by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:15 AM ET, Mon June 30, 2025
Windstar Cruises is sharing more details about its forthcoming ship Star Explorer.
Scheduled to debut December 28, 2026, the new 224-guest vessel will spend the winter in the Mediterranean with an emphasis on small ports and cultural immersion. Itineraries will include overnight stays in Florence (Livorno), Barcelona and Nice, as well as stops in lesser-traveled ports like Genoa, Catania and Malaga.
“Winter is when the Mediterranean slows down—and that’s when Windstar steps in,” says Jess Peterson, Windstar’s director of destination experience and itinerary planning. “With Star Explorer, we’re offering guests a chance to see these legendary places with fresh eyes and fewer crowds, all in the comfort of our newest yacht.”
To celebrate, the company is launching an early booking offer. Guests who book by July 31can enjoy a free all-inclusive package, featuring Wi-Fi, unlimited select wine, beer and cocktails, and gratuities—a value of more than $1,300 per stateroom on a 7-day cruise. Guests will also enjoy up to $200 in onboard credit per stateroom.
Windstar is also debuting a new Pay Now, Save More promotion. Guests who pay in full at the time of booking will receive an additional 5 percent off their cruise fare. The promotion is only available on cruises booked with the early booking offer.
Star Explorer’s inaugural voyage will be a 9-night sailing around southern Spain, with an optional inland cruise tour add-on. The ship will also sail a 7-night itinerary called “Europe’s Winter Riviera” that gives guests the chance to indulge in the Riviera’s off-season charm, as well as an 8-night “Winter Italy & the Dalmatian Coast” sailing that includes stops in Venice, Dubrovnik, Zadar and more.
Star Explorer is one of two new ships joining the Windstar fleet. The other, Star Seeker, will set sail in December 2025, heading from Málaga, Spain, to Miami, Florida, for a January 2026 christening ceremony. The ship will then offer voyages in the Caribbean before heading to Alaska and Japan.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
