Windstar Cruises is about to puff up its capacity with an ambitious program to lengthen and significantly enhance its three Star Class ships.
The $250-million Star Plus Initiative will expand the capacity of each ship from 212 guests to 312 and add features to make them more tech-savvy and eco-friendly, said Windstar President John Delaney. “The initiative not only creates beautiful new suites and public spaces, but we will also take the opportunity to re-engine the ships with a more fuel efficient and environmentally responsible propulsion system. This will be a true game changer for Windstar and our small ship cruise experience.”
The work will be done first to Star Breeze in early 2020 and then to Star Legend, and Star Pride later in the year. All the rebuilding will take place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy.
Each of the trio of Star Class ships that Windstar, acquired from original owner Seabourn Cruises in 2015 will be split in the middle to allow the installation of a new 25.6-meter section of ship. The new length of just over 138 meters will still be compact enough to access the smaller ports and harbors that Windstar favors on its immersive itineraries. The project adds 50 new suites, bringing the total per ship to 156. The additions mean an overall 24 per cent increase in Windstar’s fleetwide gust capacity.
Windstar has partnered with Ray Chung, director of design at The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in New York, to create the new public spaces and suites. New dining experiences will include an alternative dining restaurant and a casual barbecue space adjacent to the top deck Star Bar.
The renovation includes the removal of seven current engines per ship and installation of four more environmentally friendly engines that will run on cleaner fuel and reduce emissions impact to sailing regions. In addition the ships will get larger pools, and new spas.
