Windstar Cruises Casino Review: Does Windstar Still Have a Casino?

Windstar Cruises sails a fleet of small sailing ships and all-suite motor yachts to ports that big cruise ships cannot reach. Its style is casual elegance: no formal nights, an open bridge policy, deck barbecues and a watersports platform at the stern. For many years, every Windstar ship also carried a small casino. That is no longer the case. During refurbishments in 2018 and 2019, Windstar removed the casinos from its ships to free up public space.

This review explains what Windstar's casinos used to offer, when and why they were removed, what you will find onboard instead, where Windstar guests can still gamble ashore, and which cruise lines blackjack and tournament players should consider if casino play matters.

Windstar Casino Status at a Glance

What Windstar's Casinos Used to Offer

Before the removals, Windstar's casinos were small corners of the main lounge or dedicated rooms off the lounge. Third-party guides described them in detail:

• Wind Spirit had a small casino on Deck 3, in the forward corner of the lounge, with two table games and 11 slot machines, separated by glass walls to contain the sound.
• Wind Star had a tiny casino tucked into a corner of its main lounge.
• Star Legend, Star Pride and Star Breeze had small casinos as part of their bar and lounge areas.

Older guidance listed Windstar casinos with blackjack, poker, roulette and slots, a $5 table minimum, a minimum age of 21, cash payment and no smoking. The casinos were operated under a concession by Century Casinos, a casino operator that also ran gaming on other ships. All of that is now historical.

When and Why Windstar Removed Its Casinos

Windstar removed casino operations across its fleet over about six months:

Guests who had booked received emails explaining that the casino would be removed to increase public space onboard. When Windstar released its 2019 to 2020 brochure, the deck plans for all six ships no longer showed any casinos. On at least one ship, the former casino space became a coffee bar.

The reasons are easy to understand. Windstar's ships are small, carrying between about 148 and 312 guests, and they spend much of their time in port, including smaller harbors and hidden coves. Casinos at sea can generally open only in international waters, so a port-intensive small ship has few hours of legal casino operation. Guests also reported that the casinos were often empty. For Windstar, the space was more valuable as lounge and dining room.

Windstar's Fleet Today

Windstar operates two main types of ship:

The three Star Plus Class yachts were originally built for Seabourn and acquired by Windstar in 2013 to 2015. Windstar's $250 million Star Plus Initiative then cut each ship in half and added a new midsection, lengthening the yachts from about 438 to 522 feet, raising capacity from 212 to 312 guests and adding new suites, restaurants, a larger pool, a new spa and more efficient engines. Star Pride was the last to complete the work in 2022.

Windstar has also added two new-build yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, scheduled to debut in 2026. Windstar has not marketed casinos on these new ships, and its overall approach remains casino-free. If casino play matters to you, check the facilities list for your ship before booking.

What You Will Find Instead

Windstar's evenings are best described as gently social. Instead of a casino, you can expect:

• Live music in the main lounge and, on some ships, in Compass Rose or the Yacht Club.
• Deck barbecues under the stars, a Windstar signature.
• Sailaway rituals, with sails rising to dramatic music on the sailing ships.
• Guest lecturers on select voyages.
• Open bridge visits, where guests can chat with officers.
• A library with books and games to borrow.
• Watersports from the stern platform during the day, in calm conditions.

There is no casino, no slot machines and no theater, and nightlife is relaxed rather than lively.

A Day and Evening on a Windstar Ship

To understand why Windstar decided a casino was not essential, it helps to picture a typical day. Mornings often begin with the ship anchored in a quiet bay or tied up in a small harbor. Guests head ashore for a walk through a village, a guided excursion or a beach. In the afternoon, the watersports platform may open at the stern for kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. Sail-away comes in the late afternoon or evening, followed by dinner in Amphora, Candles or one of the other restaurants. After dinner, guests gather in the lounge for live music, step out on deck to watch the stars, or call it an early night before the next port. In that rhythm, there are very few hours when a casino could open, and few guests miss it.

Friendly Card Games Without a Casino

Windstar's library has board games and cards to borrow, and many guests enjoy friendly games in the lounge or on deck. If you love blackjack, you can bring a deck and play a casual practice game with friends for fun, using the time to rehearse basic strategy or tournament betting decisions. Keep it social and money-free: onboard gambling outside a licensed casino is not something the ship supports, but a friendly practice game for points is a pleasant way to keep your skills sharp.

Is a Casino-Free Cruise Right for You?

Ask yourself a few questions before booking Windstar:

• How many evenings would I spend in a casino on a typical cruise? If the answer is most of them, choose another line.
• Do I want to enter blackjack tournaments? If so, Windstar cannot offer them.
• Would I enjoy visiting a casino ashore instead? If yes, look for itineraries with suitable ports.
• Am I mainly traveling for the destinations? If yes, Windstar's small-ship access may matter more than a casino.

Many experienced cruisers alternate: a casino-friendly sailing on a larger line for one trip, and a quiet, port-rich Windstar voyage for another.

Where Windstar Guests Can Gamble Ashore

Windstar's itineraries often visit smaller ports, but many voyages include stops near land-based casinos. Examples include:

• Monte Carlo, Monaco, on Mediterranean voyages, home of the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico, with several hotel casinos.
• Saint Martin and Sint Maarten, where the Dutch side has a number of casinos.
• Aruba and other Caribbean islands, with resort casinos near the port.

On many other Windstar routes, such as French Polynesia, the Greek islands and small Adriatic ports, casino options ashore are limited or non-existent, so research your specific ports in advance.

Because Windstar sometimes stays late or overnight in port, you may have time to visit a land-based casino in the evening. Check local age rules, dress codes and ID requirements.

What This Means for Blackjack Tournament Players

For blackjack and tournament players, Windstar is not the right line. There are no tables, no tournaments and no casino rewards. If tournament blackjack is part of your travel plans, consider:

• Booking a different line for trips where casino play matters.
• Pairing a Windstar voyage with a casino stay before or after the cruise, timed around a land-based tournament.
• Practicing tournament strategy at home so you are ready for your next event.

Tournament Practice Ideas

• Work through end-game scenarios. Calculate the bets needed to pass a leader on the last hand.
• Study elimination rounds. Learn how the right bet changes when the lowest stack is eliminated.
• Practice bankroll pacing. Plan how to use your chips over a fixed number of hands.
• Read our tournament guides to sharpen your skills between trips.

Planning a Casino-Friendly Windstar Itinerary

If you want to sail Windstar but still enjoy some casino time, the Caribbean is your best bet. Windstar's Caribbean voyages, often from San Juan or Barbados, can include calls at islands with land-based casinos, as well as overnight or late stays. A few planning tips:

• Start or end in San Juan. Book a hotel with a casino for a night before or after the voyage.
• Look for evening departures from islands with casinos, so you have time to visit after dinner ashore.
• Check casino hours and age rules, since some island casinos require guests to be 21.
• Bring ID and suitable evening wear for resort casinos with dress codes.

How Windstar Compares With Other Casino-Free Lines

Windstar is part of a broader trend among small and expedition ships. Disney Cruise Line has never had casinos, Azamara removed its casinos to create lounges and cabins, and many expedition lines skip them entirely. Larger ships rely on casino revenue more heavily, while small ships with port-intensive itineraries find the space more valuable for guests.

Better Choices for Casino Players Who Like Small Ships

If you like Windstar's intimate feel but want a casino, these lines are worth a look:

Seabourn is a natural comparison, since Windstar's Star Class yachts originally sailed for Seabourn. Today, Seabourn's ocean ships still carry small casinos with blackjack, roulette and slots.

Pros and Cons for Casino-Minded Travelers

Tips for Windstar Guests Who Enjoy Gambling

• Plan land-based casino visits on late or overnight port calls.
• Check casino rules ashore, including age limits and dress codes.
• Book another line for trips where casino play is a priority.
• Combine a casino resort stay with your Windstar voyage.
• Enjoy what Windstar does best: small ports, great food and relaxed evenings on deck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windstar have a casino?

No. Windstar removed the casinos from its ships during refurbishments in 2018 and 2019.

Why did Windstar remove its casinos?

Windstar removed casino operations to increase public space onboard. The ships spend much of their time in port, so the casinos could open only for limited hours and were often lightly used.

What replaced the Windstar casinos?

The space was reused for lounge, bar and social areas. On at least one ship, the former casino became a coffee bar.

Do the new Windstar ships have casinos?

Windstar has not marketed casinos on its new Star Seeker and Star Explorer yachts. Check the facilities list for your ship before booking.

Where can I gamble on a Windstar cruise?

You can visit land-based casinos in some ports, such as Monte Carlo, San Juan and Sint Maarten.

Final Verdict

Windstar made a clear decision to give up its small casinos in favor of more public space on its intimate yachts and sailing ships. For the line's typical guests, who come for small ports, casual elegance and evenings on deck, that trade makes sense. For blackjack players and tournament fans, it means Windstar is not the right choice. Enjoy Windstar for what it does best and plan a land-based casino visit in port, or book Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Oceania or another line from our cruise ship casino reviews when you want tables and tournaments at sea.

Casino rules, games, minimums and loyalty benefits change often and vary by ship and itinerary. Always confirm current details with the cruise line or the casino host onboard before you play. Gamble responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.