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With 'stretched' Star Pride sailing from Greece, full Windstar fleet is back

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New suites were part of the $250m Star Plus transformation of three yachts
Star Pride, the third and final ship in Windstar Cruises' $250m Star Plus lengthening/transformation, is sailing from Piraeus today, completing the full fleet's return to service.

Now, all six of the line’s all-suite and sailing yachts are back, requiring full COVID-19 vaccination of passengers and crew as part of health and safety precautions including testing and high-tech air filtration.

Star Pride's eight-day voyage to Barcelona is sold out. Ports include Gythion, Corfu, Argostoli, Messina (Taormina), Trapani and Cagliari.

The Star Plus conversions were undertaken at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard.

Highest net promoter scores

'To have completed this project amidst a global pandemic is nothing short of amazing,' Windstar President Christopher Prelog said. 'We’re grateful to our ownership (Xanterra) and to our partners for sticking with it, and to our customers for their excitement and support of these new products. We are seeing our highest guest satisfaction surveys on the new Star Class yachts, with the highest net promoter scores in our brand’s history.'

Major transformations

Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride underwent major transformations, with Star Breeze the first to launch in June 2021, and Star Legend following in September 2021. Star Pride was handed over by Fincantieri in October 2021.

The vessels were cut in half and lengthened, increasing capacity from 212 to 312 passengers each and adding dining choices, outdoor deck space, true spas and suites.

The yachts also gained new efficient engines, generators and advanced wastewater treatment systems.