Independent travel intelligence. Sources cited on every guide. LatestIsland Line Disruption Starts Oct 31 on Ryde PierI-35 San Antonio Overnight Closures Start October 6 With DetoursCaltrans Confirms State Route 37 Night Disruption October 12Rose and Crown Dining Room Access Ends February 15 2027
Windstar Ship Guide

Wind Spirit

Wind Spirit is a Windstar Wind class sailing yacht, a small, casual luxury vessel built for hidden harbors and smaller ports, with no formal nights and a relaxed, open style. It works best for travelers who want an intimate yacht over a big resort at sea.

July 9, 2026
Wind classMediterranean7 to 14 nightsSmall shipCasual luxury
Wind Spirit cruise ship guide hero image
1988 Wind class sailing yacht, an intimate sailing yacht.
5,307 gross tons with about 148 guests, an intimate yacht.
Sails and small ports: the Mediterranean and the South Pacific under sail.
Best planning frame: pick the itinerary and the smaller ports, then the cabin.
1988
Debut Year
7 to 14 nights
Typical Sailing
Seasonal
Homeport
5k
Gross Tons
148
Double Occupancy Guests
Yacht
Style
Pack Smart with Deep Arrival Gear

Cruise cabin gear

The small fixes that make an interior stateroom livable, every pick cruise-line compliant.

Wind Spirit trip profile

DeploymentWorldwide rotationBest when you want a small, casual yacht and access to hidden harbors. Wind Spirit rotates by season, so confirm the region and the schedule first.
Typical length7 to 14 nightsRead Wind Spirit by the itinerary: mostly 7 night mediterranean and south pacific voyages under sail.
DestinationsThe Mediterranean and TahitiWind Spirit leans the Mediterranean in summer and Tahiti and the South Pacific, calling at small islands under sail. Check the exact season and ports.
Experience profileSmall ship luxury and destination focusThese ships are built around service, dining, and the destination, so use this layer to decide whether the style fits how you want to travel.
Choose Wind Spirit when
You want a small, intimate yacht over a big cruise ship.
Hidden harbors and smaller ports appeal more than mega ports.
You love the idea of sailing under actual sails.
Casual elegance with no formal nights fits your style.
Think twice when
You want big ship venues, shows, and nightlife.
You are traveling with kids who need dedicated facilities.
You want lots of dining choices; the yacht keeps it intimate.
Fleet ships are closely matched within a class, so compare itineraries.
Quick Scan

Use this order next.

The trip profile is already above. From here, check the facts, choose the planning lane, then compare the nearby Windstar choices.

Ship Snapshot

Wind Spirit ship facts

The first decision is not whether the ship is refined. It is whether small ship, casual luxury yacht cruising and a destination led voyage are the trip you want.

Core Wind Spirit facts before choosing the ship.
Cruise lineWindstar
ShipWind Spirit
ClassWind class, 1988
Debut year1988, a Windstar Wind class sailing yacht
BuilderAteliers et Chantiers du Havre, France
Gross tonnage5,307
Length440 feet
Approximate capacityAbout 148 guests at double occupancy
CrewAbout 101
Who sailsAll ages welcome but adults skewing. Windstar has no dedicated children’s facilities and is built for travelers who want an intimate yacht and smaller ports.
Signature featureWind Spirit is an intimate sailing yacht, a small casual luxury sailing yacht built for hidden harbors and smaller ports the big ships cannot reach
Dining styleAmphorA, the main restaurant, plus Candles Grill, the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, the casual Veranda, and deck dining, shaped by a James Beard Foundation partnership.
Premium layerSuites and the Owner’s Suite, with the open, casual style of a small yacht rather than a formal class system
Deployment patternA seasonal rotation between the Mediterranean in summer and Tahiti and the South Pacific, with smaller ports throughout. Check the current schedule
Typical voyage lengthMostly 7 night Mediterranean and South Pacific voyages under sail
Destination examples to checkMediterranean ports in summer and the islands of Tahiti and the South Pacific. Confirm the exact ports for the date.
How to use this table

Use this table as the fast factual read before comparing cabins, itinerary fit, and onboard zones.

Planning Library
Ship Design

Plan Wind Spirit by operating zone

Wind Spirit is easy to use once you choose where each day starts, resets, and ends. Windstar is small ship, casual luxury yacht cruising, built around dining, the destination, and calm, so these are the zones guests actually repeat.

