Star Class Replace #5: Star Explorer to Debut in Late 2026, Star Seeker Strikes to Outfitting Stage

Star Explorer, the 224-guest sister ship to Windstar’s Star Seeker, will make its debut on December 28, 2026 and can cruise year-round within the Mediterranean. Whereas the ship finally goes to look similar to Star Seeker in colour scheme, design, public rooms and staterooms, John Gunner, the long-time shipbuilding govt who’s overseeing the Star Class undertaking, fills in an fascinating again story.

The pair of ships, he says, got here to Windstar in very totally different phases of building. Basically, the vessel now often known as Star Seeker was nearly constructed from scratch with some exterior work (creating the ducktail and the marina platform) required. In any other case, the design modifications that Windstar made have been capable of be integrated into the newbuild course of.

Star Explorer, already in lively service as an expedition ship (at present underneath contract with Quark till March 2026), presents totally different challenges, Gunner says. “With Explorer, we’re beginning with an current ship. So changing that current ship is loads of work. It requires demolition. And it’s a bit of bit extra work to take issues down earlier than you construct them again up once more.

Large areas of change embrace changing a mud room (on expedition ships, whose itineraries require enhanced cleansing of passenger tools and kit, are a necessity – not a lot on Windstar’s Mediterranean itineraries) shall be transformed into further crew cabins.

On deck 8, there may be now a helicopter touchdown pad that shall be remodeled right into a leisure crew space. “We wouldn’t use the auditorium, the place expedition voyages function lectures, in fairly the identical method, so we’re reworking it right into a spa,” Gunner says. “And on deck 7, aft, the place zodiacs are at present saved, we’ll have two stunning homeowners’ suites with an enormous wraparound balcony.”

In the end, he says, vacationers received’t acknowledge many, if any, variations from Star Seeker, however the totally different course of has made for an fascinating journey.

Talking of Star Seeker, Gunner presents an replace on its progress, and it’s shifting proper alongside. “The metal is full which implies the ship is constructed,” he says. “We’re now shifting into the outfitting section.” Over the following 5 months resulting in its launch, shipyard staff are constructing public rooms. Staterooms and suites are literally crafted proper on board, by hand (versus huge ships, which regularly contract with “cabin factories” to construct their lodging). And inside design selections have been finalized and orders have been positioned for requirements, from bedding to bar glasses.

Keep tuned for our subsequent replace on Windstar’s Star Class.