Signature highlights
The yacht will feature Windstar’s open-bridge access, a pool, Yacht Club, Star Bar, live entertainment and a marina-style watersports platform. Its 224-guest capacity provides a notably intimate passenger experience.
Star Explorer
Star Explorer is a 224-guest Windstar cruise ship, in service since 2019. This page lists 114 upcoming departures across 114 itineraries in Mediterranean, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
✓ Travelers wanting an intimate all-suite yacht
✓ Couples preferring multiple included dining venues
✓ Guests who enjoy small-ship watersports access
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
Star Explorer at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 43%
A small expedition-size ship at 9,923 gross tons — #318 of 565 ships we track. 44 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Travelers wanting an intimate all-suite yacht
- Couples preferring multiple included dining venues
- Guests who enjoy small-ship watersports access
- Travelers seeking balconies or opening infinity windows
- Passengers comfortable with stairs and compact ship spaces
Think twice if you want
- Families traveling with children under eight
- Passengers requiring step-free boarding
- Travelers seeking a theatre or extensive nightlife
- Guests wanting dedicated children’s facilities
- Cruisers preferring a large ship’s broad venue selection
Live Position ● 4 weeks ago
Heading to: PT VDC
0.0 knots
Moored
Position data may be outdated.
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Star Explorer
Star Explorer is Windstar Cruises’ planned all-suite Star Class yacht, scheduled to enter service in December 2026 after conversion from the expedition ship World Explorer. Carrying 224 guests in 112 suites, the compact 9,923-gross-ton vessel is designed for an intimate yacht-style experience, with nearly all accommodations offering a veranda or floor-to-ceiling window. Its small size supports access to smaller ports while maintaining Windstar’s relaxed service style.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Windstar Cruises
- Builder / shipyard
- West Sea Shipyard, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Registry / flag
- Portugal (Madeira) (formerly Bahamas; confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- IMO number
- 9835719
- MMSI
- 255806193
- Draft
- 4.8 m
- Previous names
- World Explorer
Onboard Experience
Pools, spa & wellness
The ship will include World Spa by Windstar, a fitness and wellness area, a pool and other spaces intended for relaxation.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 8
Deck 7
Yacht Club Pool and Whirlpool Star Grill Star Bar Horizon Owner’s Suite Vista Veranda Suite Vista Infinity SuiteDeck 6
Deluxe Suite Triple Premier Veranda Suite Premier Veranda Suite Triple Infinity Suite Infinity SuiteDeck 5
Whirlpool Star Suite Classic Suite Veranda SuiteDeck 4
World Spa by Windstar Lounge Fitness Center & Motion Studio Basil + Bamboo Restaurant Amphora RestaurantDeck 3
Watersports Platform Oceanview SuiteCabins & suites
Suite 11%
Balcony 54%
Other 27%
Oceanview 9%
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Balcony | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Owner’s SuiteCode OW; 548 square feet interior plus 248 square feet balcony. | Suite | 2 | 796 sq ft | 248 sq ft | 2 | 7 |
| Star SuiteCode CS2. | Suite | 4 | 490 sq ft | 110 sq ft | 2 | 5 |
| Classic SuiteCode CS. | Suite | 2 | 463 sq ft | 110 sq ft | 2 | 5 |
| Deluxe SuiteCode DS. | Suite | 4 | 388 sq ft | 110 sq ft | 2 | 6 |
Dining, bars & venues
8 included 1 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Basil + Bamboo Restaurant
Included
A reservation-recommended specialty restaurant combining Asian and Mediterranean influences.
Amphora Restaurant
Included
The ship’s main evening dining room with open seating.
Star Grill
Included
An outdoor casual restaurant serving grilled food at lunch and dinner.
Bars & lounges
Yacht Club
Varies
A casual gathering space offering coffee, light food and evening drinks.
Star Bar
Varies
An outdoor bar beside the pool area.
History & sister ships
- 2019Entered service, built by West Sea Shipyard, Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
- 2026The former World Explorer is being converted and refurbished for Windstar service before entering the fleet as Star Explorer.
