Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze completed its 35th year of service in late November.

Originally ordered for Seabourn Cruise Line, the ship was designed as a mega yacht and entered service as the Seabourn Spirit.

As a sister to the 1988-built Seabourn Pride, the 210-guest ship was built at the Schichau Seebeckwerft Shipyard in Germany before being delivered on Nov. 7, 1989.

After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship arrived at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades three weeks later, kicking off its maiden season on Nov. 28, 1989.

During its inaugural winter season, the Seabourn Spirit offered itineraries in the Caribbean before repositioning to Europe for the 1990 summer season.

Later joined by a second sister ship, the Seabourn Legend, the vessel continued to sail for Seabourn on worldwide itineraries through 2013, when it was sold to Windstar Cruises.

The Seabourn Spirit continued to sail for Seabourn for a couple more years before being transferred to its new owners in 2015.

After a complete refurbishment, the ship emerged as the Star Breeze for an inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

Three years later, Windstar announced plans to modernize the ship as part of a major refit project that also included the addition of a new 25-meter midsection.

Part of a larger $250 million fleetwide refurbishment program, the project also included the addition of 50 new suites and two new dining experiences, as well as a new spa and a new swimming pool.

All bathrooms onboard the vessel were replaced, while a new 128-square-meter Grand Owner’s Suite was also created.

The refurbishment washighlighted by a re-engining of the ship, which saw more efficient and environmentally friendly engines installed.

After the completion of the work, the enlarged Star Breeze resumed service in June 2021 for a series of cruises in the Caribbean.

In 2024, the vessel took over Windstar’s year-round operations in French Polynesia from the smaller Wind Spirit.

Sailing from Papeete, the ship offers a series of seven- to 17-night cruises to Tahiti and the greater South Pacific.