Windstar Cruises visits ports, islands and waterways that larger vessels simply can’t access. Agreed, we just did that. Not mentioned but not overlooked: Windstar’s Star Plus Initiative. That effort will invest $250-million in the trio of Windstar motor ships, adding more availability to the frequently sold out cruise line.

The two enhanced ships will feature new suites, restaurants, public spaces, spa & fitness centers, pool, amenities and even new more environmentally sensitive engines that will propel them to many new itineraries and calls at new ports.

All of the above = news we have told you about before. Details, not so much. So here:

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Expansion Highlights

• EXPANDED VERANDA RESTAURANT to offer significantly more ocean-view seating and upgraded dining area.
• NEW DINING EXPERIENCES including: an intimate, alternative dining restaurant and a casual barbecue space.
• 50 NEW SUITES featuring new suite categories and open floor plan configurations.
• ALL-NEW BATHROOMS and installation of NEW SLIDING DOORS for the Balcony Suites.
• LARGER POOL AND HOT TUB that will be reconfigured and elevated offering outstanding views, along with more and enhanced outdoor deck area.
• NEW WELLNESS- A completely re-imagined and enlarged SPA AND FITNESS CENTER to invigorate active guests.
• A NEW ELEVATOR MID-SHIP, making access to all decks easy from anywhere on board.
• A NEW TENDER BOARDING AREA located mid-ship and TWO NEW 90-PASSENGER TENDERS that will ferry guests to port when ships are at anchor.
• MORE CREW will be hired and the increase will maintain the line’s impressive 1.5:1 guest to hotel staff ratio.
• ALL-NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLIER ENGINES that will run on cleaner fuel, be more fuel efficient and reduce impact to sailing regions.

$250 Million Cruise Ship Spa Treatment

Now Booking

New information: Travelers can now reserve accommodations on Star Breeze and Star Legend itineraries scheduled following the stretch.

Star Breeze Itineraries

The Star Breeze Star Plus Inaugural voyage will take place from Miami to Colón, Panama on March 20, 2020. The sailing from Miami will be a first for the Seattle-based company.

“The Star Plus Initiative is not about size — it’s about offering our guests more of what they love about Windstar without changing the DNA of the brand or the ships’ ability to visit those special small ports and waterways of the world” – John Delaney, president of Windstar Cruises

Here’s more from Windstar on the interesting itineraries that opened for booking this week. The deployment schedule is diverse:

• Inaugural- A Star Breeze Star Plus Inaugural voyage will take place from Miami (for the first time) to Colón, Panama on March 20, 2020.
• Panama Canal- Three back-to-back Costa Rica & Panama Canal journeys (like we did) on the ship’s first-ever canal transits post-renovation.
• Mexico- From Costa Rica, Star Breeze sails to Southern Mexico, continuing to explore the Baja peninsula and wildlife-rich Sea of Cortez.
• West Coast- Breeze will then make its West Coast debut in San Diego
• West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza, a James Beard Foundation culinary-themed cruise disembarking in Vancouver.
• Alaska- From Vancouver Star Breeze will head north to Alaska in May 2020 for the summer season on ten different sailing dates.
• Asia In The Fall- Fall through December 2020, Star Breeze is in Asia exploring waterways and small ports in China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia until early December.

One of the new itineraries in 2020 is the Alaska Glaciers & Prince William Sound. The sailing includes first-ever Windstar ports and explorations of Valdez, Cordova, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, and Point Adolphus. The new itinerary is scheduled on two dates in 2020: June 19 and August 2.

Windstar Cruises Panama Canal In Photos

Star Legend Itineraries

Stretched Star Legend will debut July 2, 2020 and chart a course from Barcelona to Lisbon then go up Europe’s Atlantic Coast in early July. She will cruise Northern Europe through September followed by several fall trips in the Mediterranean.

New itinerary highlights for Star Legend in 2020 include:

• British Isles- Fado Folksongs, Tapas & Crystal: Portugal, Spain, Britain & Ireland with unique stops in Isles of Scilly, England (known for the best and most unspoiled beaches in Cornwall), along with Fishguard, Whales and Waterford, Ireland.
• Atlantic Coast- Autumn on the Atlantic Coastincluding the cultural ports of Bilbao, Spain; Bordeaux, France; and Honfleur, France – a first-ever port for Windstar that has been heralded as “the prettiest harbor in all of France.”
• Greece & Turkey- Greece via the Corinth Canal & Turkey: The Marvels of Ancient Rivalswill witness thewith a first-ever Windstar visit to Lemnos, Greece, the return of Windstar to Istanbul after a several-year absence, as well as the lovely “old Venetian harbor” of Chania on Crete. Also notable is the transit of the Corinth Canal – a legendary passage only small ships like Windstar’s Star Legendcan negotiate.
• Greece, Israel & Egypt- Greece, Israel & Egypt: Footsteps of Faith in the Holy Landsincludes Windstar’s first-ever visit to Cyprus, as well as returns to Haifa and Ashdod in Israel, along with Alexandria and Port Said in Egypt after a several-year absence.
• Corinth Canal- Ancient Epicenters in Autumn via the Corinth Canal is an interesting journey from Athens to Rome with stops in Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Valletta, Malta and transit of the famed Corinth Canal.
• French Riviera- Autumn Revelries on the French Rivierawill feature Windstar’s inaugural visit to Toulon, France.

To learn more about authentic small ship cruising with Windstar or to book a cruise, contact a travel advisor or Windstar Cruises by phone at 1-800-258-7245, or visit www.windstarcruises.com.