Other Star Class ships
Where Star Explorer sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Northern Europe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| From / night | 0 | 0 | $361 | $252 | $318 | 0 | $461 | $548 | $821 | $780 | $466 | $671 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from Star Explorer sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
From $6,749 · $675/night
Ports of CallNext: Jun 11, 2028
1 upcoming departure
From $6,749 · $675/night
Ports of CallNext: Jul 27, 2028
1 upcoming departure
From $7,800 · $780/night
Ports of CallNext: Jul 25, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $10,753 · $1,075/night
Ports of CallNext: Jul 15, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $8,233 · $823/night
Ports of CallNext: May 21, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $8,210 · $821/night
Ports of CallNext: Jun 19, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $10,551 · $1,055/night
Ports of CallNext: Aug 12, 2027
1 upcoming departure
All 114 itineraries and their departure dates
- 10 Nights Europe Cruise 10 Apr 2028
- 10 Nights Europe Cruise 20 Apr 2027
- 10 Nights N/A Cruise 11 Jun 2028
- 10 Nights N/A Cruise 27 Jul 2028
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 25 Jul 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 15 Jul 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 21 May 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 19 Jun 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 12 Aug 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 1 Jun 2027
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 7 Jul 2028
- 10 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 17 Jul 2028
- 10 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 26 Apr 2027
- 10 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 15 Sep 2027
- 10-Night Mediterranean: Rome to Venice via Sorrento, Giardini Naxos, Dubrovnik & Kotor 7 Oct 2027
- 10-Night Mediterranean: Rome to Venice via Sorrento, Giardini Naxos, Kotor & Dubrovnik 10 Apr 2027
- 11 Nights Europe Cruisetour 17 Apr 2027
- 11 Nights N/A Cruise 23 May 2028
- 11 Nights N/A Cruise 14 Aug 2028
- 11 Nights N/A Cruise 23 Sep 2027
- 11 Nights N/A Cruise 2 Apr 2028
- 11 Nights N/A Cruisetour 28 Sep 2027
- 11 Nights N/A Cruisetour 7 Apr 2028
- 11 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 7 Feb 2027
- 11 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 18 Apr 2028
- 11 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 18 Sep 2028
- 12 Nights Central Mediterranean Cruise 10 Apr 2028
- 13-Night Mediterranean: Madrid to Barcelona 2 Jan 2027
- 15 Nights Europe Cruise 15 Jan 2027
- 15 Nights N/A Cruise 5 Dec 2027
- 15 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 30 Jan 2027
- 15 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 22 Apr 2028
- 16 Nights Eastern Mediterranean Cruise 9 Mar 2028
- 16 Nights Europe Cruise 22 Feb 2028
- 16 Nights Europe Cruise 15 Sep 2027
- 16 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 7 May 2028
- 16 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 22 Aug 2027
- 16 Nights Western Europe Cruise 30 Aug 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 23 Feb 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 7 Sep 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 5 May 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 26 Nov 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 10 Nov 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 6 Jan 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 7 Feb 2027
- 16 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 29 Apr 2028
- 17 Nights Europe Cruise 18 Sep 2028
- 18 Nights Europe Cruise 12 Aug 2027
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 19 Jun 2027
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 13 May 2027
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 7 Jul 2027
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 1 Jun 2027
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 11 Jun 2028
- 18 Nights N/A Cruise 29 Jun 2028
- 18 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 25 Jul 2027
- 18 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 11 Jun 2027
- 18 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 4 Aug 2027
- 18 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 27 Jul 2028
- 18 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 3 Jun 2028
- 19 Nights N/A Cruise 14 Aug 2028
- 19 Nights N/A Cruise 23 May 2028
- 19 Nights N/A Cruise 15 May 2028
