Couples who want a relaxed small-ship cruise into small Mediterranean and Northern European ports.
Think twice if: Boarding is by stairs only and there is limited entertainment; not a good fit for guests who need step-free access.
See her Europe sailings ↓ · Where is she now? → · Windstar Cruises's page for this ship →
What she's like
Quiet and personal. Small enough for little harbours big ships can't use. About 44 tons of ship per guest. As a rule of thumb, 40 or more feels roomy and under 30 feels busy.
Unknown from line's site.
Our judgment, from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (ultra-luxury).
All meals including specialty restaurants, non-alcoholic drinks, marina water sports (kayaks, paddle boards) on select voyages, some Destination Discovery events. All-In package adds alcohol, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
The line doesn't say.
The line doesn't say.
Where she sails in Europe
Western Mediterranean, Iberia, Northern Europe
We don't have her sailing-by-sailing schedule yet. See the line's site for dates.
What it costs beyond the fare
| Tips for the crew | Gratuities extra on standard fares (daily amount not published); included in the All-In / All-Inclusive package. Second quote from Windstar's travel-advisor site. |
|---|---|
| Drinks package | All-In / All-Inclusive package: $89 per guest per day if added 7+ days before sailing, $99 onboard (alcohol, Wi-Fi, gratuities). Promotion: complimentary All-Inclusive package (valued $99/day) on voyages through Dec 31, 2027 (check terms). |
| Wifi | Included only in All-In package; stand-alone price not published. |
| Specialty restaurants | Included ('All Meals: Including Specialty Restaurants'). |
| Money on board | USD (fares and packages in US dollars); onboard currency not explicitly stated. |
How tipping and money work on a European cruise → · Build a full trip budget →
Her restaurants · 4 included, 0 extra
| Where to eat | Cost |
|---|---|
| Amphora Restaurant (main dining) | Included |
| Basil + Bamboo | Included |
| Star Grill | Included |
| Yacht Club | Included |
Which cabin to book, and which to avoid
The line doesn't publish cabin sizes for this ship that we could find.
Good to know before you pick
- Star Explorer suites 628 and 629 are Triple Premier Veranda Suites
If you use a wheelchair or walk with difficulty
Accessible suites are marked on the deck plan; boarding by stairs only. Mobility devices must be under 26 inches wide and stored in your cabin. Pier boarding assistance on request 30 days ahead. Tender policy not published. Our accessibility guide →
Find your way around
Our own drawing, built from the line's deck plan. Tap a deck to see what's on it, or use “Find on board”. Not to scale.
- Deck 8 · Deck Eight , Open sun deck
- Deck 7 · Deck Seven , Yacht Club; Pool and Whirlpool; Star Grill; Star Bar
- Deck 6 · Deck Six , Bridge; Suites
- Deck 5 · Deck Five , Whirlpool (forward); Spa entrance; Suites
- Deck 4 · Deck Four , World Spa by Windstar; Lounge; Medical Facility; Reception; Destination Desk (The Landing); Fitness Center & Motion Studio; Star Boutique; Basil + Bamboo Restaurant; Amphora Restaurant
- Deck 3 · Deck Three , Watersports Platform; Tender boarding
What to book, and when
Booking, check-in and reservations
Shore excursions charged at booking online. Documents about 30 days before departure, after final payment. Deposit 15% of package cost per person (UK-style package terms) or promotional reduced deposit $150 per person. Wheelchair pier assistance: request 30 days before.
Paying and cancelling
For sailings through March 31, 2027: full refund if cancelled at least 121 days before; within 7 days: 100% penalty.
Tips for her Europe sailings
Shore-tour durations do not include tender time.
The ship in numbers
- Cruise line
- Windstar Cruises
- Kind of ship
- Small ship & sail
- Built
- 2019
- Guests
- 224
- Crew
- 130
- Cabins
- 112
- Guest decks
- 6
- Gross tons
- 9,923
- Length
- 132 m (431 ft)
- Width
- 19 m (62 ft)
- Flag
- Bahamas
- Class
- Star class (Star Seeker class, WestSEA 2019)
- Ship number
- IMO 9835719
- In Europe 2026–27
- Western Mediterranean, Iberia, Northern Europe
Highlights
- Joining Windstar at the end of a Quark Expeditions charter (now sailing as World Explorer); enters Windstar service December 2026 (Wikipedia)
- Will sail Europe year-round: Mediterranean debut, Northern Europe in summer
- All-suite, 224 guests; docks close to Venice's center for Carnival and sails up the Thames (Windstar)
More pictures
Sources & what we could not confirm · 8 sources · checked 2026-11
- Windstar official ship page: Star Explorer
- Windstar official deck plan PDF: Star Explorer
- VesselFinder registry entry
- Windstar Cruises (Wikipedia, secondary)
- Windstar: terms and conditions
- Windstar: life on board (what's included)
- Windstar: accessibility
- Windstar Advisor Hub: Cruising Transformed (All-Inclusive fares)
- cabins = staterooms + suites as listed in Windstar 'Yacht Facts'.
- Windstar page says 130 crew and 16-knot cruising speed; deck plan PDF says 131 crew and 12 knots.
- Flag (Bahamas) from Windstar page; VesselFinder lists the ship under its current name World Explorer.
- Windstar Cruises: Daily gratuity amount on non-package fares
- Windstar Cruises: Dress code
- Windstar Cruises: Minimum age
- Windstar Cruises: Smoking
- Windstar Cruises: Final payment day count