Wind Star
Wind Star 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.
Cruise cabin gear
The small fixes that make an interior stateroom livable, every pick cruise-line compliant.
Wind Star trip profile
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.
Wind Star 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.
| Cruise line | Windstar |
| Ship | Wind Star |
| Class | Wind class, 1986 |
| Debut year | 1986, a Windstar Wind class sailing yacht |
| Builder | Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, France |
| Gross tonnage | 5,350 |
| Length | 440 feet |
| Approximate capacity | About 148 guests at double occupancy |
| Crew | About 101 |
| Who sails | All 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 feature | Wind Star is the original Windstar sailing yacht, a small casual luxury sailing yacht built for hidden harbors and smaller ports the big ships cannot reach |
| Dining style | 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. |
| Premium layer | Suites and the Owner’s Suite, with the open, casual style of a small yacht rather than a formal class system |
| Deployment pattern | A seasonal rotation between the Mediterranean in summer and Costa Rica and Central America, with smaller ports throughout. Check the current schedule |
| Typical voyage length | Mostly 7 night Mediterranean and Central America voyages under sail |
| Destination examples to check | Mediterranean ports in summer and Costa Rica and Central America in winter. Confirm the exact ports for the date. |
Use this table as the fast factual read before comparing cabins, itinerary fit, and onboard zones.
The Wind Star guide system
Use this page as the central Wind Star guide, then move into the planning lane that changes the trip most. Start broad here, then use each lane to decide what needs attention before booking or sailing.
Plan Wind Star by operating zone
Wind Star 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.
Choose the job first
Use this as a trip router, not a second list of zones. Pick the need first, then jump to the planning card that explains where that need lives on the ship.
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 poolsThe 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 fitThe 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 entertainmentThe 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 flowThe 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 strategyThe 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 enrichmentThe 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 fitThe 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 strategyWind Star 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.
Dining, entertainment, pools, and family flow
Wind Star 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Separate the base fare value from the upgrades
Wind Star 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.
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.
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.
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.
| Planning area | Use the included layer for | Consider paying extra when |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | AmphorA, 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. |
| Drinks | Many 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 enrichment | The 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 wellness | The pool, the hot tubs, the fitness center, and the deck spaces. | Spa treatments, the thermal suite on some ships, and the salon carry charges. |
| Cabins | An 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. |
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.
| Traveler type | Cabin priority | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Couples and luxury travelers | A veranda suite | On 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 travelers | A midship, lower traffic suite | If 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 buyer | A top suite tier | The 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 buyer | An entry suite or guarantee | If the itinerary and the service are the point, an entry suite or a guaranteed category keeps a luxury sailing more affordable. |
| Light sleeper | Deck buffer | Suites directly below the pool deck, the lounge, or the restaurant can carry noise; the same grade in a quieter stack is worth checking. |
| Repeat zone | What to check before booking | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| AmphorA, the main restaurant and Veranda and the deck dining | Route 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 bar | Elevator 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 lounges | Show, 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 cafe | Access 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 tier | Whether 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. |
Wind Star sails to smaller, hidden ports
The destination question is the point with Windstar. Wind Star 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.
Wind Star rotates by season. Confirm the region, the departure port, and the smaller ports for your dates first.
Wind Star leans the Mediterranean in summer and Costa Rica and Central America in winter, calling at small harbors under sail. Check the exact season and ports.
This is a real sailing yacht; the sails go up as the ship leaves port, a Windstar signature.
Pick the cabin, reserve Candles and the Star Grill, and check the smaller ports and any overnights. The yacht is intimate, so plan early.
Wind Star 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 Star is on the shortlist.
Wind Star
A Windstar Wind class sailing yacht: small, casual luxury built for hidden harbors and smaller ports, with no formal nights.
Wind Spirit
The near identical Wind class sailing yacht. The comparison is mostly the itinerary.
Wind Surf
The largest Wind class sailing yacht. Compare if you want a slightly larger sailing yacht.
| Ship | Best use | Planning tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Star | The original Windstar sailing yacht | The smallest, oldest yachts |
| Wind Spirit | Same class, near identical | Near identical sister |
| Wind Surf | Larger sailing yacht | Larger, more guests |
Where the Wind Star 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.
Wind Star questions families ask first
How big is Wind Star?
Wind Star is about 5,350 gross tons and roughly 440 feet long. It is the original Wind class sailing yacht, near identical to Wind Spirit, the ship that launched Windstar’s sail powered fleet.
How many guests does Wind Star hold?
Wind Star 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 Star?
Wind Star entered service in 1986. It entered service in 1986 as the first Windstar sailing yacht.
Where does Wind Star sail?
Wind Star rotates by season, often the mediterranean and costa rica and other regions, calling at smaller ports the big ships cannot reach. Confirm the exact season and route for your dates.
Is Wind Star the original Windstar ship?
Yes. Wind Star, from 1986, is the original Windstar sailing yacht, the ship that launched the line’s sail powered concept, near identical to Wind Spirit.
What class is Wind Star?
Wind Star is a Windstar Wind class sailing yacht. It is the original Wind class sailing yacht, near identical to Wind Spirit, the ship that launched Windstar’s sail powered fleet.
What is special about sailing on Wind Star?
Wind Star is a true sailing yacht; its computer controlled sails unfurl as it leaves port, set to music, and its small size lets it anchor off tiny harbors that larger ships cannot reach.
When was Wind Star built?
Wind Star was built by Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, France and entered service in 1986. Windstar keeps its ships closely matched, so the onboard experience is broadly consistent across the fleet.
What restaurants are on Wind Star?
Wind Star 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 Star and is it all inclusive?
Windstar is built for adults and couples. Wind Star 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 Star with Wind Spirit and Wind Surf, and the rest of the fleet before choosing the ship that fits the trip.
Back to the Windstar hub