Ambassadors International Inc., Newport Beach, Calif., will acquire Windstar Cruises from Holland America Line, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc. Windstar Cruises is a luxury cruise line featuring three small ships: the 312-passenger Wind Surf, and the sister 148-passenger ships Wind Star and Wind Spirit.

The three ships are all motor/sail yachts, featuring itineraries in the Mediterranean during the spring, summer, and fall, and winter cruises in the Caribbean and Costa Rica. At the end of 2006, an extensive enhancement and renovation program was completed on the Wind Surf.. Both the Wind Star and Wind Spirit are scheduled to undergo significant renovations in 2007.

"We are pleased to be acquiring such an iconic brand from Holland America Line," said Joe Ueberroth, chairman and CEO of Ambassadors International Inc. , in a press release. "The acquisition of Windstar Cruises completes another step in our growth plan to become a leader in the luxury, small ship cruise market."