What to Expect on a Windstar Cruise

Small yacht-style ships, all-inclusive fares, and personalized service set Windstar apart from a typical cruise vacation.

Picture arriving in a small harbor town too tight for a typical cruise ship, then stepping off a yacht that fits right in. That is the experience Windstar is built around. With small ships, flexible days, and a crew that treats hospitality as more of a calling than a job, Windstar offers a different kind of cruise, one built for travelers who want to feel close to the places they visit rather than just pass through them.

Here is what to know about Windstar Cruises, from what is included to what to pack.

What Makes Windstar Different

A Windstar cruise starts with the ship itself. Each yacht carries somewhere between 148 and 342 guests, small enough to feel personal, yet large enough to offer the full cruise experience. The atmosphere is casually elegant: in the natural fabrics and rich woods of the staterooms, in an open layout that never feels crowded, and in a crew known for noticing the small details before you have to ask.

Windstar describes its onboard environment as unregimented, giving guests the freedom to build each day around their own pace, whether that means joining a lecture, relaxing by the pool, or stepping onto the Bridge for an impromptu look at how the ship is run (the Bridge is almost always open for your visit).

It is a style of cruising built around access rather than itinerary alone. The smaller scale of each yacht means Windstar can reach harbors and coves that larger ships cannot fit into, bringing guests closer to the destination itself rather than viewing it from a distance.

Wet Landings

Some of the places Windstar visits do not have a dock at all, and that is often the point. To reach these remote, untouched harbors, guests board a Zodiac, a rugged inflatable boat, directly from a floating platform on the yacht. The Zodiac carries guests to shore, where the landing itself is part of the adventure: rather than stepping onto a pier, guests disembark straight into the shallow water.

It is an active, hands-on way to reach a beach, and it is optional. Guests who would rather skip a wet landing can always stay aboard and enjoy the yacht's amenities instead.

Tip: Water shoes or water socks help with rocky or uneven footing, and a ziplock or watertight bag keeps phones and cameras dry.

What's Included in Windstar's Cruise Fare

Every Windstar voyage starts with a fare that already covers more than most travelers expect. There is no need to weigh dining options or wonder what carries an extra fee for the essentials; they are already part of the experience.

*Available on select voyages.

The Option to Go All-Inclusive

For travelers who would rather have everything settled before they even board, Windstar offers an All-Inclusive Fare for $99 per guest per day. It adds three things to the standard Cruise Fare:

• Unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails
• Wi-Fi for up to two devices
• Gratuities (crew-appreciation)

It is a straightforward way to remove the guesswork from onboard spending. Instead of tracking drink purchases or budgeting for tips separately, everything is arranged in advance, leaving more time to enjoy the trip. The standard 18% beverage service charge is already built into the package, so there's nothing extra tacked on at checkout.

Note: Windstar allows bringing wine onboard personally in limited quantities for a corkage fee. The All-Inclusive Fare covers unlimited drinks throughout the cruise, while the bring-your-own option is a smaller, one-time allowance for guests who want to enjoy a specific bottle they packed.

Pricing is subject to change. Contact The Cruise Web for current rates.

Dining Onboard

Most daytime meals happen in Veranda, the ship's main indoor-outdoor restaurant. Meals aboard Windstar follow the same unstructured philosophy as the rest of the day: guests choose when, where, and with whom they eat.

• Breakfast: alfresco or buffet-style in Veranda until 9:30 am, or a continental spread delivered straight to the stateroom for a slower start.
• Lunch: an easy buffet or an à la carte menu, also in Veranda.
• Dinner: coursed, open-seating dining in Amphora, where each dish is paired with a thoughtfully selected wine, or a candlelit evening under the stars in Candles. Wind Surf and Star Class yachts each add their own specialty venue (see below).

Some nights call for something different. The signature onboard barbecue turns dinner into an event, with international dishes, live entertainment, and dancing on deck under the open sky.

Where to Eat on a Windstar Cruise

Dietary Accommodations

Guests with dietary needs are well accounted for. Windstar offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other special dietary options. The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts can note these requests at the time of booking so the ship is prepared before guests arrive.

Note: Windstar is not able to accommodate Kosher or Halal meals.

Dress Code

Windstar's approach to dress mirrors its approach to everything else: relaxed, but never careless. From 7 am to 6 pm, guests can wear what they like, with two simple exceptions: no swimwear in public lounges or restaurants, and nothing with offensive language or graphics. Jeans and Bermuda shorts are perfectly fine for daytime; light, breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen tend to work best.

Evenings call for a slightly more polished look when dining in Amphora, Candles, or the ship's specialty venue (Stella Bistro or Basil + Bamboo). Think country club casual rather than formal.

Note: Shorts, hats, flip-flops, and t-shirts are all welcome earlier for daytime activities rather than dinner, and guests visiting Monte Carlo should pack a tie and jacket; local casinos require both.

