Three Windstar Cruises ships to get bigger in major makeovers

Get ready for a new era at Windstar Cruises. The small-ship cruise specialist is about to invest $250 million in major overhauls of the three motor ships that make up half its fleet.  Windstar president John Delaney tells USA TODAY the Star Plus Initiative, as it's being called, will bring new suites, restaurants, pool decks, retail spaces and expansive spa areas to the line's 212-passenger Star Breeze and sister ships Star Legend and Star Pride. All three of the vessels will be lengthened by around 20 percent as part of the initiative and also receive all-new, more-efficient engines. It'll be the first time major cruise vessels have been lengthened and received new engines at the same time.  "Lines have stretched ships before. But this is a little more complicated, as you can imagine," Delaney says of the makeovers, which will take place starting next October at a shipyard in Italy. "It takes more time in the yard and also is more expensive."