Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Windstar Cruises celebrates 40 years with special events, exclusive guest tributes, and memorable onboard experiences, marking a milestone in luxury cruising. Windstar Cruises is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in October 2024, ushering in a season of festivities. To inaugurate this landmark year, travelers are invited to participate in the celebratory events aboard the Star Legend during its Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal, setting sail on October 12, or aboard the Wind Spirit for the Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise, departing October 13.
Both the Wind Class and Star Class yachts—embodying Windstar’s refined fleet of small ships—will converge for a grand celebration at Ephesus in Kusadasi on October 16. The cruise line, established by maritime visionaries Karl G. Andrén and Jean-Claude Potier in October 1984 under the name Windstar Sail Cruises, began its journey with motor sailing ships.
Today, it operates a fleet of six boutique ships—comprising three Wind Class sailing ships and three Star Class motor yachts—and stands at the forefront of boutique cruising. With ongoing success and expansion, Windstar is excited about the upcoming launch of two all-suite motor yachts in 2025 and 2026, continuing to elevate the small ship cruising experience. “Windstar has had a remarkable 40 years in which the company has remained devoted to smallship cruising with long-standing sailings in Tahiti, the Caribbean, and Europe,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog, who has been at Windstar for nearly eight years but began his career nearly 30 years ago as a waiter on board what is now Windstar’s Star Legend .
“Windstar has carved its own niche with upscale yachts that provide a welcoming ambiance and the luxury of space and freedom to explore scenic regions and smaller ports, but 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. These are the moments that have made our guests return again and again over our 40 years, and that’s what we want to focus on this anniversary – our relationships and our devoted team.” To honor its dedicated crew, many of whom have served for decades, Windstar is inviting guests to share their memorable crew stories using the hashtag #WayBackWindstar on Windstar’s social media platforms starting in October.
The celebration of the cruise line’s 40th, or ruby, anniversary will officially begin on October 16, when the 148-passenger Wind Spirit and the 312-passenger Star Legend unite for a special event in Ephesus. The evening will feature live music and a five-course dinner under the stars, continuing a beloved tradition that has been a favorite among Windstar guests for years. The anniversary festivities will extend across the Windstar fleet from October 2024 through October 2025, with various events and memorable experiences planned.
Here’s what guests can look forward to:.
