Themed Cruises

Explore the shores of Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, discovering the charm of Venice, the magnificence of Rome, and the vast beauty of the Dalmatian Coast. Wander down the ancient cobblestone streets of Taormina, travel up the sparking fjord to Kotor and bask in the allure of small ship cruising as your small ship anchors in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik while larger ships only pass by. From remarkable small ports such as Rovinj to timeless cities like Venice and Rome, discover the Mediterranean’s most charming and historic destinations in one incomparable voyage.

Conde Nast Traveler 2019 Hot List
"As far as Alaskan expeditions go, this itinerary gives passengers more access to so many aspects of the state's culture than any competitor."  - Conde Nast Traveler

Witness the grandeur of Alaska’s premier glaciers: Mendenhall in Juneau, Kenai Fjords’ Harding Icefield, Tracy Arm’s twin Sawyer Glaciers. Discover Alaskan Native villages, Russian cathedrals, and Gold Rush history. Thrill as you watch a wild brown bear snatch a struggling salmon from a stream or a humpback whale breech off the bow. Cruise Misty Fjords and Kenai Fjords on the lovely Star Breeze, in waters beyond the reach of larger Alaska cruise ships.

Discover the Croatia that empires have coveted for centuries aboard a small cruise ship. Experience the amazing rainbow colors of Plitvice Lakes National Park and Lake Bled’s fairytale island. Wonder at the tenacity of Dubrovnik’s charming Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace. Relax on perfect pebble beaches, explore Piran’s Venetian legacy, and savor the taste of fine Croatian wine and wild truffles.

Surrounded by glitterati on the glistening white Star Pride you fit right in; your insider’s experience at Monaco’s legendary Grand Prix the jewel in the crown of this exceptional cruise. Visit some of the world’s most glamorous ports — Portofino, St. Tropez, Sanary-sur-Mer, Monte Carlo — strolling famous promenades, shopping elite boutiques, and taking in world-renown beaches. Then during your overnight in Monte Carlo, enjoy exclusive access to special Windstar private Grand Prix events and two days of world-class Formula One® time trials and racing. It’s the ultimate expression of Windstar’s style, and open to only a very limited number of guests.

History buffs, beach bums and xenophiles will all find something to celebrate on this unique itinerary to Central America and the Caribbean. Discover the barely inhabited tropical islands and friendly Guna Yala villagers of the San Blas Islands. Step back in time to the days of the Spanish Empire as you visit four of the oldest cities in the Americas. Explore forts pockmarked by time and cannon balls. Encounter pirate lore as you dive the wreck of Captain Kidd’s ship off Catalina Island. And relive it all over mofongo and rum in Old San Juan.

Sip robust red wines from storied French chateaus. Stare skyward at centuries-old arches in silent, candle-lit cathedrals. This 10-day, autumn Atlantic cruise along the coasts of Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal is an ideal getaway for anyone seeking popular European destinations without summertime crowds. Set sail from London, where you’ll have an unobstructed view of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and open seats at riverside pubs. Trace the Battle of Hastings across the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry and the victory of William the Conqueror over King Harold II. Sip cider beverages paired with local cheeses at an old distillery near Honfleur. Uncover the secret war waged by Guernsey’s island resistance at the La Valette Underground museum in St Peter Port. Slurp freshly shucked oysters with dry Muscadet wines from the western Loire Valley during a delicious stop at the Castel Clara restaurant in Port Goulphar on Belle Ile. Stroll beneath the storied arches of famous classified wine estates and sample exceptional French food during an overnight stay in Bordeaux. Soar high above the priceless Medoc vineyards and sprawling chateaus in St. Émilion in a helicopter. Cook up pinchos, or Basque-style tapas at a Bilbao cooking class or study contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum. Sip smoky, 30-year-old port and shop the famed Avenida do Aliados District in Porto, Portugal. This journey concludes in Lisbon, where uncrowded streets present opportunities to explore the palace ruins of Moorish São Jorge Castle above the city and the crenelated splendors of Belém Tower down on the waterfront—all in one wonderful autumn day.

