Our 11th season with Windstar promises to be the best yet, with James Beard Foundation–recognized chefs traveling on a series of exciting food-themed itineraries designed to immerse guests in epicurean adventures around the globe. The past decade of voyages has featured a diverse line-up of headlining chefs, who curate and prepare nightly dinner menus, perform cooking demonstrations, interact with guests, and lead off-ship excursions to local markets and other attractions. Through these best-in-class travel and food experiences, Windstar has taken the James Beard Foundation’s ethos of culinary excellence around the world while championing Good Food for Good®, JBF’s guiding principle to create a more equitable, sustainable, and delicious food industry for everyone.

February 2026
Mayan Legacies on the Wind Surf 

West of the well-traveled Caribbean, even further west than the Cayman Islands and ABC Islands, lies a handful of scattered cays and mainland ports that combine Caribbean charm with Latin appeal. This is where you’ll discover the Mayan legacy of the Chacchoben ruins and where you’ll take in chalk-white beaches and rainbow-hued corals, shimmering underground waterfalls, and howler monkeys swinging through the rainforest canopy. Plus, gain access to unspoiled islands like San Andrés, reachable only by small ships like Wind Surf.

The culinary experience spotlights the talents of chef José Garzón, the creative mind behind Garzón Latinx Street Food and Bad Chancla, a vibrant eatery serving Latin American–style sandwiches and rice bowls located on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington. He is known for blending traditional Latin American flavors with modern techniques, drawing inspiration from both his heritage and the Pacific Northwest culinary scene. His passion for street food was sparked during his travels as a touring musician, and he now channels that energy into dishes that celebrate culture and community. At Bad Chancla, he emphasizes sustainability and local sourcing, earning recognition from critics and patrons alike. Beyond the kitchen, chef Garzón shares his knowledge through workshops, promotes sustainable food practices, and continues to explore new culinary innovations.

March 2026
Beach Fun & Sun on the Wind Surf 

Bask on remote beaches resplendent in natural beauty during this relaxing, unrushed, and uncrowded seven-day getaway to secluded Caribbean destinations that are Windstar’s specialty. Board a private speedboat bound for Little Bay, Anguilla’s smallest and most private beach, then snorkel among flitting grunts, wrasses, and snappers. Guide your own rigid inflatable boat through Sir Francis Drake Waterway bays and isles around Jost Van Dyke. Sink in solitude to the silent depths where an 1867 steamship rests, an iconic Tortola dive site that doubled as an underwater movie set. Embark from Windstar’s onboard Watersports Platform on your own self-directed snorkeling and kayaking adventures. Find the warm sunset twilight during an overnight port stay at Virgin Gorda. Windstar takes you to the secret beaches and invites you to join us for our private Signature Beach Party, a fun in the sun affair, full of the rhythm and joy of the Caribbean.

This cruise features chef Belinda Bishop, an award-winning American-Grenadian chef and Grenada’s culinary ambassador, who has been transforming the island’s food scene for over 14 years. Known for fusing traditional Caribbean cuisine with contemporary techniques, she emphasizes healthy, well-balanced dishes made with fresh vegetables, spices, and cultural influences from across the region. Beyond the kitchen, Bishop collaborates with artists, musicians, and spirit makers to preserve and celebrate Grenada’s heritage through global events. She also shares her expertise internationally, promoting sustainable agriculture and mentoring young chefs through initiatives like the Grenada Culinary Network and Gemstar Scholarship program. With a career that includes managing restaurants in the U.S. and cooking for celebrities, Bishop now leads Belinda’s Bistro at the Tower Estate while also contributing to humanitarian efforts as a chef with World Central Kitchen.

