Cruise Destinations
Beyond the Reach of Ordinary
We scour the world for amazing places just this side of unreachable, then seek out the most authentic ways for guests to experience them – in small groups that are easily absorbed by local cultures rather than intruding on them. Our itineraries are port intensive, often with exclusive landfalls larger ships can’t access. And we often stay late into the evening or even overnight in places where neon dims the stars. Come. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve found.
Asia
Nowhere else in the world will you find such a stunning juxtaposition of ancient traditions and contemporary cultures. Mystic temples give way to soaring skyscrapers while tranquil, timeless villages neighbor pulsating, modern cities. Windstar brings you the best of both worlds, taking you to the heart of cosmopolitan marvels like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Tokyo and the exotic shores of small villages and unspoiled islands of Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Alaska
BRING ALASKA’S WILD BEAUTY INTO FOCUS as you discover small towns and big cities, cruise far up narrow fjords to the twin Sawyer Glaciers, and launch Zodiacs right from the ship into pristine wilderness on Windstar Signature Expeditions. Star Seeker will get you closer to scenic shorelines along the Inside Passage,and you’ll enjoy the best wildlife viewing opportunities as we adjust our schedule to linger whenever whales are present. Experience more of Alaska with an extended stay Cruise Tour to Denali and stand in the enormity of North America’s tallest peak.
Canada & New England
Long before Columbus, Vikings crossed the Labrador Sea from Greenland to settle in L’Anse Aux Meadows. Centuries later, Portuguese fishermen, Basque whalers, French trappers, and English pilgrims would follow and discover a Promised Land where nature nurtures both body and soul. Here, where the sun first kisses North America, explorer Jacques Cartier found a place where “the scenery is indeed worth seeing and can’t be properly described in words.” The ravishing lighthouse-studded coast still inspires awe. Manna from the sea still delights palates. And small cruise ships like ours still ply these waters with a freedom denied to larger cruise ships.
Canary Islands
Natural beauty is rampant in the Canary Islands, with a diversity that is astounding. Martian landscapes on Lanzarote. Lush green La Palma. Cloud forest, cliffs and canyons on La Gomera. Tenerife with its spectacular beaches and soaring Mount Teidi. Then there are the skies, piercing blue by day and some of the world’s darkest and most stargazer-friendly at night. Plus, a climate that’s earned these islands a reputation as the Land of Eternal Spring, with temperatures averaging 64° to 77° F year-round. And that’s just the backdrop. On stage you’ll find a culture that blends Spanish and African into a fusion of flavorful and colorful cuisines and customs, and activities for everyone: history lovers, art lovers, beach lovers, nature lovers, and wine lovers who will swoon over the islands’ famously improbable wines.
Caribbean
IF YOU COULD DESIGN THE PERFECT ISLAND itinerary it would look a lot like these. Ports of call would include tiny towns and hidden harbors known only to private yachts and small ships like ours. Schedules would allow for dropping the Watersports Platform in turquoise bays and raising sails on the way to your next island rendezvous. And the laid-back island vibe would continue on board with a mouthwatering Signature Onboard Barbecue by the pool. Best of all, on every cruise there would be one day that was even more special than the rest, when you land on a secluded beach for Windstar’s Signature Beach Party, elaborate buffet and watersports included.
Costa Rica & Panama Canal
Natural and man-made wonders combine in this exotic region where you are an explorer by day with cocktails on the fantail of your boutique ship by night. Costa Rica is one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth over landscapes of rainforest, lakes, cloudforests, volcanoes, and more, boasting an impressive variety of wildlife. Learn more about their history, flora and fauna from a local Naturalist on board and transit the massive Panama Canal during daylight hours. Against all this color and adventure, your white ship rests at anchor awaiting your return from a delightful day of exploring.
Greece
The Acropolis at sunset. A moonlight supper at the ancient Celsus Library in Ephesus. The sugar-cube houses of Santorini shimmering in the mid-day sun. Like arms joined in a syrtaki dance, one incomparable experience follows another, and your elegant white ship gives you a front row seat to it all. Frame the famous windmills of Mykonos in your lens. Feast on mouthwatering mezes and ouzo under a cerulean sky. Get deliciously lost in the medieval alleyways of Monemvasia. Dwell, if just for a time, in the land of gods.
Iceland
Simultaneously young and old, hot and cold, Iceland is a mass of contradictions. Nestled near the Arctic Circle yet warmed by the Gulf Stream, its ports never freeze, yet glaciers drape majestically over volcanos, valleys, fjords and shorelines. And water – liquid water – is everywhere, falling, bubbling, steaming, spouting, and fueling the country’s 100% renewable energy grid. Come name one of the many unnamed waterfalls that thunder off cliffs. (Perhaps Thorskeggfoss, Thor’s Beard?) Join the nation’s passionate ice cream lovers for a licorice-and-chocolate cone. And be inspired by a nation of avid readers who believe you really can have it all.
