sits in a unique place in the cruise industry, somewhere between a premium cruise line like Celebrity Cruises and an ultra luxury company like Seabourn or Silversea. The fleet currently has six ships, with two more coming in the next few years. Three of them are sailing ships - small and intimate yachts made for 148 to 342 guests - while the other three are compact yachts that are sister ships and carry 312 guests. What do they have in common? These are very romantic vessels that in total travel through hundreds of itineraries and are known for having some of the best staff members in the entire industry.

Before we move on, keep in mind that Famvia can help you book your next Windstar Cruises vacation at no extra charge. With Windstar’s hundreds of itineraries and ships, it can be hard to navigate on your own, and we are here to lend a hand. In addition, some itineraries require calling Windstar or requesting a quote through a travel agency, and we are here to help you secure the best deals as quickly as possible. Just click the Request a Quote button and let's talk!

Windstar ships are also very intimate, with a very high crew to guest ratio and countless places to relax. These are ships that trade huge pools and live shows for cozy whirlpools, enrichment speakers, lectures and trivia nights. In fact, they are one of the only cruise lines I can think of that have what they call a Marina on the back of their ships. The Marina is like an entertainment center at the stern that opens to the ocean once the ship stops. It has kayaks, floating platforms, jump pads and plenty of fun activities, creating a sort of beach right next to your cruise ship and bringing the fun closer than ever to your stateroom. The Marina opens with a set of stairs that connect the ship to the crystalline water, making it very inviting for any guest to take a dip and relax under the sun.

Windstar is also all about exploring the world in a different way. Their sailing ships follow a planned itinerary, but they also let the wind guide them through the ocean and might even make a sudden stop at a paradisiac beach or an open stretch of water so guests can take a swim. I do love their Star Class ships, but the Wind Class with their sailboats has a unique charm that is hard to beat. This class also includes the prestigious Wind Surf, the largest cruise sailing ship in the world, which carries 342 passengers.

One thing you will always find on Windstar Cruises is excellent service. If you browse forums like Cruise Critic, Reddit or YouTube, you will see that most guests praise the crew and call it one of the best they have ever experienced. Crew members are attentive and will know you by name by your second day. The guest to crew ratio is also very high, with almost one crew member for every one point four guests. The atmosphere is so cozy that the bridge is open all the time, and you can step inside while the captain explains the route, how the equipment works or anything else you would like to know.

These are also very romantic cruises and perfect for couples who want to enjoy some of the most remote destinations in the world. A sailing ship in the Caribbean or the Greek Isles is already a wonderful image for lovebirds, but Windstar goes a step further by offering several romantic packages for couples who want to celebrate a special occasion. The Sweethearts at Sea package, for example, gives you a bottle of champagne, a private dinner under the stars, a couples massage and other bonuses for 499 dollars.

You can also count on Windstar to visit some of the most remote and beautiful places in the world. Their website shows over a thousand itineraries, but that number includes repeated dates of the same routes, so the real count is more like a few hundred different trips… which is still a lot. Their vacations are much more about the off the beaten path experience than the typical destinations you find on mainstream cruise lines. Going to the Caribbean? Expect to visit St Barthélemy and Guadeloupe instead of the usual stop at St Thomas. They also sail to places like Alaska, the Canary Islands and Iceland, and the small size of their ships allows them to stop and dock at some very unusual and romantic ports.

Windstar Cruises, as you might expect, is not for everyone. There are not many activities onboard, and even the swimming pool feels more like a large whirlpool than anything else. This is a very romantic cruise line, so families with children have far better options for a vacation.

Windstar Cruises also offers two cruise fares, with only one being all inclusive and offering drinks, Wi Fi and included gratuities. Considering that this is a luxurious cruise line, I wish the all inclusive fare were actually the base fare, since guests are already paying two thousand dollars or more for a cruise.

Windstar Cruises Reviews

The Good

The Marina: The Marina is an amazing feature offered by Windstar Cruises. It is essentially an area at the back of the ship that opens to the sea once the ship anchors and acts almost like a mini entertainment center for guests. The Marina has kayaks, snorkeling gear, floating platforms and all sorts of toys for guests to enjoy. It allows you to have a peaceful, intimate and fun moment at sea, away from crowded beaches and near some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Tahiti (and all the other destinations): Windstar has a fleet of small yachts and sailboats, which allows them to create itineraries that bigger ships simply cannot. This lets them explore small towns in Iceland as they circle the entire country, visit lesser known islands in the Caribbean, and explore numerous villages and remote places in Alaska. They even have some awesome thematic cruises, where you can watch the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco and the Solar Eclipse near Sicily. Tahiti is a particularly important destination for them, with hundreds of itineraries focused on exploring its many small islands in a beautiful tropical setting.

Romantic: This is a very, very romantic cruise line and perfect for those who want to go on a honeymoon, renew their vows, or even get married. Windstar offers several packages for lovebirds, including an engagement package, a renewal package, and even a wedding ceremony. They know how to elevate the romantic atmosphere to new heights and provide everything to make your trip even more special, from excellent service to intimate ports and a cozy atmosphere onboard.

