Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2021

9 4 Christopher Prelog tells Alex Smith how Windstar Cruises’ Star Plus Initiative is dramatically transforming spaces onboard its Suite Class vessels REV ITAL I SATION Thinking bigger W indstar Cruises is undertaking an ambitious reimagining of its fleet with the Star Plus initiative. The $250 million transformation of its three Suite Class vessels – Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride – touches all areas of the ships, from their efficiency to the overall guest experience. “The initiative not only creates beautiful new suites and public spaces, but also gives us the opportunity to re-engine the ships with a more fuel- efficient and environmentally responsible propulsion system,” says Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “Each of the three all-suite yachts will increase in capacity from 212 guests to 312 in the project.” The ships are undergoing a complex lengthening process at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo, Italy, which involves cutting them in half and inserting a new midsection. This extends the ships by 25.6 metres each, bringing them to a total length of just over 159 metres and allowing for the addition of 50 new suites. Meanwhile, existing suites will be rebuilt and refitted with L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities and a new interactive TV system. Star Breeze’s transformation has already been completed, with Windstar taking delivery of the vessel in November 2020. Star Legend and Star Pride are scheduled for completion later this year. The cruise line partnered with Ray Chung, director of design at “ The design flows effortlessly through the ship”