Windstar Cruises is all about cozy yachts and sailing ships that travel across the world. The romantic atmosphere is almost unmatched in the cruise industry, and guests consistently praise the excellent service and attentive staff onboard. Still, you need a place to sleep and eat, right? This guide will examine the staterooms you can find on both classes of ships, as well as the dining options and what stands behind the title of official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation.
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 Cruises Room Options
Windstar Cruises usually offers cozy staterooms that vary in size depending on whether you are sailing on their standard yachts or their smaller sailing ships. The yachts are all suites, with most staterooms offering a private balcony, while oceanview cabins with a porthole make up the majority of options on the sailing ships. Next, let’s look at the cabin categories you will find on the different classes of ships.
Wind Class Room Options
Wind Spirit & Wind Star
- Details: Wind Spirit and Wind Star have no balcony cabins and a single Owner’s Suite; most of the Wind Spirit and Wind Star staterooms are basically the same;
There are three ships in the Wind Class. Wind Spirit and Wind Star are sister ships, and Wind Surf is the largest cruise sailing ship in the industry.
On Wind Spirit and Wind Star, you will find 74 staterooms. Seventy three of them are Oceanview Staterooms located on different decks. These cabins come in standard and deluxe versions. All of them are about 188 ft² and the price difference between the two types is usually small. Some of the deluxe staterooms can accommodate three guests, while the standard oceanview staterooms accommodate two. The deluxe name mostly refers to a different bed location and layout that allows a third guest, but the overall room is the same.
Both Wind Spirit and Wind Star also feature a single Owner’s Suite. The Owner’s Suite is 220 ft², includes a living room and an in room dining space, and has portholes. As you can see, there are no balcony cabins on either Wind Spirit or Wind Star.
Wind Surf
- Details: way more suite options than the other two ships; no private balcony.
Wind Surf is a completely different juggernaut. While Wind Star and Wind Spirit carry 148 guests, Wind Surf carries more than double that with 342 guests. It features 150 oceanview staterooms, 18 oceanview suites, 2 oceanview bridge suites and 1 officer’s suite.
The Oceanview Staterooms follow the same general layout, but the categories change depending on location. Some accommodate up to 2 guests, while others can host 3 guests.
Suites are divided into standard suites at 376 ft², Bridge Suites at 495 ft² and the Officer’s Suite at 242 ft². Standard Suites have two separate bathrooms and a seating area, while the Bridge Suite has a single large bathroom with a whirlpool. The Officer’s Suite is smaller than the others but offers a fun twist. It is located next to the bridge and the officers’ quarters, so you get the feeling of being part of the crew in a very unique experience.
There are also a few rare suite types. The Broadmoor Suite features classic décor with floral touches, while the Sea Island Suite has an archway layout and is surrounded by windows.
Star Class Room Options
Star Class ships offer a more traditional experience when it comes to staterooms, since we are talking about big and fancy yachts. Star Class ships are sister ships, so the room options are basically the same across all three vessels. These are all suite ships with several room categories, such as:
- Star Porthole Suite (2 guests): This is the entry level oceanview suite, measuring 277 ft² and featuring small portholes that let natural light in.
- Ocean View Suite (3 guests): This also measures 277 ft² but has a large window instead of small portholes. The bathroom has a tub instead of a shower.
- Balcony Suites (2 or 3 guests): These measure 277 ft² and come with a private French balcony. Standard balcony cabins accommodate 2 guests, while Star Balcony Suites accommodate 3 guests.
- Deluxe Suites (3 guests): These measure 468 ft², include a French balcony and a living room area with a large window. These deluxe rooms are brand new and were added during the recent half a billion refurbishment that the Star Class ships went through.
- Owner’s Suite (3 guests): This suite measures 575 ft² and features a traditional balcony with a table and two chairs. It also has a separate dining room and a spacious living area.
Windstar Cruises Dining Options
Most Windstar ships feature two restaurants and a main bar where you can socialize with fellow passengers. Remember, these are small yachts or sailing ships with very few guests onboard, so it is not like Windstar needs hundreds of different dining venues. Dining is open seating, so you can eat when, where and with whomever you like. All meals are also available for free, although some menu items might incur an extra charge.
Windstar Cruises has also partnered with the James Beard Foundation, bringing renowned chefs to their programs and to select culinary themed sailings. These cruises feature cooking demonstrations by the chefs, dishes created by the masters and market tours where the chefs choose ingredients right by your side. If you want an amazing culinary experience, you cannot go wrong with these special sailings.
Let’s take a look at the dining options you can find on Windstar Cruises.
- Veranda (fleetwide; casual): This is likely the main restaurant across Windstar ships. It offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch, but you can also dine a la carte and choose to sit indoors or outdoors. The pancakes, omelet station and waffles are very popular in the morning.
- Amphora (fleetwide; romantic): This is the elegant and romantic dinner venue, filled with tables for two and known for impeccable service. It offers a three course meal with a starter, a main course and a dessert. Amphora is considered the Main Dining Room for dinner.
- Candles (fleetwide; intimate): This is an al fresco restaurant with tables set by the pool and space for only 30 guests. In theory, every couple can dine at Candles once, but if you want to visit a second time, you will need to make a reservation in advance.
- Yacht Club Coffee Bar (fleetwide; casual): This is a coffee bar that serves quick snacks and also offers limited options for a continental breakfast. It is perfect for guests who want something good, quick and convenient. The Yacht Club Coffee Bar is usually open from 6am to 6pm.
- Barbecue (fleetwide; casual): Once per itinerary, Windstar hosts a large outdoor barbecue by the pool. The event features a roasted whole suckling pig, lobster tails, salads, desserts and much more. Windstar also turns it into a lively party, so it is your chance to show off your dancing moves.
- Star Grill (Star Class only; casual): This is a casual barbecue spot located near the pool, open for breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. Breakfast here is grab and go, meaning you take a box and head out, which is perfect if you are short on time and need to get to a shore excursion.
- Basil + Bamboo (Star Class only; fancy): A cozy restaurant that is slowly replacing Cuadro 44 across the Star Class fleet. Basil+Bamboo is a pan Asian venue offering dishes inspired mainly by Japan and South Korea, so expect sashimi samples, fried chicken and much more.
- Stella Bistro (Wind Surf only; fancy): This is considered by many to be the best restaurant on Wind Surf. It is a French specialty venue open for dinner, and reservations are recommended. The menu features four courses: an appetizer, a soup or salad, a main dish and a dessert.
Dietary Needs
It is important to let Windstar Cruises know about any special requests at the time you book your cruise. Famvia can help you with this.
Room Service
Room service is complimentary and available 24 hours a day. The breakfast menu is offered from 6am to 11am, the lunch menu from noon to 10pm, the dinner menu from Amphora is available during their open hours and the overnight menu runs from 10pm to 6am.
Are all drinks included in my cruise fare?
No, they are not. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the base cruise fare, and you need to purchase the All Inclusive package to have access to wine, beer, cocktails and more. The All Inclusive package costs 99 dollars per guest per day and also includes gratuities and Wi Fi.
If you do not want to purchase the All Inclusive package, you can choose the Captain's Exclusive Beverage Package, which costs 79 dollars per guest per day and gives you access to the same drinks as the All Inclusive package.
Are soft drinks included in my cruise fare?
Yes. Water, juices, soft drinks and specialty coffee and tea is included in your base fare.
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.
