Wind Star accommodates a maximum of 148 guests over four decks and is one of three sailing yachts from Windstar Cruises. It’s a small motor-sailer with engines for easy cruising, and towering white sails for smooth sailing.
The ship underwent a significant revamp at the end of 2023, and there’s now a revitalised lobby, a new pool and larger pool bar, a new spa and a redesigned spacious lounge.
In 2026, Wind Star will be sailing to the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, as well as Costa Rica and the Panama Canal.
Overall score 7/10
Style and Character 7/10
Wind Star is a four-masted sailing ship that feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship. It’s intimate due to the small capacity, and there’s excellent personal service.
The décor is simple and contemporary, with a predominance of rich wood tones and polished surfaces for a classic maritime feel. The open teak decks mean plenty of hidden nooks for guests to escape to.
Cabins 7/10
Cabins have portholes (there are no balconies), but they’re a decent size and well designed to make the most of space. There’s a seating area and lots of storage capacity with a double wardrobe, chest of drawers and recessed shelves everywhere.
The bathroom is compact, but with the shower and toilet cleverly built into round recesses, it doesn’t feel cramped; plus, there are plenty of shelves.
Food and Drink 7/10
There are two main dining venues on board. Breakfast and lunch are served in Veranda, where both a buffet and à la carte menu are offered, with regulars and daily specials.
Dinner is served in the main restaurant, Amphora, where the menu changes nightly and offers a range of classic gourmet dishes. All dining is open seating with no set times. Veranda also becomes Candles at night (booking required), where dishes served include a selection of skewers and grills. Pick a warm night to ensure you can dine on deck – inside, the atmosphere doesn’t quite match the fine-dining menu.
A highlight is undoubtedly the al fresco signature barbecue. The pool deck is transformed with food stations and displays piled high, showcasing an incredible array of dishes.
The wine list is extensive with an impressive international selection from around the world. The albariño and French pinot noir were two of my favourites.
Service and Facilities 8/10
Wind Star has truly perfected the art of service. The warm and knowledgeable reception team seem to have the answer to every query, the wait staff quickly learn your name, greet you cheerily and remember your favourite drinks, and the cabin stewards have an incredible attention to detail matched with smiling faces. Every interaction adds to the pleasure of the journey.
As Wind Star is a small ship, facilities are what you’d expect from its size. There’s a very compact library (a few shelves), a lounge, a small gym, spa and a pool deck and bar area. Having said that, there’s plenty of space on board and I never had a problem finding seating where I wanted.
The spa punches well above its weight. It’s a small, well-planned space with skilled and smiling therapists and a wide range of excellent treatments. Each morning in the lounge, taster massages and eye treatments were offered – I had one most days.
One of the unique areas on board is the marina located at the back. Designed as a swim platform, it opens when the ship is anchored in a calm sea and guests can use the paddleboards, large lounging inflatables and trampolines.
Entertainment and Excursions 7/10
An excellent singing duo entertained us every evening at sail away and after dinner. As often happens on smaller ships, they carried out extra duties, turning their attention to quizzes and other activities like line dancing.
Passengers can visit the bridge at any time; there’s a galley tour and photo opportunities on the bowsprit.
At ports of call, there’s a wide range of excursions, from walking tours and coach explorations to more targeted and specialist activities, like wine tastings. Every night, the destination manager provided useful information on the next day’s stop.
Value for Money 7/10
Guests can choose to purchase the All-In package which includes Wi-Fi, gratuities and select alcoholic drinks, and costs from $99 (£74) per person per day. If you like to try new wines and cocktails on board, this is well worth it. Shore excursions cost from $79 (£59) per person.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There is no elevator on board, making Wind Star not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
Family-friendly?
Children under eight years old are not allowed. There is no designated childcare, supervised activities or children’s menus. The cruise is designed for adults and families with older children.