Top deck
Top deckDecks

The pools and top deck

The top decks carry the pool and the watersports platform, the terraces, and the loungers, a calm, uncrowded scene rather than a waterpark. Claim a base by the light and the weather, especially on a sea day or a scenic stretch.

Jump to decks and pools
Pool day rhythm
Pool deckSea day

The pool and deck base

the pool and the watersports platform is the daytime base, refined and rarely crowded on a ship this size. Claim a lounger early on a sea day and use the deck bar and grill as the social anchor of the afternoon.

Jump to itinerary fit
Evening anchor
EveningsIntimate

The evening anchor loop

Evenings run on the Lounge, live music in the lounges, and the Yacht Club for a quiet drink with a view. The scale is intimate rather than a mega ship production, which suits the style.

Jump to entertainment
Dining anchors
DiningIncluded

The dining lineup

Dining is the heart of the trip: AmphorA, the main restaurant for the main menu, Candles Grill and the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, Veranda and the deck dining, and the Yacht Club cafe. The food is a core reason people choose Windstar, so reserve the specialty tables early.

Jump to dining flow
Quiet retreat
SpaQuiet

The spa and quiet decks

the World Spa is the reset between port days, with a thermal area, treatments, and a calm space. On a small luxury ship the quiet spaces are a real part of the appeal.

Jump to spa strategy
Enrichment
EnrichmentDestination

The enrichment and destination layer

Windstar leans into the destination, so the quieter pleasures matter: destination talks, guest lecturers, and a quiet library, plus longer stays and the occasional overnight in port. Note the talks and any signature events so they do not collide with a long day ashore.

Jump to enrichment
Windstar
YachtCasual luxury

The Windstar experience

The signature is the sail: Wind class ships are true sailing yachts, with computer controlled sails that billow out as the ship leaves port, a sight set to music. They are small, casual, and built for hidden harbors and the watersports platform off the back, with no formal nights, which is the point of Windstar’s 180 degrees from ordinary.

Jump to itinerary fit
Priority layer
SuitesTiers

The suite and stateroom layer

Accommodation runs from the ocean view stateroom to the Owner’s Suite. Decide the tier early; on a small ship the top suites are few and book up.

Jump to cabin strategy
The planning shift

Wind Spirit works best when the group books the specialty restaurants early, leans into the enrichment and the destination, and picks the suite tier with intent. Windstar trades waterpark hardware for space, service, dining, and the ports, with much of the experience already in the fare.

Onboard Experience

Dining, entertainment, pools, and family flow

Wind Spirit rewards a little planning: reserve the specialty tables, note any signature events, and pick the spa windows, and the small ship does the rest.

Dining
SpecialtiesReserve early

Dining is the heart of the trip

Start with the specialty restaurants that would disappoint the group if missed and book them early. AmphorA, the main restaurant, Veranda and the deck dining, and the Yacht Club cafe fill the rest, and the quality is consistent across the venues.

AmphorACandles and Star GrillReserve early
Entertainment
EveningsLounges

Plan the evenings and the events

The shows, the live music, and any signature events should be timed like dinner. On an intimate ship the rooms are smaller, so the popular nights and the headline events fill up.

Show loungeLive musicLounges
Pools and decks
TheSea day

Sea days need a base

Pick a base by mood: the pool and the watersports platform for the day scene, the deck bar for the afternoon, the World Spa for quiet. Sea days are calm on a ship this size, so a lounger is easy to find.

Pool deckWatersports platformWorld Spa
Who it suits
AdultsLuxury

The ship is built around a clear traveler

Windstar is built for travelers who want an intimate yacht, hidden harbors, and a relaxed style. It suits couples, solo travelers who value a refined room, and friends traveling together, rather than families chasing a waterpark.

CouplesSoloExplorers
Cost Reality

Separate the base fare value from the upgrades

Wind Spirit carries much of the experience in the fare, so the real decisions are the suite tier, premium drinks, and the spa. The headline price is closer to the real cost than on most lines.

Ready to price it? Compare Windstar sailings at CruiseDirect.

Deep Arrival earns a commission when you buy through partner links. It does not change the price you pay.

