Windstar Cruises, the boutique yacht company specializing in both motor and sailing yachts, has announced a $250 million investment in its Star Plus initiative. This initiative involves a fleet renewal project undertaken by the Fincantieri shipyard.
The three ships, Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride, will undergo successive expansions. Work will begin in October 2019 and be completed in November 2020. This refurbishment will add 312 guests to the fleet, with additional staff to maintain the impressive 1.5:1 crew-to-guest ratio and ensure impeccable service. Windstar also remains committed to its promise of visiting smaller ports around the world, a hallmark of the brand.
The conversion of these ships is much more than simple upgrades; it's about enhancing the ship's key technical and commercial qualities while enriching the attributes that Windstar brings to the table. For the interior design, Windstar has partnered with acclaimed designer Ray Chung, Design Director of The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in New York, to create a modern and inviting design aesthetic in both the new public spaces and the new suites.
Fifty new suites and two Owner Suites will be designed, which can be expanded by combining them with adjacent suites to create a space of up to three bedrooms and two balconies. In addition, two new dining experiences will be available: an expanded Veranda Restaurant offering greater seating capacity, an intimate setting, and ocean views; and a more casual outdoor barbecue area on the upper deck.
A new infinity pool and a whirlpool will be among the new features, along with deck improvements for relaxation and sunbathing. Guests will also enjoy a completely renovated and expanded spa and fitness center. Access to the decks will be improved with new elevators, and a new, more convenient cargo area in the center of the ship will be available, capable of transporting 90 guests to port when the ship is at anchor.
Juan Rodero, CEO of StarClass, stated: “The Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride set trends in the cruise industry when they were built, and this renovation will place them once again among the world's top boutique cruise ships.”
Windstar's new and refurbished yachts will sail the most popular, aspirational, and legendary itineraries, including Iceland, the Baltic, the British Isles, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Crete, Israel, Egypt, Malta, the French Riviera, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Mexico, the US West Coast, and the Caribbean. They are among the few vessels capable of transiting the famous Corinth Canal in Greece.
At StarClass, WindStar's representative in Spain and Portugal, bookings are now available for the new Star Breeze and Star Legend itineraries following their renovation.
