The company started as Windstar Sail Cruises, with the first three ships coming online in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Windstar did not make a profitable venture and was entirely taken over by Holland America Line by 1988, both of which subsequently came under the Carnival Corp. banner. Then in 2007, Windstar Cruises, the Sail having been dropped years ago, was bought by Seattle-based Ambassadors International, also once owner of the now-defunct Majestic America Line. Windstar came under new ownership in June 2011, when Xanterra Parks & Resorts acquired it from Ambassadors International after Ambassadors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.