Included
Fare valueDaily use

Use the included layer first

The fare covers more than the mainstream lines: casual elegance with no formal nights, an open bridge, and an intimate atmosphere, with a James Beard Foundation dining partnership. Build the trip around that before adding the upgrades.

DiningEnrichmentService
Upgrades
Add onsPressure points

Pick paid items by friction, not hype

Drinks beyond any package, the spa, and shore excursions are the real spend. Because so much is already bundled, the headline fare is closer to the real cost than on most lines, so focus the budget there.

Premium drinksSpaShore tours
Suites
TiersPerks

Decide the suite tier early

The biggest single decision is the suite tier. The top suites add space, added service, and priority, the clearest upgrade on a small ship. Decide early because the best suites are limited.

Ocean View Stateroomthe Owner’s SuiteBook early
Included value and paid upgrade choices.
Planning areaUse the included layer forConsider paying extra when
DiningAmphorA, the main restaurant, Veranda and the deck dining, and the Yacht Club cafe, included.Some specialty experiences or wine pairings may carry a charge; check the current inclusions.
DrinksMany drinks are included in the fare; check the exact beverage inclusions for your fare.Top shelf spirits, rare wines, and special vintages can be extra even on inclusive fares.
Entertainment and enrichmentThe shows, the live music, the lounges, and the enrichment talks, included.There is little to pay for in entertainment; the spend is the optional shore experiences.
Pools and wellnessThe pool, the hot tubs, the fitness center, and the deck spaces.Spa treatments, the thermal suite on some ships, and the salon carry charges.
CabinsAn entry ocean view stateroom that keeps the fare in check while keeping the experience intact.The top suite tiers add space, service, and perks, and reward booking early on a longer voyage.
Cabins and Deck Flow

Choose the room around movement, not just category

Suite value runs on the tier and the deck. Windstar is small ship, casual luxury yacht cruising, so most rooms are well appointed; the decision is how far up the suite ladder to go.

Cabin strategy by traveler profile.
Traveler typeCabin priorityWhy it matters
Couples and luxury travelersA veranda suiteOn these ships the veranda suite is the core room and a comfortable base. The deck and the position usually matter more than chasing the lowest fare.
Destination travelersA midship, lower traffic suiteIf long port days and overnights drive the trip, a midship suite with a short path to the gangway and dining makes the days easier.
Premium buyerA top suite tierThe top suites add space, a butler or concierge, and priority. On a small ship the step up is noticeable, so decide early because the top suites are few.
Value buyerAn entry suite or guaranteeIf the itinerary and the service are the point, an entry suite or a guaranteed category keeps a luxury sailing more affordable.
Light sleeperDeck bufferSuites directly below the pool deck, the lounge, or the restaurant can carry noise; the same grade in a quieter stack is worth checking.
Deck movement checks before choosing a cabin.
Repeat zoneWhat to check before bookingWhy it matters
AmphorA, the main restaurant and Veranda and the deck diningRoute from the suite to the main restaurant and the buffet.On a small luxury ship a short, easy path to dining keeps the day relaxed.
the pool and the watersports platform and the deck barElevator path, shade timing, and distance to the pool and the bar.Sea days get easier when the suite is an easy walk from the deck and a drink.
the Lounge and the loungesShow, lounge, and event timing, and the path back after a late evening.On an intimate ship the evening flow matters; a good location keeps the nights easy.
the Yacht Club and the Yacht Club cafeAccess to the lounges, the cafe, and the main corridors.These connector spaces are where a small ship does much of its socializing.
the Owner’s Suite and the top tierWhether the top suite tier and its perks justify the step up on this voyage.Top suite value is strongest when the space, the butler service, and the perks change the trip.
Itinerary Fit

Wind Spirit sails to smaller, hidden ports

The destination question is the point with Windstar. Wind Spirit is small enough to reach harbors the big ships cannot, so the first planning step is matching the region and the smaller ports to what you want.

DeploymentCheck the season

Wind Spirit rotates by season. Confirm the region, the departure port, and the smaller ports for your dates first.

Hidden harborsThe Mediterranean and Tahiti

Wind Spirit leans the Mediterranean in summer and Tahiti and the South Pacific, calling at small islands under sail. Check the exact season and ports.

The sailsA true sailing yacht

This is a real sailing yacht; the sails go up as the ship leaves port, a Windstar signature.

