Windstar Cancels Wind Surf 2026 Lisbon–St. Maarten Crossing

Windstar Cruises has canceled a trans-Atlantic crossing aboard Wind Surf that was scheduled to depart Lisbon, Portugal, on Dec. 5, 2026, after the ship’s planned drydock was extended to accommodate additional refit work.

Canceled voyage and itinerary details

The removed sailing was a 14-night repositioning cruise from Lisbon to Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Windstar said the itinerary was set to include 12 sea days and a port call in St. John’s, Antigua, before arriving in St. Maarten.

Extended drydock and expanded refit scope

Windstar tied the cancellation to a longer drydock period for Wind Surf, saying the refit scope was expanded to incorporate additional work and required more time out of service. In the information shared with booked guests, Windstar did not provide a revised completion date for the drydock.

In its message to passengers, the cruise line acknowledged the disruption, writing: “We understand how disappointing and disruptive this news may be, especially given the time, care, and anticipation that go into planning a journey like this.” Windstar said the sailing was removed because it could not operate the voyage to the company’s service standards given the extended yard period.

Rebooking, refunds, and goodwill credits for affected guests

Windstar is offering guests the option to move their reservations to other trans-Atlantic crossings in a similar timeframe, including 14- and 15-night itineraries in November aboard Wind Star and Star Legend.

• Transfer to an alternative crossing: Guests can move to a qualifying trans-Atlantic itinerary in a similar period, including November sailings on Wind Star and Star Legend, according to the cruise line.
• Fare and promotion protection: Windstar said it will protect the original daily cruise fare for the same stateroom category and honor promotional amenities tied to the original booking.
• Onboard and future credits: For guests who rebook, Windstar is offering $200 per guest in non-refundable shipboard credit, and it also offered a 25% non-refundable goodwill future cruise credit calculated from the funds the line has on file for the booking.

Guests who choose not to rebook can request a full refund of all monies paid for the canceled reservation, Windstar said.

How the cancellation connects to Windstar’s broader refit program

The schedule change comes as Windstar continues fleet work under its Setting Sails initiative, a multi-phase refurbishment program for its sailing-ship fleet. Windstar has indicated that Wind Surf, built in 1990, is scheduled to undergo Phase 2 of its refit later in 2026, and the company’s explanation for canceling the December crossing centered on refit work expanding beyond what was originally planned.

Separately, Wind Star is in Phase 2 of its modernization at Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. Windstar said planned improvements include redesigned public spaces, including Amphora and Veranda restaurants, aimed at creating a yacht-inspired ambiance, along with refreshed staterooms.

Windstar said the 148-passenger Wind Star is scheduled to return to service on April 7, 2026, opening with a 10-night Mediterranean cruise between Málaga and Barcelona. The ship is then expected to reposition to Piraeus, Greece, for seven-night itineraries to the Greek Islands and Turkey, before heading to the Caribbean for its winter season in November.

Windstar has also been marking the 40th anniversary of its first vessel, including a shipyard event at Navantia that featured a team photoshoot alongside Wind Star and a custom-made cake prepared by the ship’s executive chef.

For now, Windstar’s next steps for guests booked on the canceled Wind Surf crossing focus on moving reservations to alternative sailings or processing refunds, while the line completes the additional work that extended the drydock timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was the Wind Surf trans-Atlantic crossing canceled?

Windstar said it extended Wind Surf’s planned drydock after expanding the refit scope to include additional work, and that the ship could not operate the Dec. 5, 2026 sailing to the company’s service standards as a result.

What itinerary was Wind Surf scheduled to operate on the canceled sailing?

The canceled cruise was a 14-night repositioning voyage from Lisbon to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, with 12 sea days and a scheduled stop in St. John’s, Antigua.

What options does Windstar offer to guests who were booked on the canceled voyage?

Windstar said guests can transfer to other trans-Atlantic crossings in a similar timeframe, including 14- and 15-night itineraries in November on Wind Star and Star Legend. The line said it will protect the original daily cruise fare for the same stateroom category and honor promotional amenities tied to the original booking, and it is offering $200 per guest in non-refundable shipboard credit for guests who rebook.

When is Wind Star scheduled to return to service after its refit?

Windstar said Wind Star is scheduled to return to service on April 7, 2026, after work at Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz, Spain.