Star Explorer, the 224-guest sister ship to Windstar’s Star Seeker, will make its debut on December 28, 2026 and will cruise year-round in the Mediterranean. While the ship eventually is going to look very similar to Star Seeker in color scheme, design, public rooms and staterooms, John Gunner, the long-time shipbuilding executive who is overseeing the Star Class project, fills in an interesting back story.
The pair of ships, he says, came to Windstar in very different stages of construction. Essentially, the vessel now known as Star Seeker was almost built from scratch with some exterior work (creating the ducktail and the marina platform) required. Otherwise, the design modifications that Windstar made were able to be incorporated into the newbuild process.
Star Explorer, already in active service as an expedition ship (currently under contract with Quark until March 2026), offers different challenges, Gunner says. “With Explorer, we’re starting with an existing ship. So converting that existing ship is a lot of work. It requires demolition. And it’s a little bit more work to take things down before you build them back up again.
Big areas of change include converting a mud room (on expedition ships, whose itineraries require enhanced cleaning of passenger equipment and gear, are a necessity – not so much on Windstar’s Mediterranean itineraries) will be converted into extra crew cabins.
On deck 8, there is now a helicopter landing pad that will be transformed into a recreational crew area. “We wouldn’t use the auditorium, where expedition voyages feature lectures, in quite the same way, so we’re transforming it into a spa,” Gunner says. “And on deck 7, aft, where zodiacs are currently stored, we’ll have two beautiful owners’ suites with a big wraparound balcony.”
Ultimately, he says, travelers won’t recognize many, if any, differences from Star Seeker, but the different process has made for an interesting journey.
Speaking of Star Seeker, Gunner offers an update on its progress, and it’s moving right along. “The steel is complete which means the ship is built,” he says. “We’re now moving into the outfitting phase.” Over the next five months leading to its launch, shipyard workers are building public rooms. Staterooms and suites are actually crafted right on board, by hand (as opposed to big ships, which often contract with “cabin factories” to build their accommodations). And interior design choices have been finalized and orders have been placed for necessities, from bedding to bar glasses.
Stay tuned for our next update on Windstar’s Star Class.
