Windstar Cruises is introducing a new Formula One experience for its guests during the final race of the 2023 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.

The new shore excursion will debut for Windstar Cruises’ first ever homeport cruise season in the Middle East, with Star Legend set to cruise roundtrip from Dubai during the coming 2023/24 cruise season.

Star Legend will cruise roundtrip from Dubai 11 times between November and March. The ship will also sail two cruises one in each direction) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, Jordan.

Star Legend

The roundtrip Dubai cruises will be 10-day itineraries, while the Jeddah to Aqaba cruise, and Aqaba to Jeddah cruises will both be 9-days in length.

During an overnight stay in Abu Dhabi on the 10-night Sparkling Sands and Cities of the Arabian Gulf itinerary departing from Dubai on November 23rd, passengers will have the option to experience the F1 weekend on November 25th and 26th.

Windstar’s shore excursion to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 will include premium grandstand seats for the time trials and the race, transfers to and from Yas Marina Circuit and English-speaking coordinators as well as onboard benefits such as an exclusive cocktail party.

Guests will also be joined by F1 Sports Broadcaster Bob Varsha, who will share insights and analysis of the race and drivers. The cost for the shore excursion will be is $1,599, in addition to the average $2,999 cost of the cruise itself out of Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

“I’m a huge fan of F1 racing, and with the sport experiencing its highest ratings ever in the U.S., more and more of our Windstar customers are racing fans as well,” said Christopher Prelog, President, Windstar.

“When we were planning our first-ever sailings in the Middle East, which begin in November, I had hoped a 2023 race date would overlap,” he added.

“And lucky us: our inaugural Middle East voyage aligns with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It’s a green flag for Windstar’s sailing in a new, exciting region and a checkered flag for the 2023 racing season… a perfect fit,” he said.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix shore excursion option is an addition to Windstar’s F1 cruise to the Monaco Grand Prix, with this year’s Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco scheduled for May 21st to 28th on the Wind Surf.