The senior officers who will help introduce Windstar Cruises’ Star Explorer have visited the ship during its conversion at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

Captain Matthew Holloway and Staff Captain Matthew Mullins joined other members of the Windstar team for a progress inspection of the vessel.

For the two officers, the visit was particularly significant because it was their first opportunity to see the yacht they will help deliver to the Windstar fleet in December 2026.

Captain Holloway comes from a family of seafarers and grew up near the sea in Cyprus. He has built his career aboard small ships and will take responsibility for leading Star Explorer during her introduction to service.

Matthew Mullins was promoted to staff captain in 2026 and will join the ship’s senior leadership team. As staff captain, he will have major responsibilities involving navigation, safety, security, deck operations and the coordination of emergency procedures.

Star Explorer will accommodate 224 guests in 112 all-suite accommodations. She will become the sister ship of Star Seeker and increase the Windstar fleet from seven to eight vessels.

The yacht previously operated as World Explorer before being acquired for conversion into a Windstar vessel. Work at the Portuguese shipyard includes changes to suites, restaurants, public spaces and technical areas.

Star Explorer is scheduled to enter service on December 28, 2026. Her first season will focus on the Mediterranean before the ship expands into Northern Europe and other regional itineraries.

Her smaller size will allow the vessel to visit ports, rivers and harbors that cannot accommodate the industry’s largest cruise ships.