This cruise line is cutting ships in half and putting them back together — here's why
The much-beloved Windstar Cruises ship Star Breeze is back and, as promised, bigger than before.
Seattle-based Windstar on Wednesday welcomed the 31-year-old vessel back into its fleet after a massive, 13-month-long makeover that included the addition of an entirely new segment to its middle -- something that only happens rarely in the cruise world.
The addition, which made the ship about 20% longer, brought the ship 50 new suites and new restaurants, pool decks, retail spaces and an expansive spa and fitness area.
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In addition, as part of the project, many of the existing areas of the ship were gutted down to the studs and rebuilt, resulting in a vessel that, in many respects, is almost new.
Indeed, in a virtual tour of the changes for cruise writers on Wednesday, Windstar president Chris Prelog made that point by starting with a picture of the tip of the vessel's bow.
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"I wanted to start with a picture of (this) section of the ship ... because I think it's the only section of the ship that we haven't worked on," Prelog said. "Everything else on the ship is completely transformed."
Prelog talked about things big and small that had changed on the ship, from the complete overhaul of every bathroom on the vessel to the installation of new owner's suites that are bigger than anything the ship ever has seen.
"That suite has grown substantially in size," he said, noting that adjoining suites can be tied into owner's suites to create massive, three-bedroom complexes.
The addition to Star Breeze was accomplished by cutting the vessel in half at a shipyard in Italy and spreading the two halves apart before sliding in a new, pre-built section.
While it wasn't the first time a cruise ship had been lengthened using such a process, it was billed as the most complex cruise ship lengthening ever.
In part, that's because the ship received new engines as part of the lengthening -- a significant undertaking. The new engines will allow the ship to travel faster than it did before, opening up new itineraries to the line.
Related: Why the new Windstar loyalty program is so good
Indeed, recent sea trials for the revamped vessel showed that it can go even faster than the line anticipated, Prelog said. The lengthening of the ship also has made it operate more smoothly in the water, he said.
"The ship is faster and more quiet and (has) less vibration than anticipated," Prelog said. "We are very, very pleased with the outcome of that."
One of the big changes for Star Breeze was the addition of a true pool and expanded sunning areas. The vessel previously only had a relatively small sun deck with just a hot tub and a tiny counter-current pool.
Related: Windstar now will let you book a cabin in a crew area
The new eateries include an outdoor barbecue venue called Star Grill created by barbecue icon Steven Raichlen, and a Spanish restaurant called Cuadro 44 created by Michelin-starred chef Anthony Sasso.
Speaking during Wednesday's virtual tour, which was held by Zoom, Raichlen called his new barbecue eatery on Star Breeze a "dream come true." It'll serve everything from Kansas City-style ribs to Thai chicken satay with peanut sauce, he said.
Sasso, who also was at Wednesday's virtual tour, said his eatery would offer small plates with such menu items as mussels seasoned with scallion ash, and churros dusted with hibiscus.
In the wake of the overhaul, Star Breeze is 525 feet long -- 85 feet longer than before. It now can hold 312 passengers, up from 212 previously.
Two more Windstar ships that are similar to Star Breeze -- Star Legend and Star Pride -- are undergoing similar transformations. Prelog on Wednesday said Star Legend already had been cut in half and received its new midsection. Finishing work on the vessel remains.
Star Pride is scheduled to enter a dry dock for its transformation in January, Prelog said.
The three vessels undergoing transformations are much-loved by small-ship fans because of their intimacy and ability to dock in small ports that bigger ships can't access. They originally sailed for luxury line Seabourn, where they also had a large following.
Star Breeze currently is scheduled to resume service on March 27. It had been scheduled to restart cruising sooner but early sailings were canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.