Windstar Cruises has opened bookings for its summer 2028 European season, with 5 yachts scheduled to operate in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe between March and October. The programme will include the new Star Explorer, alongside Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf.
The 2028 deployment offers 348 possible itinerary combinations, ranging from 4-day short voyages intended to complement longer European holidays to a 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure aboard Wind Spirit, sailing from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Venice.
Windstar is expanding its Northern European programme with additional itineraries in Germany, including voyages through the Kiel Canal and along the Elbe River. The programme will also include a sailing timed to coincide with Hamburg's major maritime festival, a new port call at Inis Mór in Ireland's Aran Islands and expanded British Isles itineraries aboard Star Explorer.
In the Mediterranean, the programme will continue to focus on smaller ports and yacht-style access to destinations in Greece, Italy, France and Croatia. Guests will have opportunities to use the yachts' marina facilities for swimming and paddle sports, while selected itineraries will provide extended time in individual regions.
The 2028 programme will also include enhanced Grand Prix-themed voyages, another Mystery Cruise operating round trip from Athens and longer itineraries that combine multiple cruises.
Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Operating Officer of Windstar Cruises, said the 2028 programme was designed to offer repeat European travellers different ways of visiting familiar destinations. He highlighted itineraries that travel further into destinations and voyages scheduled around cultural and maritime events as additional options for both new and returning guests.
An Early Booking Offer will be available on eligible newly released 2028 European voyages booked by October 31st, 2026. The offer includes an All-Inclusive package covering Wi-Fi, gratuities and selected beer, wine and cocktails, together with a US$100 shipboard credit per guest. Guests paying the cruise fare in full at the time of booking can also receive a 5% fare reduction. The Pay Now, Save More offer can be combined with the Early Booking Offer and applicable Yacht Club Member benefits, subject to the relevant terms and conditions.
The expanded Germany and Northern Europe programme aboard Star Pride will include Hamburg, Berlin and Binz on the island of Rügen. Berlin Cruise Tours will provide an additional option for exploring the German capital. Two new 4-day Quick Getaway itineraries will form part of the programme.
The Germany via the Kiel Canal itinerary will operate between Copenhagen and Hamburg and include calls at Binz, Warnemünde for Berlin, the Kiel Canal and the Elbe River. Another four-day sailing, departing May 3rd, will coincide with Hamburg's major maritime festival and is scheduled to include participation in the boat parade and a fireworks display.
Star Pride will also operate a new 6-day itinerary connecting Amsterdam, Normandy and London. The voyage will include Amsterdam, Ostend for Bruges, Rouen for Paris, Honfleur and an overnight stay in London alongside HMS Belfast. The programme will incorporate visits associated with Monet's Giverny, the D-Day beaches and Normandy's culinary heritage.
Ireland and the British Isles will receive additional attention aboard Star Explorer. The 2028 programme introduces Inis Mór as a new port of call and includes scenic cruising past the Cliffs of Moher, city-centre docking in Cork and excursions focused on Waterford crystal and local foraging.
The Circumnavigate Ireland itinerary will provide an extended exploration of the country, with calls including Belfast, Londonderry, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Cork and Waterford.
In the Mediterranean, Star Legend, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf will continue Windstar's established programme while adding new options. The line will operate Grand Prix itineraries around Monaco, with Star Legend and Wind Spirit scheduled to attend the Monaco Grand Prix. The Athens round-trip programme will also continue to feature a Mystery Cruise.
One of the longest European offerings will be the 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure aboard Wind Spirit. The Star Collector itinerary will connect Tenerife in the Canary Islands with Venice, combining multiple regions into a single voyage.
Wind Spirit will also return to the Adriatic for an extended season of 7-night cruises between Venice and Dubrovnik. Consecutive sailings can be combined into 14-night voyages without repeating ports. The itineraries will include smaller Croatian destinations such as Korčula and Poreč, while the yacht's size will allow it to sail directly into central Venice.
The 2028 European programme is structured around a combination of short voyages, longer Star Collector itineraries and event-based sailings, giving Windstar additional options for combining cruises and land-based travel across the European season.