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Italy and more are putting yacht travel in the spotlight as Windstar unveils 348 cruise combinations for Europe in 2028. The new yacht travel programme brings Italy, Europe, and Mediterranean destinations together through an expansive choice of cruise combinations. Meanwhile, travellers can explore iconic ports, smaller coastal communities, cultural landmarks, and island escapes aboard five Windstar yachts. The programme also introduces varied ways to experience Italy and more, from short getaways to extended European journeys. Travel And Tour World highlights how these yacht travel options could reshape the way global travellers experience Europe. Read the full story for the latest cruise details, destinations, and unforgettable travel possibilities.

Windstar Europe Cruises 2028: Detailed Itineraries, Destinations, Tourism Data and Traveller Planning Guide

Windstar Cruises is preparing one of its broadest European yacht programmes for 2028, with five yachts scheduled across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean from March through October. The fleet deployment includes Star Explorer, Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. The programme offers more than 45 published itineraries and 348 itinerary combinations, according to Windstar’s announcement. Options range from four-day Quick Getaways to a 53-night Grand Mediterranean voyage from Tenerife to Venice.

Windstar describes the 2028 programme as a way to combine shorter voyages with longer European holidays. The concept is particularly relevant for international travellers who already plan city stays before or after a cruise.

The five yachts shaping the 2028 European season

Star Explorer is especially important to the Northern European programme. It is Windstar’s newest yacht and is scheduled to debut in December 2026, ahead of its expanded 2028 European deployment. The yacht has a published capacity of 224 guests.

The small-yacht format matters for travellers because the programme includes smaller ports and city-centre approaches that form a central part of the itinerary design. Windstar says its yachts serve fewer than 350 guests.

The 53-night Grand Mediterranean journey

The longest 2028 voyage is the Star Collector: Grand Mediterranean aboard Wind Spirit. It runs from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Venice from February 27 to April 20, 2028, and lasts 53 nights. Windstar describes the journey as covering seven countries and 33 unique ports.

The route begins in the Canary Islands before moving through Madeira and other Atlantic destinations. It then reaches Morocco, including Casablanca and Tangier. Casablanca provides access to Marrakesh, making the itinerary relevant to travellers interested in combining coastal cruising with inland cultural excursions.

The Spanish section includes Cádiz, Málaga and Barcelona. The Málaga stay provides an opportunity for travellers to plan excursions towards Granada. The voyage then moves through the French Riviera and Ligurian coast before reaching Italian destinations.

The Italian portion connects Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sicily. The itinerary subsequently enters the Adriatic, with Dubrovnik, Zadar, Venice, Trieste, Opatija and Piran among the destinations highlighted by Windstar.

For travellers, the major advantage is geographical continuity. Instead of arranging separate flights between several European regions, passengers can follow a single maritime journey. However, the 53-night duration requires significant planning around visas, insurance, flights, luggage and personal commitments.

Grand Mediterranean route table

Germany, Kiel Canal and Hamburg

Germany receives a stronger role in the 2028 programme through Star Pride. One four-day voyage links Copenhagen and Hamburg through the Kiel Canal and Elbe River. The itinerary also includes Binz and Warnemünde, with the latter providing access towards Berlin.

Another short sailing is scheduled around Hamburg’s annual Port Birthday maritime festival. Windstar has positioned the May 3, 2028 voyage around the event, which features maritime celebrations, a boat parade and fireworks along the Elbe.

Germany’s wider tourism statistics provide useful context for travellers considering a cruise extension. Destatis reported 497.5 million guest overnight stays in Germany during 2025, a record and 0.3% above 2024. Foreign guest overnight stays were slightly lower in 2025, while domestic stays increased.

*2024 total shown approximately where the accessible official series reports the value differently across releases. Destatis’ official statistical database records the detailed annual accommodation series.

The recovery between 2021 and 2025 is particularly important for travellers because the 2028 programme includes both major urban destinations and smaller coastal locations. Germany recorded 450.8 million guest overnight stays in 2022, up 45.3% from 2021. In 2023, the figure reached 487.2 million, while foreign overnight stays reached 80.9 million.

