Luxury Ship Comparison

Wind Surf vs Windstar and Wind Spirit

The Luxury Traveler's Decision Guide

Key Distinctions

Comparing the Wind Class Yachts

That difference creates two distinct luxury experiences:

That difference creates two distinct luxury experiences:

«Wind Surf offers more space, dining variety and accommodation choice, while Wind Spirit and Wind Star deliver an even more intimate, private-yacht at...

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Quick Answer: Wind Surf vs Wind Star vs Wind Spirit

Quick Answer: Wind Surf vs Wind Star vs Wind Spirit

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Cruise line| Windstar Cruises| Windstar Cruises| Windstar Cruises

Cruise line| Windstar Cruises| Windstar Cruises| Windstar Cruises

Sailing Class Comparison

The Wind Class Fleet

Explore the differences between Windstar's legendary sailing yachts.

Wind Surf
Wind Class

Wind Surf

With seven sails and expansive outdoor spaces, Wind Surf is the largest and most iconic of the Wind Class yachts, offering a perfect blend of genuine sailing romance and premium amenities.

342 Guests
7 Sails
Largest Wind Class Yacht

The Sailing Yachts at a Glance

Explore the specifications of each vessel.

Wind Surf

Wind Surf

The flagship 5-masted sailing yacht carrying 342 guests. Offers the most amenities and dining options among the sailing fleet.

Windstar

Windstar

An intimate 4-masted sailing yacht carrying 148 guests. Famous for navigating narrow passages and shallow lagoons.

Wind Spirit

Wind Spirit

The identical sister to Windstar, carrying 148 guests. Beloved for its classic ambiance and impeccable service.

Where They Sail

The smaller Windstar and Wind Spirit excel in Tahiti and the Greek Isles, while Wind Surf dominates the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Highlight

Tahiti & French Polynesia

The smaller yachts excel in shallow turquoise lagoons.

Greek Isles

Greek Isles

Highlight

Greek Isles

Docking in boutique ports like Monemvasia.

Caribbean Harbors

Caribbean Harbors

Highlight

Caribbean Harbors

Wind Surf perfectly anchors in secluded bays like Jost Van Dyke.

Mediterranean Rivieras

Mediterranean Rivieras

Highlight

Mediterranean Rivieras

Sailing effortlessly into Portofino and Monte Carlo.

Choosing Between Siblings

Choosing between Wind Surf and its smaller sister ships (Windstar and Wind Spirit) is a question of scale and intimacy.

At 342 guests,Wind Surfis significantly larger. It offers more restaurants, more deck space, and a larger spa. However, it requires deeper anchorages in some regions.

At 148 guests,Windstar and Wind Spiritoffer an incredibly intimate, private-yacht feel. They can anchor in shallow lagoons and hidden coves that larger ships cannot access. The tradeoff is fewer dining venues and smaller overall footprints.

Quick Verdict

Choose Wind Surf For:

  • Maximum dining options
  • Larger spa facilities
  • More expansive deck space
  • A slightly more bustling atmosphere

Choose Windstar/Wind Spirit For:

  • Ultimate intimacy
  • Shallow lagoon anchorages
  • The absolute quietest yacht experience

Size dictates the experience. Choose the scale that fits your travel style.

Wind Surf: Flagship Sailing

Experience the grandeur of a five-masted sailing yacht.

Ship Specifications

SpecificationWind SurfWindstar & Wind Spirit
Guest Capacity342 Guests148 Guests
Crew Count210 Crew101 Crew
Guest-to-Crew Ratio1.6 to 11.5 to 1
Tonnage14,745 Gross Registered Tons5,307 Gross Registered Tons
Length535 Feet (162 Meters)360 Feet (110 Meters)
Masts & Sails5 Masts, 7 Sails4 Masts, 6 Sails
Dining Venues5 Restaurants3 Restaurants
Watersports PlatformYesYes
ElevatorsYes (2)No
Year Built/Remodeled1990 / 20191986, 1988 / 2021

Dining at Sea

Compare the culinary options aboard the sailing yachts.

Amphora

Amphora

The beautiful main dining room featured on all three ships.

Stella Bistro

Stella Bistro

A French-inspired venue exclusive to Wind Surf.

Candles

Candles

The signature outdoor steakhouse and grill on all ships.

Star Grill

Star Grill

Casual outdoor dining available on the larger Wind Surf.

"When you step aboard a 148-guest yacht like Windstar or Wind Spirit, the crew knows your name by the end of day one. It is the closest thing to owning your own vessel."

Angela HughesCEO & Founder, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

Windstar & Wind Spirit: Intimate Sailing

Discover the feeling of your own private yacht.

✦ LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERTISE ✦

Angela Hughes Authority & Credentials

CEO & Founder, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

Angela Hughes
40+ YEARS EXPERTISE

Angela Hughes

Angela Hughes INSIGHTS & LEADERSHIPTrusted River Cruise Authority

Angela Hughes is one of North America's premier luxury travel experts, with over 40 years of industry experience and visits to 121+ countries. Honored as a 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer Award Winner and recognized on TravelPulse’s 2026 Most Influential Women in Travel list.

"The best Windstar yacht is not necessarily the ship with the most impressive specifications. It is the ship that best matches the way you want to travel."

— Angela Hughes, On Active River Cruising

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS

  • CEO & Founder of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel
  • Founder of Luxury Travel University
  • Over 4 Decades Designing Luxury Travel Experiences
  • Explored 121+ Countries Across Seven Continents
  • Travel Leaders Network Advisory Board member
  • Weekly industry columnist
  • Global luxury travel speaker and trainer
  • Luxury cruise and expedition expert
  • Luxury safari and river cruise expert
  • Premium travel specialist
  • 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer of the Year
  • 2026 TravelPulse Most Influential Women in Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about choosing the right yacht.

Wind Surf is a 5-masted yacht carrying 342 guests, while Windstar and Wind Spirit are 4-masted yachts carrying just 148 guests.

Windstar and Wind Spirit's smaller footprint allows them to access secluded lagoons and tiny harbors that even Wind Surf cannot reach.

As the larger vessel, Wind Surf offers additional dining venues like Stella Bistro, providing more variety for extended voyages.

Yes, all three ships use their sails whenever wind conditions permit, delivering an authentic and magical sailing experience.

Windstar and Wind Spirit are perfect for Tahiti due to their ability to navigate the shallow, coral-ringed lagoons of the South Pacific.

No, the casually elegant dress code is uniform across the entire Windstar fleet.

The 148-guest yachts foster an incredibly intimate environment where you'll likely recognize every guest by the end of the trip. Wind Surf offers a slightly more bustling, social atmosphere.

Yes, all three sailing yachts feature the Watersports Platform, allowing direct ocean access when at anchor.

Wind Surf features the expansive World Spa by Windstar, offering a wider array of treatments and facilities than its smaller sisters.

The standard ocean-view staterooms are very similar in size and layout across all three sailing yachts, focusing on efficient, yacht-style comfort.

Wind Surf provides more space, more dining options, and a wider variety of public areas, making it slightly more accommodating for diverse family groups.

Yes, the computer-operated sails provide genuine propulsion, though the ships also use engines to maintain strict cruise schedules.

While smaller vessels can be more sensitive to sea conditions, their advanced sailing technology and stabilization systems ensure a comfortable ride.

All three are incredibly romantic. Wind Surf offers the grandeur of 7 massive sails, while Wind Spirit and Windstar offer the romance of complete intimacy.

Ready to Set Sail?

Speak with our luxury travel advisors to design your perfect itinerary.

Consult With Angela Hughes

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