The new Star Seeker yacht, the first newly built Star-class vessel for small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises, has been launched at the WestSEA shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. This significant milestone marks the ship leaving dry dock and entering its final phase of construction, with the interior work.
Although the exterior construction of the Star Seeker is now complete, work will continue on its interior, which will include:
- 112 spacious suites, designed for comfort and luxury.
- Five gastronomic options that will offer a diverse culinary experience.
- A full-service spa, with a grand entrance from the upper deck.
- water sports platform , which transforms the ocean into an infinity pool by allowing direct access to the sea from the boat.
- A ratio of 1 staff member for every 2 guests, maintaining the intimate and personalized atmosphere characteristic of Windstar.
With a capacity for 224 passengers, the Star Seeker promises a unique and exclusive experience at sea. It will begin operations in December 2025, with an inaugural voyage from Málaga, Spain, to Miami, Florida, where its christening ceremony will take place in January 2026.
Later, it will cruise the Caribbean, followed by a season on the US West Coast and Alaska during the summer. In the fall, it will sail to Asia, resuming Windstar's popular "Around Japan" itineraries.
The Star Seeker, like its sister ship Star Explorer, which will debut in December 2026, boasts innovative features that reinforce Windstar's commitment to sustainability:ice-strengthened hulls, allowing exploration of more remote destinations; Rolls Royce Level III NOx engines, minimizing emissions; port power connection, reducing the environmental footprint during port calls; and advanced wastewater treatment systems, meeting the most demanding global standards.
The launching ceremony was attended by Mario Ferreira and Manuel Barros of Mystic Invest, along with John Gunner, Vice President of Expansion Projects at Windstar. Gunner highlighted the work of the Portuguese shipyard team and expressed his gratitude to Ferreira for his support and vision. “Seeing a ship come to life and leave the dry dock to touch the water is a memorable moment in the process of building a new vessel,” Gunner commented.
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