Windstar Cruises is putting the finishing touches on Star Seeker, the first of two new all-suite yachts to join its boutique fleet. Marking a significant milestone on its journey to the sea, Star Seeker began sea trials from the WestSEA shipyard in Portugal on October 23. Windstar is also proud to announce another key moment in its history: the appointment of Libby Anschutz as the ship's godmother.
The role of a ship's godmother is deeply rooted in maritime tradition: a symbolic gesture meant to bring good fortune, protection, and calm seas to the vessel and all those who travel on board. Windstar embraces this legacy with intention and feeling by appointing Libby Anschutz to this special role on the Star Seeker.
Libby, daughter of Windstar owner Phil Anschutz, brings a deeply personal connection to the yacht. Her involvement reflects the family's enduring vision for the company: to create warm and welcoming journeys where every detail is thoughtfully considered. Following this family tradition, her sister Sarah Anschutz will be named Godmother of the Star Explorer when it debuts in 2026.
Libby Anschutz and Windstar President Christopher Prelog visited the shipyard in November to see the impressive vessel firsthand.
Anschutz commented: “Seeing the Star Seeker for the first time was an unforgettable experience: the design, the warmth, and the attention to detail are unmistakably Windstar. It is an honor for me to be Godmother, and I look forward to celebrating this incredible new chapter with the team and our guests in January.”
As part of the official christening ceremony on January 15 in Miami, Libby Anschutz will take center stage to deliver the Godmother's blessing, offering her best wishes for the Star Seeker and all those who will sail aboard. Following maritime tradition, Anschutz will also perform the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle against the yacht's hull, formally naming and blessing the Star Seeker before its departure.
“The fact that the Anschutz family is so deeply involved in the debut of Star Seeker is an extraordinary honor and a deeply personal milestone for all of us at Windstar,” said Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “Libby’s role as Godmother brings heart, creativity, and a genuine connection to what we do, and her blessing of our newest yacht makes this chapter even more meaningful.”
Following the ceremony, the Star Seeker will depart on a 7-night maiden voyage from Miami to San Juan, with nearly sold-out seats and stops in the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands.
This debut marks an exciting chapter for Windstar: Star Seeker is the first yacht built specifically for the Star class, designed for just 224 guests and created to reflect Windstar's signature style—intimate, immersive, and elegantly simple.
The sister ship Star Explorer will join the fleet in December 2026. Both will feature refined enhancements, including new dining concepts and signature social spaces. This expansion underscores Windstar's continued focus on luxury small-ship cruising to both iconic and unexpected destinations.
Before welcoming its first passengers, the Star Seeker completed a series of sea trials, a vital phase in its journey toward launch. During the recent trials in Portugal, the yacht underwent rigorous evaluations of speed, maneuverability, and onboard safety systems.
The Star Seeker has returned to the shipyard for final outfitting before crossing the Atlantic and beginning its inaugural season in the Caribbean. From there, it will offer a series of 7- to 14-night voyages departing from and returning to San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed by a transit through the Panama Canal in April and a summer season in Alaska.
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