The new Star Seeker yacht, the first Star Class newbuild for Windstar Cruises, has touched water for the first time at the WestSEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, the cruise line announced in a press release.

To commemorate the occasion, the Star Seeker float-out ceremony included Mario Ferreira and Manuel Barros of Mystic Invest and Windstar’s Vice President of Expansion Projects, John Gunner, who is directing the shipbuilding project for Windstar.

Gunner was on site for the float out and thanked Ferreira for his support through the process, as well as the team at the Portuguese shipyard for their dedication and craftsmanship.

“Seeing a ship come together and be at the point where she leaves dry dock for the sea is a memorable milestone in the life of a new build project,” saids Gunner.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to be involved in creating a new ship for Windstar and thankful for Ferreira’s passion and vision for ships, which helped guide us to this momentous event today: the float out of a new, beautiful ship for Windstar.”

While construction of the Star Seeker’s exterior is complete, work will be ongoing to complete the interiors, including 112 suites.

The ship will have five dining options, a full-service spa with an entrance from the deck above, a fitness facility and a fresh take on the line’s Watersports Platform, which turns the ocean into an infinity pool by providing guests access to the sea directly from the ship.

With a capacity for 224 guests and a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2, the Star Seeker will enter service in December 2025, sailing from Málaga, Spain, to Miami, Florida, where Windstar is headquartered and where the ship’s christening ceremony will take place in January of 2026.

The Star Seeker will then sail its first voyage in the Caribbean and offer more cruises in the region before heading up the West Coast of the United States to Alaska for a full season of summer cruises. From there, the ship will sail to Asia, bringing back the line’s Around Japan itineraries.

The Star Seeker and the Star Explorer, which joins the fleet in 2026, have ice-strengthened hulls, unlocking access to new destinations. The ships are equipped with the latest safety, propulsion, and navigation technology, including pump jet thrusters and forward-facing Sonar.

To minimize their environmental footprint and uphold the brand’s commitment to sustainability, the ships have tier III Nox-rated Rolls Royce engines and can connect to shore power, minimizing port emissions. In addition, the ships have advanced wastewater treatment systems that meet all global standards.