There¡¯s a new ship in French Polynesia: Windstar Cruises'?Star Breeze.

The 312-guest motor yacht set sail from her new homeport of Papeete on Sunday evening after a lively welcoming ceremony. The event also served as the official send-off party for Wind Spirit, the 148-passenger classic sailing yacht that has called these waters home for the last decade.

Windstar is now in its 36th year of sailing in Tahiti, an area known for its cerulean lagoons, lush mountains and rich culture.?

Windstar Cruises' Wind Spirit in Moorea. (photo via Windstar Cruises)

At the gathering on Sunday, Wind Spirit¡¯s captain Belinda Bennett handed over the French Polynesian flag to Star Breeze¡¯s captain Simon Terry to mark the changing of the ships. The event¡ªwhich took place on the dock sandwiched between the two ships¡ªalso featured Tahitian drummers and dancers, plus a fashion show highlighting the creations of jewelry designer Robert Wan.

¡°The Wind Spirit has always been really [part of] the backdrop of Tahiti, and it¡¯s been entrenched in the culture, with the people, with the families around it and I think that¡¯s something very special,¡± said Chris Prelog, Windstar¡¯s president, at the event. ¡°The relationships, the friendships we have here in Tahiti, they are so strong, they are so profound in 36 years of operating.¡±

Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, speaking at an event in French Polynesia (Photo Credit: Sarah Kuta)

As he bid farewell to Wind Spirit, Prelog hinted at the possibility of Windstar eventually having two ships in Tahiti, which elicited cheers from the crowd.?

¡°I have this dream that we¡¯re going to have two ships in Tahiti, so I¡¯m not going to say goodbye, I¡¯m going to say until we meet again,¡± he said. ¡°I know with the support of all our local friends ¡­ and our guests, I think we can make that dream a reality.¡±?

Moetai Brotherson, the president of French Polynesia, also joined the festivities and encouraged Wind Spirit to return to the islands soon.

Moetai Brotherson, president of French Polynesia (Photo Credit: Sarah Kuta)

¡°Is there a better way to visit this country than onboard these magnificent ships?¡± he said. ¡°In a country where our flag bears a double-hull sailing canoe, I think the answer is obvious.¡±?

By replacing Wind Spirit with the larger Star Breeze, Windstar has doubled its capacity in the popular region of the South Pacific. In addition to being larger, Star Breeze also boasts a newly renovated interior. The ship was refurbished and stretched¡ªalong with its sister ships Star Legend and Star Pride¡ªas part of the line¡¯s $250 million Star Plus initiative in 2021.?

From left to right: Belinda Bennett, captain of Wind Spirit; Moetai Brotherson, president French Polynesia; Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises; Simon Terry, captain of Star Breeze (Photo Credit: Sarah Kuta)

Wind Spirit will also soon be getting a major makeover. In December, Windstar announced plans to renovate its three classic sailing yachts by 2026. Wind Spirit¡¯s refurbishment is slated to be complete by 2025. In the meantime, the vessel is heading to Costa Rica, then onto the Mediterranean for the summer season.?

In January 2022, French Polynesia began banning very large cruise ships with capacities of more than 3,500 guests from stopping at ports in the country. The government also began restricting port calls for ships with capacities of more than 2,500 passengers, allowing them only to visit Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea. Bora Bora also limited daily cruise passengers to 1,200.

Those measures pave the way for future growth for cruise lines like Windstar, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Variety Cruises and others with small vessels.

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