Star Pride

Launched in 1988 as Seabourn Pride, Star Pride cruise ship is the first of all three identical Windstar yachts - together with the fleetmates 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 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 on board 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 in 8 categories. The largest aboard Star Pride are the Owner’s Suites (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 travelers 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 breads, 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 transformes 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 company’s product development initiative – intimate access to call ports, themed sailings and active interaction with villagers. Activities on board are very limited and range from food market purchases to performances by local musicians. Public areas include the casino, library, computer center, WindSpa, fitness center, 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, wind surfing, snorkeling, kayaking; the ship provides water rafts, wakeboards, paddle boards 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 theater/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 excercise 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).

• Cabin grades number: 8
• Total number of cabins: 106 (all of which Suites, 42 Balcony, 64 Oceanview)
• Dining Rooms: AmphorA Restaurant (MDR, open-seating).
• Restaurants and food bars: Candles Cafe & Veranda (buffet-style breakfast and lunch; a la carte menu with waiter service), Star Bar (bar & grill).
• Lounges & Bars: Compass Rose (lounge & bar with live music), The Lounge (Theater), Veranda, Yacht Club, Card Room.
• WindSpa, Fitness Center, Pool, Whirlpools (3), Watersports Platform, Casino, Computer Center, Library, Boutique Shop, Reception, The Bridge (Windstar's "Open Bridge" Policy), complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.
• Star Pride ship was acquired from Seabourn Cruises and renamed from "Seabourn Pride". Her fleetmates and sister-ships are Star Breeze and Star Legend. All the three vessels were purchased by Windstar Cruises, and the first ship that joined its fleet was Seabourn Pride (renamed in May 2014).
• In 2013, the current shipowner Windstar announced that the Seabourn ship Pride would be renamed to “Star Pride” in May 2014. The ship left the Seabourn fleet on March 30, 2014, and entered the Windstar fleet on May 5.
• The vessel sailed on its inaugural voyage as "Seabourn Pride" in Nov 1988. Godmother was Shirley Temple Black.
• Fun fact is, that the Seabourn Pride cruise ship, just like her sisters, 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.