Small ship Windstar Cruises is now back at sea with all ships. On Thursday, Star Pride set sail from Athens, Greece on a voyage to Barcelona, Spain. The ship is operating a voyage that includes Gythion, Corfu and Argostoli, all in Greece, plus the Italian ports of Messina (Taormina) and Trapani in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia
Star Pride is the third and final Star Plus Class vessel to return to service. Star Breeze and Star Legend returned to service in June 2021 and September 2021, respectively. In the $250 million "Star Plus Initiative," all three ships were revitalized and lengthened with a new central section added. Maximum guest capacity increased from 212 passengers to 312 passengers.
The ships also have new indoor and outdoor public spaces plus many new suites including two high-end Owner's Suites. Additional dining experiences have been created—including an outdoor barbecue concept by grilling guru Steven Raichlen and a Spanish small-plates restaurant from Anthony Sasso. In addition, the ship gained a more robust spa and fitness center, an elegant infinity pool, and more outdoor deck areas.The revitalized yachts are also more environmentally friendly with new efficient engines, generators, and advanced wastewater treatment systems.
The project work on all three ships was handled by a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
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“To have completed this project amidst a global pandemic is nothing short of amazing,” said Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s president. “We’re grateful to our ownership and to our partners for sticking with it, and to our customers for their excitement and support of these new products."
Prelog said that the small ship line is seeing "our highest guest satisfaction surveys on the new Star Class yachts, with the highest Net Promoter Scores in our brand’s history."
Now, all six of Windstar’s all-suite and sailing yachts are back cruising. Windstar officials on the Star Pride emphasized that the three all-suite yachts (despite the increased ship size and capacity) along with the line's three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue to visit the off-the-beaten-path small ports and waterways of the world.
Windstar’s health and safety protocols require that all guests and crew are fully vaccinated. Plus, the line has implemented health and safety precautions including COVID-19 pre-cruise testing and high-tech air filtration.
For more information on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
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