"Pioneering Line Celebrates 15th Anniversary" Sailing under the banner of its appropriate tag line "180º From Ordinary," Windstar was created in the mid-1980''s with the vision to offer an alternative to the typical cruise or resort vacation. The Windstar passenger sees the world from a romantic sailing ship with luxurious accommodations, a casual yet elegant atmosphere, and exquisite service and cuisine. Well known for cruising off the beaten path, throughout 2002 we celbrated our 15th year of sailing to exotic locales and hidden harbors that larger ships cannot access. These stately vessels turn heads from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean to the Far East. The Ships In late 1986, the first commercial sailing vessel built in 60 years slipped out of a French dry-dock in Le Havre. Although the towering sails echoed a bygone era of explorers, the msy Wind Star, with its sleek lines and computerized controls, was revolutionary in concept and design. Windstar''s ships are officially masted-sail-yachts (msy), but the designation belies the vessels unique rigging. Unfurling in two minutes at the push of a button, billowing white sails reach to the sky. All functions are operated from the bridge by computer micro-chips and navigational devices. The unusual "open-bridge" operation allows guests to drop by and acquaint themselves with the veteran captains and officers who demonstrate the ship''s intriguing capabilities to modern day explorers."