Following the already completed and well received renovations of the Wind Star are upgrades for Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. The Wind Surf will begin her renovations on November 12th with a five-day dry-dock at the Portuguese shipyard, Lisnave, followed by 13 days of final wet-dock detailing as she sails across the Atlantic. The Wind Spirit will similarly begin a two-week dry-dock procedure on November 25th at the same shipyard before completing her 13-day wet-dock finishing as she too crosses the Atlantic.
The $18-million fleet-wide upgrades will propel the future of Windstar Cruises. “We are looking forward to having our whole fleet enter 2013 with an elevated feeling of private yacht style,” said Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises. “We want to continue to offer the best vacation experience possible on board our unique sailing yachts.”
Both Yachts
Improvements already made to both sailing vessels as well as the previously spruced up Wind Star are stateroom and suite upgrades featuring new leather headboards, contemporary furniture, linen wall coverings, new lighting features, window coverings, plush wool carpeting, new artwork, stylish bed cushions and luxurious bed throws. Plus, 69,000 sq. ft. of brand new, hand-crafted sails have been added to all three ships.
A New Stateroom Onboard the Wind Star (Copyright © Windstar Cruises)
Following the remodels, both remaining yachts will also sport fresh décor in the public areas, complete with new furnishings, upholstery, art, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floor coverings. The new color scheme will contrast sand and marine tones with warm wood finishes.
The onboard dining rooms will also see changes with the main restaurant becoming AmphorA – the fresh culinary experience with a new layout, wine display and storage, and a brand new menu featuring local dishes plus courses like ling cod and quail delight, as well as porcini and truffle fettuccini. Breakfast and lunchtime dining will improve too with the Veranda slated to receive expanded seating, a new buffet and a live-action cooking station.
Wind Star’s AmphorA Restaurant (Copyright © Windstar Cruises)
Finishing off the list of enhancements are the Lounge Bar with upgraded furniture, a newly alabaster-decorated Reception Area, a redesigned Pool Bar with outdoor candlelit dinner service, and a refurnished Yacht Club.
The New Reception Area on the Wind Star (Copyright © Windstar Cruises)
Wind Surf Exclusives
Degrees Restaurant will become a French Bistro with new menu items and a whole new name, details of which are forthcoming from the cruise line. What is known is the venue will feature enhanced furniture, flooring, pendant lighting and a wine display. What’s more, the social gathering space of Compass Rose will include redesigned contemporary furnishings, flooring, chairs and bar stools.
The Pool Bar on the Wind Star (Copyright © Windstar Cruises)
Future Sailings
“We’ve had really positive feedback from the renovations on Wind Star,” said Birkholz. “Our guests are also really excited to see the enhancements to the remaining two yachts; our advanced bookings are already fifty percent ahead of last year at this time.”
The Wind Surf will reenter passenger service with its Yachtsman’s Caribbean itinerary on December 1st from St. Maarten, and the Wind Spirit will redeploy with its Jewels of the Windward Islands itinerary on December 22nd from Barbados.
For more details on Windstar Cruises’ renovated fleet and itineraries, visit the Windstar Cruises website here. Do these upgrades sound interesting to you? Give us your opinion in the comments section below…
HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: WINDSTAR CRUISES