Windstar Cruises’ new Star Seeker yacht touches water for the first time

Windstar Cruises floated out its newest vessel, the Star Seeker, on Monday, 25th November, at the WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

A float out is a maritime tradition of marking when a ship leaves dry dock and becomes waterborne for the first time.

To commemorate the occasion, Windstar’s Star Seeker float-out ceremony included Mario Ferreira and Manuel Barros of Mystic Invest and Windstar’s vice-president for expansion projects John Gunner who is directing the ship building project for Windstar.

Gunner was on site for the float out and provided remarks including thanking Ferreira for his support through the process and the team at the Portuguese shipyard for their dedication and craftsmanship.

While construction of Star Seeker’s exterior is complete, work will be ongoing to complete the interiors, including 112 spacious suites.

Gunner said: “Seeing a ship come together and be at the point where she leaves dry dock for the sea is a memorable milestone in the life of a new build project. I am very grateful for this opportunity to be involved in creating a new ship for Windstar and thankful for Mario’s passion and vision for ships which helped guide us to this momentous event today: the float out of a new, beautiful ship for Windstar.”

What comes next?

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.

Star Seeker 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 popular Around Japan itineraries.

The new ship will boast 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 iconic Watersports Platform, which turns the ocean into an infinity pool by providing guests access to the sea directly from the ship.

With a capacity for 224 guests and a staff to guest ratio of 1:2, Star Seeker will maintain the intimate atmosphere for which Windstar is renowned, ensuring personalized service at every turn.