Booking checkCabins, dining, ports

Pick the cabin, reserve Candles and the Star Grill, and check the smaller ports and any overnights. The yacht is intimate, so plan early.

Comparison Snapshot

Wind Spirit versus the nearby Windstar ships

The useful question is not which ship is biggest. Windstar keeps a small, closely matched fleet, so the real question is usually the itinerary, the season, and the ship age. These are the comparisons most travelers weigh when Wind Spirit is on the shortlist.

Intimate sailing pick

Wind Spirit

A Windstar Wind class sailing yacht: small, casual luxury built for hidden harbors and smaller ports, with no formal nights.

Wind class, 1988 debut
Seasonal, Mediterranean
Wind Spirit is an intimate sailing yacht, a small casual luxury sailing yacht built for hidden harbors and smaller ports the big ships cannot reach
Sister ship

Wind Star

The near identical original Wind class sailing yacht. The comparison is mostly the itinerary.

Wind class, 1986 debut
Mediterranean and Costa Rica
The original sailing yacht
Larger sister

Wind Surf

The largest Wind class sailing yacht. Compare if you want a slightly larger sailing yacht.

Wind class, 1990 debut
Mediterranean and Caribbean
The largest sailing yacht
Planning lanes for these Windstar ships.
ShipBest usePlanning tradeoff
Wind SpiritAn intimate sailing yacht for small islandsThe smallest, oldest yachts
Wind StarSame class, near identicalNear identical sister
Wind SurfLarger sailing yachtLarger, more guests
Sources

Where the Wind Spirit facts come from

Windstar’s own materials check the ship facts. Deep Arrival adds the planning read, including trip fit, cabin movement, dining, deck flow, adult spaces, and itinerary logic. Pricing, sailing dates, port lists, and program details change. Use these as the next step after this guide.

Cruise lines do not cover medical evacuation. EKTA travel insurance covers it from about 1 dollar a day.

Deep Arrival earns a commission when you buy through partner links. It does not change the price you pay.

FAQ

Wind Spirit questions families ask first

How big is Wind Spirit?

Wind Spirit is about 5,307 gross tons and roughly 440 feet long. It is a small Wind class sailing yacht, near identical to Wind Star, among the most intimate ships at sea.

How many guests does Wind Spirit hold?

Wind Spirit carries about 148 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of about 101. The small size is a core part of the experience.

How old is Wind Spirit?

Wind Spirit entered service in 1988. It entered service in 1988 as one of Windstar’s original sailing yachts.

Where does Wind Spirit sail?

Wind Spirit rotates by season, often the mediterranean and tahiti and other regions, calling at smaller ports the big ships cannot reach. Confirm the exact season and route for your dates.

Is Wind Spirit a small ship?

Yes. Wind Spirit is a Wind class sailing yacht of about 5,307 gross tons carrying just 148 guests, one of the most intimate ships at sea, with actual sails and access to tiny ports.

What class is Wind Spirit?

Wind Spirit is a Windstar Wind class sailing yacht. It is a small Wind class sailing yacht, near identical to Wind Star, among the most intimate ships at sea.

Where does Wind Spirit sail?

Wind Spirit often splits the year between the Mediterranean in summer and Tahiti and the South Pacific, where its small size and sails suit island hopping among places big ships cannot reach.

When was Wind Spirit built?

Wind Spirit was built by Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, France and entered service in 1988. Windstar keeps its ships closely matched, so the onboard experience is broadly consistent across the fleet.

What restaurants are on Wind Spirit?

Wind Spirit carries Windstar’s casual dining: AmphorA, the main restaurant, plus Candles Grill, the Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, the casual Veranda, and deck dining, shaped by a James Beard Foundation partnership. Reserve Candles and the Star Grill early.

Who sails Wind Spirit and is it all inclusive?

Windstar is built for adults and couples. Wind Spirit has no dedicated children’s facilities, so it suits couples, solo travelers, and friends rather than families with young children.

Keep comparing Windstar ships

Use the Windstar fleet guide to compare Wind Spirit with Wind Star and Wind Surf, and the rest of the fleet before choosing the ship that fits the trip.

Back to the Windstar hub
The weekly brief

One calm email. The week's plan.

Park hours, crowd outlook, fare moves, and what changed, plus first word as we open new destinations. No noise, just the planning signal.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. We never sell your address.