Star Pride

Launched in 1988 as Seabourn Pride, Star Pride cruise ship is the first of all three identical Windstar yachts - together with the fleet mates Star Breeze (ex-Seabourn Spirit) and Star Legend (ex-Seabourn Legend).

History - construction and ownership

Windstar Cruises is a luxury brand operating a fleet of smaller-sized ships (mega-yachts) with capacity up to 310 passengers. The company call at 150 ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South Pacific, Asia, Europe. Currently, Windstar is a subsidiary of Xanterra Parks and Resorts (USA's largest national and state park concession management company).

The 9,975-ton, 212-passenger cruise ship Star Pride was purchased by Windstar Cruises in 2013. The vessel was then leased back to Seabourn (her operator since 1988) for a further year until the completion of the transfer in May 2014. Star Pride set sail as the first Windstar new power yacht, out of three. With just 212 guests, Windstar Pride ship makes her passengers feel like they’re onboard a private yacht of their own. 

Cruise itinerary program

Star Pride itinerary program is based on luxury Asia cruises with departures from Singapore and Hong Kong. The Windstar Pride ship also sails in the Eastern Mediterranean from Venice, Athens/Piraeus and Istanbul, with Suez Canal transit on repositioning.

Cabins

All Star Pride staterooms are comfortable and sedate suites with luxury linens, stocked mini-bar, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, fresh fruit and flowers. There are a total of 106 staterooms (all of which Suites, 42 Balcony, 64 Oceanview) in 8 categories. The largest aboard Star Pride is the Owner’s Suite (575 ft2). 

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Star Pride guests may choose from various inclusive dining options – AmphorA Restaurant, Yacht Club, Sky Bar & Grill. Windstar travellers usually like to dress up. There are 2 formal nights on weeklong cruises and 3 on fourteen-day voyages. On these nights, a lot of the men wear tuxedos. Women wear luxury cocktail dresses or ball gowns. Other nights are casually stylish (jacket for men, but tie optional; nice outfit for women), or casual (no jacket for men; sundress or slacks for women). For those who do not like formal nights, the Veranda Cafe offers a casually stylish alternative.

Follows the complete list of Star Pride restaurants and food bars.

• AmphorA Restaurant (ship’s dining room, open-seating; offers 5-course gourmet dinner menu which is changed daily; along with onboard-made bread, in all ports of call the executive chef goes to the local markets to shop for fresh ingredients)
• Candles Cafe & Veranda (a smaller “dining room” which offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as a la carte menu through the wait staff; its indoor area is called “Candles Cafe” and features floor-ceiling panoramic windows; the outdoor seating area is called “Veranda” - in the evenings, it transforms into “Candles Grill” al-fresco steakhouse)
• Sky Bar & Grill / Star Bar (serves the top deck open-air-area).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

While Star Pride offers the signature Windstar experiences (as the famous deck barbecue), she also promotes the company’s product development initiative – intimate access to call ports, themed sailings and active interaction with villagers. Activities onboard are very limited and range from food market purchases to performances by local musicians. Public areas include the casino, library, computer centre, WindSpa, fitness centre, pool and three whirlpool tubs. The marina offers complimentary watersport equipment. 

Follows the complete list of Star Pride lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Marina (retractable water sports platform for water skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking; the ship provides water rafts, wakeboards, paddleboards and a water trampoline island; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• A Whirlpool (with sunbathing area and lounge chairs)
• Card Room (bridge and board games); Library
• Computer Center (discount Internet packages and rates per minute)
• Lounge (ship’s theatre/main show lounge for live evening entertainment)
• The Boutique Shop (sells duty-free luxury fashion clothing and accessories)
• The Casino (with blackjack/roulette gambling tables, slot machines)
• Compass Rose (ship’s social lounge with its own bar and grand piano)
• The Wellness Centre (Spa, Gym and Beauty Salon; The WindSpa has treatment rooms, Saunas, Steam Rooms; operated by Steiner)
• The Fitness Center (with floor-ceiling windows; has free weights, treadmills, elliptical machines; offers complimentary exercise classes)
• Pool Area (with one rectangular swimming pool, two whirlpools on platforms and a 3rd whirlpool at the ship’s bow, sunbathing and shaded areas)
• The Yacht Club (Constellation Lounge with floor-ceiling windows for 270-degree views)
• The Sun Deck (with luxury lounge chairs).

Star Pride was acquired from Seabourn Cruises and renamed from "Seabourn Pride". In 2013, Windstar announced that Seabourn Pride will be renamed "Star Pride" in May 2014. The ship left Seabourn on March 30, 2014, and entered Windstar's fleet on May 5. Seabourn Pride, just like the sisterships, was fitted with LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) - a non-lethal method created to fend off attackers.

In 2006, an article at the Forbes website declared Seabourn Pride's "New Year Cruise" the world's most expensive one in its cruising category.

Ship's June 2016 drydock refurbishment cost USD 4.5 million and included a full renovation of 2x Owner Suites (cabin amenities, fore-located private sundecks), redesigned AmphorA restaurant, renovated public spaces (Screening Room, Reception, lobby area, corridors and hallways). Ship's two Owner Suites were fully renovated, including their fore-located private sundecks.

Star-Class ship refurbishments 2019-2020

On November 15, 2018, Windstar announced company's "Star Plus Initiative" - drydock refurbishment program budgeted USD 250 million. The project includes enlarging (stretching) and engine changes for fleet's three Star-Class ships - Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride.

When completed, the project will result in bigger passenger capacity, adding new staterooms, venues and public spaces, also new, more efficient engines. Ship's capacity will be increased by 68% (from 212 to 312 passengers). The project is scheduled for the period October 2019 through November 2020, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo.

When completed, the Star Plus project will increase the Windstar fleet's capacity by 24%. Star Plus Initiative is partially financed through Export Credit facility guaranteed by SACE Italy (financial and insurance products and services).

The drydock lengthening includes cutting each vessel in two and installing a new (prefabricated) midship section with length 25,6 m (84 ft). Vessel's LOA length will be increased from 135 m (443 ft) to 161 m (528).

Following drydock, each ship will have two new dining venues, new shop, new retail space; enlarged fitness, new Spa, larger swimming pool, new tender loading area (midship), two new tender boats (90-seat each), expanded and upgraded staff-crew areas and cabins. The two new dining venues are an alternative (speciality) restaurant and a casual BBQ space (adjacent to Star Bar). The midship section has an additional elevator.

Ship's current diesel engines (7 per ship) will be replaced with 4 new engines running on cleaner (ultra-low sulfur) diesel fuel, thus reducing SO emissions.

Each ship will receive 50 new cabins (to a total of 156), which (based on the total investment) means shipbuilding cost per berth USD 267,000. Among the new cabins are two larger Owner Suites. All existing staterooms will be completely refurbished, including their bathrooms, balconies, sliding doors. The new public spaces and cabins were designed by the NYC-based "The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry".