Wind Surf is one of the largest sailing cruise ships in the world, and can carry up to 310 passengers, in a total of 154 staterooms, 31 ocean-view rooms and 122 deluxe ocean view staterooms, along with a crew of 214. Prior to being transferred to Windstar Cruises and being renamed, Wind Surf was known as Club Med 1, and was owned and operated by Club Med.
Club Med 1 was launched in 1989 in Société Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, France. Her sister ship Club Med 2 was launched in 1992 in the same shipyard. Club Med 1 made her maiden voyage in 1990, and sailed for Club Med for 8 years. Then in 1998, Club Med 1 was sold to Windstar Cruises and renamed Wind Surf. The ship was based on Windstar Cruises' smaller 5,350-ton, 148-passenger Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Song motor sailing yachts. All were also built by Société Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, France.
Windstar Cruises is a cruise ship line that operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships. Its six yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May 2014, Windstar added to its sailing yachts by adding the Star Pride power yacht, followed by Star Breeze and Star Legend in May 2015. The additional capacity opened up new itineraries such as voyages to Iceland, Panama Canal, Costa Rica and allowed Windstar Cruises to sail Tahiti year round. Windstar Cruises is named World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The line was established as Windstar Sail Cruises in 1984, and its first ship, the Wind Star was launched in 1986, and was followed by the Wind Song which was launched in 1987 and Wind Spirit which was launched in 1988. Two additional ships were ordered from the French "Sociéte Nouvelle de Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre" shipyard: the Wind Surf and the Wind Saga. These two ships were to be larger than the originals, holding over twice the amount of passengers and reaching a length of 660 ft compared to the smaller vessels of 440 ft in length.