It will take 18 days, but the Seabourn Pride will become Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride in Barcelona this April.

“We are going through the yacht from stem to stern and making the necessary changes to fit the ship into the Windstar type of experience, which is casual elegance,” explained Theresa Rasmussen, marine hotel superintendent, Windstar Cruises.

Work includes what is essentially a complete interior overhaul including all staterooms, the main lounge, observation lounge, dining room, sky bar and more.             

Details go from carpets to decorations, furnishing, lighting, décor and much more, with the goal of bringing Windstar’s sailing yacht product style across to its first power yacht.

In Barcelona, Windstar will tie the ship up at the World Trade Center pier for the 18 days, choosing not to drydock the ship. The renovations on the Star Pride are also part of a two-phase project, with a drydock scheduled in 2016.

The first of three Seabourn ships Windstar has purchased, two more will follow in 2015, and the company wants to see how the first refit goes and how passengers interact with the spaces as it plans projects on the next two ships.

Speaking to Cruise Industry News while drydocking the Wind Star (one of the line’s three sailing yachts) in Lisbon, Rasmussen explained the refit on the Star Pride was at a stage where she was just getting her bids in from contractors.

Rasmussen is most excited about the observation lounge on the Star Pride, a top-deck bar, which she described as a beautiful space for passengers.

“When we get finished with it, it’s going to be incredible and really fun, the colors are great and it’s going to be a place where everyone wants to go and spend a lot of time.”        

>> Also in this section: Refurbishment news and breifs covering major shipyards and lines, as well as an exclusive 2014/2015 drydocking schedule.

Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Winter 2013/2014