Sail into Serenity: Windstar’s Wind Spirit Launches Luxurious Winter Voyages Through the Canary Islands
July 14th, 2025 — While much of Europe slows in winter, the Canary Islands emerge in full glow—temperate, alluring, and now more accessible than ever aboard Windstar Cruises’ Wind Spirit. Beginning November 2026, the intimate, four-masted sailing yacht sets course for the Atlantic archipelago with an elevated lineup of nine-night voyages through January 2027, inviting guests to exchange snow for volcanic coastlines, celestial views, and warm evenings under starlit skies.
This marks Wind Spirit’s first full season in the Canary Islands, following a successful regional debut in late 2025. But this is not just another cruise. Windstar’s tailored itinerary offers rare access to places larger ships can’t reach, with a newly refreshed vessel that feels more like a floating private club than a cruise liner.
“We’re always looking to craft new itineraries that show off the authentic heart of a destination, and these updated Canary Islands voyages do just that.”
Jess Peterson, Director of Destination Experience & Itinerary Planning
He continued: “By adding ports like Porto Santo and El Hierro... we’re giving our guests a chance to experience a quieter, more natural side of the Canaries, with all the comforts of a Windstar yacht.”
Immersive Ports, Intimate Encounters
Windstar’s newest Canary Islands sailings introduce two exclusive destinations that add depth and rarity to the voyage:
Porto Santo, Portugal
A golden Atlantic outpost best known for its nine-kilometer beach and relaxed, off-grid charm. Once home to Christopher Columbus, the island blends historical intrigue with barefoot luxury—ideal for those seeking solitude without sacrificing scenery.
El Hierro, Spain
The smallest and least developed of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, known for lava-carved coastlines, natural rock pools, and a devotion to slow tourism that feels like a return to time itself.
Combined with ports such as Lanzarote, La Palma, and Madeira, Wind Spirit’s routes offer a curated mosaic of volcanic landscapes, local cuisine, and active excursions—camel rides across moon-like dunes, toboggan descents through wine country, and guided stargazing in one of the world’s top dark-sky preserves.
A Floating Boutique Hotel with a Seafarer’s Soul
Freshly refurbished, Wind Spirit now features redesigned suites and staterooms, a reimagined spa and fitness center, and updated lounge and dining spaces that bring contemporary comfort to its classic sailing aesthetic. In select ports, guests will also enjoy Windstar’s new marina platform, offering complimentary paddleboards, kayaks, and swim-off-the-back access that blends seamlessly with the region’s aquatic appeal.
Each voyage is an elegant balance of curated activity and quiet escape, with onboard amenities tailored to modern luxury travelers. Guests can take in Madeira’s famed New Year’s Eve fireworks from teak decks with champagne in hand or opt for a low-key paddle at sunrise off El Hierro.
For those seeking more than just relaxation, expert-led shore excursions provide thoughtful access to each destination’s cultural and environmental highlights. From island vineyards to biosphere reserves, Windstar serves as both transport and translator for those seeking deeper, quieter luxury.
Holiday Reimagined: Christmas in the Canaries
Winter holidays take on a sun-soaked elegance in the Canary Islands. While most seek snow, Windstar’s December departures spotlight a different kind of seasonal splendor: 73°F afternoons, seafood feasts on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), and spontaneous musical performances by traditional choral groups called Rondallas de los Divinos. It’s a festive season marked by Spanish heritage and warm Atlantic winds—all without the typical December crowds.
Travelers looking to extend their journey can opt for Star Collector Voyages of 13+ nights or pair their cruise with a Madrid Cruise Tour for a seamless city-to-sea experience.
Booking Incentives: Elevated Value, Exclusive Perks
Windstar’s Early Booking Offer, available through August 31, 2025, includes a complimentary All-Inclusive upgrade, adding WiFi, unlimited select wine, beer, and cocktails, and prepaid gratuities—an added value of over $1,300 per stateroom. Guests also receive up to $200 onboard credit applicable toward spa treatments, shore excursions, and more.
For additional savings, Windstar now offers a Pay Now, Save More promotion, granting a 5% discount for those who pay in full at the time of booking—even on non-discountable fares. Both offers may be combined, rewarding early planners with preferential rates and onboard flexibility.
As luxury travelers seek more meaningful ways to explore, Wind Spirit’s Canary Islands voyages deliver something rare: an experience that feels personal, intuitive, and alive with character. With its yacht-style intimacy, off-the-radar ports, and renewed onboard elegance, Windstar’s newest route invites a winter of discovery—where every detail is considered, and every horizon is yours.