Great service: Crew members on Windstar Cruises are amazing. The crew to guest ratio is high, with nearly one staff member for every guest onboard. Beyond that, the crew learns your name quickly, brings your favorite drinks promptly, and even keeps the bridge open for visits during the day. Everyone onboard treats you in a way that is just a step above mainstream cruise lines and even many other luxury cruise lines.

The Bad

The base fare: When booking a Windstar Cruises vacation, you can choose between two fares: the base cruise fare and the all inclusive cruise fare. The all inclusive fare includes several alcoholic drinks, Wi Fi and gratuities, and costs 99 dollars per day, per guest. For a luxurious and romantic cruise line, I wish this were actually the base fare so you wouldn’t have to pay extra for Wi Fi.

Not for everyone: Windstar Cruises, like many luxury cruise lines, isn’t for everyone. It is a safe bet for older travelers or couples in love, but we wouldn’t recommend it for families with children. Guests onboard are usually 50 years old or older, and you will rarely see any children. Activities are limited, and entertainment for kids is mostly nonexistent. The ships do have a swimming pool, but when you travel with Windstar, it is more for the atmosphere, excellent service, and cozy destinations.

How Much is a Cruise on Windstar Cruises?

Prices for Windstar Cruises vary widely, but expect to pay at least 2,000 dollars per guest. Rates usually fall between a premium cruise line like Holland America and an ultra luxury line like Silversea or Seabourn.

Another thing you’ll quickly notice on their website is that many itineraries display a “Call for availability” message instead of showing prices. Here at Famvia, we have access to all of this and can quickly find the best prices for you without the need to call. Just send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Windstar Cruises Fares

When booking with Windstar Cruises, you need to take into consideration that every itinerary has two cruise fares: a base cruise fare and an all-inclusive cruise fare. The all-inclusive cruise fare costs $99 per day, per guest and adds premium drinks (beer, wine, cocktails), Wi-Fi and gratuities.

Let’s take a look at starting prices per guest for some Windstar Cruises itineraries. We are taking into consideration the base fare:

• 3-Day Europe Cruise: $1,300
• 7-Days Caribbean Cruise: $2,100
• 6-Days Panama Canal Cruise: $2,200
• 6-Days Greece Cruise: $3,200
• 7-Days Iceland Cruise: $4,100
• 10-Days Alaska Cruise: $8,000

What is included in your Windstar Cruises fare?

Good question. There are two different fares when booking with Windstar Cruises: a base fare and an all inclusive fare.

The base fare includes:

• Your room
• All meals (some menu items might cost extra)
• Soft Drinks & specialty coffee
• 24-hour Room Service
• The Marina and live entertainment

The all-inclusive fare includes all of this, plus:

• Gratuities
• Wi-Fi
• Unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails

Windstar Cruises Fleet

Windstar divides its fleet into two categories of ships: the Wind Class and the Star Class. The Wind Class is made up of three sailing ships, while the Star Class features more standard yachts, with two new ones launching in 2025 and 2026. Most of their ships have two restaurants, a bar, and a cafe, and the vast majority of rooms on Star Class ships offer a private balcony. Star Class ships have more space and all-suite accommodations, while Wind Class ships offer many oceanview rooms with portholes.

These are all small ships compared to mainstream cruise lines and are definitely not the mega-resorts you might see online. Windstar Cruises carries between 148 and 342 guests. Their ships are also older than what you may be used to, but they undergo constant refurbishments. In fact, the recent Star Class ships received a massive half-billion-dollar update that added new decks and amenities onboard.

Here is their current fleet:

Wind Class

• Wind Surf (1989)
• Wind Spirit (1988)
• Wind Star (1986)

Star Class

• Star Explorer (2026)
• Star Seeker (2025)
• Star Legend (1990)
• Star Pride (1988)
• Star Breeze (1988)

Windstar Cruises Destinations

You can actually visit a huge number of places around the globe with Windstar Cruises, which is surprising considering they only have about six ships and are small vessels. They visit popular destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, but also extend their presence to places such as the Canary Islands, Iceland, and Tahiti.

Next, we will examine all the different Windstar Cruises destinations, along with the number of available voyages at the time of writing. Keep in mind that a voyage includes an itinerary with multiple sail dates, which is why it may appear that some destinations have a high number of voyages. This number also fluctuates, but it should give you a good idea of where Windstar is most active.

• Mediterranean, Greece & Italy (533)
• Tahiti (397)
• Caribbean (146)
• Asia (108)
• Costa Rica & Panama Canal (76)
• Alaska (48)
• Ocean Crossings (46)
• Themed Cruises (32)
• Iceland (28)
• Canary Islands (21)
• Canada & New England (11)
• South America (11)
• Mexico (7)

Main Departure Ports

Windstar Cruises also sails to nearly a hundred different ports of call worldwide. Next, we list some of the most popular options along with the number of voyages that depart from each.

• Papeete (383)
• Athens (166)
• Rome (110)
• Barcelona (91)
• Venice (80)
• Philipsburg (71)
• San Juan (49)
• Lisbon (38)
• Colón (31)
• Istanbul (28)
• Reykjavik (28)
• Puerto Caldera (27)
• Vancouver (25)
• Bangkok (24)
• Tokyo (23)
• Bridgetown (22)
• Osaka (21)

Is Windstar Cruises for You?

