Windstar Cruises’ small ship footprint is expanding in the 2027 European season with the company introducing 12 new itineraries for summer, alongside debuting the Star Explorer, according to a press release.
The new itineraries will encompass sailing across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
“Some of the best travel memories happen where big ships can’t go. We’ve built 2027 around those moments: the smaller harbors you can only access on a yacht, the later evenings in port, and the feeling of having Europe almost to yourself,” said Jess Peterson, director of destination experience and itinerary planning at Windstar Cruises.
Among the five yachts sailing European waters alongside the debut ship Star Explorer that will sail year-round are the Star Legend, setting sail from March 2 to November 12, and the Wind Surf, sailing from March 27 to October 28. The Wind Spirit, sailing from March 14 to October 22, and the Star Pride, embarking from March 30 to August 26, will join them.
The Wind Spirit introduces the “Off the Beaten Path Adriatic” itinerary, a voyage from Dubrovnik to Venice, sailing toward medieval cities and island coves. This ship also introduces the “Venetian Majesty & Spectacular Croatia” itinerary from Venice to Dubrovnik, which offers explorations of Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy.
Then, the Wind Spirit offers a ”Legends of the Northern Adriatic” round-trip Venice cruise through lesser-known Adriatic ports. Another round-trip itinerary is the Wind Spirit and Star Legend’s “Rome La Dolce Vita in Italy & France” sailing, which will take guests on a three-day escape to Sardinia’s Golfo Aranci and Bonifacio.
The Wind Spirit will also sail from Venice to Dubrovnik with its “Croatia Calling” itinerary, which allows guests to explore Croatia’s coastlines and inland offerings.
The Wind Spirit is also offering a “Race Day & Riviera Charm: Prix du Monde of Monaco” itinerary that coincides with the Monaco Grand Prix and port stops in Portofino and Saint-Tropez.
As for the Wind Surf, it introduces the “Total Solar Eclipse” round-trip Athens sailing, which is timed to the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse.
The Star Legend, offers two new sailings. One “Athens to Rome Moments in Southern Italy & Greece via the Corinth Canal” itinerary highlights the charm of Southern Italy, and a round-trip “Rome’ Sicilian Splendors” itinerary where guests can tour Sicily’s volcanic islands. The ship also offers a Monaco Grand Prix sailing.
With the Star Pride there are three new itineraries. These include the “London to Amsterdam’ Seaside Charms & Dutch Waterways,” “Amsterdam to London’ Timeless Maritime Powerhouses,” and the “London to Amsterdam’ Northern Europe Mystery Cruise.”