Star Breeze

Star Breeze is one of Windstar’s three Star-class yachts, originally built for Seabourn and later lengthened with a new midsection that added suites, dining and a bigger pool deck. She carries just a few hundred guests and feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship, with a casual dress code and a crew that quickly learns your name. Because she is small, she can call at ports that larger ships skip, from secluded coves to narrow fjords. Star Breeze has sailed Alaska, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe, so she is a versatile choice for small-ship fans.

Best for: Travelers who want a small ship that can reach secluded places, from Alaska’s inlets to quiet Caribbean bays.

Windstar Cruises sails small ships of roughly 150 to 340 guests, including graceful masted sailing ships and all-suite motor yachts, to smaller ports in Europe, the Caribbean, Tahiti, Central America and Alaska. Its casual, yacht-like style includes swimming and kayaking off a stern watersports platform and an open bridge. It suits couples and active, well-traveled adults who want intimacy without luxury-line formality, less so families or big-ship fans.