Italy
Let Windstar’s Italian cruises whisk you away to charming villages, pristine beaches and legendary cities with unique itineraries that let you discover Italy as it was meant to be seen. From the picturesque pastel towns that line the Amalfi Coast to enchanting islands such as Sicily and Elba, you’ll explore breathtaking sights in charismatic small ports and beautiful hidden harbors without missing the remarkable history of larger cities such as Rome or Venice. Discover a more intimate Italy by day and unwind back onboard with the pampered, personalized touch of Windstar Cruises.
Latin America
A journey through Latin America is a journey into the wondrous and the improbable. Come and discover civilizations that thrived on high mountain peaks and in thick jungle, colonial treasures, an oasis of unique species in the Galapagos, cloud forests, steaming volcanoes, the Panama Canal, and stunning beaches that beckon with whisper-soft sand and rum punch. Dive into the history of civilizations that changed the world. Search for new species in a place where they make new discoveries every other day. And relax on some of the most beautiful islands and coastlines the Americas have to offer.
Mediterranean
Surrounded by wonders like the magnificent Cinque Terre, the culturally transcendent Alhambra, and the Belém Tower monument, it is easy to fall in love with the Mediterranean. With unique cruise itineraries, Windstar brings you closer to this spectacular part of the world. Cruise the Guadalquivir River, the only navigable river in Spain spanning 408 miles, to Seville. Anchor in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik as larger cruise ships pass by. Visit a local Mediterranean market with our Windstar Chef, enjoy local experiences in interesting locales such as Giardini Naxos, Portofino, and Mallorca and see a new port almost every day with never more than one sea day.
Mexico
Fiestas are a way of life in Mexico, fitting for a country with so much to celebrate. A virtual aquarium offshore in the Sea of Cortez. Mayan temples bathed in desert light and shadow. Cuisines and coastlines that marry the smooth and soothing with the surprisingly sharp and dramatic. Come in search of trophy marlin, an authentic mole, the perfect beach, and find them all in Mexico. Along with an all-suite white-and-teak ship to frame each stunning sunset.
Northern Europe
Words like moor, loch, and geyser were born in this land, because no existing vocabulary could adequately describe these extraordinary landscapes. These regions could just as easily have coined a term for ambrosial summer evenings at seaside cafés, fairytale palaces, and storybook cities crisscrossed by canals and flower markets, all of which are here in abundance. But as your elegant ship traces its way through enchanting fjords and forgotten archipelagos, you won’t need words. You are speechless.
South America
Thick rainforests pulse with life, a symphony of hearts beating in butterflies, ocelots, peccaries, sloths and more. While cities – some standing, some recently risen from the grave – wait to amaze visitors. Lima’s jalousie balconies. Machu Picchu’s impeccably fitted granite walls. Chan Chan’s ingenious modular buildings made of mud. And then there are the Galapagos Islands, a place where life took a unique path shaped by distance from land, the currents below, the winds above. Beaches, biosphere preserves, weathered forts, Panama Canal gates the size of tennis courts and more are on the horizon. Come see South America 180 degrees from ordinary.
South Pacific
Oceania’s scattered island nations bring to mind the breathtaking beaches and peacock-colored lagoons of Tahiti, but they also contain the most diverse indigenous cultures in the world. Come with us as we travel beyond the packaged resorts to experience a world few get to see. Go back to the way things used to be on tiny Niue or Maré, with no crowds, only twinkling stars at night, and a pace of life many yearn for. Discover villages that still follow traditional ways of life on Tanna, Vanuatu. Explore small Fijian communities and the untouched rainforest of the Wasali Nature Reserve near Savusavu. Add context to the postcard images the South Pacific is known for.
Tahiti
The Islands of French Polynesia invite you to discover their own distinct magic. Hop ashore to the enchanted landscapes of the Marquesas, explore the origins of Polynesian culture in Raiatea, or spend the night in an overwater bungalow for a romantic experience you'll have a hard time topping. Revel at a feast during our Destination Discovery Event complete with fire dancers in Bora Bora. Jump into a beautiful palm-fringed lagoon from the Watersports Platform on the yacht’s stern. Or simply unwind on deck, enjoying paradise with a Mai Tai in hand.
U.S. Coastals
A land of contrasts. Vast geographical diversity. Distinct cultures within a culture. America’s two coasts could not be more different. From a small ship moorage in Sausalito to the bustling metropolis of Manhattan, join Windstar to experience the very essence of what makes the U.S. so unique. Explore the hotbed of American culture along the Eastern seaboard with the world’s most iconic skyline in New York, the rich history of Philadelphia, and the unmistakable Southern charm of Charleston. Discover the best of the wild West Coast known for its rugged natural beauty, laid back lifestyle and emerging food and wine scene as you visit the charismatic Northwest cities of Seattle and Portland, the marvels of San Francisco, and San Diego, the heart of Southern California surf culture.