Windstar Cruises’ ambitious US$250M fleet modernisation programme has begun to bear fruit with the delivery of Star Breeze, the first of three newly stretched 312-passenger cruise ships hitting the water
Delivered by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo, Star Breeze was remade with the installation of a 25.6-m mid-body section; two 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 propulsion engines and two eight-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 inline diesel generators; and an extensive refit of public areas, passenger cabins and open decks. Part of Windstar Cruises’ Star Plus Initiative project, Star Breeze now has 50 new suites, two new dining options and two new tenders. One of the highlights is a new Grand Owner’s Suite midship, with three bedrooms and three and a half baths for a total of 127 m2.
Prior to its refit, Star Breeze had a length of 134 m, with a tonnage of approximately 10,000 tonnes and capacity for 212 passengers. Now, after its completion, the ship has a length of 160 m, a tonnage of around 13,000 tonnes, and capacity to accommodate 312 passengers on board. The four-stroke, 260-cm cylinder bore V-form Wärtsilä 26 engines are fully compliant with the IMO Tier II exhaust emissions regulations set out in Annex VI of the Marpol 73/78 convention.
Star Breeze’s sister vessels, Star Legend and Star Pride, are getting makeovers at Fincantieri too. Since the shipyard closed for several weeks during the pandemic, the schedule for the completion of the Star Plus-class ships has been delayed.
Star Breeze is expected to make its debut 27 March 2021. The refit of Star Pride is completed and will begin sailing in Europe in July 2021.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.