Amsterdam, Normandy and London

Star Pride also operates a five-night Quick Getaway from Amsterdam to London. The May 7–12, 2028 voyage connects Amsterdam, Belgium, Normandy and London. Published itinerary information identifies Ostend as the gateway for Bruges, followed by Rouen, Honfleur and an overnight London stay beside HMS Belfast.

The itinerary creates a compact route for travellers who want to add a cruise to a larger European holiday. Amsterdam can be used as a pre-cruise city break, while London can become the post-cruise extension.

The route is particularly useful for travellers interested in museums, historic architecture, food and short-distance rail connections. Rouen can provide access to Normandy, while Ostend provides access to Bruges.

The United Kingdom also remains one of Europe’s largest international tourism markets. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, overseas residents made 42.6 million visits to the UK in 2024 and spent £31.6 billion.

The ONS cautions that 2021 figures were heavily affected by pandemic restrictions and methodological limitations. The 2022 figure represented a substantial recovery from the 6.4 million visits recorded in 2021.

By 2023, overseas visits reached 38.0 million. Holiday travel accounted for 15.9 million visits, or 42% of the total.

Ireland and the new Inis Mór call

Ireland is another major focus of the 2028 Northern European programme. Star Explorer is scheduled to include Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, as a new Windstar port. The wider programme includes Belfast, Londonderry, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Cork and Waterford.

The programme also highlights scenic cruising near the Cliffs of Moher and city-centre docking in Cork. For travellers, this makes the Ireland programme particularly suitable for combining coastal scenery with compact city visits.

Windstar also publishes Gaelic Explorers between Dublin and Edinburgh. The eight-night voyage connects Ireland and Scotland through islands, coastal towns and historic landscapes.

A longer 19-night Star Collector connects Paris/Rouen with Edinburgh and combines Ireland and Scotland. Its published route includes access to locations such as Galway, the Burren, Orkney and the Giant’s Causeway region.

Ireland’s tourism statistics show that international demand remains substantial. The Central Statistics Office reported 6.4 million overseas overnight visitors in 2025, down 3% from 6.6 million in 2024 but 2% above 2023’s 6.3 million.

In 2025, Great Britain represented 38% of overseas visitors, Continental Europe 33%, North America 24% and other markets 5%. Holidays, leisure and recreation accounted for 40% of the main purposes reported by visitors.

Scotland and the Scottish-Viking Adventure

Star Explorer’s Scottish and Viking Adventure runs from Dublin to Copenhagen for 18 nights. Windstar describes the route as covering Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Norway and Denmark.

The route is suited to travellers who want a longer Northern European experience without relying entirely on inland transfers. It combines coastal landscapes with historic urban destinations.

Another Gaelic Explorers sailing operates between Edinburgh and Dublin in August 2028. This gives travellers flexibility to choose their preferred direction.

A longer Ireland and Scotland Star Collector extends the journey to 19 nights. Travellers can use these longer combinations to build a more immersive itinerary around landscapes, castles, historic settlements and local food.

For visitors from outside Europe, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh and London can also function as international gateway cities. A practical plan is to arrive one or two days before embarkation and avoid scheduling an immediate long-haul flight after disembarkation.

Greece and the 11-night Mystery Cruise

Windstar’s 2028 Mediterranean Mystery Cruise operates as an 11-night round trip from Athens, departing July 18 and returning July 29, 2028. The itinerary is deliberately undisclosed until the voyage is underway.

This is different from a conventional cruise because travellers cannot plan their complete port-by-port sightseeing programme before departure. It may therefore suit passengers comfortable with flexible travel planning.

Greece’s tourism statistics show the scale of the destination market. The Bank of Greece recorded 36.08 million inbound travellers in 2023, up 20.8% from 29.88 million in 2022.

The five-year comparison below uses the Bank of Greece’s inbound traveller series.

In 2025, the Bank of Greece reported a 6.4% increase in inbound traveller flows. Overnight stays increased 1.6%, while total travel receipts reached €23.63 billion. Cruise passenger receipts also increased 4.9%.

The same release reported that average expenditure per trip reached €545.50 in 2025, while the average length of stay fell to 5.6 nights.

