Windstar Cruises conducted a steel cutting ceremony for its new ‘MS Star Legend’, on September 5 in Palermo. This is the second of three new mid-ship sections being designed and constructed as part of Windstar’s $250 Million Star Plus Initiative, to expand and transform the line’s three Star-class vessels.
According to the company’s statement, the Star Legend is the second of the three Star-class ships that will be transformed from a 212-passendger ship to 312 passengers by installing a new section of ship. The transformation will increase the capacity on all three vessels, adding 50 new suites, the majority of which are to be housed in the new mid-sections being built at Fincantieri shipyards.
Christopher Prelog, Vice President of Fleet Operations for Seattle-based Windstar Cruises commented
This is a momentous day for Windstar as we reach another major milestone. A project of this magnitude takes time to realize and unfold.
The company aims to update and boost its fleet,, transforming the Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride vessels. The small ships will be cut in half, enabling the installation of a new-stepped mid-body section.
Overall, the lengthening operations began in a ceremony conducted in April 2019, when the company announced its plans on renovations. The vessel Star Breeze was the one to be firstly renovated. The work on the first of the three ships begins on Star Breeze in October 2019 and shall end with the departure of the Star Pride from the yard in November 2020.