Star Explorer

Windstar Cruises will debut its newest yacht, Star Explorer, in the Mediterranean over the popular winter sailings season in Europe. This season marks Windstar’s fourth winter season sailing the Mediterranean—yet with the addition of Star Explorer, the experience is reimagined and elevated for returning guests and first-timers alike.

The design of Windstar Cruises’ two new ships, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, are undergoing a significant transformation from the original blueprints of initial developer, the small-ship operator has confirmed.

Windstar Cruises has unveiled plans to send its newest ship, Star Seeker, cruising to Alaska and Japan when it joins the fleet in 2026. Windstar last sailed in Alaska and Japan in 2023 before it redeployed Star Breeze to be the year-round ship in Tahiti.

Windstar Cruises has revealed an expansion of its fleet with two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker – which is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard – is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December 2026. Both ships will have ice-strengthened hulls, unlocking access to new destinations.