ONBOARD STAR BREEZE — Windstar Cruises’ US$250-million Star Plus Initiative – a pandemic-era investment that stretched the line’s three power yachts to add 50 suites, two additional restaurants, new and enlarged public areas and completely redesigned cabin bathrooms – was certainly impressive in its scope and breadth.

But there was also an overarching, intangible benefit that resulted from that enhancement process: the newly-stretched and upgraded ships moved the onboard product closer to the industry’s luxury niche, while simultaneously maintaining a price point that often starts well below that sector’s competitive set.

A recent 10-day sailing on Star Breeze offered the opportunity to compare the vessel’s previous iteration with its now-augmented version, and the differences are striking.

The 50 new suites roughly match the vessel’s other accommodations, starting with the generously-sized, 277 sq. ft. standard, while also featuring the ship’s first French balconies.

Balcony stateroom onboard Star Breeze

The expansion also allowed for the creation of multiple, two-room and connecting suites, thereby enabling multi-generational families to spread out while still staying close by.  The new suites also reverse the furniture configuration, with the sitting room now near the door and the bed close to the window or balcony.

Meanwhile, the French balconies, while compact, do allow for two guests to squeeze onto them – in standing-only mode. All suites aboard now have completely refreshed bathrooms, which radiate luxury with a twin-sink vanity, multiple towel racks and flattering lighting. And the nearby, large walk-in closet is also an extravagant treat.

Cuadro 44 for Spanish tapas

Not coincidentally, the line has recently honed its focus on its culinary program, introducing Cuadro 44, a Spanish tapas restaurant; Star Grill, a casual, outdoor venue serving smoked, grilled and rotisserie meats and seafood; a wide variety of new whole-food, plant-based menu items; and new James Beard Foundation dishes that grace the menus in multiple onboard venues.

Now, with a quartet of restaurants available for dinner, guests have a wider and more eclectic choice of cuisines.  Amphora continues to be an impressive fine dining option, with menus enhanced by the line’s 8-year-long affiliation with the James Beard Foundation (JBF).  And as JBF chefs sail on themed cruises, they leave behind a legacy of fine dishes that are added cumulatively to menus fleetwide. At night, Veranda’s casual buffet-style venue transforms into Candles, an elegant indoor/outdoor steakhouse featuring a large menu with myriad gourmet options.  But the ship’s two, newly-added outlets provide interesting and unique culinary diversity.

Cuadro 44, a partnership with Michelin-starred chef Anthony Sasso, does justice to the Iberian peninsula’s cuisine in a casually-comfortable setting with a tapas-heavy menu featuring excellent grilled octopus, iconic Iberico ham, Catalonian lamb chops and churros dipped in a lusciously-complex chocolate sauce.  Meanwhile, noted barbeque chef Steven Raichlen’s venue, Star Grill, serves up grilled, smoked and rotisserie specialties in an outdoor location on deck 8, weather permitting. The chef’s smoked dishes were particularly impressive, including a tea-smoked duck and BBQ beef ribs – both available at lunchtime service.

Amphora onboard Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze

In yet another significant addition to Windstar’s culinary program, a wide array of whole food, plant-based menu items introduced in partnership with the National Health Association is now available fleet-wide. These minimally-processed items – prepared with no sugar, oil or salt – are also gluten-free, thus satisfying a wide range of dietary wishes and requirements.  With dates or figs used as sweeteners, the dessert crisps and puddings were tasty and wholesome, while the fruit smoothies helped start the morning off right.

Many of the other items, available in both fine-dining and casual outlets, were vegetable-, bean- or lentil-based and seasoned nicely. Not everything introduced under this program is a hit yet, however, but Windstar’s chefs are continually tweaking recipes to please demanding palates.

Al fresco dining at Star Grill

Aside from the two new restaurants and added suites, the newly-inserted centre section created a larger outdoor deck featuring an infinity-style pool and additional sunning areas with lounges. A completely new spa area and fitness center boasts additional treatment rooms and a full line of Technogym equipment, while the adjacent yoga/Pilates studio offers classes led by an onboard instructor.

Even with the ship’s guest capacity now up to 312 (previously 212), the vessel still maintains a luxury-level, crew-to-guest ratio that exceeds 1:2. And the Star Breeze crew was refreshingly friendly, happy, and most-importantly, efficient – a winning combination not always achieved in the industry.

Sister ships Star Legend and Star Pride are now also virtually identical in design and decor, thus making this Star Plus Class trio an attractive value proposition with luxury touches.