Small- and sailing-ship cruise line Windstar is changing up how you cruise, with “Quick Getaways” in Europe and a collection of themed cruises in Europe and the Caribbean, with departures from fall, 2025, through 2027.
“Quick Getaways”
Breaking from its own tradition of longer cruises, Windstar is introducing a series of new mini-cruise itineraries. With departures in 2026 and 2027, they are designed to give you a taste of its style of cruising in Europe over 3-5 nights
These short but sweet cruises let you enjoy a mix of iconic cities and tucked-away ports that rarely fit into one itinerary and take you places most cruises can’t, all with the same relaxed, friendly atmosphere you'll find on every Windstar voyage.
Why Take a Quick Getaway Cruise:
- Overnight flight from the East Coast, board the same day in Europe
- Add a mini vacation to your work trip or tag it onto a longer land adventure
- Compact itineraries that mix iconic cities with postcard-worthy hidden gems – think sailing under London’s Tower Bridge!
- The perfect taste-test of Windstar’s relaxed, yacht-style cruising
- Pair with a longer voyage for the ultimate European sampler
Quick Getaway Itineraries:
- St. Malo Getaway (4 nights) – Sail through London’s Tower Bridge, then dive into the windswept beauty of France’s northern coast, Mont St. Michel, and beyond.
- A Taste of Southern France (3 nights) – Kayak near Sète, wander Collioure, and ride to the storybook citadel of Carcassonne.
- La Dolce Vita in Italy & France (3 nights) – Sail past seaside villages, roam Corsican markets, and raise a glass in Tuscany.
- Belgium: A Sweet Getaway (3 nights) – Discover Bruges’ canals, snack on Belgian chocolates, and admire fairytale architecture.
New Themed Voyages Collection
Another new collection of cruises from Windstar – with sailings beginning in fall 2025 and continuing into 2026 - is designed to make your passions come alive at sea. Whether it’s swapping brushstrokes with celebrated artists, taking the helm on a tall ship, or flowing with daily yoga on deck, these intimate, yacht-style journeys bring immersive fun from bow to stern.
Sip, Sketch, and Sail
Bring home a memory painted at sea on Windstar’s Masterpieces at Sea voyages. Elevate travel into a living canvas of creativity, with artists sharing presentations about the inspirations behind each piece.
On select sailings, an acclaimed Fountainhead artist will be on board creating a mural or large installation in real time, transforming the ship into a floating gallery, such as Samara Ash on the November 14th, 2025 Masterpieces at Sea: Brushes and Tapas voyage. A second artist also joins each voyage as an instructor, transforming The Screening Room into a hands-on art studio with intimate painting workshops, lively Paint & Sip classes, and more. Adding depth to the experience, an onboard Art Historian will deliver a series of enrichment talks, tying the destinations’ artistic heritage to the creativity happening at sea.
Beyond the ship, Windstar enhances the journey with curated art-focused excursions—think Gaudí’s playful architecture in Barcelona or Picasso’s legacy in Málaga— led by the guest artists on board. See all Masterpieces at Sea sailings below:
- Brushes & Tapas, November 14, 2025
- Europe Winter Riviera, February 20, 2026
- Mediterranean Island Mosaic, August 13, 2026
- Gems of the Leeward Islands October 28, 2026
An Ocean Crossing That’s Anything but Ordinary
Windstar’s Knot Your Average Crossing voyages celebrate the romance and tradition of life under sail. On these one-of-a-kind crossings – setting sail beginning November 2025 – guests can step up to the flying bridge and take the helm, learning age-old seamanship skills from the crew. Days at sea are filled with engaging enrichment programs: bridge and deck officers lead hands-on workshops in knot tying, chart reading, and star mapping, while distinguished guest speakers bring maritime history to life.
On the upcoming sailing, Knot Your Average Crossing (Lisbon to St. Maarten), historian and journalist Joseph Novitski will deliver a lecture series on piracy, naval order, and the origins of the U.S. Navy.
More 2026 sailings will continue this tradition, with enrichment speakers still to be announced, offering fresh perspectives on maritime heritage. Whether you’re steering the ship, tracing ancient constellations, or raising a toast to pirate lore, these crossings promise a seafaring adventure unlike any other.
Sun Salutations and Sea Breezes
Windstar’s Mind, Body, Spirit Collection itineraries take wellness beyond the spa, blending serene days at sea with transformative experiences designed for guests to nurture their whole selves.
Renowned yoga teacher and life coach Debbie Dixon leads daily sessions of yoga, meditation, and breathwork on open decks where the horizon becomes a peaceful focal point. Guests can sip their way to vitality at the pop-up Elixir Bar, offering fresh, nutrient-rich juices, and go deeper with guidance from an additional onboard wellness coach for personalized, one-on-one attention. It’s the perfect balance of small-yacht intimacy, expert-led rejuvenation, and Windstar’s knack for pairing mindful moments with unforgettable destinations.
About Windstar Cruises:
On a fleet of eight all-suite and sailing yachts serving up to 350 guests, Windstar Cruises’ guests can explore enchanting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Alaska, New England, Canada, Japan, Asia and the South Pacific. Plus, Windstar operates year-round in Europe and will offer two unique ship experiences in Tahiti starting in 2027. Windstar will introduce two new ships to its Star Class beginning with Star Seeker in December 2025 and followed by Star Explorer in December 2026.
At Windstar Cruises, it's not just about travel – it's about creating experiences that resonate with the soul. With port-intensive itineraries, iconic destinations, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program, every moment with Windstar is an opportunity for discovery and delight.
Windstar Cruises is part of the Xanterra Travel Collection of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy that spans over a hundred years of operating iconic U.S. national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Death Valley, and many others.
*** Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary, date and pricing details.
*** Images courtesy of Windstar Cruises.
