Wärtsilä and Fincantieri complete three-ship upgrade

Three Windstar cruise ships have been lengthened, equipped with new engines, and fitted with a range of machinery upgrades as part of Windstar’s USD 250 million ‘Star Plus’ project. The vessel upgrades took place at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard, with technology group, Wärtsilä, supplying its largest-ever package of products and systems in a single project.  

Conversions of the Star Breeze and Star Legend were undertaken in 2020, and the Star Pride upgrade was completed in October 2021. The three vessels have been extended, taking their length from 135m to 160.6m, providing space for 50 extra cabins accommodating up to 100 more passengers.

The ships’ main and auxiliary engines have been replaced with Wärtsilä 26 units to improve environmental performance and extend range. Other components in the company’s supply package included selective catalytic reduction systems, gearboxes, power take-off systems, and controllable pitch propeller upgrades. The ships’ alarm, monitoring and automation system, power management systems, and electrical and automation networks were all re-engineered.

Windstar Cruises President, Chris Prelog, said: “Our thanks to both Wärtsilä and Fincantieri for their completion of a complex remodel that turned out beautifully. The stretching and renovation of these three all-suite yachts not only expands our guest capacity from 212 to 312, it also upgrades our environmental sustainability and operating efficiency, all of which are important to us.”