Italy, Rome, Venice and the Adriatic

Italy occupies a substantial part of the 2028 Mediterranean programme. Published voyages connect Rome, Venice, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the Adriatic and the French Riviera.

One 12-night Star Explorer itinerary runs from Venice to Civitavecchia. The route crosses Croatia and Montenegro before continuing towards Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Corsica and Sardinia.

Another 16-day Star Collector travels from Rome to Venice around the Italian peninsula. A separate 16-day Adriatic Waters to Italian Shores itinerary runs from Venice to Rome.

Italy’s official tourism statistics show the strength of the market. Istat recorded 139.6 million tourist arrivals and 466.2 million overnight stays in accommodation establishments in 2024. Both represented historic highs in the national series.

The 2023 data already exceeded the previous pre-pandemic peak. Istat reported 133.6 million arrivals and 447.2 million overnight stays, compared with 131.4 million arrivals and 436.7 million overnight stays in 2019.

For cruise travellers, this means ports such as Rome and Venice sit within two of Europe’s most significant tourism environments. Visitors should therefore plan excursions carefully and consider pre- or post-cruise hotel nights where possible.

Croatia and the Adriatic coastline

Croatia is heavily represented in Windstar’s 2028 Adriatic programme. Destinations include Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Pula, Rovinj, Šibenik, Trogir, Poreč and other coastal locations.

The seven-night Venetian Majesty & Spectacular Croatia itinerary links Venice and Dubrovnik. Its published route includes Piran, Pula, Rovinj, Zadar and Trogir.

Another seven-night Off the Beaten Path Adriatic voyage runs from Dubrovnik to Venice. It includes Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, Monopoli, Pomena, Korčula, Šibenik, Opatija and Poreč.

Croatia’s official statistics recorded 20.7 million tourist arrivals and 94.8 million tourist nights in commercial accommodation in 2025. Foreign visitors generated 17.6 million arrivals and 85.6 million nights.

For travellers, Croatia offers a particularly useful combination of compact historic centres and coastal landscapes. Dubrovnik and Split provide heritage-focused sightseeing, while islands and smaller ports allow more relaxed days.

France and the Riviera

France appears through routes connecting the French Riviera, Normandy and Paris-access ports. One Rome-to-Barcelona itinerary includes Portovenere, Monte Carlo, Cannes and Sanary-sur-Mer.

Another Northern European voyage links Amsterdam, Normandy and London, with Rouen and Honfleur providing access to inland and regional attractions.

France’s official tourism accommodation data shows the scale of its visitor economy. In 2025, collective tourist accommodation establishments recorded 465.4 million overnight stays, including 148.8 million foreign overnight stays. Hotels accounted for 220.2 million nights, including 83.5 million foreign nights.

The French data is based on accommodation nights rather than international border arrivals, so it should not be directly compared with Greece’s inbound traveller count or the UK’s overseas visit measure. The difference is methodological and important when interpreting tourism demand.

The wider 2028 itinerary portfolio

Windstar’s published 2028 pages identify a broad mix of short cruises, Star Collector combinations and regional voyages. The following list consolidates the publicly visible itinerary names and routes.

These are the publicly identified itineraries found in Windstar’s current 2028 European listings. Windstar states that the complete programme contains more than 45 itineraries and 348 combinations, so the table should not be interpreted as a complete list of every sailing date or every combinable voyage.

Destination and city master list

Five-year tourism comparison for the major cruise markets

The following table provides a high-level comparison using official national statistics. The figures are deliberately not presented as one single ranking because the countries measure tourism differently.

*Croatia 2024 total is referenced through the 2025 official year-on-year comparison. Definitions differ between countries.

What the five-year data means for cruise travellers

The statistics show a common European pattern: 2021 remained heavily affected by pandemic-era travel restrictions, while 2022 and 2023 brought substantial recovery across major markets.

Germany moved from 450.8 million overnight stays in 2022 to 487.2 million in 2023 and 497.5 million in 2025.

Greece recorded 15.25 million inbound travellers in 2021, followed by 29.88 million in 2022 and 36.08 million in 2023. The Bank of Greece then reported another 6.4% increase in inbound flows during 2025.

