When a cruise line known for understatement quietly calls a ship delivery “one of the most meaningful moments in a shipbuilding journey,” seasoned observers know something significant has happened.
On December 15, in the northern Portuguese port city of Viana do Castelo, Windstar Cruises formally took delivery of Star Seeker. This sleek, all-suite yacht does far more than add capacity. It signals a strategic shift, a technological leap, and a confident statement about where high-end cruising is heading next.
At 224 guests, Star Seeker is the first new build in Windstar’s Star Class and the beginning of a carefully planned fleet expansion designed for travellers who prefer curiosity over crowds and destinations over distractions.
A handover steeped in symbolism
The ceremony at WestSEA Shipyard marked the official transfer of ownership, but it also underscored the collaborative effort behind the project. Windstar president Chris Prelog was joined by chief operating officer Stijn Creupelandt, chief commercial officer Janet Bava and vice president of expansion projects John Gunner, whose fingerprints are all over the ship’s design and delivery.
Captain Tom Schofield and his crew, already deeply familiar with the vessel, were also present. Their involvement well before the maiden voyage reflects Windstar’s long-held belief that ships are defined as much by the people who run them as by steel and specifications.
“Taking delivery of a new ship is one of the most meaningful moments in a shipbuilding journey,” Prelog said. “From the float-out to the handover, we’ve seen Star Seeker take shape with extraordinary craftsmanship. The WestSEA team and Mario Ferreira with Mystic Cruises have been incredible partners, and our crew has worked tirelessly to ensure the yacht is delivered in exceptional condition.”
That partnership was echoed by WestSEA chairman Mario Ferreira, who described the project as a challenge embraced rather than endured.
“Windstar challenged us to build a yacht that could reach new destinations, deliver exceptional comfort and operate responsibly,” Ferreira said. “We’re proud to hand her over knowing she will bring guests closer to the world in ways only a small ship can.”
Built for discovery, not excess
True to Windstar’s DNA, Star Seeker has been designed from the keel up for destination-forward cruising. Every space serves a purpose, and every enhancement reflects how guests actually travel.
The ship features 112 ocean-view suites, nearly all with either a full private veranda or a dramatic floor-to-ceiling infinity window. Two new Horizon Owner’s Suites introduce wrap-around balconies, offering panoramic views that will be especially prized in Alaska and Japan.
Open deck spaces are generous and deliberately uncluttered, ideal for wildlife spotting, glacier viewing, or simply watching the world slide past at sea level. Five dining venues anchor the onboard experience, including the new Basil + Bamboo, which blends Mediterranean flavours with Asian influences, an inspired choice for a ship that will spend significant time in the Pacific.
Wellness receives equal attention. The WorldSpa by Windstar features an upper-level entrance and a comprehensive suite of fitness and rejuvenation offerings, while the reimagined Marina quite literally turns the ocean into a playground. Kayaks, paddleboards and Zodiacs deploy directly from the stern, blurring the line between ship and shore.
Quietly serious about sustainability
For all its elegance, Star Seeker is also a serious piece of engineering. Beneath the polished teak and soft furnishings lies a suite of environmental and safety technologies that meet, and in some cases exceed, the most stringent global standards.
The yacht is powered by Tier III NOx-rated Rolls-Royce engines and fitted with pump-jet thrusters, forward-facing sonar and shore-power connectivity. Advanced wastewater treatment systems reduce environmental impact, while the ship’s compact size allows access to ports and anchorages off-limits to larger vessels.
This is sustainability without sermonising built in, not bolted on.
From Málaga to Miami and far beyond
Star Seeker now enters its final preparation phase ahead of a December 2025 debut, beginning with a maiden voyage from Málaga across the Atlantic to Miami, Windstar’s corporate home. A christening ceremony is scheduled for January 15, 2026, before the ship enters service.
The inaugural Caribbean season blends marquee ports with smaller islands rarely visited by mainstream cruise ships. Early itineraries include the Dominican Republic, British Virgin Islands, San Juan and calls at Iles des Saintes, Bequia, Mayreau and Pigeon Island, alongside immersive visits to colonial centres such as Santo Domingo and Cartagena.
From there, Star Seeker sails north for a full Alaska season, where her size and open decks are ideally suited to glacier cruising and wildlife encounters. Guests will kayak beside icebergs or explore remote shorelines by Zodiac, guided by Windstar’s experienced expedition team.
Later in 2026 and into 2027, the ship turns west toward Japan. These itineraries pair major cities with lesser-visited ports known for traditional arts, regional cuisine and intensely local experiences. One highlight is a new Mystery Cruise, embarking in Hokkaido and disembarking in Osaka, with ports revealed only days in advance.
Another is a Destination Discovery Event in Tomonoura, where guests will walk Edo-period streets, attend samurai sword performances, participate in tea ceremonies and gain private access to historic residences rarely opened to visitors.
A measured expansion, not a reinvention
Star Seeker will be followed by sister yacht Star Explorer, debuting in December 2026. Built to the exact specifications, the pair significantly expand Windstar’s ability to operate in Alaska, Asia and other remote regions without diluting the personalised service that defines the brand.
For Windstar, this is not about chasing scale. It is about deepening capability and reinforcing a philosophy that has served the line well for decades: small ships, meaningful destinations and travel that feels quietly enriching rather than relentlessly busy.
In an industry often dazzled by size, Star Seeker is a reminder that progress can also be precise, thoughtful and refreshingly human.
Booking information
To book a Windstar cruise, visit Windstar Cruises Australia at https://www.windstarcruises.com/au, call 1300 749 875, or speak with your local travel agent.
by Michelle Warner – (c) 2025
Read time: 5 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.
