Windstar Cruises announced the latest plans for the $18 million fleet-wide renovation project to be completed in December of this year.
Wind
Surf, the company’s flagship, will enter into dry dock on November
12th at Lisnave, a Portuguese shipyard. Wind Spirit’s public spaces
will be refurbished shortly after, starting on November 25th. Wind
Star, the sister yacht to Wind Spirit, was fully renovated in April
of this year. The staterooms and suites of all three yachts were
refurbished last fall and this spring.
The
310-passenger Wind Surf will start its stem-to-stern renovation with
a five-day dry dock. The yacht will cross the Atlantic, with only
crew on board to complete its 13-day wet dock. The first
post-renovation voyage, Yachtsman’s Caribbean, will sail on
December 1st from St. Maarten. The 148-passenger Wind Spirit will
spend its two-week dry dock in Lisnave as well, before starting her
wet dock on the December 9th transatlantic crossing. Wind Spirit will
arrive in Barbados on December 22nd and start receiving guests for
its Jewels of the Windward Islands cruise.
Similar
to Wind Star, both sailing yachts will have updated décor in the
public areas, complete with new furnishings, upholstery, art,
lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window
treatments, and floor coverings. The enhanced color palette combines
sand and marine shades to contrast with the warmth of wood finishes,
elevating the look and feel to casual elegance.
One
of the most exciting features of the renovation is the transformation
of the main dining
room, The Restaurant, into a whole new cuisine
experience as AmphorA Restaurant. The venue will be introduced with a
redesigned seating layout and state-of-the-art wine display and
storage. A new menu will be featured, spotlighting local dishes as
well as savory courses such as ling cod, quail delight, as well as
porcini and truffle fettuccini. The Veranda’s outdoor seating will
also be expanded to create an ideal mid-ship area for guests to enjoy
breakfast and lunch alfresco. A live-action cooking station will give
guests a chance to order exactly what they want. The interior
includes a new buffet, new lighting, and epicurean displays.
On
Wind Surf only, Degrees Restaurant will be transformed into an
elegant French Bistro, featuring a new name and menu, details which
will be announced soon. The venue will receive an enhanced look with
new furniture, flooring, winedisplay
cabinet, and a mix of classic and contemporary pendent
lighting. Also onboard Wind Surf, the popular Compass Rose will be
redesigned with fresh contemporary furnishings, new flooring and
comfortable chairs and bar stools designed for socializing.
Other
enhanced areas on both yachts include:
•
The
Lounge Bar – will receive sleek, contemporary furniture to match
the new tawny, color palette giving a friendly ambiance.
•
Reception
Area – will be decorated with a new alabaster centerpiece and
pendent lighting.
•
The
Pool Bar – is set to be redesigned with a variety of seating
options and new awning. By evening the deck transforms into the
romantic Candles, where on-deck, candlelit dinners are served.
•
Yacht
Club – will be refreshed with new furnishings.
Already
completed on all three yachts are the staterooms and suites. They
were redesigned in April to include new leather headboards,
contemporary furniture, linen wall coverings, new lighting
features, window
coverings,
plush wool carpeting, new art work, stylish bed
cushions and
luxurious bed throws. In addition, all three sailing yachts received
69,000 square feet of brand new, hand-crafted sails.