A Medici Fortress, a Dubrovnik Cloister and the Tower of London After Dark: Windstar's New 2027 Experiences
Available on just three sailings, the after-hours Tower of London evening joins new complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Italy and Dubrovnik, Croatia, debuting in 2027 alongside 224-guest Star Explorer's inaugural year
MIAMI, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Windstar Cruises is opening the doors to three remarkable European landmarks in 2027 with new complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London -- including after-hours access to the Tower of London. The experiences debut alongside the inaugural European season of Star Explorer, Windstar's newest 224-guest all-suite yacht.
Each Destination Discovery Event is a complimentary, immersive evening ashore, open to every guest on an eligible voyage. These three new experiences are part of a broader expansion in 2027, bringing the program to seven unique events across seven destinations, all eight Windstar yachts and 165 sailings – more than doubling fleet coverage. Windstar's small-ship cruise size keeps each experience intimate, whether it's dinner among the ruins of Ephesus under the stars or a Polynesian feast on a private motu near Bora Bora.
"Destination Discovery Events are about having an extraordinary place feel like it's yours for the evening," said Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer at Windstar Cruises. "In 2027, we're bringing that experience to more of our guests across the fleet. It's 180° from Ordinary brought to life -- opening doors, staying after hours and experiencing a destination in a way that feels distinctly Windstar. With Star Explorer beginning her inaugural year, our guests have an entirely new way to experience the oceans and rivers of Europe with us."
What Are Windstar's New Destination Discovery Events for 2027?
- Livorno, Italy: A Medici Wine Tasting -- Inside Livorno's 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia, Windstar guests will gather after hours for locally inspired cocktails and Tuscan canapés accompanied by live music and stories shared by local docents. The historic Medici fortress provides an intimate setting for experiencing the region's culture, flavors and history after the usual day of sightseeing has ended. Featured on: Europe's Winter Riviera.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia: The Spirit of Croatia -- In Dubrovnik, the evening begins with sparkling wine and traditional klapa singers inside a 15th-century Dominican cloister before guests continue to the historic Marin Držić Theatre for Croatian music and dance. The experience brings together two remarkable settings and living local traditions in the heart of the city.
Featured on: Iconic & Hidden Croatia and Off the Beaten Path Adriatic - London, England: Tower of London at Sunset -- One of the most limited new experiences takes place after the Tower of London closes for the day. On just three 2027 sailings, Windstar guests will enter the historic landmark after hours for a private viewing of the Crown Jewels, access to select areas including the White Tower and Battlements, stories from the Tower's Yeoman Warders, live music and a British-inspired reception in the historic New Armouries Courtyard.
The event is available on just three 2027 sailings:- Star Pride's April 29th departure of the 7-night Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium (with the event taking place on May 6th)
- Star Pride's May 13th departure of the 5-night Timeless Maritime Powerhouses of Northern Europe (with the event taking place on May 17th)
- Star Explorer's 10-night Christening Voyage: Circumnavigating Ireland, departing May 23rd (with the event on May 31st)
Star Explorer: A New Way to Experience Europe
The 2027 season also marks the inaugural year of 224-guest Star Explorer, Windstar's newest all-suite yacht. Debuting December 28, 2026, Star Explorer has 112 suites, nearly all with either a full private veranda or a floor-to-ceiling infinity window that opens to the breeze.
Her size also opens up distinctive ways to arrive in Europe: docking in the Venice lagoon steps from the heart of the city, sailing up the Thames beneath Tower Bridge into central London and venturing inland on European rivers larger cruise ships cannot navigate.
On board, guests will find Basil + Bamboo, Windstar's newest specialty restaurant blending Asian and Mediterranean influences; a full-service spa and fitness facility; and a fresh take on Windstar's signature Marina water-access platform.
Following her Mediterranean debut, Star Explorer will spend summer 2027 exploring Northern Europe, including the British Isles, Ireland, Norway, Scotland and the Baltic, before returning to the Mediterranean in fall.
Europe During Local Season
Windstar calls its fall and winter Mediterranean program Local Season, which is built around experiencing destinations at a different rhythm, with more time ashore and opportunities to take part in traditions tied to the season.
In early 2027, Star Explorer's Mediterranean voyages feature overnights on most itineraries, longer stays and later departures, plus double overnights in Venice and Barcelona. The season places guests in destinations during experiences such as Venice's Carnevale and Epiphany celebrations, while also offering winter opportunities to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta from Naples and spend more time exploring Gaudí's architecture during an overnight in Barcelona. With extended time in port, guests have more freedom to linger over dinner, explore cities after dark and wake the following morning with more of the destination still ahead.
Booking Star Explorer's Inaugural Year
Star Explorer sets sail December 28, 2026, on her maiden voyage round-trip from Barcelona across Southern Spain. Her inaugural Mediterranean Local Season follows in early 2027, with voyages through Spain, Italy, southern France and Croatia before she heads north for summer.
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.
Windstar Cruises imagery here, credit to Windstar Cruises.
Contacts:
Patricia Gonzalez, Vice President of Marketing Windstar Cruises / [email protected]
LDPR, [email protected]
About Windstar Cruises:
For four decades, Windstar Cruises has been reimagining small-ship cruising with a distinctive blend of relaxed luxury and genuine connection to the world's most captivating destinations. From its origins with motor sailing yachts tailored for upscale yet casual travel, Windstar Cruises has grown into a diverse fleet of four Star Class all-suite yachts (including its newest addition of Star Seeker in December 2025) and three Wind Class sailing yachts, offering voyages that are both intimate and inspiring. Its highly anticipated yacht, Star Explorer, will debut in December 2026, expanding the fleet to eight yachts accommodating 150-350 guests. Windstar Cruises' legendary Wind Class sailing yachts are also undergoing a meticulous two-phase redesign to be completed by 2027. Windstar yachts sail to more than 330 ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, Japan, the South Pacific and Asia. Unlike most cruise lines, Windstar Cruises sails year-round in the Mediterranean and Tahiti, offering different destination experiences seasonally. Each Windstar Cruises voyage is designed to immerse guests in authentic cultural experiences, all while delivering the comfort, service and style that define the Windstar difference.
Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy spanning over a hundred years. Xanterra operates iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier and Death Valley. The Xanterra Travel Collection® is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.
SOURCE Windstar Cruises
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