Tourism

What is the Star Explorer cruise ship and when does it visit Gibraltar?

The cruise ship Star Explorer
Photo: Cavernia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

Star Explorer is a 224-guest all-suite yacht from Windstar Cruises, sailing as World Explorer until 2026. It is due in Gibraltar in December 2026 and on several dates in 2027, mostly on nine-night round trips from Barcelona.

Upcoming visits to Gibraltar

  • Sunday 20 December 2026, in port 08:00–18:00

  • Wednesday 23 December 2026, in port 07:00–14:00

    Also in port: Celestyal Discovery, Explora II, Hamburg. Combined: about 420 passengers where known.

  • Friday 1 January 2027, in port 13:00–22:00

  • Sunday 10 January 2027, in port 13:00–22:00

  • Thursday 18 February 2027, in port 13:00–22:00

  • Saturday 27 February 2027, in port 13:00–22:00

  • Sunday 21 November 2027, in port 13:00–22:00

  • Thursday 2 December 2027, in port 08:00–17:00

    Also in port: Celebrity Infinity. Combined: about 2,170 passengers where known.

From the Port of Gibraltar schedule, last checked 15 October 2026.

Detailed answer

Star Explorer was built at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, and entered service in 2019 as World Explorer, an expedition ship operated for Nicko Cruises, Quark Expeditions and Rivages du Monde. Windstar Cruises bought it in 2026, renamed it and refitted it in Portugal for a year-round European programme. Windstar gives a gross tonnage of 9,923, a length of 131.5 metres at the waterline, 224 guests in 112 suites and a crew of 130. Windstar presents itself as small-ship casual luxury, with no casino and no formal nights. On board are the Basil + Bamboo restaurant, the Amphora main dining room, the WorldSpa by Windstar, two Horizon Owner's Suites with wraparound balconies, and a stern platform for kayaks and paddleboards.

How busy will town be?

The upcoming visits listed on this page show the passengers expected on each call and any other ships in port the same day. Town is busiest when several ships are in at once or a large ship arrives at a weekend. A ship carrying a few hundred passengers makes little difference on its own.

Can you sail on it from nearby?

Yes. The maiden voyage leaves Barcelona on Monday 28 December 2026 for nine nights, calling at Valencia, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Malaga and Palma. The same Southern Spain round trip from Barcelona runs again from Wednesday 6 January 2027, Sunday 14 February 2027 and Tuesday 23 February 2027. In 2027 the ship also sails between Barcelona and Lisbon in May and September.