Windstar Cruises' 2026 Europe packed with new itineraries, ports

The Aug. 12 'Around Iceland: A Total Solar Eclipse' will place passengers in the path of totality.

A new 81-day 'Star Collector, 2026 Grand Europe Adventure' begins in Helsinki on July 14, and visits 67 ports in 20 countries before arriving at Piraeus. Plus, overnight stays for up to four days in a single destination and late-night departures allow passengers to travel further inland.

The line will also debut new cruise-tours from Madrid, an Ireland circumnavigation, a deep dive into the Aeolian Islands and an exploration of northern Greece with highlights including the chance to visit the Meteora Monasteries from the port of Volos.

Early booking offer

Customers who book by Oct. 31, 2024, will get a free all-Inclusive experience with Wi-Fi, unlimited wine, beer and cocktails, and all gratuities, plus a $100 onboard credit per stateroom.

'Our year-round cruises in the Mediterranean and Europe have more small-ship only destinations than ever before,' said Jess Peterson, Windstar’s itinerary planner. 'We’ve designed these voyages with a focus on regional exploration, so that means more overnight stays and off-the-beaten-path experiences to help give you a deeper, more genuine look at some of Europe’s best spots.'

New shore excursions include such experiences as creating molded chocolates in Bruges, Belgium and learning the lyra in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Sample itineraries

A seven-night 'Atlantic France' cruise from Bordeaux sails down the Dordogne River to the Atlantic and La Rochelle, known for oysters; then to Lorient, which accepts just one ship per day; followed by St. Malo, where a late night makes it easy to also visit Mont Saint-Michel. A mid-cruise jaunt to the UK with a visit to Guernsey in the Channel Islands is an interlude before returning to France and Cherbourg, where travelers can follow the footsteps of World War II soldiers at the landing beach sites in Normandy. Finally, there is scenic cruising on the Seine before overnighting in Paris.

'Treasure Troves of Corsica & Sardinia,' seven nights, takes cruisers to vacation where the Italians and French do on this roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome). Dolphin watching in Golfo Aranci, promenading at sunset on an overnight in Alghero, coastal driving in Bonifacio;wine tasting in Bastia and exploring Napoleon’s birthplace in Ajaccio are highlights.   

The eight-night 'Norway’s Southern Splendors' explores little-known fishing ports and scenic inlets including Rosendal and Egersund, both first-time ports for Windstar. Cruisers can visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like Urnes Stave Church and natural wonders like Sognefjord, the 'King of Fjords.'

'Off-the-Beaten-Path Greek Islands,' seven nights, sails to less-frequented Syros, Samos, Naxos, Folegandros and Milos. Passengers can experience a moonlight concert in Ephesus (Türkiye), sample Muscat wines in Samos and wander through ancient temples.

'Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium,' seven nights, takes place at the height of tulip season. Cruisers can tour the Keukenhof Gardens, explore new-to-Windstar destinations and overnight in Antwerp, whose seaport accepts only one ship per day. Cyclists get the chance to ride in the countryside outside Harlingen.