We all already know this: Italy is a beautiful country with extensive history and dramatic scenery and yet what keeps us coming back (and we’ve visited both on-land trips and via Windstar cruises from summer to winter) is its culinary and vinophile traditions (among others). Whether the dishes are familiar or not, an Aperol Spritz cocktail, pictured above, simply doesn’t taste the same at home as it does in Taormina!
This trip would be different. My knowledge had broadened beyond the big ship style of travel that was mostly what we knew. Perhaps lesser known, and for us absolutely more enticing, was a luxury cruise on a small ship. “What if we tried,” I said, and this time more confidently, “for a small ship cruise that can drop us into sweet little ports and let us explore or relax however we want?”
There’s a reason they call these islands Europe’s Hawaii. From black-sand beaches to cities with Spanish and Portuguese influences, it always felt to me like it was everything you could want in a vacation destination.
The Mediterranean is a fantasy cruise destination for many. While major cities, such as Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Athens and Dubrovnik, with their world-class attractions, get much of the attention, its quieter ports often reveal the soul of a destination and its people. Sometimes, these smaller harbors are gateways to the Mediterranean’s real treasures.
What if, traveling throughout the islands of French Polynesia, you could choose to sail and to cruise, both? It turns out that you can. Beginning in …
In summer, Windstar’s yachts, hosting only 148-342 guests, offer a chance to travel to Mediterranean towns and villages that aren’t typically on bigger ship itineraries.
The best Mediterranean cruise for summer is a small ship, yacht-style sailing that explores coastal destinations across Italy, Greece, France, Croatia, and Montenegro while allowing travelers to stay cool on the water.
It occurred to me, traveling to Malaga to be part of Star Seeker’s weeklong shakedown cruise, that the last time I was so excited about experiencing a new style-for-Windstar voyage was, when, after a handful of sailings on my beloved Wind Surf, I was introduced to Star Legend at its christening.
Windstar has begun a multi-million-dollar, multi-year refurbishment initiative for Wind Surf, Wind Spirit and Wind Star
Imagine that your suite evokes memories of the stately Broadmoor Resort or the lush and sunny vibe of the salt marshes at Sea Island, two …
A christening ceremony to honor a new ship that joins a cruise line’s fleet is always a huge milestone in its maritime heritage. Windstar’s celebration of Star Seeker, which took place in Miami in mid-January, was way more than that.
Windstar Cruises has officially taken ownership of Star Seeker, its newest all-suite yacht, following a handover ceremony on Monday, December 15 at the WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The 224-guest yacht is the first new build in Windstar’s Star Class and marks a major milestone in the small ship cruise line’s ongoing fleet expansion.
As Star Seeker gets tantalizingly closer to launch (she debuts on December 28 in Malaga), we’ve heard a lot about “sea trials,” the next major …
Are you a huge river cruise aficionado looking for some fresh new itineraries that offer tastes of both rivers and oceans?
A solo cruise is an amazing way to travel, whether you’re looking to see the world, get away from it all or meet new people! …
One of Monaco’s signature world events is its annual F1 (Formula One) race, which in 2026 takes place from Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June …
If you’re in the mood to cement your love, these islands, marked by craggy mountains and eye-popping lagoons, are the perfect place for that perfect proposal.
Lapped by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most enchanting destinations in Latin America—and a highlight on …
Visiting Italy, France and Spain onboard Star Legend earlier this year was unexpectedly magnificent. I say unexpectedly because I learned then that this part of …
We all already know this: Italy is a beautiful country with extensive history and dramatic scenery and yet what keeps us coming back (and we’ve visited both on-land trips and via Windstar cruises from summer to winter) is its culinary and vinophile traditions (among others). Whether the dishes are familiar or not, an Aperol Spritz cocktail, pictured above, simply doesn’t taste the same at home as it does in Taormina!
During 10 years of living on and off in Asia, and traveling constantly around this continent, I developed a passionate relationship with its markets. They fed me, entertained me, surprised me and educated me. In many Asian cities, markets are the best places to get your bearings.
I always thought that all Greek salads were created equal. Our Athens-to-Athens Greek Isles trip aboard Wind Spirit this summer proved me wrong.
Now in its 11th season, Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation for chef-hosted cruises continues with a new lineup.
The six acclaimed chefs — José Garzón, Belinda Bishop, mother-daughter duo Kirsten Dixon and Mandy Dixon, Gabriel Kreuther, and David Uygur — will bring their regional culinary expertise and signature dishes to sea and host market tours on their itineraries.
Portofino is an enchanting fishing village on the Italian Riviera. Known for being a destination for celebrities, Portofino offers visitors the chance to experience la …
Tobler, in addition to overseeing many crucial functions, including housekeeping and public spaces, is a visionary whose gift for the culinary arts has lifted the line with new accomplishments.
The first Windstar ship I ever experienced was Wind Star in the Caribbean, the 148-passenger sailing ship. The most recent was Star Legend in the …
Out of nine Windstar cruises, our first a honeymoon trip from Rome to Barcelona in November 1999, we’ve experienced eight of them with some combination of our parents and/or kids. Here’s why we love these cruises for multigenerational vacations.
And yet, here’s the thing: in the spirit of adventure, would you purposely set out on a cruise where you didn’t know where you were going? Yes!
Windstar Cruises’ Yacht Club Voyages in 2026 offer loyal travelers a chance to sail with company leaders, explore unique destinations, and enjoy exclusive onboard events designed specifically for repeat guests.
Imagine my delight the first time I saw a Windstar ship with its marina open, beckoning me to take a placid kayak ride or a slightly more daring paddleboard adventure, or simply diving into the cooling blue water.
Two well-traveled solo cruisers boarded Star Breeze in San Diego, headed for a 14-day repositioning cruise (meaning lots of sea days) before winding up in French Polynesia.
