by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:50 AM ET, Mon September 14, 2026
Windstar Cruises is expanding its Destination Discovery Events program in 2027, adding three new complimentary experiences in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London, including after-hours access to the Tower of London.
The new events will debut alongside the inaugural European season of Star Explorer, Windstar’s newest 224-guest all-suite yacht. The expansion will bring the Destination Discovery Events program to seven experiences across seven destinations, all eight Windstar yachts and 165 sailings.
The complimentary events are available to every guest on eligible voyages and are designed to provide immersive experiences at notable destinations, often with access not typically available to the public.
In Livorno, Italy, guests will have after-hours access to the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia for a Medici-themed wine tasting featuring locally inspired cocktails, Tuscan canapés, live music and local docents. The event will be offered on Windstar’s “Europe’s Winter Riviera” itinerary.
In Dubrovnik, Croatia, The Spirit of Croatia event will begin with sparkling wine and traditional klapa singers in a 15th-century Dominican cloister. Guests will then visit the Marin Držić Theatre for Croatian music and dance. The experience will be offered on the “Iconic & Hidden Croatia” and “Off the Beaten Path Adriatic” itineraries.
The London event, Tower of London at Sunset, will be offered on just three sailings in 2027. Guests will enter the Tower after it closes to the public and receive a private viewing of the Crown Jewels, along with access to select areas including the White Tower and Battlements. Yeoman Warders will share stories during the evening, which also includes live music and a British-inspired reception in the historic New Armouries Courtyard.
The event will take place May 6 during Star Pride’s April 29 departure of the seven-night “Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium;” May 17 during Star Pride’s May 13 departure of the five-night “Timeless Maritime Powerhouses of Northern Europe;” and May 31 during Star Explorer’s 10-night “Christening Voyage: Circumnavigating Ireland,” departing June 1.
“Destination Discovery Events are about having an extraordinary place feel like it’s yours for the evening,” says Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer at Windstar Cruises. “In 2027, we’re bringing that experience to more of our guests across the fleet.”
Star Explorer, which accommodates 224 guests in 112 suites, is scheduled to begin service December 28, 2026, with a maiden voyage round trip from Barcelona through Southern Spain. The yacht will spend early 2027 in the Mediterranean before heading north for summer itineraries in the British Isles, Ireland, Norway, Scotland and the Baltic.
Windstar says the yacht’s smaller size will allow it to access destinations that are difficult or impossible for larger ships to reach. Planned experiences include docking in the Venice lagoon near the city center, sailing along the Thames beneath Tower Bridge into central London and operating European river journeys.
On board, Star Explorer will feature Basil + Bamboo, a specialty restaurant combining Asian and Mediterranean influences, as well as a full-service spa and fitness facility and an updated version of Windstar’s Marina water-access platform.
The cruise line will also offer a fall and winter Mediterranean program called Local Season, which emphasizes longer stays, later departures and more time ashore. Star Explorer’s early 2027 itineraries will include overnights on most sailings, with double overnights in Venice and Barcelona, as well as seasonal experiences such as Venice’s Carnevale and visits to the Royal Palace of Caserta from Naples.
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