Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has released its sailing schedule through summer of 2025, with several key deployment moves for its fleet of six ships including three all-suite motor yachts and three classic sailing yachts.
“People are spending more and traveling longer, and they are taking notice of the tremendous value that a Windstar cruise provides,” says Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “Our new deployment works towards responding to those trends with longer and even more remote options in Tahiti, as well as more connections between different itineraries to extend trips in new and exciting ways.”
Key developments by region include:
South Pacific
Windstar will go beyond its usual Tahitian cruise stops (where the line has sailed for more than 35 years and is considered to be the small ship expert) to the extremely remote Marquesas Islands on the brand-new, 14-day Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas in 2024 and 2025 aboard all-suite, 312-guest Star Breeze. The cruise accesses the Tuamotu Islands of Fakarava and Rangiroa en route to and from the Marquesas, where the yacht spends time in Omoa, Fatu Hiva; Atuona, Hiva Oa; and Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, ending with the Society Islands of Tahaa, Bora Bora (an overnight), Moorea, and Papeete. Prelog says, “We’ve been hearing from travel advisors and guests that they want us to offer different cruises in Tahiti, and we’re pleased to be able to take them beyond the more expected locales to far-flung islands that have fewer than 1,000 residents.”
Canary Islands
Windstar will launch new cruises in the Canary Islands beginning in 2024 on all-suite, 312-guest Star Pride. The eight-day Captivating Canary Islands from Lisbon to Las Palmas includes time on Madeira, as well as overnights in Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
In 2025, two new itineraries in the region include the 10-day Canary Island Idyll and 8-day Colorful Canary Islands with overnights or late nights to take in the renowned nightlife.
Mediterranean
Debuting in July of 2024, Adriatic Icons & Venetian Treasures is a nine-day roundtrip cruise from Venice on board 148-guest motorized sailing yacht Wind Spirit.
Central and South America
Starting winter 2024, a new seven-day Naturally Costa Rica cruise includes inaugural calls to enjoy the unspoiled Pacific coastline in San Juan del Sur and Corinto, Nicaragua. The new option, on 148-passenger motorized sailing yacht Wind Star, easily combines with a Panama Canal itinerary for a 14-day adventure in the region.
Middle East
Windstar is excited to introduce its guests to the Middle East with first-ever itineraries beginning November 2023 on all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend, taking guests to sites from world religions to Egyptian temples, Bedouin villages, and oil-rich cities that have risen from the desert over the past few decades.
Sail dates are now listed into spring of 2025, with 12 different itineraries to choose from. Indicative options include:
- (10 days) from Dubai, UAE to Muscat, Oman and the reverse (with ports in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman).
- Note November 23 will feature optional tickets to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (a Windstar exclusive)
- A New James Beard Foundation cruise has been added to the 2/1/24 sail date, guest chef TBD
- (9 days) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, (Petra) Jordan and the reverse (with ports in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan)
- (18 days) from Athens, Greece to Dubai, UAE (with ports in Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and UAE)
Timed with the announcement is a new, limited-time offer where guests booking 2025 cruises in Europe, Tahiti, and Canada/New England receive a $100 per guest shipboard credit AND a free upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares, which means unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails; Wi-Fi; and gratuities. The offer expires July 5, 2023. More details at https://www.windstarcruises.com/specials/.
For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