May 2026
Scenic Alaska on the Star Seeker 

Mist-shrouded evergreen forests, soaring eagles, and whale pods abound on this cruise that features visits to Sitka, Juneau, Haines, and Ketchikan. Fish for halibut, lingcod, and rockfish on a guided fishing trip near the picturesque Tongass National Forest. Bicycle remote coastal roads and hike the soft trails of a mossy temperate rainforest outside Sitka or try your hand stretching molten glass in a local artist studio. Take to the skies for glacier flightseeing or venture across the ice on a guided glacier ATV tour. Experience the clamor and challenges of directing a dogsled team. Alaska’s pristine beauty complements the abundant opportunities for sampling fresh-caught seafood and authentic local fare such as baked salmon on aromatic cedar planks, decadent king crab legs, and rustic clam chowder.

The headlining chefs are mother-daughter duo Kirsten Dixon and Mandy Dixon, celebrated Alaskan chefs, authors, and lodge owners who have built a legacy of connecting people to the state’s wild landscapes through food. Kirsten, trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, is an award-winning chef and cookbook author whose cuisine highlights the flavors of the north, from wild salmon to foraged berries, and operates the family’s Within the Wild Adventure Company. Her daughter Mandy, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and was mentored by chef Thomas Keller, leads the kitchen at James Beard Award semifinalist® Tutka Bay Lodge, where she blends classical techniques with Alaska’s extraordinary ingredients. Together, they’ve authored acclaimed cookbooks, earned international recognition, and continue to nurture future generations of chefs while celebrating Alaska’s unique sense of place.

August 2026
French Feast: Normandy, Brittany, and Aquitaine on the Star Legend 

This comprehensive exploration of France includes an overnight in Rouen (Paris) and visits to the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and Aquitaine. Treat your palate to fine wines in Bordeaux and cider from Brittany, taste regional specialties like Cancale oysters and Breton galettes, and feast your eyes on timeless scenery, including Mont-Saint-Michel's abbey, Saint-Malo’s pink sandstone cliffs, and Monet’s flower and water gardens in Giverny. Trace history through the ages from the rustic stone megaliths at Carnac to the opulence of Versailles to the stoic silence of D-Day beaches. Visit iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, and write your own hiking adventures on the unspoiled wild Breton coast.

Culinary icon Gabriel Kreuther headlines this voyage. Chef Kreuther is a 2025 James Beard Award nominee® for Outstanding Chef and chef/owner of his eponymous fine dining restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, where he fuses his classic French training and Alsatian heritage with his love of New York City. During the first decade of his career, chef Kreuther created culinary delights at Michelin-starred kitchens throughout Germany, France, and Switzerland before bringing his talent to the U.S. In New York City, chef Kreuther joined the team at La Caravelle then held a leadership role at Jean-Georges before becoming the executive chef of the much-lauded Atelier at the Ritz-Carlton and then The Modern, where his cooking received numerous accolades throughout his nearly decade-long tenure. A long-standing member and mentor for the prestigious Bocuse d'Or USA Culinary Council, chef Kreuther was named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2003 and won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York City in 2009.In 2021, chef Kreuther published his first cookbook, Gabriel Kreuther: The Spirit of Alsace, a Cookbook, sharing his restaurant creations and interpretations of traditional Alsatian dishes.

October 2026
Classic Italy and the Dalmatian Coast on the Wind Surf 

Explore the shores of Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, discovering the charm of Venice, the magnificence of Rome, and the vast beauty of the Dalmatian Coast. Wander down the ancient cobblestone streets of Taormina, travel up the sparkling fjord to Kotor and bask in the allure of small ship cruising as your vessel anchors in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik while larger ships only pass by. From remarkable small ports such as Rivinj to timeless cities like Venice and Rom, discover the Mediterranean’s most charming and historic destinations in one incomparable voyage.

Chef David Uygur headlines this Mediterranean culinary adventure. Chef Uygur earned a 2024 James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Chef, following a 2023 James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Restaurant for his Dallas restaurant, Lucia, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top culinary talents. In 2024, the Michelin Guide honored Lucia with Bib Gourmand status. A cozy neighborhood spot with just 10 tables, Lucia is owned and operated by chef Uygur and his wife. Its ever-changing menu showcases house-cured salumi, handmade pastas, and a dedication to seasonality and craft that continues to captivate diners.