Windstar Cruises is for those who want to explore unique destinations, such as lesser-known islands in the Caribbean, hidden ports in the Mediterranean, the beautiful Tahiti, or special places in Alaska. It’s also a great cruise line for honeymooners and anyone looking for a romantic time at sea. This is a very cozy and intimate cruise line, with excellent service and a high guest-to-crew ratio. If you care more about the quality of service onboard and unique destinations than about nonstop entertainment, you will love it here.

Windstar Cruises usually attracts guests aged 50 and older who are looking to relax above all else. It’s a cruise line for those who value peace and quiet on small ships and prefer a sailboat or small yacht to the ultra-luxury experience offered by lines like Seabourn or Explore Journeys.

It’s not a cruise line for guests seeking a wide range of onboard entertainment or families traveling with children. In fact, Windstar Cruises does not allow guests under eight years old onboard, and there are no entertainment options specifically aimed at children or teens. For families looking for a fun vacation with their children, there are better options, such as mainstream cruise lines or even HX Hurtigruten Expeditions for those seeking a more upscale adventure.

Activities Onboard Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises, like most luxury and intimate cruise lines, is all about laid-back activities that let guests relax and enjoy themselves. We are talking about lectures, cooking demonstrations, live music, and trivia nights. You won’t find large-scale shows like those on mainstream cruise lines, much less waterslides or over-the-top entertainment. Windstar ships do have swimming pools, but they are small and usually located right next to a whirlpool or two.

You also have access to The Marina, a water activity area at the back of every Windstar cruise ship. The Marina is open when the ship is anchored at sea (not at a port) and is a great way to socialize with fellow guests, go kayaking, grab snorkeling gear, and just have fun on the open water. The Marina is often considered one of the coolest features of Windstar Cruises and receives many positive reviews from guests in online forums.

Here is a list of the types of complimentary entertainment options, activities and perks you can enjoy on a Windstar cruise.

• The Marina
• Swimming Pool & Whirlpools
• Live Music
• Fitness Center
• Lectures
• Yoga Classes
• Shoe Polishing Services

Why book Windstar Cruises with us?

At Famvia, we are luxury cruise specialists. We proudly partner with some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys, and, of course, Windstar Cruises.

Windstar Cruises is a fantastic, romantic cruise line, but navigating their itineraries can be challenging at first. Many of their itineraries don’t show prices and require you to call for more information or contact a travel agent. That’s where we come in. Our dedicated travel advisors specialize in Windstar Cruises and can help you find the perfect voyage tailored to your preferences. In addition, we often have access to exclusive offers and pricing not available to the general public.

With deep expertise in Windstar Cruises’ fares, two classes of ships, and dozens of destinations, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Simply click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. Our personalized planning services are complimentary, and we look forward to crafting an unforgettable journey just for you.

Windstar Cruises Additional Info

Passport

We always recommend guests to bring passports to every cruise. Windstar Cruises requires all guests to travel with a valid passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.

Gratuities

Gratuities are only included in the all-inclusive cruise fare.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is not included in the base cruise fare, but it is included with the all-inclusive fare. If you wish to purchase Wi-Fi separately, it costs $35 per device, per day.

Dress Code

During the day, until 6pm, guests are welcome to dress as they please, with the exception of swimwear, which is not allowed in public lounges or restaurants.

After 6pm, the dress code is what Windstar calls “country club-style” clothing. For men, this means nice slacks, polo shirts, button-down shirts, and shoes other than athletic shoes. Designer denim jeans without rips, holes, or multiple colors are also acceptable. Sport coats are optional, and ties are not required. For women, this includes nice pants, skirts, tops, casual dresses, sundresses, nice sandals or casual shoes, and designer denim or dress jeans that are not ripped, multi-colored, or have holes. Blazers are optional.

Laundry

Laundry service is available onboard for a nominal charge. Dry cleaning is not offered.

Carry-on Drink Policy

Passengers are allowed to bring aboard two bottles of wine or champagne (750 ml) per cabin for a 7-day cruise, or three bottles for an 8-day (or longer) cruise. These beverages may be consumed in public areas on the ship, but a small corkage fee (approximately US$15 plus 18% gratuity) will be applied to the passenger’s onboard account.

Loyalty Club

Windstar has a loyalty program called the Yacht Club, which is divided into four tiers. You earn one point per cruise day for most bookings, 1.5 points per cruise day for bookings in 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 completing your qualifying cruise.

Perks primarily include discounts on future cruises and onboard credit to use during your voyage.

Book your dream vacation with Windstar Cruises!

Now that you know a lot about Windstar Cruises… why not learn even more!? Yeah, our guides do not end here. We have guides about almost anything you can think of. How about the room options at Windstar? Or the list of restaurants you can find there? We have those too. Wait, now you want to know about the specific pH levels of the swimming pools during June on a rainy night? We don't have that guide yet, but don't tempt us!

Feel free to message us anytime for the best deals, more information about room options, activities, or anything else you need. Until the next one!