Windstar Cruises Expands Europe in 2028 with New Ways to Explore Northern Europe and Beyond
Five yachts sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from March through October 2028, with the new Star Explorer yacht, event-based itineraries, and an Early Booking Offer available through October 31, 2026.
Windstar Cruises has opened its Summer 2028 Europe season for booking, with five yachts — Star Explorer, Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf — sailing the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from March through October.
The season gives travel advisors 348 itinerary combinations to offer clients, ranging from four-day getaways designed to pair with a longer European vacation to a 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Venice.
New reasons to sell Europe in 2028 include an expanded Germany program with sailings through the Kiel Canal and Elbe River, a voyage timed to Hamburg’s major maritime festival, a new Windstar port in Ireland’s Aran Islands and enhanced exploration of the British Isles aboard Windstar’s newest yacht Star Explorer.
In the Mediterranean, summer is prime time to experience Europe by yacht, with opportunities to swim and paddle directly from Windstar’s marina, call at smaller ports, and explore Greece, Italy, France and Croatia at the height of the season.
The 2028 program also brings enhanced Grand Prix sailings, a Mystery Cruise roundtrip from Athens and opportunities for extended exploration.
A Message to Travel Advisors
“Europe is a destination many of our guests return to again and again, and in 2028 we’re giving them new ways to experience places they may think they already know,” said Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer of Windstar Cruises.
“From sailing farther into the heart of destinations to timing voyages around cultural events, these itineraries give guests a different perspective on Europe. For travel advisors, that creates a compelling reason to start a new Europe conversation with both first-time and repeat guests.”
Early Booking Offer Supports Advisor Sales Conversations
For a limited time, advisors can offer clients an Early Booking Offer with added value on eligible newly released 2028 Europe voyages booked by October 31, 2026, including:
> Complimentary All-Inclusive package, including Wi-Fi, gratuities and unlimited select beer, wine and cocktails
> $100 shipboard credit per guest
> 5% savings on cruise fares when guests pay in full at the time of booking
The Pay Now, Save More offer can be combined with the Early Booking Offer and Yacht Club Member benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
Why 2028 Europe Is a Strong Selling Opportunity for Advisors
Windstar’s 2028 deployment gives advisors several distinct ways to match a European voyage to the interests and travel style of their clients. The season is particularly suited to repeat Europe travelers looking for a new perspective on familiar destinations, culturally curious travelers, and guests interested in soft adventure and immersive experiences.
For advisors, key selling opportunities include:
> A fresh Europe story: An expanded Germany and Northern Europe program adds new options alongside Windstar’s established Mediterranean offering
> Flexible vacation lengths: New short voyages are designed to combine with other sailings, while options extend all the way to a 53-day Star Collector
> Event-based travel: Select voyages are timed around major events, giving advisors another compelling reason for clients to travel at a particular time
> More ways to customize: Voyages can be combined back-to-back as Star Collectors or upgraded with Cruise Tours, creating 348 itinerary combinations
2028 Europe Highlights at a Glance
◉ Germany & Northern Europe | Star Pride
Windstar’s expanded Germany program brings guests to Hamburg, Berlin and Binz/Rügen, with planned Berlin Cruise Tours to offer another way to explore the region. Two new Quick Getaway voyages spotlight the expanded program:
> Quick Getaway: Germany via the Kiel Canal – Four-day Copenhagen-to-Hamburg voyage featuring Binz, Warnemünde/Berlin, the Kiel Canal and Elbe River
> Quick Getaway: Hamburg’s Birthday Celebration – May 3 departure timed to Hamburg’s major maritime festival, including boat parade participation and fireworks
◉ UK, France, and The Netherlands | Star Pride
Guests can experience some of the region’s most storied places through visits to Monet’s Giverny, the D-Day Beaches and Normandy culinary experiences, all woven into a new six-day Quick Getaway:
> Quick Getaway: Amsterdam, Normandy & London – Six-day itinerary featuring Amsterdam, Ostend/Bruges, Rouen/Paris, Honfleur and an overnight in London at HMS Belfast
◉ Ireland and the British Isles | Star Explorer
New for 2028, Windstar adds Inis Mór as a new port, alongside enhanced offerings including scenic cruising at the Cliffs of Moher, city-center docking in Cork, and Waterford crystal and foraging tours. These experiences come together on Windstar’s newest yacht, Star Explorer, in an itinerary designed for a deeper exploration of Ireland:
> Circumnavigate Ireland – Full exploration of Ireland with calls including Belfast, Londonderry, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Cork and Waterford
◉ Mediterranean | Star Legend, Wind Spirit, Wind Surf
Windstar builds on its popular Mediterranean program in 2028, enhancing signature experiences like its Grand Prix sailings while continuing guest favorites across the Greek Isles and introducing opportunities for longer exploration:
> Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco aboard Star Legend, with both Star Legend and Wind Spirit attending the Grand Prix
> Athens roundtrip program continues with another Mystery Cruise
Grand Mediterranean Adventure – 53-day Star Collector on Wind Spirit from Tenerife, Canary Islands to Venice
Off the Beaten Path Adriatic – Wind Spirit returns to the Adriatic for an extended season of one-week voyages between Venice and Dubrovnik, with consecutive sailings combinable into two weeks without repeating ports. The itineraries pair smaller Croatian ports including Korčula and Poreč with opportunities to enjoy the yacht’s marina, while Windstar’s small-yacht size allows guests to sail directly into the heart of Venice.
(Windstar Cruises Expands Europe in 2028 with New Ways to Explore Northern Europe and Beyond)
