Windstar Cruises is owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation.
Xanterra acquired Windstar in 2011 through a bankruptcy auction after the line former owner, Ambassadors International, collapsed financially.
Windstar itself is known for small sailing yachts and boutique motor yachts that reach ports too small for mainstream cruise ships.
Its ships carry between about 148 and 342 guests, giving the line one of the most intimate onboard atmospheres in the industry.
Xanterra Travel Collection is a large private travel company that also manages lodges and concessions inside United States national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon.
Its parent, The Anschutz Corporation, is a privately held business empire controlled by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz.
Have you ever wondered how a small sail cruise line ended up owned by the same private company that runs lodges inside some of America most famous national parks?
In this guide we will cover who owns Windstar Cruises, how ownership changed after a 2011 bankruptcy sale, what the brand is known for, and how it compares with similar small ship lines.
Lets take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Windstar Cruises?
Windstar Cruises is a small ship line built around sailing yachts and boutique all suite motor yachts.
The brand was founded in 1984 by entrepreneur Karl Andren under the name Windstar Sail Cruises.
Its first ship, Wind Star, entered service in 1986, followed by sister ships Wind Song and Wind Spirit later in the decade.
The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and today operates six yachts visiting roughly 150 ports across fifty countries.
Who Owns Windstar Cruises?
Windstar Cruises is owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, a large privately held travel and hospitality company.
Xanterra itself operates as a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, a privately held business group controlled by billionaire Philip Anschutz.
Because both companies are privately held, Windstar does not have publicly traded shares available on any stock exchange.
Privately held parent company, controlled by Philip Anschutz
Travel and hospitality subsidiary, direct owner of Windstar
Wholly owned small ship cruise brand
How Has Windstar Ownership Changed Over Time?
Founder Karl Andren launched Windstar in 1984, and Holland America Line purchased a fifty percent stake in the brand in 1987.
Holland America bought the remaining half in 1988, later bringing Windstar under Carnival Corporation ownership once Carnival acquired Holland America.
Carnival sold Windstar to Ambassadors International in March 2007 for about 100 million dollars.
Ambassadors International filed for bankruptcy in April 2011, and The Anschutz Corporation purchased Windstar through a Delaware bankruptcy auction for 39 million dollars.
What Other Travel Brands Does Xanterra Own?
Xanterra Travel Collection is best known for operating lodges, hotels, and concessions inside major United States national parks.
It manages guest services at destinations including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park.
Windstar Cruises represents the company main venture into ocean travel, separate from its land based park operations.
Windstar Fleet
Windstar operates six yachts split between sailing ships and all suite motor yachts.
The original sailing yachts, Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Surf, use computer controlled sails alongside diesel engines.
The Star Plus class, made up of Star Breeze, Star Legend, and Star Pride, joined the fleet in 2020 as former Seabourn ships converted for Windstar service.
Where Does Windstar Sail?
Windstar shallow draft allows its ships to reach small harbors closed off to most cruise vessels.
Popular regions include the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Tahiti.
The line markets its trips as 180 degrees from ordinary, emphasizing small port access over big ship amenities.
What Is Windstar Known For?
Windstar is best known for its distinctive sailing yachts, which stand out visually from typical cruise ships.
The line pairs a casual, yacht like atmosphere with fine dining menus developed alongside the James Beard Foundation.
Its small size and shallow draft let it dock in harbors that remain completely inaccessible to mainstream cruise lines.
How Does Windstar Compare With Other Small Ship Lines?
Windstar competes with other boutique lines such as Star Clippers and small ship offerings from Seabourn.
Compared with Star Clippers, Windstar mixes traditional sailing yachts with modern all suite motor yachts, offering more variety across its fleet.
Compared with mainstream lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Windstar sails far smaller ships focused on quiet, upscale small port travel.
Because Xanterra and The Anschutz Corporation are both privately held, neither company publishes detailed public financial results for Windstar on its own.
Industry estimates place Windstar among the smaller cruise operators by passenger volume, though it remains a well known name within the small ship luxury segment.
Customer Service And Official Contact Information
Guests with booking questions or onboard concerns should start with Windstar official channels rather than third party booking sites.
The official website is windstarcruises.com, which lists current phone support, live chat, and travel advisor resources.
For background on how other small ship cruise companies are structured, see WhoMakeThis guide to who owns Star Clippers and the related breakdown of who owns Seabourn Cruise Line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Windstar Cruises
Who owns Windstar Cruises?
Windstar Cruises is owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, a privately held business group controlled by Philip Anschutz.
When did Xanterra buy Windstar?
The Anschutz Corporation acquired Windstar in 2011 through a bankruptcy auction after previous owner Ambassadors International collapsed financially.
General small ship cruise standards are tracked by the Cruise Lines International Association at cruising.org.
Who founded Windstar Cruises?
Windstar Cruises was founded in 1984 by entrepreneur Karl Andren under the original name Windstar Sail Cruises.
How many ships does Windstar have?
Windstar operates six yachts, split between three original sailing yachts and three all suite motor yachts added in 2020.
Additional company history is available on Wikipedia.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.