Italy’s accommodation statistics climbed from 78.7 million arrivals in 2021 to 139.6 million in 2024. Overnight stays increased from 289.2 million to 466.2 million during the same period.

The UK recorded 6.4 million overseas visits in 2021, 31.2 million in 2022, 38.0 million in 2023 and 42.6 million in 2024. The ONS specifically warns that pandemic-period comparisons require caution.

Ireland reached 6.3 million overseas overnight visitors in 2023, 6.6 million in 2024 and 6.4 million in 2025.

Croatia recorded 20.7 million arrivals and 94.8 million nights in commercial accommodation during 2025, with foreign travellers accounting for 17.6 million arrivals and 85.6 million nights.

Suggested 2028 travel plans for international visitors

Seven-day Adriatic plan

Travellers with one week can consider Venice as the arrival city, followed by a Windstar Adriatic voyage. Spend two nights in Venice before embarkation, then use the cruise for Croatia and the Adriatic. After disembarkation, travellers can add two nights in Dubrovnik if the route permits.

This plan suits visitors focused on historic cities, coastal landscapes and compact walking destinations.

Ten-to-14-day Mediterranean plan

Travellers flying from Asia, North America or Australia may benefit from a longer European stay. A practical structure is two nights in Rome, followed by a cruise towards France, Corsica, Croatia or Venice. The cruise can then be followed by two or three nights in the final city.

This reduces the pressure of connecting a long-haul flight immediately after a cruise.

Three-week Northern Europe plan

Travellers can combine London, Amsterdam, Ireland and Scotland with a longer Star Explorer sailing. Allow at least two nights in London or Amsterdam before embarking and additional time in Edinburgh after the cruise.

The longer 18- or 19-night voyages can form the central part of a three-week or four-week European holiday.

53-night Grand Mediterranean plan

The longest voyage requires a different planning approach. Travellers should consider several pre-cruise nights in Tenerife and additional post-cruise nights in Venice. Because the route crosses seven countries, passport validity and entry rules should be checked for the traveller’s nationality before departure.

A detailed medical, insurance, medication and luggage plan is also advisable for a journey lasting almost two months.

Traveller checklist before booking

Early booking details for 2028

Windstar has announced an Early Booking Offer for eligible newly released 2028 Europe voyages booked by October 31, 2026. The published offer includes a complimentary All-Inclusive package with Wi-Fi, gratuities and unlimited selected beer, wine and cocktails. It also includes a US$100 shipboard credit per guest. Travellers paying the cruise fare in full at booking may receive a 5% cruise-fare saving, subject to the published conditions.

Travellers should verify the exact terms before paying because promotional conditions can vary by sailing and booking circumstances.

Final traveller perspective

Windstar’s 2028 European programme is designed around a wide range of travel styles rather than one standard cruise pattern. The portfolio includes four-day voyages for travellers adding a short maritime component to a larger holiday, regional seven- to 19-night cruises and a 53-night journey crossing seven countries.

The strongest practical feature for global travellers is the ability to combine cruise travel with conventional European city breaks. Amsterdam, London, Rome, Venice, Athens, Dublin, Edinburgh and Copenhagen can all serve as important arrival or departure points across the programme.

The destination statistics also show why these markets remain important to international travel. Germany recorded a 2025 accommodation record, Italy reached a record 466.2 million overnight stays in 2024, Greece recorded another increase in inbound travellers during 2025, and Ireland remained above its 2023 overseas visitor level.

For travellers considering a 2028 European yacht holiday, the key is therefore not simply selecting a ship. The more important decision is matching the itinerary length, destination mix, travel season, entry requirements and preferred pace of sightseeing with the overall European holiday plan.

Conclusion

Windstar’s 2028 European season places Italy and yacht travel firmly in the spotlight, with 348 cruise combinations spanning the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. From quick getaways to the 53-night Grand Mediterranean voyage, travellers can choose journeys that match different interests and schedules. With historic cities, island communities, coastal ports and cultural experiences across the routes, the programme offers plenty to discover. Travel And Tour World will continue to track the latest developments shaping European cruise travel and the experiences attracting global travellers.