Enrichment and Shore Excursions

Windstar's excursions are built around getting close to a place rather than just seeing it. With more than 2,000 tours to choose from, options span three tiers:

• Essentials: must-see sights and a solid overview, ideal for first-time visitors.
• Concierge: small-group, hands-on experiences built around culture and cuisine.
• Beyond Ordinary: once-in-a-lifetime outings for more adventurous travelers.

Each excursion is also rated by activity level, from easy to strenuous, making it simple to find a tour that matches personal fitness and interest, whether that is a relaxed walking tour or a paddling-based adventure. Interests run just as wide: beach days, biking, boating, culture, dining, hiking, horseback riding, sightseeing, snorkeling, UNESCO sites, walking tours, watersports, wildlife, wine, and more.

For travelers who want more independence, private tours are available with a dedicated vehicle, driver, and guide, a popular option for families or groups who want to set their own pace ashore.

Windstar also offers complimentary Destination Discovery Events, included experiences designed to capture the essence of each locale without an extra fee or a full excursion booking.

How to Prepare for a Windstar Cruise

A little planning goes a long way on a Windstar voyage. A few things worth knowing before departure day.

Packing

Light, natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen suit both the climate and the casually elegant dress code. Water shoes are worth packing for wet landings, and layers help on Ocean Crossings or autumn Mediterranean sailings.

Boarding

Embarkation typically begins at 1 pm, and guests should plan to be onboard at least an hour before departure. Passports are collected at check-in and held by the Purser's Office until the end of the cruise.

Laundry

Onboard laundry service is available for a nominal charge, though dry cleaning is not offered.

Accessibility

Not every yacht is equipped for guests who rely solely on a wheelchair. Wind Star and Wind Spirit have no elevators, and staterooms on Wind Surf are not wheelchair accessible, though Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend offer modified accessible suites. Guests with specific mobility needs should confirm details with The Cruise Web before booking.

Good to Know Before You Book

A few practical details worth knowing ahead of time:

• The minimum drinking age onboard is 21.
• Guests may bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne per cabin on 7-day cruises, or 3 bottles on cruises of 8 days or longer. A corkage fee applies.
• Aerial drones are not permitted onboard.

Who Should Consider a Windstar Cruise

Windstar tends to suit a specific kind of traveler: someone who would rather explore a destination up close than watch it from a crowded deck, and who prefers a slower, more open kind of day. The private yacht-style experience keeps guests close to the crew and close to the places they visit, from hidden harbors to tiny ports larger ships never reach. Each day tends to bring its own kind of moment, whether that's a wet landing on a quiet beach, a lecture from a guest speaker, or dinner under the stars.

It is a natural fit for couples, small groups, and travelers celebrating a milestone who want a quieter, more personal pace and who appreciate a crew that treats every guest like a priority rather than one of thousands.

Windstar is best suited to couples, small groups, and travelers without young children in tow. Guests must be at least 8 years old to sail, and anyone under 21 needs to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone who is at least 21. For groups booking multiple staterooms, at least one person per stateroom must be 18 or older and traveling with a parent, guardian, or chaperone.

Ready to Book Your Windstar Cruise?

Windstar's small ships and personal pace are hard to compare to a typical cruise vacation. If this sounds like the kind of trip you have been picturing, The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts specialize in Windstar Cruises and are here to help you match the right yacht, itinerary, and stateroom for your vision.

Call 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to start planning your Windstar Cruise.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Windstar Cruises itineraries, inclusions, and prices are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Windstar cruise all-inclusive?

Not by default. The base Cruise Fare covers meals, entertainment, and most onboard amenities. Guests can add the All-Inclusive Fare for $99 per guest per day to also include unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Pricing is subject to change.

How many guests are on a Windstar ship?

Windstar yachts carry between 148 and 342 guests, depending on the ship.

Is Wi-Fi included on a Windstar cruise?

Wi-Fi is included with the All-Inclusive Fare, allowing up to two connected devices per plan. It is also available for purchase separately outside of that package.

Can I bring my own wine onboard?

Guests may bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne per cabin on 7-day cruises, or 3 bottles on cruises of 8 days or longer. A corkage fee of about $15 plus 18% gratuity applies per bottle.

What is the minimum age to cruise with Windstar?

Windstar does not accommodate children under 8. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone who is at least 21.

What is the minimum drinking age onboard?

The minimum drinking age on Windstar ships is 21.

Are Windstar ships wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility varies by yacht. Wind Star and Wind Spirit have no elevators, and staterooms on Wind Surf are not wheelchair accessible. Star Pride, Star Breeze, and Star Legend offer modified wheelchair-accessible suites.

Can I bring a drone on a Windstar cruise?

No, aerial drones are not permitted onboard.