There was a time when cruise ships were things of quiet dignity. They slipped into harbours without fanfare, their passengers more likely to carry guidebooks than glow sticks. Windstar Cruises, to its credit, still remembers those days.
The boutique line that built its reputation on sailing ships and civilised conversation is now adding a new vessel to the fleet, the Star Explorer, a 224-guest all-suite yacht set to make her European debut in 2027.
Not a floating city. Not a theme park. Just a ship. And that alone feels refreshing.
A Ceremony with a View
The Star Explorer will officially launch in December 2026, but her real coming-out party will take place on 31 May 2027, when she’s christened on London’s River Thames. It’s an inspired setting, intimate, steeped in maritime history, and far from the confetti cannons of Miami.
The following morning, she’ll glide under Tower Bridge, a sight guaranteed to melt even the most stoic London commuter, and set off on a circumnavigation of Ireland. The itinerary promises cliffs, castles and a few pubs along the way — a trifecta that could convert even the most ardent landlubber.
“Windstar has a long history of exploring in the Mediterranean and Europe, and the small size of this ship opens even more interesting places, including rivers,” says Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s president. “We specialise in creating itineraries that meld the bucket list with the unknown and unexpected that we know our guests will love.”
You sense he means it. Windstar’s ships have long been the connoisseur’s choice: no casinos, neon, or announcements interrupting your second glass of wine.
Built for Those Who Like the Quiet Corners
The Star Explorer was designed to go where the big ships can’t. She can nose up the Seine to Rouen, slip into Caen or Bordeaux, and even berth in central London. These places still feel like Europe, not like a pier beside a car park.
Itineraries favour overnight stays and longer port calls, letting guests linger over dinner ashore without watching the clock. She’ll also make Windstar’s first-ever visit to Puerto Banús in Spain, the sun-soaked marina where superyachts gleam and sunglasses cost more than small cars.
On board are 112 suites, including two Horizon Owner’s Suites with wraparound balconies that practically insist you take breakfast outdoors. Many suites have verandahs or infinity windows, and all have that restrained Windstar elegance — more understated club lounge than glitzy ballroom.
You’ll still find the Yacht Club Café, the signature Marina for watersports, and the crew who seem to know everyone’s name by day two. It’s luxury without pretence, a polished ease that larger ships can’t fake.
A Taste of What’s Ahead
Windstar’s 2027 European season is a traveller’s dream, full of classics with a few curveballs thrown in for good measure.
The Seven Gems of the Baltic
Eight nights, seven countries: Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Estonia. You’ll have two nights in Stockholm, one in Tallinn, and a visit to Bornholm, Denmark’s pint-sized island with cliffs, forests, and enough charm to make Copenhagen jealous.
Circumnavigating Ireland
Ten nights of pubs, cliffs and Celtic lore. Stops include Waterford, Cork, Galway, Londonderry, Belfast, and the Isles of Scilly, accessible only by helicopter or ferry, for those who like their remoteness served with a dash of smug satisfaction. The ship will sail close to the Cliffs of Moher, giving guests a view most only dream about.
A Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal
Eight nights from Lisbon to Bordeaux, calling at Vigo, Gijón, Bilbao, and San Sebastián, with an overnight in Biarritz and a finale in Bordeaux. Expect cider in Asturias and pintxos in the Basque Country, and a fair chance of discussing both at length back on board.
Impressionist France
Ten nights tracing art, history and wine from Bordeaux to London, with overnights in Bordeaux, St Malo, and Rouen (Paris). Visits include La Rochelle, Belle-Île, and Caen, where guests can see the Bayeux Tapestry or walk the Normandy D-Day beaches. It’s history with a sea breeze.
Why It Matters
Cruising, like everything else, has ballooned in recent years. Ships now carry more people than some country towns. Against that backdrop, the Star Explorer feels almost rebellious, a vessel built for intimacy, not spectacle.
Windstar’s clientele tends to be the sort who still pack actual books and wear jackets to dinner. They don’t need laser tag or Broadway revues; they want conversation, good food, and perhaps a touch of old-world civility.
Booking early has its rewards. Windstar’s “Pay Now, Save More” offer runs until 15 November 2025, with discounts up to five per cent for those who pay in full. Details on Windstar’s Northern Europe Voyages and Mediterranean Voyagespages for those who prefer facts to fanfare. You can also call 1300 749 875, or heaven forbid, visit your local travel agent, a human resource still underrated in this algorithmic age.
The Last Word
When she slides under Tower Bridge in 2027, the Star Explorer will do more than launch a new ship. She’ll remind the cruise world what travel used to feel like when sea air mattered more than spectacle, and when you came home with stories rather than selfies.
It’s not about being grand. It’s about being gracious. And that, in this noisy century, might be the most incredible luxury of all.
By Michelle Warner – (c) 2025
Read Time: 6 minutes
About the Writer
Michelle Warner is a storyteller with jet fuel in her veins — the sort of woman who could turn a long-haul delay into a lesson in patience and prose. She began her career in media publications, learning the craft of sharp sentences and honest storytelling, before trading deadlines for departures as a flight attendant with several major airlines. Years spent at thirty thousand feet gave her a keen eye for human nature and a deep affection for the grace and grit of travellers everywhere.
Now happily grounded, Michelle has returned to her first love, writing, with the same composure she once brought to a turbulent cabin. Her work combines an editor’s precision with a traveller’s curiosity, weaving vivid scenes and subtle humour into stories that honour the golden age of travel writing. Every line is a small act of civility, polished, poised, and unmistakably human.
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