TRAVEL Travel News

Small Ships, Big Stories: Windstar Announces 2027 Europe Season

Premier Guide Miami

Looking for the best way to see Europe in summer 2027? You’ll find it on Windstar Cruises. The small-ship cruise line has opened bookings for 12 brand-new itineraries across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, along with special-event voyages that promise front-row access to some of the continent’s most unforgettable moments.

With five yachts in Europe — including Wind Surf, Windstar’s iconic flagship and one of the world’s largest sailing yachts — the 2027 season brings travelers to celebrated cities and tucked-away ports that larger ships can’t reach. Experience Monaco’s Grand Prix (race tickets included). Transit Greece’s legendary Corinth Canal, a waterway so narrow only yachts like Windstar’s can navigate it. Or dive straight from the yacht’s marina platform into crystalline water off an undiscovered island. And that’s just for starters.

“Some of the best travel memories happen where big ships can’t go,” says Jess Peterson, director of destination experience and itinerary planning at Windstar Cruises. “We’ve built 2027 around those moments: the smaller harbors you can only access on a yacht, the later evenings in port, and the feeling of having Europe almost to yourself.”

Which Yachts Will Be in Europe for 2027?
Windstar will have five yachts sailing the region in 2027. Four will operate seasonally from March through November, and the newly delivered Star Explorer—launching December 28, 2026—will sail Europe year-round.

Across the Mediterranean: Cruises Without the Crowds
The Mediterranean may be one of the world’s most traveled regions, but with Windstar it feels newly discovered. The line’s small motor and sailing yachts visit ports beyond the reach of larger ships and feature overnights and late departures in select ports, so that guests can see a quieter, more authentic side of Europe and explore further inland.

Wind Surf, Windstar’s flagship sailing ship, heads to Greece for the summer season taking over the region from the two smaller sailing ships, Wind Starand Wind Spirit. Back by popular demand after a sellout 2026 season, the Off The Beaten Path Greek Islands brings guests to smaller, lesser-known Greek ports. The fan-favorite Treasures of the Greek Isles itinerary is also back for 2027 with late evening calls in Santorini, Kusadasi, Patmos and Mykonos, allowing for unhurried time ashore. A highlight of the journey is an after-hours elegant dinner event in Ephesus, one of Windstar’s complimentary Destination Discovery Events.

Wind Spirit will homeport in Dubrovnik and the heart of Venice, where the ship is uniquely able to sail the Giudecca Canal and dock in the heart of the city (a rare privilege not allowed on larger ships). The yacht will then spend the summer exploring coastal towns throughout the Adriatic. Guests can also combine itineraries such as Venetian Majesty & Spectacular Croatia and Off The Beaten Path Adriatic into a 14-night Star Collector itinerary for a deeper immersion.

In Southern Europe, Star Legend sails into less-traveled regions like Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily on Moments in Southern Italy & Greece. Highlights include stops in Gallipoli, Reggio Calabria and Taranto, with a spectacular transit through the Corinth Canal.

Northern Europe and Beyond: from Tulips to Fjords
For travelers seeking cooler climates and longer days, Windstar brings its all-suite yacht Star Pride to Northern Europe, while Star Explorer sails throughout the rest of Europe, offering Windstar’s signature small-port access.

Star Pride’s tulip itineraries — available from Amsterdam roundtrip or between Amsterdam and London — evoke the intimacy of river cruising on an ocean-going yacht, with calls in small ports such as Oudeschild and Antwerp at the height of the bloom. Later in the season, she explores the Baltics, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. On the Around Iceland sailing, guests can view the country’s waterfalls, geysers and volcanic coastline while circumnavigating the island for a comprehensive perspective of its natural wonders.

The new Star Explorer spends the year sailing between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, from Lisbon to London to Norway, with a wide-ranging series of voyages that combine classic ports with smaller undiscovered finds.

