Windstar Cruises has confirmed the forthcoming debut of Star Explorer, the second of two new all-suite yachts to join its fleet, marking a significant step in the line’s continued expansion into small-ship luxury cruising. Designed to accommodate 224 guests, the vessel will operate year-round in Europe beginning in December 2026, with her inaugural season scheduled through March 2028.
The Star Explorer will be officially christened on May 31st, 2027, on London’s River Thames, an occasion set to reflect the ship’s understated elegance and contemporary design. Following the ceremony, the vessel will pass beneath Tower Bridge to commence her first itinerary, a circumnavigation of Ireland featuring visits to destinations known for their dramatic landscapes and cultural heritage.
Built for versatility and access, Star Explorer has been engineered to navigate smaller ports and inland waterways beyond the reach of larger vessels. Windstar’s president, Christopher Prelog, noted that the ship’s dimensions will allow it to enter locations such as Rouen, Caen, Bordeaux, and central London, expanding the line’s European reach. The vessel’s itineraries will incorporate longer stays and overnight calls to enable deeper immersion in key destinations, with maiden visits including Puerto Banús in Spain and returns to San Sebastián and Saint-Jean-de-Luz on the Basque coast.
On board, the yacht will feature 112 suites, including two Horizon Owner’s Suites with wraparound balconies and multiple staterooms offering verandas or infinity windows. Amenities will include the Yacht Club Café, a watersports marina, and Windstar’s signature relaxed atmosphere complemented by attentive service.
The 2027 program for Star Explorer introduces a series of detailed itineraries throughout Northern and Western Europe. Among the new offerings are the “Seven Gems of the Baltic,” an eight-night voyage across seven nations—Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia—and “Circumnavigating Ireland,” a ten-night exploration featuring ports such as Waterford, Cork, Galway, and Belfast, alongside scenic highlights like the Cliffs of Moher and the Isles of Scilly.
Additional sailings include “Impressionist France,” a 10-night voyage from Bordeaux to London with overnight stays in Bordeaux, St. Malo, and Rouen, and “Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal,” an 8-night itinerary from Lisbon to Bordeaux that focuses on the culinary and cultural traditions of the Iberian coast.