Windstar Opens Up 2027 Europe Voyages for Star Explorer

Windstar Cruises has opened bookings for 2027 on the Star Explorer (pictured above), a sleek, all-suite yacht that looks less like a ship and more like a floating boutique hotel that got tired of staying put. The second of two new vessels joining the fleet, Star Explorer will host just 224 guests — fewer people than you’d find in the average British pub on a Friday night — and will spend her days gliding gracefully through Europe’s waterways year-round.

Her debut comes in December 2026, with a proper christening on London’s River Thames on May 31, 2027. The next morning, she’ll duck neatly under Tower Bridge (one hopes with inches to spare) and set off on a full circumnavigation of Ireland — a voyage promising cliffs, castles, and enough pubs to make even the most dedicated teetotaler consider “just one pint.”

“Windstar has a long history of exploring in the Mediterranean and Europe,” says Christopher Prelog, the company’s president, “and the small size of this ship opens even more interesting places — including rivers.” In other words, if there’s a charming port, quiet cove, or ridiculously photogenic town you didn’t think cruise ships could reach, Star Explorer probably can.

Built to slip into places that bigger ships can only dream about, she’ll sail to destinations like Rouen, Caen, Bordeaux, and even right into central London. There will be overnights, long stays, and—praise be—time to actually see the ports rather than just wave at them from the deck. For those seeking something new, she’ll also make Windstar’s first call to Puerto Banús in Spain, that glittering marina near Marbella, and return to the Basque coast’s culinary hotspots of San Sebastián and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Onboard, Star Explorer offers 112 suites so spacious you might forget you’re on a ship at all. Two Horizon Owner’s Suites come with wraparound balconies perfect for sunrise coffee or smugly watching other ships dock at less convenient spots. You’ll find Windstar favorites like the Yacht Club Café, the watersports Marina, and the famously friendly crew who somehow remember everyone’s name by day two. The vibe? Relaxed, elegant, and never fussy — think Mediterranean villa meets seaside soirée.

In 2027, the ship will roam from Norway’s fjords to the Baltic, the British Isles, and beyond, with itineraries that sound like the travel equivalent of a tasting menu:

Seven Gems of the Baltic — Eight nights, seven countries, and a crash course in northern charm. Expect two nights in Stockholm, a night in medieval Tallinn, and stops in Riga, Copenhagen, and Denmark’s miniature wonder, Bornholm.

Circumnavigating Ireland — Ten nights of sea spray, fiddle music, and Guinness-fueled hospitality. Explore the Isles of Scilly, moor in ancient Waterford, visit Killybegs and Cork, and get a rare view of the Cliffs of Moher that most tourists miss.

Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal — Eight nights from Lisbon to Bordeaux through a route so delicious it could double as a Michelin itinerary. Stops include Vigo, Bilbao, and San Sebastián (bring stretchy pants).

Impressionist France — Ten nights from Bordeaux to London, with overnights in Bordeaux, St. Malo, and Paris/Rouen. You’ll sail the Seine, see the Normandy beaches, and visit the Bayeux Tapestry — all without once needing to check out of a hotel.

Early booking discounts are available through November 15, 2025 — and if you’re the decisive sort, there’s an extra 5 percent off for paying in full upfront. Consider it a small reward for being both adventurous and financially efficient — something Bill Bryson himself would surely admire, preferably from a sunlit balcony with a glass of Bordeaux in hand.