Windstar’s Star Explorer Arrives in Portugal for Conversion
The project will add Basil + Bamboo Restaurant and two 74-square-meter Horizon Owner's Suites, which Windstar says will be the largest staterooms on the ship.
Windstar Cruises’ future Star Explorer has arrived at West Sea in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, for conversion ahead of its Dec. 28, 2026 debut. The 2019-built World Explorer reached the yard in early April after its final season for Quark Expeditions and is being reworked from an expedition vessel into Windstar’s next Star Class ship.
The additions of Star Seeker and Star Explorer are scheduled to take Windstar from six ships to eight. The project also returns World Explorer to the shipyard that built the 126-meter vessel for Mystic Cruises.
Conversion adds restaurant and larger suites
Windstar’s work at West Sea includes removing expedition-focused features and adding public areas and accommodations for the line’s onboard product. Basil + Bamboo Restaurant is among the new venues being installed.
The accommodation changes include two 74-square-meter Horizon Owner’s Suites, configured as corner suites with separate living and dining areas and large private balconies. Windstar says those suites will be the largest staterooms on the ship.
World Explorer’s expedition specification included ice-class 1B notation and hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, plus Zodiac infrastructure for polar landings with 18 Zodiacs and two loading bays. The vessel’s expedition capacity was up to 172 guests, often lower on polar cruises. Windstar lists Star Explorer as a 224-guest ship.
Ship has operated for three brands
Before Windstar acquired the vessel through a deal announced in early 2024, World Explorer operated for Nicko Cruises, Quark Expeditions and Rivages du Monde. Nicko Cruises was the first operator, using the ship for the German market on Northern Europe and Atlantic itineraries, while Quark deployed it for Antarctica expedition cruises.
Star Explorer follows Star Seeker, another Mystic-linked vessel adapted for Windstar at West Sea. Windstar acquired Star Seeker while it was still under construction, adjusted the ship at the yard and introduced it in December 2025 before its first Caribbean season.
Mediterranean service begins from Spain and Italy
After conversion and renaming, Star Explorer is scheduled to begin a year-round Mediterranean program. The inaugural season is built around seven- to nine-night cruises from homeports including Venice, Civitavecchia and Barcelona.
See current Star Explorer fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
