Calling all Foodies!
When planning an unforgettable trip, few things can rival the joy of experiencing a destination through its flavors. Imagine tasting freshly caught seafood along the Mediterranean coast, or sipping exclusive regional wines onboard following a day in some of the world’s most renowned vineyards. Luxury meets culinary adventure with Windstar Cruises, the go-to choice for food lovers and wine connoisseurs who want to enjoy the ultimate epicurean voyage.
Windstar Cruises combines its intimate small-ship experience with unparalleled culinary offerings, making it a must-add to every foodie’s travel bucket list. Whether you’re a seasoned luxury traveler, an adventurous palate, or someone simply looking to elevate your travel experiences, join us on an unmatched experience aboard Windstar’s culinary and wine itineraries.




A More Intimate Culinary Experience
Windstar Cruises’ hallmark is its small-ship experience, treating guests to unmatched access and attention aboard their yachts, which host just 148–342 guests. If you’ve found traditional cruise lines just a bit too impersonal, Windstar flips the script with its immersive voyages that blend thoughtfully curated itineraries with a passionate focus on culinary and cultural discovery.
Local ingredients and culturally significant dishes take center stage on Windstar’s itineraries, ensuring that you not only see the world but also taste it. Have dietary restrictions? No problem. Windstar’s vegetarian and vegan programs are integrated into the daily menu rotation, so everyone can savor inspired dishes using the freshest local produce.
With Windstar, each bite tells a story steeped in the heritage and traditions of the destinations you encounter along your voyage. In many ports, you can even join our chefs on local market tours to learn about regional specialties and select fresh ingredients for upcoming menus.




James Beard Foundation Partnership: A Decade of Excellence
One of the standout features of Windstar Cruises is its exclusive partnership with the James Beard Foundation. This collaboration celebrates chefs and culinary leaders that make up America’s vibrant food culture. As the Official Cruise Line of James Beard Foundation, Windstar chefs seamlessly blend fine dining with the authentic flavors of the regions visited.
Curious about what sets this collaboration apart? Each James Beard Foundation cruise includes specially curated culinary events, ranging from cooking demonstrations to shopping at local markets with James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this one-of-a-kind partnership, where special chefs, including James Beard-recognized talents like Larry Forgione—the “godfather of American cuisine”—will join select sailings to provide new culinary delights and insights. Chefs also leave their recipes with Windstar and you can sample their dishes on all Windstar voyages if you’re unable to attend select sailing dates.
If you’re looking for an immersive experience, Windstar ensures you leave not just with a full stomach but a deeper cultural appreciation and culinary knowledge.




Exclusive Wine-Tasting Adventures
For wine enthusiasts, Windstar is the ultimate tasting experience. As part of their commitment to unique epicurean experiences around the world, guests will enjoy a variety of curated wines and receive an in-depth look at various spirits on select itineraries. Collaborations with renowned wineries ensure that you savor some of their most exclusive bottles.
Every wine-themed cruise features two exclusive wine-tasting workshops, making it an interactive and enriching experience for all onboard. Learn the intricate notes of a cabernet from a knowledgeable sommelier and then compare them to other vineyards in ports you visit along the way. It’s these details that make Windstar a full-bodied, sensory adventure.
Even for the casual wine drinker, these tastings not only whet your appetite for travel but also open your palate to new, exciting flavors.




A Signature Cocktail Experience at Sea
Wine isn’t the only thing on offer—prepare to be dazzled by Windstar’s curated collection of smoked cocktails, which blend tantalizing flavors with pure artistry. For cocktail lovers, these signature mixed drinks take shipboard imbibing to unprecedented heights.
Try the bold Smoked Goose Martini, made with Grey Goose L’Orange, Cointreau, and a dash of Laphroaig—perfectly garnished with an orange twist. Or savor the creative twist of Windstar’s Smoked Cherry Our Fashioned, a sophisticated take on the classic Old Fashioned. If you’re in the mood for something a little spicy, don’t miss the Smoked Spicy Margarita Sour infused with mezcal and egg white.
And if you’re traveling to Tahiti or the Mediterranean, don’t miss Windstar’s exclusive regional lists. Smoked, stirred, or shaken, these cocktails are designed to elevate evenings at sea while showcasing the cruise line’s flair for unmatched culinary creativity.




Perfect Your Foodie Bucket List with Windstar
Windstar doesn’t just take you on a voyage through the world’s oceans—it takes you on a voyage through the world’s kitchens. Whether you’re sampling local treats in Asia, attending a James Beard cooking class, or sipping limited edition wines onboard, every moment of the Windstar experience is thoughtfully designed for food lovers and adventurers.
Cruising year-round in Europe also means you can explore seasonal flavors all across the Mediterranean, from socca and warm mulled wine in Nice, France, to making savory moussaka and flaky spanakopita at a cooking class in the sunny Greek Isles.
Luxurious, intimate, and undeniably delicious, a Windstar cruise turns each meal into a celebration of culture and each drink into a sensory escape. The question isn’t whether your next trip will be with Windstar—it’s where you’ll choose to explore first.
For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.