Windstar Cruises has taken delivery of the Star Pride, a Star Plus class yacht, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily. The yacht is the third and final vessel in the Star Plus class to undergo a multi-year, $250 million refurbishment project, considered the most complex and comprehensive overhaul ever undertaken on small cruise ships.
“We are thrilled to have our three yachts completely refurbished, with new, more environmentally friendly engines, and magnificent new dining spaces, spacious suites, and romantic spas,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “We couldn’t be happier with the results. Our guests who are already sailing with us on these yachts are giving us higher customer experience scores than we have ever received in our company’s history.”
The Star Pride will remain in Italy until it resumes guest operations in the Mediterranean in April. Its sister yacht, the Star Breeze, begins sailing in Tahiti next week, while the Star Legend is completing a short season in the Mediterranean before sailing to the Caribbean in November.
The three yachts have increased their maximum capacity from 212 to 312 guests and now offer more of what Windstar customers desire, such as additional dining experiences (one is an open-air barbecue concept with grilling guru Steven Raichlen, and the other a Spanish small-plates restaurant by Anthony Sasso, one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide), a full-service spa and fitness center, an elegant infinity pool, and more outdoor deck areas. These three all-suite yachts, along with Windstar’s three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue visiting the world’s small ports and special waterways.
In addition, due to the pandemic, all Windstar yachts have upgraded their HVAC systems, adding new hospital-grade high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters along with a UV-C air zapping process (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) to clean the air on board.
