Why Windstar Cruises Feels Right for Solo Travellers Right Now

Yesterday, I had one of those moments where work, memory, and future plans collided beautifully. I was invited by my friend Rachel Javier, who represents Windstar Cruises in Australia, to spend the afternoon with Helen Beck, Windstar’s Director of Global Commercial.

Now, I meet with suppliers all the time. It’s part of my job as a travel researcher and as the woman behind the Solo Travel Collective. But every so often, a brand conversation sparks something bigger. And with Windstar, it did.

Helen and I - the Global Sales Head at Windstar Cruises.

Summary of Windstar Cruise

• Small ship cruising in a sea of giants: vessels of max 340 guests, with the Wind Spirit hosting just 148.

• Polished but casual: premium service without the stuffy formality. No tuxedos, no butlers, no rigid dining times.

• Home at sea: long-serving staff (30+ years in some cases), warm touches like jigsaws always on the go.

• No kids clubs, no under-eights: I say this as a mother of three, but holidays are precious, and sometimes we don’t want to be surrounded by other people’s children.

• Destinations that matter: Tahiti, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia, and even Japan, which sold out instantly.

• Perfect mindset match: travellers seeking luxury with approachability, cultural immersion, and the freedom to choose when to connect or retreat.

My Long Fascination With Windstar

Windstar isn’t a new name to me. In fact, I remember it vividly from my first-ever job in travel in the early 90s, when I was working at Qantas Jetabout Holidays.

Whenever a Windstar booking came through, I felt a rush of excitement. The brochures looked exotic and indulgent, like something from another world as a 20 year old.

Maybe it was also that iconic Imperial Leather soap ad (if you’re Australian of a certain age, you’ll know the one private jet, Tahiti, a casual “Simon, Tahiti looks nice” in a clipped British accent).

That ad planted a lifelong fascination with Tahiti for me. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?

And here I am, decades later, realising that Windstar might just be one of the most relevant cruise products for solo travellers today.

Why This Supplier Relationship With Windstar Matters

As a travel coach and researcher, I don’t just take your booking.

I build relationships with beautiful travel brands to understand what they truly stand for. That’s why spending time with Helen and Rachel was so valuable.

Here’s what stood out for me about Windstar:

• Consistency of brand identity: Since 1984, Windstar has stayed true to its tagline, “180 degrees from ordinary.” In an industry where every new marketing director usually means a rebrand, that’s rare. And it builds trust.

• Service style that fits Australians: Australians, in particular, struggle with “butler service.” It feels awkward. Windstar gets this balance right, polished but casual, friendly but not fawning.

• Staff longevity: Decades-long service from crew members creates an atmosphere of warmth and belonging. For a solo traveller, this matters. You’re not just a cabin number.

• Cultural immersion through scale: Smaller yachts can access ports that mega-ships can’t. That means more authentic shore excursions, from community-led tours to fitness-friendly adventures.

Why Windstar Is Right for Solo Travellers

Through my research with solo travellers, especially, I know that what matters most isn’t just the destination, it’s the style of travel.

• Authenticity over formality: Dining “when and where you want” is a relief compared to rigid cruise schedules.

• Connection on your own terms: Share meals with others, or order room service and enjoy quiet solitude.

• Comfort and safety without fuss: The atmosphere is warm, familiar, and welcoming.

• Cultural immersion without overwhelm: Smaller vessels mean deeper access to communities and environments that large ships sail right past.

It’s a travel style that suits people who like the finer things in life but don’t want to feel like they’re in a gilded cage.

Travel as Transformation

Helen and I also talked about something close to my heart: travel as a transformational experience.

Windstar isn’t about ticking off ports. It’s about what happens when you’re out on deck at night, sea air on your face, sharing a laugh with someone you just met… or quietly working on that communal jigsaw puzzle, feeling utterly content in your own company.

That’s the real gift. Travel changes you not through grand gestures, but through these small, unexpected moments.

What’s Next

After my conversation with Helen and Rachel, I made a decision: in 2026, I’ll be hosting my first Solo Travel Collective with Friends group on a Windstar voyage.

If you’re curious or simply craving a travel style that feels warm, real, and beautifully human and a bit indulgent, let me know. This could be the perfect fit for you.

FAQs

Is Windstar good for solo travellers? Yes. With its casual-yet-polished style, open dining, and smaller ships, Windstar feels inclusive without being overwhelming.

What’s included on a Windstar cruise? Dining at any time is a relaxed luxury experience, and access to smaller ports not available to larger ships. Shore excursions vary but often highlight cultural immersion.

Where does Windstar sail? Tahiti, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia, and more. Japan was recently added (and sold out immediately).

What’s different about Windstar compared to big cruise lines? No floating cities. No rigid formality. Instead: intimacy, warmth, meaningful connection and no kids clubs.

Interested? Send me an email here.

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