Windstar Reviews Star Explorer Conversion Ahead of 2026 Debut
The former World Explorer was built at West Sea in 2019 and will sail a nine-night Western Mediterranean maiden voyage calling at Cartagena, Gibraltar and Malaga.
A Windstar Cruises team has visited West Sea’s Viana do Castelo shipyard in northern Portugal to review conversion work on Star Explorer ahead of its December 28, 2026, debut. The 224-passenger vessel will offer all-suite accommodations when it enters Windstar service.
The project includes additional staterooms, alterations to public spaces and technical modifications, Mystic Cruises Chief Executive Officer Mario Ferreira said earlier this year.
Captain Matthew Holloway and Staff Captain Matthew Mullins, both members of the ship’s inaugural team, were among those visiting the drydock. Windstar said the visit gave the two officers their first look at the vessel.
The maiden voyage will be a nine-night Western Mediterranean cruise sailing roundtrip from Barcelona. Its calls include Cartagena, Gibraltar, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia.
From World Explorer to Star Explorer
West Sea also built the 126-meter vessel in 2019. Previously named World Explorer, it has an ice-strengthened design intended for expedition itineraries in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Windstar acquired the ship from Mystic Cruises under a deal announced in early 2024. During its previous career, the vessel sailed for Nicko Cruises, Quark Expeditions and Rivages du Monde, with Quark chartering it for polar voyages. It is a sister ship to Star Seeker, which was built in 2025.
A year-round European deployment
Star Explorer’s Windstar schedule spans the Mediterranean and Northern Europe throughout the year. Its early-2027 voyages cover Spain, Italy, southern France and Croatia, before a summer program that includes the British Isles, Norway and the Baltic. The ship is scheduled to return to the Mediterranean in the fall.
Windstar markets its fall and winter Mediterranean sailings as “Local Season.” Most of the ship’s early-2027 Mediterranean itineraries include overnight calls, extended port stays and later departures. Barcelona and Venice will have double overnights.
After hours at the Tower of London
“With Star Explorer beginning her inaugural year, our guests have an entirely new way to experience the oceans and rivers of Europe with us,” said Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer at Windstar Cruises, in announcing the line’s expanded Destination Discovery Events program.
The shore events are complimentary and open to all passengers on eligible sailings. One of the new experiences will give guests access to the Tower of London after its public opening hours, including a private viewing of the Crown Jewels, selected areas of the White Tower and Battlements, and stories from the Yeoman Warders. The evening also includes live music and a British-inspired reception in the New Armouries Courtyard.
Star Explorer’s 10-night Christening Voyage: Circumnavigating Ireland is scheduled to depart on June 1, 2027. Passengers on that sailing will attend the Tower of London event on departure day.
See current Star Explorer fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
