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Ship comparison

AmaCello vs Wind Star

The verdict

Which should you choose?

AmaCello is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 144 passengers, in service since 2008. Wind Star is an intimate Windstar Cruises ship carrying 148 passengers, in service since 1986.

Choose AmaCello if you want better-rated staterooms or a newer ship: it outscores Wind Star for staterooms (10.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2008 (vs 1986).

Choose Wind Star if you want more crew per passenger, a better-rated spa and gym or more space per passenger: it outscores AmaCello for spa & fitness (6.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has a crew member for every 1.5 passengers (vs 3.2) and it has 35.9 gross tons per passenger (vs 23.3).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

AmaCelloWind Star
Cruise line AmaWaterways Windstar Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2008 (better) 1986
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2015
Gross tonnage 3,350 5,307
Passengers 144 148
Crew 45 101
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 3.2 1.5 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 23.3 35.9 (better)
Decks 4 4
Length 360 ft 360 ft
Beam 38 ft 52 ft
Speed 13 mph 17 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 8 / 10 9 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 30 24
Upcoming sailings 86 124
Cruise lengths 7–11 nights 7–36 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,849 (better) $3,148

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. AmaCello leads on 4 of the ten, Wind Star on 4, with 2 level.

  • Active AmaCello: 8.9 Wind Star: 8.0
  • Adventure & nature AmaCello: 5.0 Wind Star: 7.0
  • Cultural AmaCello: 8.0 Wind Star: 8.0
  • Dining AmaCello: 7.9 Wind Star: 7.0
  • Entertainment AmaCello: 7.8 Wind Star: 7.0
  • Family friendly AmaCello: 2.0 Wind Star: 2.0
  • Party AmaCello: 5.0 Wind Star: 6.0
  • Romantic AmaCello: 8.0 Wind Star: 10.0
  • Spa & fitness AmaCello: 2.0 Wind Star: 6.0
  • Staterooms AmaCello: 10.0 Wind Star: 7.0

AmaWaterways

AmaCello

The 148-passenger AmaCello features twin balcony staterooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and an "infotainment" system, an Observation Lounge, a fitness center and sauna, hair and beauty salon, heated swimming pool, plus a fleet of bicycles.

Highlights

  • Sundeck with lounge chairs offering unimpeded panoramic views
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the vessel
  • Massage and Hair Salon

Sailing now

30 cruises on sale, from $2,849.

Windstar Cruises

Wind Star

Sailing on any of the trio of petite four-masted tall sail ships from Windstar Cruises is like living a fantasy — especially when you cruise in French Polynesia or any other tropical paradise.

Highlights

  • Gaming in the Vegas-style casino
  • Access to a variety of sports equipment, including water skis and snorkeling gear
  • Spa treatments in the onboard WindSpa
  • All staterooms feature ocean views

Sailing now

24 cruises on sale, from $3,148.

Questions

AmaCello or Wind Star?

Which is bigger, AmaCello or Wind Star?

Wind Star is bigger at 5,307 gross tons, against 3,350 gross tons for AmaCello. AmaCello carries 144 passengers and Wind Star carries 148.

Which ship is newer, AmaCello or Wind Star?

AmaCello is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2008 against 1986 for Wind Star.

Which has more space per passenger?

Wind Star, with 35.9 gross tons per passenger against 23.3 on AmaCello. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Wind Star, with one crew member for every 1.5 passengers against one for every 3.2 on AmaCello.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10.

Still deciding?

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