MIAMI — Windstar Cruises’ brand new, all-suite Star Pride yacht made its official debut last week with a sold-out, eight-day voyage from Athens to Barcelona.

This marks the line’s third and final Star Plus Class yacht to emerge from Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard following a lengthening and transformation project. Now, all six of Windstar’s all-suite and sailing yachts are back in the water with a host of health and safety precautions in place, including a vaccine mandate for all passengers and crew, testing and high-tech air filtration.

“To have completed this project amidst a global pandemic is nothing short of amazing,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “We’re grateful to our ownership and to our partners for sticking with it, and to our customers for their excitement and support of these new products. We are seeing our highest guest satisfaction surveys on the new Star Class yachts, with the highest Net Promoter Scores in our brand’s history. Our guests and travel advisors really love the product we created on Star Class.”

The three all-suite Star Plus Class yachts – Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride – underwent major transformations, with an investment of more than US$250 million. Star Breeze was the first to launch in June 2021, with Star Legend following close behind in September 2021. In addition to featuring new suites and expanded outdoor and indoor public spaces, the yachts are also more environmentally friendly with new efficient engines, generators and advanced wastewater treatment systems.

In addition, all three yachts increased in maximum capacity from 212 guests to 312 and boast additional dining experiences (an outdoor barbecue concept with Steven Raichlen and a Spanish small-plate restaurant from Anthony Sasso), a spa and fitness center, an infinity pool and more outdoor deck areas.

The three yachts, together with Windstar’s three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue to visit small ports and waterways.

For more information go to www.windstarcruises.com.