Think of cruise ships as planets. In an ongoing series, Designing New Worlds, The Cruisington Times explores behind the scenes as ingenious designers create self-sufficient floating worlds.
Windstar’s first new ship in a decade, Star Seeker is a fresh take on Windstar’s classic yachts. The yacht-like ship making her debut this winter, features a new specialty restaurant, upgraded amenities and 112 spacious suites — nearly all with a full private veranda or a floor-to-ceiling infinity window.
The Cruisington Times asked Jessica Payne, Windstar’s senior manager of fleet interior design how this ship sets a new standard in yacht cruising.
How is Star Seeker different from Windstar’s other ships?
Star Seeker is the first newly built yacht in Windstar’s all-suite Star Class, setting a new standard for the fleet. Star Seeker was designed to meet today’s upscale travel expectations, including advanced energy-efficient propulsion, a refined interior aesthetic, and expanded dining and wellness options. With a guest capacity of 224 and 112 suites – all featuring either full private verandas or infinity windows – Star Seeker is designed to offer an elevated sense of space, privacy, and luxury.
The design themes will also feature on a sister ship Star Explorer, coming in December, 2026.
What were the design opportunities with Star Seeker?
Because it’s a new-build, interior spaces could be crafted to reflect Windstar’s brand identity – intimate, upscale, and casually elegant – with a focus on regional relevance and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Key considerations included enhancing guest comfort with thoughtfully designed all-suite accommodations and expanding onboard amenities to support Windstar’s signature relaxed luxury style.
Windstar aimed to express its 180 Degrees from Ordinary® ethos through Star Seeker’s interior design, creating spaces that bring people together, can be used for multiple purposes, and feel deeply connected to the destinations visited. The interiors reflect an upscale, unpretentious lifestyle where every element invites guests to feel relaxed and immersed in their surroundings, from the suites to the culinary venues.
The goal was to marry Windstar’s relaxed, yacht-style ambiance with a contemporary, international sense of approachable luxury. Key design priorities included maximizing natural light, using locally inspired materials and artwork, and creating communal spaces that feel inviting yet refined. The design team focused on crafting a “home at sea” atmosphere that encourages connection while offering privacy, sustainability, spaciousness, and personalization.
What are the most innovative aspects of the ship?
Highlights include a reimagined all-suite layout – marking the first yacht in our fleet to feature infinity windows (or full verandas in select suites) – for an unparalleled connection to the sea. Guests can also enjoy elevated dining such as the debut of Basil + Bamboo, a unique fusion restaurant blending Mediterranean and Asian flavors. This restaurant offers a sophisticated blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, serving dishes like miso black cod and citrus olive oil cake with Greek yogurt ice cream.
Another highlight is the airy Yacht Club Café, a social hub for coffee, pastries, and light bites during the day that transforms into an intimate lounge in the evening with subtle music and cocktails – a place for guests to connect after a day of new adventures. These spaces exemplify Windstar’s thoughtful approach to culinary artistry and approachable luxury.
Star Seeker further features Windstar’s signature watersports platform, allowing guests to enjoy complimentary watersports right from the yacht.
What features make Star Seeker sustainable and energy efficient?
Star Seeker is powered by Rolls-Royce hybrid diesel-electric engines – one of the most advanced propulsion technologies in small-ship cruising. This setup significantly reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and noise, creating a more sustainable and serene experience at sea. The engines adopt catalytic reduction system for exhaust gas ensuring compliance with international and local regulations. Additionally, the yacht is outfitted with modern wastewater and waste stream treatment and energy-saving systems, supporting Windstar’s commitment to cleaner cruising and environmental stewardship. It will also be outfitted with shore power capability and able to plug into the electric grid at ports where facilities exist to further reduce emissions.
What innovations will enhance life onboard?
For its inaugural season, Star Seeker will offer unique experiences while exploring the Caribbean throughout early 2026, with highlights including Virgin Gorda, St Lucia, and Antigua. You can be among the first to get a detoxifying seaweed massage or soak in the open-air pool aboard Star Seeker in the Caribbean beginning January 2026. Experience the rush of the natural “Bubbly Pool” on intimate Jost Van Dyke, uncover Arawak treasures on Pigeon Island or peer over El Morro’s ramparts in San Juan.
Star Seeker joins a renowned fleet offering inventive dining and special events onboard, adds Stijn Creupeland, Windstar’s chief operating officer. The 312-guest Star Pride has just arrived in Puerto Rico to begin her winter season. “I’m really proud of the way Windstar explores the Caribbean. We take full advantage of our small size to visit small harbors and islands where the only ships you’ll find are small private yachts. For a shorter getaway, Wind Surf sailings from St. Maarten are a great way to squeeze in some sunshine before the year ends.,” he says.
Food is always a central focus. “A shared love of exceptional food has become one of the most rewarding parts of our onboard experience, and we’re expanding that journey to include rare wine experiences with California’s top vineyards, further elevating the culinary experience in a way that engages and inspires our discerning guests.’
There are five James Beard Foundation themed cruises in 2026 including Mayan Legacies with Chef José Garzón on Wind Surf sailing from Colón to Cozumel next February exploring the Gulf of Honduras. Garzón is the innovative force behind Garzon Latinx Street Food and Bad Chancla on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, where he has earned acclaim for his vibrant, bold approach to modern Latin American cuisine.
A seven-day Beach Fun & Sun Philipsburg to Philipsburg sailing in March on Wind Surf features Chef Belinda Bishop, Grenada’s culinary ambassador. She specializes in fusing traditional Caribbean cuisine with contemporary techniques, creating healthy, well-balanced dishes using garden-fresh vegetables and spices that incorporate historical cultural references from across the region. Her career highlights include managing restaurants in New York, Florida, and Atlanta, cooking for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and President Bill Clinton, and founding The Grenada Culinary and Mixology Federation to train aspiring chefs and mixologists.
Story compiled by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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