What Specialty Voyages Are Available in 2027?
Windstar’s 2027 calendar features special-event voyages designed for travelers in search of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

  • Grand Prix Cruises: Two itineraries — one from Rome to Barcelona(June 1 – 8, 2027) on Star Legend and another from Barcelona to Rome(June 2 – 9, 2027) aboard Wind Spirit — include race tickets and exclusive access during one of Europe’s most glamorous sporting events.
  • Total Solar Eclipse Voyage (July 27 – August 5, 2027): On Wind Surf, a roundtrip sailing from Athens timed to the August 2, 2027 eclipse offers guests a prime viewing position near Malta, paired with visits to classic Greek and Italian ports.
  • 2027 Northern Europe Mystery Cruise (April 15 – 22, 2027): For those seeking adventure and surprise, Windstar is introducing a new Mystery Cruise on Star Pride. The 7-night sailing from London to Amsterdam unfolds as a true mystery, with Northern European ports revealed 36 hours before arrival. Guests can expect a mix of cultural capitals and coastal treasures – perfectly timed for Amsterdam’s tulip season.

Cruises Less Than Six Days: Quick Getaways
Windstar’s popular Quick Getaways return for 2027. These shorter voyages pair easily with land stays or can be combined into extended escapes.

In the Mediterranean, Wind Spirit offers four- and five-day sailings, including roundtrip Rome voyages to Bonifacio and Sardinia’s Golfo Aranci and a new four-day Croatia Calling itinerary between Venice and Dubrovnik visiting Rovinj, Zadar, and Hvar.

In Northern Europe, Quick Getaways between London and Amsterdam include three- and five-day options that connect easily to the Eurostar train. These short voyages offer a luxury taste of Windstar style and encourage back-to-back bookings for an extended journey.

Windstar’s 12 New 2027 Itineraries
To recap, Windstar’s 2027 Europe season introduces 12 new itineraries across its five-yacht fleet. Here’s a closer look at the new sailings making their debut for 2027.

  • Off the Beaten Path Adriatic (Dubrovnik to Venice) – Wind Spirit: A voyage through the Adriatic’s blend of history and natural beauty, from medieval cities to island coves.
  • Venetian Majesty & Spectacular Croatia (Venice to Dubrovnik) – Wind Spirit: Explore Slovenia, Italy and Croatia with a mix of cultural landmarks and small coastal towns.
  • Legends of the Northern Adriatic (Roundtrip Venice) – Wind Spirit:Celebrate the season with a journey through lesser-known Adriatic ports including a debut call in Ravenna.
  • La Dolce Vita in Italy & France (Roundtrip Rome) – Star Legend, Wind Spirit: This three-day escape to Bonifacio and Sardinia’s Golfo Aranci is ideal for a quick Mediterranean getaway.
  • Croatia Calling (Venice to Dubrovnik) – Wind Spirit: A compact itinerary along the coastline of Croatia that’s perfect for pairing with a land stay.
  • Race Day & Riviera Charm: Prix du Monde of Monaco (Barcelona to Rome) – Wind Spirit: Combine the thrill of the Monaco Grand Prix with glamorous ports like Saint-Tropez and Portofino.
  • Total Solar Eclipse (Roundtrip Athens) – Wind Surf: Timed to the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, this sailing makes stops in Valletta, Gozo and other ancient ports.
  • Moments in Southern Italy & Greece via the Corinth Canal (Athens to Rome) – Star Legend: From Gallipoli and Fiscardo to a dramatic Corinth Canal transit, this itinerary highlights the charm of Southern Italy.
  • Sicilian Splendors (Roundtrip Rome) – Star Legend: Take a deep dive into Sicily’s volcanic islands, historic cities and culinary heritage.
  • Seaside Charms & Dutch Waterways (London to Amsterdam) – Star Pride: A short three-day escape through Northern Europe’s maritime capitals and picturesque canal towns.
  • Timeless Maritime Powerhouses (Amsterdam to London) – Star Pride: A compact five-day voyage linking two great capitals, ideal as a standalone getaway or back-to-back sailing.
  • Northern Europe Mystery Cruise (London to Amsterdam) – Star Pride: A 7-night voyage where each destination is revealed 36 hours before arrival, featuring a blend of Northern Europe’s cultural capitals and coastal towns during Amsterdam’s tulip season.

For guests who don’t want to wait for 2027, Windstar also offers a robust selection of European voyages in 2025 and 2026, many with early booking savings.

How to Book a Windstar cruise: To plan a small ship cruise with Windstar book online here, contact a travel advisor, reach out to Windstar Cruises by phone at 866-258-7245, or request a call by a Windstar vacation planner. Guests who pay in full at booking can save an additional 5% with Pay Now, Save More. For guests who don’t want to wait for 2027, Windstar also offers a robust selection of European voyages in 2025 and 2026.

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