Windstar Just Welcomed Its First New Ship in 30 Years—With Fireworks and a Godmother Named Anschutz
Windstar Cruises christens the Star Seeker in Miami, marking the first new-build vessel for the boutique cruise line in three decades. The 224-guest yacht kicks off a new era of purpose-built luxury.
The cruise industry loves a good christening ceremony, but some celebrations carry more weight than others. On January 15, 2026, Windstar Cruises christened the Star Seeker in Miami—marking the first new-build vessel for the boutique cruise line in three decades. For a brand that’s spent years acquiring and refurbishing older ships, this milestone represents a significant shift toward purpose-built luxury.
A Family Affair in Miami Harbor
The two-hour christening event in Miami wasn’t just corporate pageantry. Windstar owner Phil Anschutz’s daughter, Libby Anschutz, served as the ship’s godmother—continuing a family tradition that dates back to when her mother, Nancy Anschutz, christened the Star Pride. According to Cruise Industry News, the evening included speeches from Windstar President Christopher Prelog and Star Seeker Captain Tom Schofield, along with blessings from Libby Anschutz herself.
The ceremony concluded with a fireworks display over Miami harbor—a fitting visual metaphor for a cruise line that’s been quietly building momentum in the small-ship luxury space.
Why This Ship Matters
Star Seeker isn’t just new; it’s the first of Windstar’s Star Class fleet, designed specifically for the line’s brand of intimate, yacht-style cruising. With just 112 suites accommodating 224 guests, the vessel doubles down on Windstar’s commitment to small-ship experiences at a time when mainstream cruise lines are building floating cities.
The ship’s design reflects what modern luxury travelers actually want: five included dining venues (no upcharges for premium restaurants), a full-service spa with a dramatic two-deck entrance, and a reimagined Marina that provides direct ocean access. That last feature is crucial—it’s what allows Windstar to offer the watersports platform that’s become a signature of the brand.
The Itinerary Strategy
Following the christening, Star Seeker departed on an eight-night inaugural sailing from Miami to San Juan, with stops in the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands. But the ship’s 2026 calendar reveals Windstar’s broader ambitions: Caribbean sailings will give way to Alaska in the summer, followed by a repositioning to Japan and Southeast Asia with immersive itineraries in Thailand and Vietnam.
This routing strategy—Caribbean winters, Alaska summers, Asia shoulder seasons—is the playbook for maximizing a small ship’s revenue potential across three high-demand regions. It’s also a significant investment in Asian deployment, a market where Windstar has been building presence in recent years.
The Bigger Picture
Windstar’s decision to commission a new-build vessel after 30 years of acquisitions and refurbishments signals confidence in the small-ship luxury segment. While mega-ships dominate headlines with record passenger counts and theme park-style amenities, there’s a growing cohort of travelers who’d rather have 224 guests and a Marina than 6,000 passengers and a waterslide.
The timing is strategic, too. As cruise lines like Oceania recently moved to adults-only policies (effective January 7, 2026) and Viking continues expanding its ocean fleet, the luxury small-ship category is becoming increasingly competitive. Windstar’s new-build approach allows the line to offer modern infrastructure and design without the compromises that come with refurbishing older tonnage.
What This Means for Cruisers
If you’ve been considering a Windstar cruise but worried about older ships, Star Seeker addresses those concerns directly. The vessel represents what Windstar can do when building from scratch—and if bookings perform well, it likely won’t be the last Star Class ship we see.
For the broader cruise industry, Star Seeker’s christening is a reminder that not every cruise line is racing toward bigger ships and higher passenger counts. There’s still a market—and apparently, strong enough financials—for yacht-style cruising that prioritizes intimacy and destination immersion over onboard spectacle.
The fireworks in Miami harbor on January 15 weren’t just celebrating a new ship. They were marking Windstar’s declaration that small-ship luxury isn’t just viable—it’s worth building for.