Windstar Cruises completes stretch of second ship

Windstar Cruises has received its luxury yacht, Star Legend, back after its extensive renovation.

The work, which was completed by Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, was part of the line’s $250 million Star Plus Initiative.

The yacht begins cruising in Northern Europe on September 4, 2021 with the Belles of the British Isles sailing roundtrip London.  

As part of the renovation, the ship has been extended to accommodate 313 guests, up from 213, as well as a raft of new amenities. As part of the Star Plus Initiative, all three Star ships will be stretched.

“We’re proud to see Star Legend emerge from this major project with all initial plans completed,” said Chris Prelog, Windstar president. “I am so thankful to Fincantieri for their great partnership on this complicated and innovative project. This is the ship I began my seagoing career on 20 plus years ago and to see it today like a new ship is more than exciting for me. I am blown away.”

“Many thanks to the team here in Palermo for their hard work and diligence on a long, complicated project,” said John Gunner, Windstar’s vice president of expansion projects. “It was an amazing process to get the ship to where she is now; and we have one more to go.”

“The outcome of this project is really a new build, a complete transformation,” said Prelog. “I can’t wait to see our guests enjoying the new spaces and amenities aboard this yacht.”

Highlights of the renovation include:

• Two new restaurants: Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, an outdoor barbecue concept, and Cuadro 44 by Michelin chef Anthony Sasso, a Spanish small plates restaurant
• Enlarged spa and fitness centre. The spa menu features regional spa treatments and destination-themed therapies as part of the World Spa by Windstar programme
• The yacht now has a larger pool and hot tub on an elevated top deck, along with expanded outdoor deck areas for relaxing and sun-bathing
• 50 new 277 square feet suites featuring new suite categories and open floor plan configurations, as well as two new, larger Owner’s Suites. These suites combine to create up to a three-bedroom, two-balcony suite with more than 1,300 square feet – the first of its kind in the cruise industry.  
• Every suite on board will feature all-new bathrooms
• State-of-the-art, efficient engines and diesel generators plus new advanced wastewater treatment system
• Tender loading area located mid-ship and new elevator mid-ship
• Two new 90-passenger tenders that will ferry guests to port when yachts are at anchor