From Europe to Asia, Windstar is pioneering a new way to cruise, seamlessly combining river and ocean voyages into one easy journey

What happens when river cruise travelers have sailed the world’s great waterways — from the Rhine and Danube to the Douro and Mekong — but don’t want to give up the intimate, culturally immersive style they love? Windstar Cruises has the answer. The small ship leader is defining a new category of travel: river-to-ocean cruising that connects both experiences in a single journey. No changing ships. No interruptions. Just a seamless way to move beyond the river and into a much broader world of exploration.

Driving this pioneering new category forward is Windstar’s newest all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, which launches in December 2026. Purpose-built for river-to-ocean travel, the 224-guest yacht can navigate waterways that are too small for larger ocean ships and reach coastal destinations that traditional river vessels can’t access. That capability speaks directly to discerning travelers who are seeking deeper cultural connection, looking to get away from crowded, over-visited destinations and eager to experience places that feel more authentic and less traveled.

“Seasoned river cruisers have fallen in love with a way of traveling that’s intimate and deeply connected to place. But many have already sailed all the iconic rivers and are ready for the next frontier,” says Janet Bava, chief commercial officer at Windstar Cruises. “We’re introducing a new way to cruise, with yachts that move seamlessly from rivers to the open sea, unlocking destinations that are inaccessible to traditional river ships or large ocean vessels. It’s 180 degrees from ordinary and a fundamentally different way to experience the world.”

Where Does Star Explorer Sail?

Star Explorer’s 2027 voyages showcase exactly what makes this concept so appealing: sailings that bring guests into city centers by river, then continue on to coastlines, islands and unexpected ports beyond.

• Impressionist France (10 nights on Star Explorer) – Ideal for Seine veterans ready to go further, this trip from Bordeaux to London / HMS Belfast pairs the Seine and the Thames with overnights in Bordeaux, St. Malo and Paris/Rouen, plus access to the D-Day beaches.
• Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal (8 nights on Star Explorer) – Perfect for travelers who have sailed the Rhône and are ready to expand their wine-focused journeys, this voyage extends from France into Spain and Portugal, pairing Bordeaux’s Garonne and Gironde rivers with culinary discoveries along the Spanish coast and time in Portugal’s Douro region.
• Moroccan Markets & Iberian Icons (8 nights on Star Explorer) – Danube cruisers seeking deeper cultural exploration will find a natural next step with this journey into Seville via the Guadalquivir, continuing on to a broader mix of Iberian and Moroccan destinations.
• Ireland Circumnavigation (10 nights on Star Explorer) – For travelers who have sailed past the castles of the Rhine and are ready for a wilder, more dramatic landscape, this sailing includes a call at Cork City Quay on the River Lee, then continues along Ireland’s rugged coastline of cliffs and castles.

Which Other Windstar Sailings Should River Cruise Lovers Consider?

Beyond Star Explorer, Windstar offers a range of itineraries that build on the same river-meets-ocean approach, giving travelers more ways to experience small-ship cruising across Europe and beyond.

• French Feast: Normandy, Brittany & Aquitaine (7 nights on Star Legend) – A natural extension for Seine cruisers, this culinary-focused itinerary blends Bordeaux and Rouen/Paris with nearby coastal regions.
• British Isles Medley (10 nights on Star Legend) – Offering a perspective beyond traditional river routes like the Rhône and Danube, this sailing from Paris/Rouen to Leith includes small-ship-only ports like Swansea and Fort William.
• Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium (7 nights on Star Pride) – An easy transition for Rhine cruisers drawn to canal-laced cities and seasonal landscapes, this itinerary includes an overnight in Antwerp, an exclusive port that welcomes just one ship per day.
• Quick Getaways: St. Malo Getaway (4 nights on Star Pride) – A natural add-on for Thames and Seine cruisers, this roundtrip from London / HMS Belfast includes visits to St. Malo and Brittany.
• Quick Getaways: Belgium: A Sweet Getaway (3 nights on Star Pride) – River cruisers seeking a shorter escape will love this compact trip that combines London and Antwerp via the Scheldt, offering Belgian charm, historic streets and culinary pleasures.
• Quebec and Newfoundland Adventure (14 nights on Star Pride) – Sailing roundtrip from Montreal, this itinerary follows the St. Lawrence River and extends into Canada’s dramatic eastern coastline, appealing to travelers who have sailed Europe’s great rivers and want something new.
• Ancient Wonders of Vietnam & Angkor Wat (14 nights on Star Seeker) – Ideal for Mekong cruisers interested in a new Southeast Asia option, this journey sails through Halong Bay and along the Saigon River into Ho Chi Minh City, then continues to Bangkok via the Chao Phraya River, with inland stops like Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh.

Discover What’s Next in Cruising with Windstar

For travelers who have experienced the world’s great rivers, Windstar is defining what comes next. The leader in small-ship cruising is pioneering a new category of travel: seamless river-to-ocean journeys that deliver deeper access and broader exploration in ways no other cruise line can match.

Source: BUSINESS WIRE