Ten days fly by as you take inventory of the West Coast’s most intriguing ports of call and cuisines. Small ship-only moorages in places like Portland alternate with grand dames like Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego. Go wine tasting in Sonoma and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Take a cable car to lunch in San Francisco’s Chinatown and taste wild California sardines at Monterey’s famous Cannery Row. From food trucks to fine dining, farmers’ markets to cooking classes that put you at the heart of the action, this is a cruise for people who have a taste for life and a thirst for adventure.

Abundant in outdoor excursions to small ports and uncrowded destinations, this two-week cruise features stops in China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. And what better way to experience this lovely region than with the people who know it best – the Windstar crew who hail from the Philippines and Indonesia. Snorkel among colorful fish and vibrant coral off Busuanga Island near Coron. Drift silently among shadowy limestone deposits and sleeping bats in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines. Observe recuperating orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center near Sandakan. Uncover the remnants and relics cast off from centuries of Dutch colonialism around Ujung Padang, and discover Fort Rotterdam’s influences on trade and contemporary culture. Watch Komodo dragons lumber along sandy beaches in search of prey or venture inland for glimpses of koalas among the dense foliage of the Komodo National Park near Loh Liang. Relax on small reclusive beaches on Lombok or sample spicy nasi goreng, fried rice paired with egg, prawns or chicken and served with crunchy, cracker-like kerupuk at a local Lembar restaurant.

Surround yourself in the pageantry and majesty of parading tall-mast sailing ships at Sail Amsterdam, a special event that only occurs once every five years and is the largest nautical event of its kind in the world. This special cruise spends three days in Amsterdam among the splendor of this global event, anchored in the company of legendary sailing ships. You’ll have plenty to see, sample and celebrate along storied waterfronts, but make time to follow the countless canals past tall and tilting timbered shops and flats to verdant old world parks and stately museums housing shadowy masterpieces by Dutch Masters and vibrant, impressionist pieces immortalized by Van Gogh’s bold brushstrokes. This one-of-a-kind cruise also explores historic ports and hallmark cuisine throughout Scotland, England, and Belgium. Stroll in the footsteps of Roman sentries on Hadrian’s Wall Path, the largest Roman artifact in the world.  Discover the ancient engineering secrets of improvised fortifications made from turf, timbers, limestone, and sandstone along the longest line of defense in ancient Western Civilization. Sip and savor the citrus and spice notes in Belgian ales, the sweet richness of local chocolates and the rustic charm of Flemish farmhouses surrounding Ghent and Bruges. Your memorable journey concludes on the River Thames near London, where you should plan on making time for riding double-decker buses, eating fish and chips, and sipping countless malty, fruity caramel-colored iterations of classic English brown ales.

Sail among the evergreen reaches of British Columbia’s unspoiled Inside Passage. Gaze awestruck as Alaskan glaciers rumble and calve beneath the glassy surface of Misty Fjords and Tracy Arm. Admire California’s rugged coastline as you indulge in flavorful alder-smoked salmon paired with aromatic Columbia Valley Rieslings or fresh oysters and tart, Los Carneros sparkling wines. Linger late among the Portland skyline, sampling strawberry and raspberry notes in Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, and watch the evening fog roll into Sausalito over a plate of fresh crab. This deliciously detailed 22-day cruise offers ample time for wandering waterfronts, mingling in farmer’s markets and rediscovering Alaska’s wild frontier history.

Few Mediterranean cruises offer the unique combination of romance and racing like this Star Collector adventure from the canals of Venice to the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. Along the way you’ll explore the art, architecture, and cultural customs and cuisines throughout Italy, Croatia, Monetengro, and France. Taste local wines paired with homemade cheese in an intimate Croatian family wine cellar outside of Rovinj. Kayak together on Kotor Bay in Montenegro. Glide inside the glowing azure chambers of the fabled Blue Grotto near Giardini Naxos. Sip sweet limoncello liqueur together at a sidewalk café in Sorrento. Witness Saturday qualifying for the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix prior to an exclusive tour of the storied pits. After evening festivities and an overnight stay in Monte Carlo, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the track on race day, along with a gift package that includes ear plugs, high-definition binoculars and seat cushion.