Wind Star

Wind Star is the original member of Windstar's sail-powered fleet, a four-masted, 148-guest motor-sail yacht whose computer-controlled canvas gives it a genuinely different feel from a conventional cruise ship. The vibe is casually elegant and low-key: no formal dress codes, no structured mega-ship programming, and a 'private sailing club' atmosphere where guests bond quickly. Repeat cruisers consistently single out the warm, name-remembering crew and the ability to slip into tiny Greek and Mediterranean harbors that big ships can't reach.

Dining centers on the Amphora restaurant for course-by-course dinners and the casual Veranda for buffet-style breakfast and lunch, with the open-deck candlelit 'Candles' night as a highlight; menus draw on Windstar's James Beard Foundation partnership and rotate daily, though opinions on food split between 'genuinely good' and 'cruise-ship average.' Staterooms are cozy ocean-view rooms with marble baths, good storage and comfortable beds but no balconies. Amenities are intimate by design - a single plunge pool and hot tub aft, a small World Spa, a compact gym, the Yacht Club Lounge with nightly piano-bar entertainment, and the marquee complimentary watersports marina off the stern. The main knock is age and upkeep: dated interiors, occasional elevator outages, and pricey, spotty WiFi.

Wind Star suits active, well-traveled adults who prioritize authentic sailing, hidden ports and personal service over balconies, big-ship glitz or nonstop entertainment. It is priced as premium-to-near-luxury - a strong value against ultra-luxury rivals like Seabourn and Silversea, though some feel the aging hardware doesn't fully justify the fare. Standout experiences include sailing under deployed canvas, the off-the-stern watersports platform, candlelit deck dinners, and itineraries through the smaller Greek Isles and Mediterranean coves.