On May 5th, Windstar Cruises debuted the all new, all suite Star Pride in Barcelona, Spain during a christening ceremony and pier-side fiesta to celebrate the launch of the luxury yacht’s inaugural voyage through Spain, France, and Italy.
Mrs. Nancy Anschutz, wife of Mr. Philip Anschutz, owner of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Windstar’s parent company, was the godmother of the yacht.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Anschutz was joined on stage by her husband Philip, in addition to Andy Todd, CEO of Xanterra Parks & Resorts; Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises; Captain Alan MacAry, 15-year Windstar veteran who serves as master of Star Pride, and Father Marto Rodriguez.
“Star Pride is the first of the three small luxury cruise ships added to the Windstar yacht fleet, and it leads the way as Windstar enters a new era of small ship cruising,” said Hans Birkholz, chief executive officer of Windstar Cruises.
Star Pride’s debut follows an intensive 3-week transformation period in which all of the yacht’s public spaces, dining venues, and suites were updated. To complete Star Pride’s stem-to-stern transformation in Barcelona, Windstar partnered with Alan McVitty and Trimline Interiors.
Following Star Pride’s inaugural voyage, the yacht will spend its summer season in the Mediterranean. In the fall, Star Pride will embark on brand new itineraries to Asia and Arabia.
Star Pride is the first of three new power yachts to join the Windstar fleet. Her sister yachts, Star Breeze will begin its maiden voyage on May 6, 2015, from Nice, France, while Star Legend, will make its inaugural voyage on May 25, 2015, from Rome, Italy.
All three yachts are identical, with a guest capacity of 212 in 106 suites. At 10,000 gross tons, each yacht is 440 feet long with a breadth of 63 feet and six passenger decks. Similar to Star Pride, Star Legend and Star Breeze will undergo major transformations to public spaces, suites, and dining venues.
[mappress] Windstar Cruises, May 7, 2014