By the Caribbean Journal staff

Windstar Cruises has announced the cutting of the first steel on the transformation project of its MS Star Legend cruise ship.

The company is redesigning and upgrading the ship as part of a $250 million “Million Star Plus Initiative” that will expand and transform Windstar’s three “Star-class” ships.

“This is a momentous day for Windstar as we reach another major milestone. A project of this magnitude takes time to realize and unfold,” said Christopher Prelog, vice president of fleet operations at Windstar. “We’ve accomplished so much already on the first ship Star Breeze, along with our partners at Fincantieri, that it makes the excitement for Star Legend that much greater. Today is an especially proud moment for me personally, as Star Legend was the first ship I ever worked on in the cruise industry, two decades ago. She is a beauty and the coming transformations are going to be truly amazing, for our guests and all fans of Windstar to see.”

The core of the project is a new mid-ship section for each of the three ships.

Star Legend is the second of the three ships to launch construction on the redesign; it will go from a 212-passenger ship to a 312-passenger ship once the project is completed.

That will mean the addition of 50 new suites, along with two new eateries, a new pool, a new spa, a new fitness center and shopping outlets as well.

Windstar’s Star Legend will relaunch in July 2020.

— CJ