Windstar Cruises
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| Private | |
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington, United States |
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Area served
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| Services | Cruise ship holidays |
| Owner | Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. |
| Parent | The Anschutz Corporation |
| Website | Windstar Cruises |
Windstar Cruises is a cruise ship line that operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships. Its six yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May 2014, Windstar added to its sailing yachts by adding the Star Pride power yacht, followed by Star Breeze and Star Legend in May 2015. The additional capacity opened up new itineraries such as voyages to Iceland, Panama Canal, Costa Rica and allowed Windstar Cruises to sail Tahiti year round. Windstar Cruises is named World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The line was established as Windstar Sail Cruises in 1984, and its first ship, the Wind Star was launched in 1986, and was followed by the Wind Song which was launched in 1987 and Wind Spirit which was launched in 1988. Two additional ships were ordered from the French "Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre" shipyard: the Wind Surf and the Wind Saga. These two ships were to be larger than the originals, holding over twice the number of passengers and reaching a length of 660 ft compared to the smaller vessels of 440 ft in length.
Holland America Line (HAL) purchased 50% of Windstar Sail Cruises in 1987 and purchased the balance of the company in 1988. HAL became a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc in 1989. The option to continue building the Wind Surf and the Wind Saga was passed up by HAL. With assistance from the French Government these two larger ships were built for Club Med as Club Med I and Club Med II, with HAL / Carnival retaining rights of first refusal for purchase. A few years later, HAL / Carnival planned to buy Club Med I and Club Med II with permission. However, Windstar cruises was unable to purchase Club Med I and Club Med II and rename them to Wind Surf and the Wind Saga because they had only enough money to purchase one ship. So in 1998, Windstar acquired the sail cruiser Club Med I from Club Med Cruises, and rechristened her to her original name Wind Surf.
In March 2007, Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International for $100 million.
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Wikipedia