Windstar Cruises Celebrates 40 Years of Sailing
Windstar Cruises, founded in October 1984 by maritime entrepreneurs Karl G. Andrén and Jean-Claude Potier as Windstar Sail Cruises with motorized sailing ships, is celebrating 40 years of sailing this year. To mark this significant milestone, the company has launched various celebratory events for guests and crew.
Windstar will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the fleet from October 2024 to October 2025 with a series of memorable events, starting officially on October 16. On this date, the Wind Spirit with 148 guests and the Star Legend with 312 guests will come together for an event in the city of Ephesus, featuring live music and a five-course dinner under the stars—a popular and cherished event among Windstar guests, making it the perfect location and moment for the anniversary celebration.
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Guests are invited to join the celebrations aboard the Star Legend’s Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal, departing on October 12, or the Wind Spirit’s Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise, departing on October 13. These two itineraries will offer guests the chance to explore the beautiful Greek islands and Turkey, discovering a world rich in seascapes and ancient treasures on legendary islands such as Santorini and Mykonos; UNESCO World Heritage sites like the incredible Acropolis atop Athens Hill, the St. John Monastery on the small island of Patmos, and the ancient Roman city of Ephesus. Additionally, guests will visit secluded ports such as Monemvasia, a pedestrian village built on a cliff, and Nafplio, a charming mainland town where one can stroll along cobbled streets and explore Venetian fortresses.
The highlight of this voyage, where the celebrations will kick off, will occur on October 16 in Kusadasi, where the two ships will come together for a special celebration in Ephesus. This unique experience will feature a five-course dinner with white-gloved service under the stars, accompanied by a trio from the Aegean Chamber Orchestra. During the event and throughout the year, Windstar encourages guests to share their favorite stories about the crew and tag #WayBackWindstar on Windstar’s social media channels starting in October.
Windstar ships in Monemvasia
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The Ruby Anniversary season will extend throughout the year with special gifts, crew commemorations, exclusive cocktails, and other events, including complimentary ruby anniversary cocktails served during a special trivia event about Windstar’s 40 years on board; a trivia drawing for winners to win a cruise for two on the inaugural voyage of Star Seeker in December 2025; and limited edition Seabags, a 40th-anniversary series made from recycled sails of Wind Surf, available for purchase in the ship’s shops, among other offerings.
Christopher Prelog, President of Windstar, who has been with the company for almost eight years but has a career spanning nearly 30 years, highlighted how the company has enjoyed 40 extraordinary years, remaining devoted to small-ship cruising with established sailings in Tahiti, the Caribbean, and Europe. He noted that the details that have made guests return year after year over these 40 years are undoubtedly the luxury yacht cruises with a welcoming atmosphere and the freedom to explore scenic regions and smaller ports. However, it has been the crew that has made the brand a success, with their warm hospitality and professionalism.
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Today, Windstar, with six small ships including three Wind Class sailing vessels and three Star Class motor yachts, accommodating between 148 and 342 guests, is considered a leader in small-ship cruising and is experiencing unprecedented success and growth. This includes the addition of two new all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, in 2025 and 2026. Guests can explore enchanting destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, New England, Eastern Canada, South America, and the South Pacific. Additionally, Windstar will operate year-round in Europe and offer two unique experiences aboard its ships in Tahiti starting in 2027.
The celebration will kick off with two cruises: the Aegean Sea Odyssey Via the Corinth Canal itinerary on Star Legend departing October 12, and the Treasures of the Greek Isles trip on Wind Spirit departing October 13.
A highlight of the commemoration will be a joint celebration in Ephesus on October 16, where Star Legend and Wind Spirit, representing the brand’s two ship styles, will come together for a special event featuring live music and a five-course dinner.
“Windstar has had a remarkable 40 years in which the company has remained devoted to small-ship cruising with long-standing sailings in Tahiti, the Caribbean, and Europe,” said Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar. “It’s truly our crew that have made our brand successful, standing the test of time with a friendly smile, remembering our past guests and greeting them by name — often with a big hug,” he said.
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