Windstar Cruises Announces Star Explorer Yacht Debut, 2027 Europe Sailings

Image: A rendering of Star Explorer (Photo Credit: Windstar Cruises)

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 1:15 PM ET, Mon October 27, 2025

Star Explorer, Windstar Cruises’ second yacht offering immersive, small-ship adventures to hard-to-reach ports is set to debut in December 2026.

The 224-guest all-suite yacht with 112 spacious suites is scheduled for christening on May 31, 2027 on London’s River Thames, and will sail Europe year-round with a mix of classic and new itineraries.

“Windstar has a long history of exploring in the Mediterranean and Europe, and the small size of this ship opens even more interesting places– including rivers,” says Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “We specialize in creating itineraries that meld the bucket list with the unknown and unexpected that we know our guests will love.”

2027 itinerary highlights include:

Longtime favorites like Norway’s fjords, the Baltics, and the British Isles.
Seven Gems of the Baltic – an 8-night itinerary visiting Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia with two nights in the trend-setting city of Stockholm, a night in medieval Tallin, UNESCO-designated Riga’s famous Central Market, the island of Bornholm– dubbed Denmark in miniature– complete with forests, craggy cliffs, and bleach-blond beaches before ending in Copenhagen.
Circumnavigating Ireland – a 10-night journey with pub sessions, dramatic cliffs, and warm welcomes, exploring the Isles of Scilly, a pristine archipelago off the coast of Cornwall accessible only by helicopter or ferry, moors in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city from the Viking Triangle, stops in Killybegs, known for its rich tapestries & carpets and a striking view of the Cliffs of Mohr from a lesser-seen vantage point, followed by stops in Cork, Dingle, Galway, Londonderry and Belfast.
A collection of France & Northern Spain voyages takes full advantage of Star Explorer's small size and maneuverability. Cruises start or end in Bordeaux, Rouen, and London - all river ports with central docking locations. Ports of call include small-ships exclusives like Caen and San Sebastián with access via locks or narrow and scenic harbor entrances.
Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal – an 8-night voyage from Lisbon to Bordeaux, visits to Vigo, Gijon, Bilbao and San Sebastian, Spain, an overnight in Biarritz, a historic French seaside resort, ending with an overnight in Bordeaux. Distinct food cultures of Northern Spain are a highlight – cider in Gijon and Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian.
Impressionist France – a 10-night journey from Bordeaux to London offers extended time with overnight stays in Bordeaux, St. Malo and Paris/Rouen. The yacht also visits La Rochelle, Belle-Ile and Caen, France with a cruise on the iconic Seine River. Normandy D-day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry are accessible from Caen.

Voyages are available for reservations with an early booking rate through November 15, 2025, and an additional five percent off with a pay in full option.