Windstar Takes Delivery of Star Seeker, Its First Newbuild in Decades

Windstar Cruises took delivery of its new yacht Star Seeker during a December 15 handover ceremony at the WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, formally adding the first newbuild in the company’s Star Class to its fleet expansion plans.

Delivery ceremony in Portugal marks ownership transfer

The ceremony brought together Windstar President Chris Prelog, Chief Operating Officer Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava, and Vice President of Expansion Projects John Gunner, who oversaw the shipbuilding program. Captain Tom Schofield and his team also attended after preparing the ship for delivery, alongside senior representatives from the Portuguese shipyard.

“Taking delivery of a new ship is one of the most meaningful moments in a shipbuilding journey,” Prelog said, adding that Windstar had watched the vessel take shape “from the float out to the handover” and praising the “extraordinary craftsmanship” involved. He credited WestSEA and Mystic Cruises as well as the ship’s crew, and said the company was eager to begin welcoming guests aboard.

First sailing begins with a 16-night trans-Atlantic itinerary

Star Seeker welcomed its first paying guests on December 28, 2025, departing Málaga, Spain, to begin a 16-night trans-Atlantic crossing that is scheduled to bring the ship to Miami in early 2026.

The itinerary includes calls in the Canary Islands and the Bahamas, as well as a planned stop in Freeport. Windstar has also said the ship is scheduled to reach Tenerife in time for New Year’s Eve docking.

Caribbean itineraries, Panama Canal transit, and seasonal plans

After arriving in Miami in early 2026, Star Seeker is scheduled to operate a series of cruises in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean before repositioning west. One early North America-based itinerary is planned as an eight-night sailing to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with additional visits in the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands; Windstar plans to christen the ship during that voyage.

Windstar’s published initial deployment plan for Star Seeker includes:

• Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises after arriving in Miami in early 2026
• A Panama Canal transit scheduled for April 2026
• A first summer season operating in Alaska
• Fall and winter itineraries planned for Southeast Asia

Shipbuilding partners and design focus

The 224-passenger, 9,300-ton Star Seeker was built at the WestSEA Shipyard with guidance from Mystic Cruises and Windstar’s shipbuilding team. Windstar has positioned the yacht as combining boutique-scale cruising with technologies aimed at sustainability and efficiency, while supporting access to destinations associated with small-ship itineraries.

Mystic CEO Mario Ferreira said, “Windstar challenged us to build a yacht that could bring guests closer to the world in ways only a small ship can. We’re proud to see it come to fruition.” In a separate statement, Ferreira also said the team took pride in delivering a yacht designed to expand destination access, provide onboard comfort and “operate responsibly.”

How Star Seeker fits into Windstar’s Star Class expansion

Windstar describes Star Seeker as its first newbuild to debut in more than three decades and the first newbuild in the Star Class. The company said the yacht was originally ordered for Mystic Cruises and is part of a ship series that began with a vessel launched in 2019.

Star Seeker joins Windstar’s Star Class fleet alongside Star Legend, Star Pride, and Star Breeze, ships acquired from Seabourn in 2015 that operate itineraries in regions including the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the South Pacific.

Windstar has also outlined plans to add another ship to the Star Class in 2026 through a major conversion project. The 200-passenger vessel is scheduled to debut for Windstar in Europe under the name Star Explorer in December 2026, with year-round Mediterranean cruising planned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Windstar take ownership of Star Seeker?

Windstar took ownership during a handover ceremony on December 15 at the WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

What is the Star Seeker’s passenger capacity?

The Star Seeker can accommodate 224 passengers.

When did Star Seeker start sailing with paying guests?

The ship’s maiden season began on December 28, 2025, when it welcomed its first paying guests in Málaga, Spain.

Where is Star Seeker scheduled to sail in 2026?

Plans include Caribbean cruises after arriving in Miami in early 2026, a Panama Canal transit in April, a summer season in Alaska, and fall and winter itineraries in Southeast Asia.

Is Windstar adding more Star Class ships after Star Seeker?

Yes. Windstar is planning to introduce Star Explorer in December 2026 following a major conversion project, with year-round Mediterranean cruising scheduled to begin that month.

With the yacht now delivered and in service, Windstar’s near-term schedule calls for Star Seeker to complete its trans-Atlantic arrival into the Caribbean, begin regular sailings out of Miami in early 2026, and then transit the Panama Canal in April ahead of seasonal deployments in Alaska and Southeast Asia later in the year.