Wind Spirit

Six white sails rising above turquoise water make Wind Spirit immediately recognizable as something different. This is not a conventional cruise ship decorated to resemble a yacht; it is a four-masted sailing vessel whose computer-assisted sails can become part of the actual journey. When conditions cooperate and the sails unfurl, even leaving port can become an event worth stopping to watch.

Nowhere does that personality make more sense than in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Islands scattered across the South Pacific, brilliant lagoons and reef-protected anchorages give the 148-guest vessel a setting that feels almost purpose-built for sailing.

The guest count is worth emphasizing: just 148 travelers. Wind Spirit measures approximately 360 feet and carries only 74 accommodations, creating one of the most intimate experiences in the Windstar Cruises fleet. There are no crowds to disperse because there were never many people aboard in the first place.

The cabins are compact compared with the suites aboard Windstar's motor yachts, but they are thoughtfully arranged with nautical styling and practical storage. The tradeoff is fundamental to the vessel: guests choose Wind Spirit for the romance and intimacy of sailing rather than enormous private accommodations.

Dining follows the same relaxed philosophy. Amphora provides evening meals, while Veranda handles breakfast and lunch before becoming Candles for dinner. Menus emphasize fresh ingredients and destination influence, and specialty dining does not require an additional charge.

French Polynesia makes the Marina particularly valuable. When the yacht is anchored and conditions allow, the stern opens directly onto lagoon water for kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and other complimentary watersports. Windstar's signature beach celebration in Bora Bora can push that connection with the destination even further.

There is also something refreshingly analog about an evening aboard. Guests can watch the sails, stand beneath an open sky, listen to music or have a drink without a giant LED screen or amusement attraction demanding attention. The entertainment is intentionally modest because the setting does most of the work.

Wind Spirit received a significant refurbishment in 2025, refreshing public spaces and accommodations while preserving the sailing character that has defined the yacht for decades. Modernization matters, but replacing the qualities that make the ship unusual would defeat the purpose.

For travelers dreaming of South Pacific islands rather than enormous ships, Wind Spirit is one of Windstar's purest experiences. With only 148 guests, working sails and direct access to the water, it turns Tahiti into something closer to a private-yacht journey—without requiring anyone aboard to actually own the yacht.