Windstar opens 2028 Europe season with 348 itinerary combinations

Windstar Cruises has opened bookings for its Summer 2028 Europe season, putting five yachts across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe and giving travel advisors 348 itinerary combinations to sell.

Running from March through October, the program will see Star Explorer, Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf sailing European waters, with options ranging from four-day getaways to a 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure.

Among the additions for 2028 are an expanded Germany program featuring the Kiel Canal and Elbe River, a sailing tied to Hamburg’s major maritime festival and a new Windstar port of call in Ireland’s Aran Islands.

The cruise line is also expanding its exploration of the British Isles aboard its newest yacht, Star Explorer.

In the Mediterranean, Windstar will continue sailing Greece, Italy, France and Croatia, while offering enhanced Grand Prix voyages, another Mystery Cruise roundtrip from Athens and more opportunities to combine itineraries for longer stays.

Early booking offer

Windstar is supporting the launch with an Early Booking Offer on eligible newly released 2028 Europe voyages booked by Oct. 31, 2026.

The promotion includes a complimentary All-Inclusive package with Wi-Fi, gratuities and unlimited select beer, wine and cocktails, as well as a US$100 shipboard credit per guest.

Clients who pay their cruise fare in full at the time of booking can also save five per cent.

Windstar says its Pay Now, Save More offer can be combined with the Early Booking Offer and Yacht Club Member benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Germany gets a bigger spotlight

A notable part of the 2028 deployment is an expanded Germany and Northern Europe program aboard Star Pride.

The lineup includes Hamburg, Berlin and Binz/Rügen, along with planned Berlin Cruise Tours.

A four-day Quick Getaway from Copenhagen to Hamburg will visit Binz and Warnemünde/Berlin before transiting the Kiel Canal and Elbe River.

Another short sailing, departing May 3, will coincide with Hamburg’s major maritime festival and is slated to include boat parade participation and fireworks.

Elsewhere aboard Star Pride, a new six-day Quick Getaway will connect Amsterdam and London, with calls at Ostend/Bruges, Rouen/Paris and Honfleur. Experiences include opportunities to visit Monet’s Giverny, the D-Day Beaches and explore Normandy’s culinary scene.

Star Explorer takes on Ireland

Ireland and the British Isles will receive added attention aboard Star Explorer.

Windstar is adding Inis Mór in the Aran Islands as a new port for 2028, while other experiences include scenic cruising near the Cliffs of Moher, city-centre docking in Cork and excursions focused on Waterford crystal and foraging.

A Circumnavigate Ireland itinerary will include Belfast, Londonderry, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Cork and Waterford.

Mediterranean season expands

Across the Mediterranean, Star Legend, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf will operate itineraries throughout the season.

Both Star Legend and Wind Spirit are scheduled to attend the Monaco Grand Prix, while the Athens roundtrip Mystery Cruise will return.

For clients with considerably more time, Windstar is offering a 53-day Grand Mediterranean Adventure aboard Wind Spirit, sailing from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Venice.

Wind Spirit will also return to the Adriatic for an extended season of week-long voyages between Venice and Dubrovnik. Consecutive departures can be combined into a two-week trip without repeating ports, with calls including smaller Croatian destinations such as Korčula and Poreč.

The breadth of the program is designed to give advisors more flexibility when matching trips to clients, particularly repeat Europe visitors seeking different ways to experience familiar destinations.

Shorter voyages can also be incorporated into longer European vacations, while sailings can also be combined back-to-back as Star Collectors or enhanced with Cruise Tours.

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