Wind Spirit

The 1988-built Wind Spirit cruise ship is one of the three Windstar sailing yachts, together with Wind Surf and sistership Wind Star. The three 4-masted yachts are uniquely designed for tall-sailing ship cruises.

The vessel (IMO number 8603509) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309056000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

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

The 160-passenger ship Wind Spirit is trendy and sophisticated, with large white sails on the top deck. The sails are computerized and not essential for navigation, although in favorable conditions they are ideal: the engines are cut and the vessel becomes completely wind-driven. Travelers, however, mostly enjoy the exquisite effect.

Decks and Cabins

Wind Spirit staterooms (74 total, in five grades) include one Oceanview Owner’s Suite and 73 Oceanview Deluxe cabins. All staterooms have modern amenities, including fully stocked minibars, Wi-Fi Internet, smart HDTVs (infotainment system), spacious wardrobe with electronic safe box, phone (direct dial), large bathroom (single-sink granite countertop vanity, WC/toilet, L'Occitane bath products, rain showerheads, luxury towels), premium bedding sets (top-quality pillows and Egyptian cotton linens), fresh fruit, and flowers.

The boat has five decks, all passenger-accessible, and two with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

During the last refurbishment, Wind Spirit Restaurant was renamed AmphorA and redesigned, with a new menu introduced. The Pool Bar was renewed to create additional alfresco seating for Candles Grill sunset dining, with new deck furniture and awning. The reception area was also updated. The Lounge received a brand-new AV system and hardwood flooring. 

Wind Spirit has two primary dining venues, both open seating: AmphorA Restaurant in the evenings, offering course-by-course gourmet cuisine, and Veranda Restaurant, offering casual full-service and buffet dining for breakfast and lunch. Reservations are required for Candles for guests who choose to dine under the stars. The ship combines high food and service standards with casual attire and single open seating.

Following is the complete list of Wind Spirit restaurants and food bars.

• AmphorA Restaurant (ship’s dining room, open seating; offers a 5-course gourmet dinner menu that changes daily; along with onboard-made bread, in all ports of call the Executive Chef visits local markets to shop for fresh ingredients)
• Candles Cafe & Veranda (a smaller dining room offering buffet-style breakfast and lunch, as well as an a la carte menu served by the wait staff; the indoor area is called Candles Cafe and features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows; the outdoor seating area is called Veranda and, in the evenings, transforms into Candles Grill, an alfresco steakhouse).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

What was not changed during Wind Spirit’s last refurbishment was the Windstar Cruises onboard experience. The line has stayed true to its core concept: small-ship features and low passenger occupancy, with a high guest-to-crew ratio and personalized service. Alcoholic beverages and excursions are charged additionally, while soft drinks and water are included. Wind Spirit’s onboard atmosphere is the right mix of laid-back and upscale. 

Following is the complete list of Wind Spirit lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Marina (retractable watersports platform for water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and kayaking; the ship provides a banana boat, waterski boat, sea kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, wakeboards, windsurfing boards, paddleboards, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, plus four Zodiacs; the steel cage forms a swimming pool in the sea)
• Lounge (ship’s theater/main show lounge for live evening entertainment); Library
• The Signature Shop/Boutique Shop (sells duty-free luxury fashion clothing and accessories)
• The Casino (with blackjack/roulette gambling tables and slot machines)
• WindSpa (operated by Steiner; has a treatment room, Sauna, and Beauty Salon. The “Spa Under the Stars” program offers spa treatments out on the deck)
• The Fitness Center (with free weights, exercise bikes, and treadmills; offers complimentary exercise classes)
• Pool Area (with one swimming pool, a waterfall cascading from the whirlpool, and sunbathing area served by the Pool Bar)
• The Flying Bridge deck is designed to resemble a traditional navigation point.

Itineraries

Wind Spirit’s itinerary program is based on roundtrip French Polynesia cruises from Papeete, Tahiti.

The 4-masted megayacht Wind Spirit is a sailing ship with two sisterships: Wind Star and Wind Song. Wind Song experienced an engine room fire in 2002 and was scuttled. These are modern tall-sailing cruise ships with six sails mounted on four masts. The sails are handled via a sophisticated computer-controlled system.

The yacht's design is based on smaller 5,350-ton motor sailing yachts constructed by the French shipbuilding company "Societe Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre". Among them are the Windstar sailing ships Wind Surf and Wind Star, as well as Club Med 2.

In 2012, Windstar Cruises completed an extensive 18-month drydock refurbishment project covering all three of the company's sailing yachts: Wind Spirit, Wind Star, and Wind Surf. The work included overhauls of all passenger staterooms, dining venues, public spaces, and new sails.

For the 2020-2021 season (February through December), Windstar scheduled new South Pacific itineraries on Wind Spirit. The ship had planned 14 itineraries (23 departures in total) visiting ports in Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Tuamotus, and Niue.

Wind Spirit refurbishments 2026-2027 review

Wind Spirit ship's next major drydock refurbishment is a multi-million-dollar project divided into two phases: Phase 1 (April 2026) and Phase 2 (March 2027).

The project will fully redesign all public areas and venues, including layouts, furniture, wall coverings and flooring, lighting, and artworks.

Among the remodeled/redesigned areas are the Lobby (expanded reception area, more seating and retail space), Compass Rose Bar Lounge (furniture, finishes, lighting, multi-purpose stage area for live performances, redesigned bar area, updated evening entertainment), Amphora Restaurant (completely refreshed and redesigned with curved booths providing seating for 2-8 guests and new dining chairs), Wellness Complex (The World Spa by Windstar & Fitness Center, with new color palettes, finishes, and gym equipment), and Pool Deck (expanded by removing the SkyLight, with a new swimming pool and Jacuzzi, larger Pool Bar, new poolside furniture/sofas, poufs, ottoman beds, deckchairs, outdoor lighting, speakers, and greenery).

Two new stateroom categories will be added: CO/Broadmoor Suite and GA/Sea Island Suite. The Owner’s Suite, adjacent to the Wheelhouse, will be redesigned. All passenger staterooms will be fully refurbished with updated interiors and furniture, and outfitted with smart TVs with an infotainment system integrated with Windstar’s Wayfinder app for easy access to onboard schedules, menus, on-demand movies, and guest accounts, as well as new Wi-Fi access points.

Phase 2 of the renovations (March 2027) will include updates to the staterooms and enhancements to dining venues and fitness facilities.