Windstar Expands European Offerings with Star Explorer Ship Set to Sail in 2027

Windstar Cruises has announced the upcoming launch of the Star Explorer, a superyacht that will be the second addition to its fleet of all-suite vessels. Set to accommodate 224 passengers, the Star Explorer will primarily operate year-round in Europe starting December 2026, with its inaugural season running until March 2028.

The ship will be officially named on May 31, 2027, during a ceremony on the River Thames in London. This event will showcase the vessel’s modern and elegant design, culminating with its first route—a circumnavigation of Ireland that will highlight the country’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Built for flexibility and access, the Star Explorer is designed to reach smaller ports and inland waterways, allowing it to visit locations that larger ships cannot. As Windstar’s president, Christopher Prelog, emphasized, the ship will enable exploration of destinations like Rouen, Caen, Bordeaux, and central London. Cruises on this ship will include longer ports of call and overnight stops to enhance the travel experience, including new visits to Puerto Banús in Spain while returning to San Sebastián and Saint-Jean-de-Luz on the Basque coast.

Aboard the ship, passengers can expect 112 suites, featuring luxurious spaces such as two Horizon Owner’s Suites complete with wraparound balconies. Amenities will encompass a Yacht Club Café, a watersports marina, and the laid-back atmosphere Windstar is known for, paired with attentive service.

For its 2027 itineraries, the Star Explorer will offer a variety of Northern and Western European sailings, including an 8-night journey called "Seven Gems of the Baltic," covering Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. Another highlight will be the 10-night "Circumnavigating Ireland" trip, which will feature stops in Waterford, Cork, Galway, and Belfast, alongside natural wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher. Additional itineraries include “Impressionist France,” a journey from Bordeaux to London, and “Connoisseur’s Delight,” which explores Northern Spain and Portugal’s culinary scenes.

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