The Ultimate Luxury Sailing & Small-Ship Comparison Guide
While Windstar and Star Clippers are often grouped together because they both operate smaller ships, the actual guest experience differs dramatically. One delivers a private luxury yacht feeling, while the other captures the romance of a traditional clipper ship.
Windstar Cruises blends modern boutique luxury with destination-focused travel, offering sailing yachts and all-suite motor yachts with premium dining and service. Star Clippers recreates maritime history with towering masts, wind-powered sails, and a casual expedition-like ambiance suited for outdoor enthusiasts.
Windstar's sailing fleet consists of Wind Surf, Wind Star, and Wind Spirit. These vessels feature computer-operated sails that raise automatically, allowing the ship to combine mechanical propulsion and wind assist. This maintains strict arrival schedules while enjoying sailing elegance.
Choose Windstar if your sailing dream includes spacious staterooms, double vanity marble bathrooms, robust spa facilities, and fine gourmet dining.
| Feature | Windstar Cruises | Star Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Luxury Yacht Cruises | Traditional Tall Sailing Ships |
| Atmosphere | Elegant Casual Luxury | Nautical Adventure Luxury |
| Ship Size | 148–342 Guests | 166–227 Guests |
| Dress Code | Resort Casual / Smart Casual | Casual with occasional elegant nights |
| Dining | Gourmet Fine Dining (James Beard) | Relaxed International Cuisine |
| Suites Options | Larger Selection / Spacious Layouts | Mostly Oceanview Cabins |
| Balcony Cabins | Available on many ships | Very Limited |
| Marina Platform | Yes | Yes (on eligible itineraries) |
| Sailing Style | Motor & automated computer sails | Authentic wind-powered sailing |
| Luxury Level | Higher Overall | Adventure-Oriented Luxury |
| Best For | Couples, foodies, luxury seekers | Sailing enthusiasts, active travelers |
See what it's like aboard Windstar's classic luxury sailing yachts.
Windstar creates a sophisticated country-club atmosphere. The dress code is resort casual during the day and smart casual in the evening. There are no formal jacket requirements, but guests enjoy dressy evenings.
Star Clippers is extremely casual and relaxed. Teak decks and rope rigging dominate the deck. Evenings are informal, with guests dining in shorts or polo shirts. The focus is on open-air ocean relaxation.
Windstar features open-seating gourmet venues, partnering with the James Beard Foundation to structure destination-inspired dishes, fresh seafood, and premium wine lists.
Star Clippers serves high-quality, international cuisine in a single open-seating dining room. The style is hearty, fresh, and friendly, reflecting a traditional passenger ship.
Windstar staterooms are spacious, starting at 188 square feet on sailing ships and up to 277+ square feet on Star Class suites. Bathrooms feature marble finishes and L'Occitane toiletries.
Star Clippers cabins are comfortable but compact, resembling classic ship berths with smart space utilization. Storage is limited, and very few cabins feature balconies.
Embark on an authentic sailing adventure aboard Star Clippers' majestic tall ships.
Star Clippers uses sails as primary propulsion, causing more heel (tilt) at sea. Travelers prone to motion sickness should evaluate hull stabilization differences.
Star Clippers lacks large lounges, upscale room service, and multiple restaurants. The luxury is the sailing itself—not the resort style.
With limited guest sizes (148 to 342), both lines sell out popular Mediterranean and Caribbean routes early. Plan 9 to 18 months ahead.
CEO, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel
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 travel authority and active travel advocate.
"Don't confuse small-ship yacht cruising with traditional tall-ship sailing. Windstar is a luxury resort experience that happens to be on water. Star Clippers is an authentic maritime adventure. Choose the experience that matches your dream."
— Angela Hughes, On Greece PlanningYes, in the traditional sense. Windstar offers a more refined yacht-style luxury experience with larger suites, elevated dining, wellness facilities, and personalized service. Star Clippers focuses on the romance of authentic sailing, offering a unique adventure rather than resort-style luxury.
For most first-time luxury cruisers, Windstar is the easier introduction. Its modern accommodations, exceptional service, and relaxed elegance appeal to travelers transitioning from premium or mainstream cruise lines.
Yes. Star Clippers' ships are genuine tall sailing vessels equipped with thousands of square feet of sails. While engines are used when necessary for safety and scheduling, sailing under wind power is a defining part of the experience whenever conditions allow.
Windstar is widely recognized for its destination-inspired cuisine, gourmet dining, and sophisticated culinary program. Star Clippers serves high-quality international cuisine in a more casual setting, emphasizing fresh ingredients and a relaxed atmosphere.
Both are excellent choices for couples. Choose Windstar for anniversaries, honeymoons, and luxurious romantic escapes. Choose Star Clippers if you dream of sailing beneath towering masts and sharing an adventurous, one-of-a-kind experience.
Yes, both cruise lines welcome children, but neither is designed around family entertainment. There are no large kids' clubs, water parks, or character experiences. These cruises are generally best suited for older children and teens who enjoy cultural exploration or sailing adventures.
Both excel at accessing ports that larger ships cannot reach. Windstar often includes boutique harbors and overnight stays, while Star Clippers specializes in secluded anchorages, hidden coves, and picturesque island destinations.
Windstar generally offers larger accommodations, especially aboard its all-suite Star Class yachts. Star Clippers cabins are comfortable but intentionally compact to preserve the traditional sailing ship design.
Yes. Windstar is resort casual during the day and smart casual in the evening. Star Clippers is casual throughout the voyage with optional elegant nights on select sailings. Formal nights are not a feature of either line.
Star Clippers is often the better fit for travelers who enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, sailing culture, beach exploration, and spending much of the day outdoors. Windstar also offers active shore excursions and marina activities but places greater emphasis on luxury relaxation.
Speak with our luxury travel advisors to design your perfect itinerary.
Get Expert ConsultationStay informed with our comprehensive guides, reviews, and comparisons of the world's finest cruise lines and luxury travel destinations.
