Ship reference
Wind Star
Ship specifications and sources.
Quick facts
- Cruise line
- Windstar Cruises
- Class
- Wind Class
- Entered service
- 1986
- Status
- In service
About us Wind Star
Wind Star began its first voyage from Le Havre in September 1986. The operator's anniversary account gives 21 September as the departure date. It remains part of Windstar's sailing-yacht fleet, distinct from the company's later all-suite motor yachts. That long operating history is separate from its more recent refurbishment programme.
The operator reports completion of Wind Star's refresh in spring 2026. Updated staterooms are specifically illustrated in that account. Future work described for Wind Surf and Wind Spirit should not be added automatically to this ship, even though the three share the Wind Class product identity. Their room inventories and individual histories still require separate comparison.
Wind Star combines four masts and working sails with auxiliary diesel-electric propulsion. A sailing-yacht experience therefore does not imply engine-free operation throughout a journey. Wind conditions and the actual route affect the way the ship travels. A wind-assisted speed figure is also different from a verified, consistently available maximum speed.
Length needs particular care in comparisons. The operator's deck document distinguishes 110 metres at the waterline from 134 metres including the bowsprit. This profile uses the latter overall extent, with its basis stated explicitly. Comparing that figure against another ship's waterline measurement would create a misleading impression of size.
The published maximum is 148 guests across 74 staterooms. This is an expressly limited guest figure, rather than a capacity calculated by doubling rooms. Current individual insurance records identify IMO 8420878, Bahamas registry and gross tonnage of 5703. A different tonnage printed in a shared deck document is not copied over the individual record.
For accommodation choice, compare the actual room and the steps involved in boarding. The operator's deck information describes stair access, so travellers with mobility needs should discuss their specific requirements before reserving. Align shore plans with the confirmed itinerary and transfer arrangements. Wind Star's scale and sail-powered identity provide context, while the selected room and route determine how a particular voyage fits your priorities.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Year built | 1986 |
| Entered service | 1986 |
| Gross tonnage (GT) | 5,703 |
| Guests at double occupancy | — |
| Maximum guests | 148 |
| Crew | — |
| Cabins | 74 |
| Decks (total) | — |
| Length (m) | 134 |
| Beam (m) | 15.8 |
| Last verified refurbishment year | 2026 |
| Maximum speed (knots) | — |
| IMO | 8420878 |
| Shipyard | Société Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre / La Rochelle-Pallice, France |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Propulsion / fuel description | Four-masted sailing yacht with diesel-electric auxiliary propulsion |
A dash means no independently verified value is available. Guest counts at double occupancy and maximum capacity are different measures. GT measures enclosed volume, not weight.
Other ships in the same recorded class
Shared class does not guarantee identical cabins, venues or deck layouts.
| Wind Spirit | Wind Class | 1988 | 5,736 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Surf | Wind Class | 1990 | 14,745 |
Last checked:
Sources
- Windstar — actual first-voyage anniversary account — Accessed
Explicit firstvoyage21September1986. Blogpublisheddate2012 versus25thanniversary2011 inconsistent; originalvoyagedate explicit.
- Windstar — completed sailing-yacht refurbishment update — Accessed
WindStarrefreshcompleted spring2026; ignoreduplicatedWindSurfparagraphunderStarheading. Spirit/Surf futureworknot copied.
- Windstar — explicit individual maximums and rooms — Accessed
No morethan148 across74rooms; matchescurrentfleetheadline.
- Windstar — current product family and active fleet — Accessed
- Windstar — operator sailing-yacht technical particulars — Accessed
134mincludingbowsprit,110waterline;15.8mbeam;3dieselgens1electricmotorplus4masts. Oldercrew/refitnotcurrent.
- Steamship Mutual — individual2026/27 entry — Accessed
8420878;5703GT;NassauBS. Shared2025deckPDF5736conflictsindividualrecord;notadopted.
- Windstar — current access instructions in ship deck information — Accessed
Stairs toboard; no all-itineraryaccessibilityguarantee.
- Windstar — individual fleet construction particulars — Accessed
Individual construction-year and builder columns for Wind Star and Wind Spirit; not inferred from brand launch.