Wind Star

Some ships are best remembered for what is inside them. Wind Star is remembered just as easily from the dock. Four towering masts and six triangular sails give the 148-guest yacht a profile that immediately evokes traditional sailing, even though modern technology handles much of the work behind the scenes.

Its small size becomes particularly valuable around the Mediterranean. Greek islands, Croatian harbors, Italian coastal towns and smaller ports throughout southern Europe suit a vessel that can avoid many of the terminals required by conventional cruise ships.

Wind Star carries only 74 guest accommodations. Cabins are nautical rather than enormous, reflecting a vessel where much of the experience happens on deck, ashore or around the water. The intimate passenger count also means crew members quickly learn names and preferences, reinforcing Windstar's reputation for unusually personal service.

The open bridge can provide one of the most memorable spaces aboard. Subject to operational requirements, guests may visit and speak with officers while learning how the yacht is navigated. It is a remarkably direct connection with the operation of the ship and something rarely possible aboard a large cruise vessel.

Dining comes later in the day but never becomes formal. Amphora provides changing dinner menus, Veranda handles casual breakfast and lunch, and Candles creates a more intimate evening setting. Windstar's deck barbecue can transform the outdoor decks into a social event with food, music and crew participation.

Then there is the Marina. When conditions allow, the stern becomes a launch point for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. On a Mediterranean anchorage, that can mean spending part of the afternoon in the sea before changing for dinner without ever setting foot in a conventional cruise terminal.

The yacht underwent refurbishment in 2023, refreshing the experience without compromising the sailing identity that makes it distinctive. There is a fine line between modernizing a classic vessel and polishing away its character, and Wind Star remains firmly recognizable as one of the original Wind Class yachts.

Base fares with Windstar Cruises include dining, room service and many nonalcoholic beverages. Travelers who prefer a more inclusive arrangement can add the All-In package for alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi and gratuities.

Wind Star will not appeal to travelers searching for enormous suites, Broadway theaters or endless onboard attractions. It was built for something else entirely: sailing into a beautiful harbor with fewer than 150 guests, lowering the Marina when conditions cooperate and letting the destination become the day's main event. For the right traveler, that simplicity is the luxury.