Ultimate Guide

Which Windstar Ship Is Best for You?

Find the Perfect Windstar Yacht for Your Luxury Travel Style

Imagine stepping aboard a yacht where the crew already knows your name, your favorite drink is waiting after a day ashore, and your itinerary takes you into ports that larger cruise ships simply can't reach.

River Cruise Landscape
Verdict
Every ship feels personal—but no two ships feel exactly alike.
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Unlike mega cruise lines that operate dozens of nearly identical vessels, Windstar intentionally maintains a small boutique fleet. Each yacht has its own personality, atmosphere, itinerary strengths, and onboard experience.

Rather than asking, 'Which Windstar ship is the nicest?', experienced luxury travelers ask a more important question: 'Which Windstar ship is best for the way I like to travel?'

For example: A sailing yacht delivers a classic yachting experience with iconic billowing sails and an intimate ambiance. A Star Class yacht offers larger suites, expanded dining venues, additional wellness facilities, and greater itinerary variety.

Expert Insight

"The 'best' Windstar ship isn't necessarily the newest or the largest—it's the one that aligns with your travel style and destination goals."

Angela HughesCEO, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

Complete Windstar Fleet Overview

The fleet is divided into two categories: Wind Class Sailing Yachts and Star Class All-Suite Motor Yachts.

Wind Surf
Sailing Yacht
World's largest sailing yacht

Wind Surf

342 Guests
Crew: 210
Best For:Mediterranean & Caribbean

Highlights

  • Five towering automated sails
  • Expansive teak decks
  • Multiple specialty restaurants
  • Elegant Yacht Club
  • Watersports platform

Who Should Book

CouplesLuxury travelersSailing enthusiastsMediterranean vacationsRepeat cruisers
Wind Star
Sailing Yacht
Classic intimate sailing

Wind Star

148 Guests
Crew: 101
Best For:Greece & Caribbean

Highlights

  • Small guest capacity
  • Cozy lounges
  • Elegant open decks
  • Quiet atmosphere
  • Personalized service

Who Should Book

HoneymoonersCouplesSmall groupsTravelers who dislike crowds
Wind Spirit
Sailing Yacht
Tropical island luxury

Wind Spirit

148 Guests
Crew: 101
Best For:Tahiti & French Polynesia

Highlights

  • Famous Tahiti itineraries
  • Access to Bora Bora lagoons
  • Exceptional snorkeling
  • Marina platform
  • Open-air relaxation

Who Should Book

Tahiti vacationsHoneymoonersBeach loversWater sports enthusiasts
Star Breeze
All-Suite Yacht
Largest itinerary selection

Star Breeze

312 Guests
Crew: 190
Best For:Alaska & Tahiti

Highlights

  • Spacious all-suite accommodations
  • Infinity pool
  • World Spa by Windstar
  • Multiple restaurants
  • Expanded public spaces

Who Should Book

First-time Windstar guestsFamilies with adult childrenFood loversTravelers seeking versatility
Star Legend
All-Suite Yacht
Spacious luxury suites

Star Legend

312 Guests
Crew: 190
Best For:Mediterranean & Northern Europe

Highlights

  • Elegant suites
  • Gourmet dining
  • Yacht Club Café
  • Infinity pool
  • Destination-focused itineraries

Who Should Book

Experienced cruisersCultural explorersEuropean vacationsWine and culinary enthusiasts
Star Pride
All-Suite Yacht
Wellness and extended voyages

Star Pride

312 Guests
Crew: 190
Best For:Iceland & Northern Europe

Highlights

  • Spacious suites
  • Comfortable lounges
  • Wellness-focused amenities
  • Excellent observation areas
  • Relaxed atmosphere

Who Should Book

Scenic cruisingNature loversWildlife enthusiastsLonger luxury voyages

The Windstar Sailing Experience

180 degrees from ordinary. See what life is like under the iconic white sails.

Quick Recommendations by Travel Style

Best for Couples & Honeymoons

Sailing Yachts

Quiet decks, candlelit outdoor dining, a boutique atmosphere, and the romance of the sails.

Best for Food Lovers

Star Class All-Suite Yachts

Both offer outstanding cuisine, but the expanded dining venues on Star Class provide greater variety.

Best for Larger Suites

Star Class All-Suite Yachts

If spacious accommodations are your top priority, the all-suite yachts are the clear choice.

Best for Wellness

Star Class All-Suite Yachts

The expanded World Spa and enhanced wellness facilities make these ships perfect for rejuvenation.

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✦ LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERTISE ✦

Angela Hughes Authority & Credentials

CEO & Luxury Travel Advisor

Angela Hughes
40+ YEARS EXPERTISE

Angela Hughes

Angela Hughes INSIGHTS & LEADERSHIPTrusted River Cruise Authority

With more than 40 years of experience, Angela Hughes leads Trips & Ships Luxury Travel as one of the industry's most trusted voices.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Over 40 Years in Luxury Travel
  • Visited 121+ Countries
  • 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer of the Year
  • TravelPulse Most Influential Women (2026)

Star Plus Class All-Suite Yachts

Discover the newly transformed Star Class yachts featuring expanded suites and amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single 'best' ship. It depends on your travel style. Wind Surf is great for a classic sailing experience with more dining options, while Star Breeze is excellent for spacious suites and diverse itineraries.

Windstar regularly updates its fleet rather than building entirely new ships. The Star Class ships (Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride) underwent a massive 'Star Plus' lengthening and renovation recently, making them feel like new ships.

Wind Surf is the largest in the fleet, accommodating 342 guests, making it the world's largest sailing yacht.

Wind Star and Wind Spirit are the smallest, accommodating just 148 guests each, offering the most intimate experience.

Wind Star is exceptional for the Greek Islands due to its intimate size (148 guests), allowing it to visit small, exclusive ports that larger ships cannot reach, all while offering a romantic sailing experience.

Wind Spirit is practically synonymous with Tahiti, offering incredible lagoon access, a watersports platform, and tropical romance under sail.

Sailing yachts (Wind Surf, Wind Star, Wind Spirit) offer a classic, romantic nautical experience with sails. Star Class motor yachts (Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride) offer spacious all-suite accommodations, more dining venues, and a modern luxury yacht feel.

The Star Class ships (Breeze, Legend, Pride) offer all-suite accommodations that are significantly larger than the staterooms on the sailing yachts.

The sailing yachts, particularly Wind Star and Wind Spirit, are favorites for couples due to the romantic atmosphere, sails, and intimate scale.

Star Breeze is an excellent all-around choice for first-timers, offering a great balance of spacious suites, multiple dining venues, and varied itineraries.

They are different. Star Breeze offers all-suite accommodations and modern amenities, while Wind Surf offers the romance of a massive sailing yacht. Both provide incredible luxury.

Luxury is subjective. For spaciousness, modern spa facilities, and suite size, the Star Class ships feel most luxurious. For romantic, classic yachting exclusivity, the sailing yachts feel most luxurious.

Value depends on itinerary and promotions. However, the smaller sailing yachts often provide incredible value for the sheer intimacy and access to exclusive ports.

Start with your desired destination. Tahiti (Wind Spirit), Greece (Wind Star), and Iceland (Star Pride) are some of the most highly rated.

No. Only the Star Class ships (Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride) are all-suite yachts. The Wind Class sailing yachts feature beautifully appointed staterooms.

Start Planning Your Windstar Voyage

Still deciding between a Sailing Yacht or a Star Class Yacht? Let our experts guide you to the perfect luxury experience.

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