When you think of Windstar Cruises, you most likely think of its sailing ships, but come December the line will actually have more motorised vessels than sailing ships. While Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer, isn’t trying to push that image of sailing vessels out of people’s heads, she does want them to also consider the new offerings the cruise line has.
In catching up with LATTE in New York, Bava said: “We’re evolving as a brand.” The top highlight of that evolution being the upcoming debut of Star Seeker, which will become the brand’s fourth motorised yacht when it debuts in December 2025. (Sister ship Star Explorer will join in December 2026, giving the line five motorised vessels and three sailing ships.)
Star Seeker will accommodate 224 guests in all-suite stateroom configurations. A highlight on the accommodation side will be the debut of Windstar’s new Horizon Owner’s Suite with a wraparound balcony. Guests can still expect a spa, signature dining, rooftop pool deck and the marina, allowing them to jump off the ship and enjoy a myriad of water toys.
What excites Bava most about Star Seeker and Star Explorer are simply the fact that they’re new. While the line previously invested US$250 million in upgrading its three sailing ships, it has not welcomed a new-build into its fleet in 35 years.
“The fact that we have a brand-new ship with that new-ship smell is going to be pretty exciting for all of us,” Bava said.
Star Seeker will sail a transatlantic voyage on 15 January 2026, ahead of its christening in the Caribbean. Following its inaugural season in the Caribbean and Latin America, Star Seeker will transit the Panama Canal, sail to Alaska and then head to Japan.
New Destinations and Itineraries
“The most exciting thing when you have more ships if you can go to more destinations,” Bava said. In Central America, she was particularly excited for new sailings to Costa Rica. She explained: “We love the fact that we can do wet landings in Costa Rica (noting the lack of infrastructure to dock its ships there), and that in itself is a pretty amazing adventure and unique experience.”
Beyond Central America, Windstar is doubling down on Europe and French Polynesia, as well as expanding its product in Asia.
In Europe, Windstar will have a ship based in the Mediterranean year-round, allowing travellers to explore Southern Europe in the off-season when there are fewer crowds. In fact, Bava said that this is currently the line’s highest-rated itinerary. “We unlocked, I think, something unique and special,” she added.
Also of note, Wind Spirit will be sailing the Canary Islands – which Bava called “the Hawaii of Europe” – in winter 2026-27. Guests can enjoy nine-night sailings to “lesser-known gems” like Porto Santo and El Hierro.
In addition, Windstar is adding three- and four-day sailings from London, where Star Pride will sail right under Tower Bridge, as well as from Rome on Wind Surf. These sailings are designed for travellers who may not have the time to book a full week (or longer) sailing or for those who want flexibility in their travels, with Bava noting many of these guests are booking the itineraries as a component of a longer, land-based European trip. “It’s about flexibility these days, it’s about giving people choice,” she added.
“It’s [also] a great way for people to get a taste of Windstar and intro the product to people,” Bava said.
Not to mention, the line will have two ships in French Polynesia – both the sailing ship Wind Star and the motorized Star Breeze, again coming back to “choice.” When Windstar had to pull its eponymous vessel for a dry dock renovation, guests were not so happy that it was replaced with a motorised yacht. Now, travellers have the choice of vessel.
In Asia, Windstar will be sailing to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. “[We’re going] to all these destinations that our guests were asking for, but we just didn’t have enough ships to take them there,” said Bava.
Reaching New Audiences
Windstar Cruises, in less than a decade, will go from three ships to eight – nearly triple its initial capacity. “My biggest challenge,” Bava said, “is introducing our brand to new audiences.”
When it comes to bringing in new Windstar guests, Bava told LATTE that the themed sailings are a big draw.
She also spoke about the many hotel brands that are turning to the seas – be it Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Aman or Orient Express. In speaking directly to these lines, Bava said, “Thank you so much for introducing another style of cruising” to the consumer’s perception – who may have previously only been aware that big ships exist.
“I believe that the penetration for cruising is still very small when you look at the entire world – even in the U.S. And I think there’s a market for all of us.” Bava said.
A highlight of the conversation was Windstar’s continued partnership with the James Beach Foundation (JBF). Celebrating its 10th year in 2025, Windstar’s partnership with JBF will comprise five new chef sailings in 2026, hosting Chefs José Garzón, the mother-daughter duo Kirsten and Mandy Dixon, Gabriel Kreuther, Belinda Bishop and David Uygur. These sailings will include cooking demos, market visits and curated four-course dinners with wine pairings. Guests may also be among the first to try dishes that become so well-received that they’re added to the permanent dining menu.
“People expect good food,” said Bava, who added that partnership with the James Beard Foundation affords Windstar the ability to say it has “good food in a credible way.” These sailings cater to previous Windstar guests but also entice new-to-cruise (or new-to-Windstar) guests who have a particular fondness for the cuisine or the chef.
In fact, Bava told LATTE that these sailings are about 70 to 80% new guests – simply because of the James Beard chef partnership.
As Bava mentioned, themed sailings – like those with the JBF – allow the line to reach new audiences. In addition to these sailings with a culinary slant, the line has also focused itineraries on wellness, navigation and art. While Windstar will announce more partnerships soon, the line has already previewed two upcoming sailings. The first is “Knot Your Average Crossing,” which will include expert-led workshops, chart reading on the Flying Bridge, star mapping with officers and a “cheeky” Pirate Night in the Caribbean, with the second being a series of “Art Voyages” with resident artists from Fountainhead, live mural painting, hands-on classes, art history talks and curated museum excursions.
On the wellness front, Windstar has partnered with the National Health Association and on these sailings will offer plant-based and gluten-free menu options, yoga on the top deck, sound healing, inspirational talks and more.
Eclipse-themed travel is also booming for Windstar. For 2027, the line will have three ships sailing in the path of totality. “It sold out in a day,” explained Bava, who added Windstar planned Wind Surf’s entire summer season just to position it to be the third vessel to experience the eclipse (after offering only two ships in 2026).
When it comes to sailing ships versus motorised vessels, Bava told LATTE, it’s less about which of those the traveller pictures first when thinking of Windstar. Instead, she wants people to first think about “the yacht-style cruising.” Noting that the line’s vessels carry between 150 and 350 guests, she added: “We want to be known as that intimate, personalised experience that takes you around the world with more overnight and more destination experiences that allow you to really understand the places that you’re going to and not feel like you’re just a tourist.”
