Windstar Cruises has opened sales for its 2028 summer season in Europe, with five yachts — Star Explorer, Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf — sailing the Mediterranean and northern Europe between March and October.
The season offers travel agents 348 itinerary combinations for their clients, from four-day getaways designed to be combined with a longer holiday in Europe, to a 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure, connecting Tenerife in the Canary Islands with Venice.
Among the highlights of the 2028 European program is the expansion of offerings in Germany, with itineraries along the Kiel Canal and the Elbe River, as well as a trip scheduled to coincide with a major maritime festival in Hamburg. A new port in the Aran Islands, Ireland, is also being added, and opportunities to explore the British Isles aboard the new Star Explorer yacht are being expanded.
In the Mediterranean, summer offers the chance to discover Europe aboard a yacht, with options to swim and paddle directly from the Windstar marina, stop in smaller ports and tour Greece, Italy, France and Croatia in the peak season.
The 2028 program also includes new itineraries linked to Grand Prix events, a Mystery Cruise departing from and returning to Athens, and various options for extending trips.
"Europe is a destination that many of our guests return to time and time again, and in 2028, we're offering them new ways to discover places they may think they already know," says Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Operating Officer of Windstar Cruises.
"From venturing deeper into the heart of destinations to scheduling trips to coincide with cultural events, these itineraries offer guests a different perspective on Europe. For travel agents, this presents an opportunity to start a new conversation about Europe with both first-time travelers and clients who are already familiar with the continent.".
For a limited time, agents will be able to offer their clients an early booking offer for selected newly launched 2028 European itineraries booked by October 31, 2026. The promotion includes:
- Free All-Inclusive Package, which includes Wi-Fi, gratuities, and unlimited select beer, wine, and cocktails.
- Onboard credit per passenger.
- 5% discount on the cruise fare for passengers who pay the full amount at the time of booking.
The Pay Now, Save More promotion can be combined with the early booking offer and Yacht Club member benefits, in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions.
Windstar's European schedule for 2028 offers a variety of options to tailor each trip to passengers' interests and preferences. The season is especially geared towards those already familiar with Europe who want to discover it from a different perspective, travelers interested in culture, and those seeking more active and immersive experiences.
Among the main new features are an expanded program in Germany and Northern Europe, complementing Windstar's traditional Mediterranean offering; new short crossings that can be combined with other itineraries; trips programmed around major events and the possibility of linking different cruises such as Star Collectors or adding Cruise Tours, with a total of 348 itinerary combinations.
Key developments in Europe 2028
- Germany and Northern Europe | Star Pride.
Windstar's expanded German program will take passengers to Hamburg, Berlin, and Binz/Rügen, with the option to add Cruise Tours to Berlin for a different way to discover the region. Among the new offerings are two new getaways:
Quick Getaway: Germany via the Kiel Canal – Four-day cruise between Copenhagen and Hamburg, with stops in Binz, Warnemünde/Berlin and tours of the Kiel Canal and the Elbe River.
Quick Getaway: Hamburg Anniversary Celebration – Departure on May 3rd coinciding with Hamburg's grand maritime festival, with participation in the boat parade and fireworks show.
- United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands | Star Pride
Passengers will be able to discover some of the most iconic places in this region, such as Giverny and Monet's gardens, the Normandy D-Day beaches and different Norman gastronomic experiences, within a new six-day getaway:
Quick Getaway: Amsterdam, Normandy and London – A six-day itinerary including Amsterdam, Ostend/Bruges, Rouen/Paris, Honfleur and an overnight stay in London, with HMS Belfast as the backdrop.
- Ireland and the British Isles | Star Explorer
New for 2028, Windstar will add Inis Mór as a new port of call. The schedule will also include scenic cruises along the Cliffs of Moher, docking in downtown Cork, and excursions related to Waterford glassmaking and wild product gathering.
These experiences are integrated into the itineraries of the new Star Explorer yacht, designed to delve deeper into the discovery of Ireland.
Circumnavigation of Ireland – Complete tour of Ireland with stops in Belfast, Londonderry, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Cork and Waterford.
- Mediterranean | Star Legend, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf
Windstar is expanding its Mediterranean program in 2028, reinforcing established experiences such as its Grand Prix-linked itineraries, while maintaining some of its most popular offerings to the Greek islands and adding new options to extend the experience.
Rome and Monaco Grand Prix on board the Star Legend, with both Star Legend and Wind Spirit present during the Grand Prix.
Program with departure and return to Athens, which again incorporates a Mystery cruise.
Grand Mediterranean Adventure – Star Collector 53 days aboard Wind Spirit, from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Venice.
Adriatic off the beaten track
Wind Spirit will return to the Adriatic with an extended season of week-long cruises between Venice and Dubrovnik. Passengers can combine consecutive departures to create a two-week voyage without repeating ports.
The itineraries include some of Croatia's smaller ports, such as Korčula and Poreč, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the yacht's marina. Windstar's compact size also allows for sailing directly to the heart of Venice.
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