The Star Seeker yacht, Windstar Cruises' first new Star Class vessel, has made its debut by floating out of the building dock and touching water for the first time at WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
While construction of Star Seeker’s exterior is complete, work will be ongoing to complete the interiors, including 112 spacious suites.
The ship will include five dining options, a full-service spa with a grand entrance from the deck above, a fitness facility, and a fresh take on the line’s Watersports Platform, which turns the ocean into an infinity pool by providing guests access to the sea directly from the ship.
With a capacity of 224 guests and a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2, Star Seeker will enter service in December of 2025, sailing from Málaga, Spain to Miami, Florida, where Windstar is headquartered and where the ship’s christening ceremony will take place in January of 2026.
The ship will then sail its first voyage in the Caribbean and offer more cruises in the region before heading up the West Coast of the United States to Alaska for a full season of summer cruises. From there, the ship will sail to Asia, bringing back the line’s Around Japan itineraries.
The float-out, a maritime tradition that marks the first time a ship leaves a dry dock and becomes waterborne, included Mario Ferreira and Manuel Barros of Mystic Invest and Windstar’s Vice President of Expansion Projects John Gunner, who is directing the ship-building project for Windstar.
Windstar will debut an additional new sister ship, Star Explorer, in December of 2026.
Star Seeker and Star Explorer both have ice-strengthened hulls, allowing access to new destinations. The ships are equipped with the latest technology in safety, propulsion, and navigation, including pump jet thrusters and forward-facing Sonar.
To minimize their environmental footprint, the ships have tier III Nox-rated Rolls Royce engines and can connect to shore power. In addition, the ships have advanced wastewater treatment systems.
"Every aspect of their design reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to preserving the environment while providing unforgettable experiences to travellers," Windstar said in a statement.