- 19 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 6 Aug 2028
- 20 Nights N/A Cruise 17 Jul 2028
- 20 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 7 Jul 2028
- 23 Nights N/A Cruise 22 Apr 2028
- 24 Nights Europe Cruise 26 Nov 2027
- 24 Nights Europe Cruise 6 Jan 2027
- 24 Nights N/A Cruise 22 Aug 2027
- 24 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 7 Sep 2027
- 24 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 30 Aug 2027
- 24 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 30 Jan 2027
- 4 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 18 Apr 2028
- 7 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 28 Apr 2027
- 7 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 10 Nov 2027
- 7 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 5 Dec 2027
- 7 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 7 Feb 2027
- 7 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 15 Jan 2027
- 8 Nights Central Mediterranean Cruise 20 Apr 2027
- 8 Nights Central Mediterranean Cruise 30 Jan 2027
- 8 Nights Central Mediterranean Cruise 30 Jan 2027
- 8 Nights Central Mediterranean Cruise 10 Apr 2028
- 8 Nights Eastern Mediterranean Cruise 14 Feb 2028
- 8 Nights Europe Cruise 9 Oct 2027
- 8 Nights Europe Cruise 13 May 2027
- 8 Nights Europe Cruise 1 Mar 2028
- 8 Nights Europe Cruise 6 Feb 2028
- 8 Nights Europe Cruise 7 May 2028
- 8 Nights Mediterranean Cruise 7 Sep 2027
- 8 Nights Mediterranean Cruise 9 Mar 2028
- 8 Nights N/A Cruise 6 Aug 2028
- 8 Nights N/A Cruise 21 Jun 2028
- 8 Nights N/A Cruise 15 May 2028
- 8 Nights N/A Cruise 29 Jun 2028
- 8 Nights N/A Cruise 3 Jun 2028
- 8 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 30 Aug 2027
- 8 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 4 Aug 2027
- 8 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 7 Jul 2027
- 8 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 29 Jun 2027
- 8 Nights Northern Europe Cruise 11 Jun 2027
- 8 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 15 Sep 2027
- 8 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 22 Jan 2027
- 8 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 2 Apr 2028
- 8 Nights Western Europe Cruise 22 Aug 2027
- 8 Nights Western Europe Cruise 25 Aug 2028
- 8 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 5 May 2027
- 8-Night Mediterranean: Rome to Venice via Sorrento, Giardini Naxos, Kotor & Dubrovnik 12 Apr 2027
- 9 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 23 Feb 2027
- 9 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 28 Dec 2026
- 9 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 25 Oct 2027
- 9 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 28 Dec 2026
- 9 Nights Southern Europe Cruise 18 Sep 2028
- 9 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 26 Nov 2027
- 9 Nights Western Mediterranean Cruise 17 Nov 2027
All Upcoming Departures
Star Explorer FAQ
What flag does Star Explorer sail under?
Star Explorer is registered in Portugal (Madeira). Some older references still list Bahamas.
How many passengers does Star Explorer hold?
Star Explorer carries about 224 guests with roughly 130 crew.
How old is Star Explorer?
Star Explorer entered service in 2019.
How big is Star Explorer?
At 9,923 gross tons and 126 m long, Star Explorer is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 43% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Star Explorer?
Windstar has no formal nights. Evening dining uses a casual-elegant dress code; resort-casual clothing is suitable during the day.
Is dining included on Star Explorer?
All onboard dining is included in the standard cruise fare, including Amphora, Star Grill and Basil + Bamboo. Reservations may be recommended for limited-seating venues.
Are gratuities included?
Standard fares may have separate hotel-service and beverage gratuity charges. Windstar’s all-inclusive package includes the applicable onboard gratuities.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Wi-Fi is available onboard, generally for purchase unless included through a fare, package or suite benefit. Horizon Owner’s Suites and Star Suites are listed with complimentary Wi-Fi benefits.
How accessible is Star Explorer?
Boarding is by stairs only, and access to outside decks may require assistance with doors and thresholds. The deck plan identifies accessible suites.
Are children allowed on Star Explorer?
Windstar does not accommodate children under eight years of age. Star Explorer has no dedicated kids facility listed in the operator’s onboard spaces.