We had never cruised before, and I thought that the "brand new" Star Pride would be a good option to take to see if we liked cruising. First let me say that the staff is top notch and five star in every way possible, and in no way does this review reflect on them. Rather, it is corporate management, Hans Birkholz et al, that is receiving this one star rating (and I am being generous). Shame, shame, shame on him for not properly refurbishing this ship when he took ownership of it. While Windstar certainly marketed the Star Pride as being "new", it is anything but. Although a couple of the common areas got an update, the cabins, hallways, and many other common areas were just plain gross. In a nutshell, I paid Four Seasons prices and got Holiday Inn quality. This ship is old, tired, musty and in dire need of a top to bottom renovation. Some refurbishing of the exterior common areas was being done DURING OUR CRUISE, including copious use of smelly varnish and repainting the one pool on the ship, it was no where near enough. Our cabin had worn, stained, frayed carpet, musty draperies and thin, threadbare linens. The mattress was old, worn and lumpy, and the pillow were old, flat and smelly. Yuck, yuck, yuck. The bathroom "marble" was stained and fixtures were old and worn. The carpet in the hallways and on the stairs is stained and frayed, and the overwhelming musty (mildew?) smell that permeated the interior really set my allergies off. On the upside, the food was outstanding. Kudos to the chef, his staff, and the dining staff - all top notch. Honestly, this cruise was such a turnoff that it has probably soured us on any future cruises - and certainly any future cruises with Windstar.