Windstar Cruises celebrates ten years of partnership with the James Beard Foundation with the launch of five new culinary cruises led by renowned chefs, plus exclusive wine trips in collaboration with GALLO Luxury Wine Group and some of California's most prestigious wineries.
The partnership between Windstar and the James Beard Foundation honors chefs who represent creativity, cultural leadership and respect for regional traditions, values that reflect the cruise line's passion for taking gastronomy to new levels at sea.
This season, select voyages will feature premium wines from the GALLO Luxury Wine portfolio, typically reserved for private tasting rooms. These exclusive labels will complement the chef-led culinary experiences that distinguish Windstar.
The 2026 season brings together renowned chefs associated with the James Beard Foundation, including José Garzón, Belinda Bishop, the mother-daughter duo Kirsten and Mandy Dixon, Gabriel Kreuther, and David Uygur. They will be joined by acclaimed California wineries such as Orin Swift, J Vineyards and Winery, Louis M. Martini, and Denner Vineyards.
Each year, Windstar organizes themed cruises where passengers can enjoy an immersive culinary experience, with live cooking demonstrations, chef-led tours of local markets, and exclusive four-course dinners with wine pairings.
“Food and wine are universal languages: when you share a meal and a glass, you share traditions and personal stories,” said Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Operating Officer of Windstar Cruises. “What began ten years ago as a celebration of fine dining has become one of the most rewarding experiences on board. Now we’re expanding it with unique wine experiences alongside California’s finest wineries, further elevating our culinary offerings.”.
James Beard Foundation Themed Cruises 2026
1. Mayan Legacies with Chef José Garzón. Columbus to Cozumel, February 9–17, 2026. Wind Surf.
Explore the lesser-known Caribbean and the Gulf Coast of Honduras with Chef José Garzón, blending Latin and island influences in vibrant ports. Pristine beaches, Mayan temples, and nature reserves like San Andrés Island are only accessible by small boats like Wind Surf.
About Chef Jose Garzón: Founder of Garzon Latinx Street Food and Bad Chancla in Seattle, he is recognized for his bold and contemporary approach to Latin American cuisine and his commitment to sustainability.
2. Sun, Beach, and Fun with Chef Belinda Bishop. Philipsburg to Philipsburg, March 14–21, 2026. Windsurfing.
A relaxing Caribbean cruise with Chef Belinda Bishop, Grenada's culinary ambassador. Includes secret beaches, snorkeling at historic shipwrecks, and sailing the Jost Van Dyke Bays.
About Chef Belinda Bishop: A Grenadian-American chef and founder of the Grenada Culinary and Mixology Federation, she has cooked for figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton. Her restaurant, Belinda's at the Tower Estate, offers a farm-to-table experience in a historic home.
3. Scenic Alaska with Kirsten and Mandy Dixon. Juneau to Vancouver, May 15–23, 2026. Star Seeker.
Sail through Alaska's fjords and glaciers, spot whales and bears, and discover the wilderness of the Inside Passage. The mother-daughter chefs will offer menus inspired by the flavors of the "last wild."
About Chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon: Owners of Tutka Bay Lodge and Within the Wild Adventure Company, they are leading figures in Alaskan cuisine. They have trained young chefs and fuse classic techniques with local products.
4. French Feast: Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine with Chef Gabriel Kreuther. Rouen to Bordeaux, August 19–26, 2026. Star Legend.
A gastronomic journey through the most authentic France with two-Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther, featuring demonstrations, market tours, and wine-pairing dinners inspired by French culinary heritage.
About Chef Gabriel Kreuther: Awarded two Michelin stars and three New York Times stars, he is renowned for his eponymous restaurant in New York, where he combines his Alsatian heritage with classic French techniques.
5. Classic Italy and the Dalmatian Coast with Chef David Uygur and Denner Vineyards. Venice to Rome, October 7–15, 2026. Wind Surf.
From the Venetian canals to the Amalfi Coast, this cruise combines the best of Italy and the Adriatic. It includes dinners led by Chef David Uygur with wine pairings from Denner Vineyards.
About Chef David Uygur: Owner of Lucia in Dallas, a 2024 James Beard Award nominee. He fuses Turkish and Italian influences with artisanal mastery of charcuterie and fresh pasta.
LUX Wine Cruises 2026
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Treasures of the Greek Islands with Orin Swift Winery
Athens to Athens | May 14–21, 2026 | Wind Spirit
Tastings with winemaker Dave Phinney, creator of Napa's Orin Swift wines. -
Scenic Alaska with J Vineyards and Winery
Vancouver to Juneau | May 7–15, 2026 | Star Seeker
Wine Experiences with Sonoma Pinot Noir. -
French Feast with Louis M. Martini
Rouen to Bordeaux | June 3–10, 2026 | Star Legend:
A comparison of Bordeaux wines with Napa's iconic Cabernet Sauvignon. -
Connoisseur's Delights: Northern Spain and Portugal with Maze Row Wine Merchant
Bordeaux to Lisbon | August 26 – September 3, 2026 | Star Legend
Pairings and pop-up tastings with wines from the Maze Row portfolio in Galicia and the Duero Valley.
Windstar yachts offer an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, with luxurious accommodations, panoramic decks, a marina with complimentary water sports, infinity pools, and fine dining. Thanks to their smaller size, they can access exclusive harbors, secluded beaches, and natural destinations inaccessible to larger cruise ships, providing an intimate and authentic experience at every destination.
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