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August 8, 2024

Windstar Cruises has unveiled its European voyages for 2026, introducing numerous innovations including 24 new ports of call, 15 new itineraries, and a new cruise titled “Around Iceland: A Total Solar Eclipse,” offering guests a unique opportunity to witness a solar eclipse in Iceland.

The eclipse-focused itinerary will set sail on August 12, 2026, but other exciting journeys will be offered through a new selection of Star Collector cruises, which combine multiple itineraries into an epic adventure lasting over 13 days with specially designed routes to maximize exploration time. One of the new Star Collector voyages will be the Grand Europe Adventure 2026, an 81-day journey starting in Helsinki, Finland, on July 14, 2026. This cruise will take guests to 20 countries and 67 ports before reaching Athens, Greece. The itinerary includes 4-day stays in single destinations and late-night departures, allowing guests to explore further inland.

Windstar will also debut in Spain with new itineraries from Madrid; a brand-new circumnavigation of Ireland; an in-depth exploration of the Aeolian Islands; and a northern Greece adventure featuring highlights like visiting the Meteora monasteries from the port of Volos. The introduction of new itineraries and ports of call will also bring a range of new shore excursions, including unique local experiences such as creating molded chocolates in Bruges, Belgium, or learning to play the lyre in Thessaloniki, Greece.

A selection of the new itineraries for 2026 includes:

Atlantic France: A 7-night voyage departing from Bordeaux, offering an in-depth exploration of France with visits to La Rochelle for oyster feasts; Lorient, which accommodates only one ship per day; followed by St. Malo, where a prolonged stop allows for a visit to Mont Saint-Michel. The cruise continues with a call at Guernsey in the Channel Islands before returning to France to visit Cherbourg, where guests can retrace the footsteps of WWII soldiers at Normandy landing sites, and ends with a scenic cruise on the Seine before an overnight stay in Paris.

Treasure Troves of Corsica & Sardinia: A 7-night cruise allowing guests to spot dolphins in Golfo Aranci; enjoy sunset walks during a night in Alghero; taste wines in Bastia; and explore Napoleon’s birthplace in Ajaccio.

Northern Spain & Portugal: Departing from Lisbon, this itinerary offers exploration of destinations beyond Portugal and major Spanish cities, with stops in small ports in Spain’s Galicia and Asturias regions as well as the charming cities of Porto and Lisbon.

Norway’s Southern Splendors: An 8-day cruise dedicated to exploring lesser-known fishing ports and scenic fjords along Norway’s southern coast, including the charming Rosendal and welcoming Egersund, both new ports for Windstar.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Greek Islands: An 8-day voyage to lesser-visited Greek islands such as Syros, Samos, Naxos, Folegandros, and Milos, offering secluded beaches, hidden ports, and romantic ruins.

Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium: An 8-day cruise immersing guests in the tulip season in the Netherlands, where fields burst with vibrant colors. The voyage includes visits to the Keukenhof Gardens, exploration of new-to-Windstar destinations, and an overnight stay in Antwerp, which features an exclusive maritime port accommodating only one ship per day. Cyclists will especially appreciate the opportunities for countryside rides from Harlingen.

Bella Italia: A Southern Italian Romance: An 8-night voyage exploring the winding streets of Taranto, a coastal city rich in Greek ruins and medieval fortifications, and the picturesque port of Otranto, as well as the Croatian island of Rab.

Treasures of Southern Spain & Morocco: A cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon, including Windstar’s return to Seville for a unique experience, as Windstar is one of the few cruise lines able to navigate the 50-mile Guadalquivir River to access this cultural capital of southern Spain. Another highlight of this itinerary will be a visit to Tangier, Morocco.

Jess Peterson, Windstar’s itinerary planner, emphasized that the team designed these voyages with a focus on regional exploration, offering more overnight stays and off-the-beaten-path experiences to provide a deeper and more authentic view of some of Europe’s most beautiful places.

To celebrate these new offerings, Windstar has launched an early booking promotion. Those who book a 2026 European cruise by October 31, 2024, will enjoy a complimentary All-Inclusive experience with Wi-Fi, unlimited wine, beer, and cocktails, gratuities, plus a $100 onboard credit per cabin.

Stay updated with the latest news, updates, and reviews of Windstar Cruises on Cruising Journal, featuring photos, videos, and special cruise offers.

Giorgia Lombardo

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