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Windstar Cruises, the most upscale of the small cruise lines featuring saling ships, is being sold by Carnival Corporation to the cruise and travel company Ambassadors International for $100 million, Carnival announced on February 22nd.

Windstar Cruises' three ships -- the 312-passenger Wind Surf and the 148-passenger Wind Star and Wind Spirit -- cruise the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Latin America.

The sails on all three of Windstar's tall ships are computerized and not necessary for navigation or power -- but when the motors are silenced and the ships slice through the sea under sail, the romance of sailing is very much there.

‘Windstar is an outstanding and unique cruise product and has garnered an extremely loyal following," said Micky Arison, Carnival's chairman and CEO. "However, Carnival Corp’s growth strategy is focused on expanding our core growth brands and opening new markets.’

''We made the decision to exit from the niche cruise business some time ago, and the sale of Windstar is in line with that strategy,'' Arison said.

Windstar has been operated as a subsidiary of Holland America Line, also owned by Carnival, and Holland America's President Stein Kruse said the transaction -- expected to close in the second quarter -- has been structured to ensure a smooth transition.

"Holland America Line will continue to operate the company through a transitional services agreement in the short term which includes vessel, reservations and other operational functions,’ Kruse said.

Ambassadors International currently operates seven river and coastal ships under the banner of the Majestic America Line.