Windstar Cruises' Star Explorer will set sail on December 28, 2026, becoming the line's first purpose-built "yacht" to focus on winter Mediterranean cruise voyages. With capacity for just 224 guests, the ship promises quieter ports, overnight stays in marquee cities, and a slate of early-booking incentives designed to make shoulder-season travel more appealing.
Key Points
- Why it matters: more authentic, less-crowded Mediterranean experiences
- Launch date: December 28 2026, nine-night inaugural voyage from Barcelona
- Overnights in Barcelona, Livorno for Florence, and Venice; calls in Genoa, Catania, Malaga
- Free All-Inclusive upgrade + $200 onboard credit for bookings by July 31 2025
- Extra 5 percent Pay Now, Save More discount when paying in full
- Sister ship Star Seeker joins fleet in 2025, heading to Alaska and Japan
Star Explorer Snapshot How It Works
Star Explorer is Windstar's second Star-class newbuild, featuring 112 veranda and infinity-window suites, a two-story spa, an expanded Watersports Platform, and a 1:2 crew-to-guest ratio. All suites measure at least 277 square feet, and two Owner's Suites wrap the aft deck for panoramic views. The yacht's ice-strengthened hull and Tier III Rolls-Royce engines align with Windstar's increasingly stringent sustainability standards. Dining spans four venues, including an updated Amphora restaurant showcasing James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs.
Star Explorer Background Why It Matters
Windstar has experimented with Mediterranean sailings in colder months for several years, noting strong demand for festival-rich itineraries and cheaper trans-Atlantic airfares. A May 23 2024 winter-deployment announcement extended those itineraries through 2026, underscoring a broader trend toward year-round European cruising. Star Explorer builds on this strategy, offering itineraries that thread narrow harbors off-limits to larger vessels and pairing them with perks-Wi-Fi, gratuities, and unlimited drinks-that erode the value gap between luxury and mainstream lines.
Star Explorer Latest Developments
Star Explorer's inaugural program opened for Sale this week alongside two limited-time deals.
Early Booking Package: $1,300 Value Per Stateroom
Guests who reserve any Star Explorer voyage by July 31 2025 receive the All-Inclusive upgrade-covering Wi-Fi, gratuities, and unlimited select beer, wine, and cocktails-plus up to $200 in onboard credit. Windstar pegs the package at more than $1,300 on a typical seven-night Cruise.
Pay Now, Save More: Extra 5 Percent Off
Travelers willing to pay the entire fare at booking can stack a 5 percent Pay Now, Save More discount on top of the early-booking package. The incentive applies only to bookings made within the promotion window and is combinable with Windstar's Yacht Club loyalty savings.
Itineraries Tailored for the Quiet Season
- Nine-Night Southern Spain Inaugural - Barcelona round-trip, overnighting in Malaga and lingering late in Palma de Mallorca.
- Seven-Night Europe's Winter Riviera - Livorno overnight for Florence and Pisa, plus Nice, Genoa, and Marseille.
- Eight-Night Winter Italy & the Dalmatian Coast - Venice to Dubrovnik with calls in Zadar, Split, and Catania.
Ashore, Windstar leans on local guides and small-group excursions-think truffle hunts in Liguria or flamenco workshops in Andalusia-to widen cultural access while sidestepping shoulder-season closures.
Analysis
For travelers, Star Explorer's timing addresses two perennial Mediterranean pain points: crowds and cost. Historic centers such as Florence, Dubrovnik, and Barcelona can feel unmanageable in peak summer; visiting in January means shorter museum lines, easier restaurant reservations, and cooler temperatures ideal for city walking Tours. Airfares also drop 15-30 percent versus summer averages, offsetting Cruise fares that start around $6,000 per person.
The All-Inclusive upgrade eliminates onboard bill creep-particularly valuable when evenings extend ashore and late-night tapas or mulled wine replace shipboard meals. Meanwhile, the Pay Now, Save More discount effectively covers gratuities for a couple on a seven-night sailing.
Star Explorer's small size (only 224 passengers) matters in shoulder-season ports where infrastructure scales down: ferries run less often, museums hold shorter hours, and restaurants may limit menus. The yacht's ability to pivot-dropping anchor off Sorrento if Naples closes for weather, for example-gives Windstar an operational cushion larger ships lack. Travelers seeking quieter streets without sacrificing cultural depth will likely find the trade-off worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Booking Star Explorer early secures price breaks and perks that reduce overall trip cost while guaranteeing access to suites with balconies. Travelers should budget for cooler evenings-light layers and waterproof jackets-and keep in mind that some shore excursions may change on short notice if winter storms roll through. Consider pairing the Cruise with a few land nights on either end to maximize lower off-season Hotel rates. With thoughtful packing and flexible planning, guests can enjoy the Mediterranean's art, cuisine, and festive markets minus the summer gridlock-and they will sail home having experienced Star Explorer the way Windstar envisions it: leisurely, personal, and refreshingly crowd-free.