What Is Included on a Windstar Cruise?
Complete Guide to Fares, Dining & Luxury Amenities (2026)
Imagine stepping aboard a luxury yacht where gourmet dining, personalized service, and watersports are all part of your vacation—not hidden behind upcharges. This guide outlines exactly what's covered and what costs extra.
Understanding Windstar's Luxury Philosophy
Rather than bundling every possible service into the fare, Windstar focuses on including the experiences that define a boutique yacht vacation while allowing guests the flexibility to personalize extras. This keeps the cruise fare elegant, intimate, and highly competitive.
The Fare Inclusions Checker
Discover exactly what your standard Windstar fare covers, and what optional upgrades are available.
Included with Your Windstar Fare
Luxury Accommodations
Elegant staterooms or Star Class suites equipped with premium Egyptian cotton linens, plush robes, and L'Occitane products.
Gourmet Onboard Dining
All meals across every restaurant, including multi-course dinners, alfresco poolside dining, and late-night pastries.
Specialty Dining
Specialty dining venues (like Candles or Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso) have zero cover charges or booking premiums.
Marina Watersports Platform
Complimentary use of paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and water toys directly from the ship's stern marina.
24-Hour Room Service
Fresh meals, breakfast, and select snacks delivered to your stateroom door without delivery premiums.
Select Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Coffee, tea, filtered water, bottled water, soft drinks, and morning juices are complimentary in all venues.
What Costs Extra?
Alcoholic Beverages
Premium wines, craft beers, cocktails, champagne, and spirits. Unlimited packages are available.
Shore Excursions
Guided walking tours, wine tastings, or helicopter flights in port. Easy to explore independently in small ports.
Spa & Salon Treatments
Facials, massage therapy, salon services, and premium wellness treatments are available à la carte.
Onboard Gratuities
Standard service tips for dining staff and stateroom stewards, unless bundled via promotional fares.
Specialty Land Programs
Pre- and post-cruise luxury hotel packages, transfers, flights, and customized excursions.
Windstar Cruises Inclusions Guide
A visual guide to what's included in your Windstar fare.
Side-By-Side Analysis
Inclusions at a Glance
Quick reference details showing standard fare inclusions vs daily upgrade bundles.
| Amenities & Services | Standard Fare status | Promotional Package status |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury accommodations | Included | Included |
| All dining venues | Included | Included |
| Specialty dining cover charges | Free | Free |
| Watersports Marina platform | Included (on eligible voyages) | Included |
| Snorkeling equipment & kayaks | Included | Included |
| Specialty coffee, tea, sodas, water | Included | Included |
| Alcoholic beverages | Extra | Included in All-In Packages |
| Prepaid gratuities | Extra | Included in All-In Packages |
| Wi-Fi / Internet access | Extra | Included in All-In Packages |
| Shore excursions | Extra | Credits offered in select deals |
| Boutique spa treatments | Extra | Extra |
Sailing Yachts
Every Windstar yacht offers outstanding service, but each delivers a slightly different experience. Sailing Yachts are ideal for travelers who love traditional sailing, romantic ambiance, open teak decks, intimate atmosphere, classic yacht experiences, and smaller guest counts.
Popular ships include Wind Surf, Wind Star, and Wind Spirit. These ships appeal to guests who view the journey itself as part of the adventure.
Windstar vs. Other Luxury Cruise Lines
How Windstar's inclusion model compares to the industry's leading ultra-luxury cruise brands.
Windstar Cruises Inclusions
Luxury-Inclusive ModelWhat's Included
- Gourmet dining with no cover charges
- Complimentary Marina platform & watersports
- Soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Room service on eligible ships
What Costs Extra / Optional
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Shore excursions
- Onboard gratuities (unless promotional)
- Wi-Fi packages (sometimes promotional)
Expert Recommendation
"Windstar is ideal for travelers who prefer paying for exactly what they use rather than paying a highly inflated bundled fare for unused luxury packages."
Star Class All-Suite Yachts
Star Class All-Suite Yachts are best for travelers seeking larger suites, more dining venues, expanded spa facilities, additional lounges, greater onboard amenities, and longer itineraries.
Popular ships include Star Legend, Star Pride, Star Breeze, and the new generation Star Seeker. These yachts provide many of the comforts of larger luxury ships while maintaining Windstar's intimate atmosphere.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Navigating the complexities of luxury river cruising requires insider knowledge. Avoid these costly mistakes to ensure your journey is flawless.
Expecting a Mega-Resort
Windstar has no water parks, casinos, or Broadway shows. Instead, the focus is on yacht intimacy, personalized service, and destination immersion.
Comparing Only Cruise Fares
The base fare is only one piece. A slightly higher package rate that includes beverage packages, tips, and Wi-Fi often saves money overall.
Missing Marina Days
Scheduling full-day shore excursions on Marina Days means missing Windstar's signature watersports experience directly from the platform.
Ready to Find the Best Windstar Deal?
Let our advisors help you navigate promotions and compare packages to get Wi-Fi, tips, and drinks included.
Plan My VacationBoutique Yacht Luxury Onboard
Experience Windstar's unique dining, service, and marina amenities.
Angela Hughes Authority & Credentials
CEO, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel
Angela Hughes
Angela Hughes has explored over 121 countries and spent more than four decades designing luxury travel experiences. She is widely recognized across the travel industry as a leading river cruise authority and active travel advocate.
"Choosing a luxury cruise involves far more than comparing brochure listings. The best vacation matches inclusions with your travel goals. Pay for the services you value, skip the ones you don't—that is the hallmark of true luxury travel planning."
— Angela Hughes, On Active River CruisingKEY QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- CEO, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel
- Founder, Luxury Travel University
- 40+ years of luxury travel expertise
- Personally visited 121+ countries
- 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer of the Year
Frequently Asked Questions About What Is Included
A standard Windstar cruise fare typically includes luxury accommodations, all meals, specialty dining, coffee, tea, bottled water, onboard entertainment, destination lectures, fitness center access, daily housekeeping, evening turndown service, and use of the Marina watersports platform on eligible itineraries.
Windstar is best described as luxury-inclusive rather than fully all-inclusive. Dining, service, and accommodations are included, while alcoholic drinks, spa services, and shore tours remain optional extras unless booked via promotional packages.
Yes. All meals in every restaurant—including specialty venues, poolside grills, and room service on eligible ships—are included in the cruise fare with no cover charges.
Coffee, tea, filtered water, bottled water, breakfast juices, and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic beverages are extra unless you purchase or book a promotion that includes a beverage package.
Wi-Fi access is promotional or a separate purchase. Many 'All-In' fares or select booking packages include Wi-Fi for all guests.
Standard fares do not include gratuities, but they are frequently included as a promotional benefit or bundled in the daily 'All-In' upgrade package.
Most shore excursions are optional and priced separately, though some booking promotions offer shore excursion credits.
The Marina is a floating watersports deck at the stern of the yacht. When open, guests enjoy complimentary kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming directly from the ship.
Yes. Every specialty dining venue, including partnerships with the James Beard Foundation and chef-driven menus, is free from cover charges.
Yes. Complimentary room service is available on eligible ships, allowing you to dine in the privacy of your suite.
Experience Intimate Yacht Luxury
Maximize your inclusions by booking with Trips & Ships. Contact us today to receive customized cruise recommendations.
Speak to a Cruise SpecialistExplore Cruise Brands
Stay informed with our comprehensive guides, reviews, and comparisons of the world's finest cruise collections.
