All cruise ships let you see the world. But Windstar Cruises and Star Legend bring you close enough so you can truly experience it. These exclusive yachts are beautiful but their real beauty is in how close they can get you to the kind of authentic, immersive experiences you’re looking for.
Set sail on private yacht-style cruises through one of the many destinations of Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada and New England, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Mexico and U.S. Coast and Australia. Windstar has newly renovated its ships, including the stunning Star Legend, to enhance and modernise the guest experience.
Exclusive Details
Windstar Cruises yachts are boutique in size which brings so much personalised service. This intimacy provides you with the luxuries of time, space and freedom to immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination.
Windstar’s ships can enter ports that are inaccessible to larger cruise liners, they can visit more off-the-beaten-path and unique ports, like Barbuda, Montserrat, Wrangell, and Vinuatu. Also due to Windstar’s small size, they can dock in the heart of major ports.
Windstar’s fleet is the market leader in small ship cruising, calling on more than 330 off-the-beaten-path and popular ports in nearly 80 countries. Windstar launched a $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to transform three Star Class ships with new suites, restaurants, and world-class spa and fitness areas too.
The Star Legend
As part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to provide more of what guests love, The Star Legend all-suite ship was completely renovated. This ship now features new public areas, including two new dining venues, a new spa and an improved pool and fitness area. The fitness area was equipped with the latest kit, great for working off cruise calories! Additionally, every suite has all new bathrooms and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean views and at least 277 square feet of suite comfort, Star Legend is the yacht for cruising the Dardanelles and into scenic fjords from the serenity of a huge suite. Carrying only 312 guests, Star Legend still tucks into small ports like Sinop and Honfleur or narrow waterways like the Corinth Canal.
Itinerary Options
The Star Legend has many destinations available around countries in Europe and Asia. One includes the Edinburgh to London cruise. It showcases beautiful Irish and British Isles scenery and other unforgettable landmarks throughout Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This cruise whisks guests away to castles, harbours, and overnight stays in Belfast, Dublin, and other breathtaking stops along this 11-day adventure.
Another destination includes Iceland. The 11-day cruise starts out in Reykjavik, then travels to Borgarfjordur, Pingvellir National Park, The Blue Lagoon, Surtsey Island, Heimaey Island, Seydisfjord, Akureyri, Isafjordur, and Grundarfjordur. Guests can soak in Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon, sample Viking sushi, take an Icelandic horse ride, and witness the rainbow-colored beauty of Godafoss, “Waterfall of the Gods,” outside Akureyri.
Excursion Opportunities
The award-winning line is known for immersive experiences, destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional service, and an innovative culinary program. Windstar Cruises is a part of Xanterra Travel Collection, an award-winning, globally diversified travel company offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences in some of the most gorgeous and famous places on earth.
Windstar has a unique Open Bridge Policy, meaning that guests can wander onto the bridge when the ship is at sea, chat with the crew, for example, the captain is there quite often, and even sit down and enjoy a cup of Windstar’s exclusive Bridge Blend coffee with them. When anchored in many locations, guests can swim, kayak, snorkel, and paddleboard right from the Watersports Platform on the back of the yacht.
Redesigned Sustainable Menu
In partnership with the National Health Association, Windstar Cruises has announced a new whole food, plant-based and vegan menu aboard all six yachts. The offerings are not only plant-based but also prepared without added salt, oil and sugar and are gluten-free. As a side benefit, this new menu also reduces the company’s environmental footprint – a major goal of Windstar’s – to tread more lightly on our planet.
Restaurants and Bars
The staff in ALL the restaurants are absolutely charming. Nothing is a problem and they are kind, accommodating and learn exactly what you like and what you don’t like. It is gestures like these that really set Windstar apart.
The Star Legend and other Windstar Cruises offer an open seating program allowing guests to dine when and with whom they like. Some of the restaurants on board the ship include Amphora, a contemporary, international menu with fresh local dishes. The room features mirror panels with Murano glass, soft lighting and wall coverings. Another place to dine is Candles, a romantic setting with alfresco dining where guests can dine under the stars enjoying the finest fillet steak. Finally, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso is an eclectic Spanish restaurant designed in partnership with James Beard Foundation-recognized chef, Anthony Sasso, a 13-year veteran of the Michelin-starred restaurant Casa Mono. With this new Windstar Cruises venture, Sasso is creating a menu of inventive, modern Spanish cuisine inspired by his travels all over Spain. The chorizo as well as the lamb cutlets are the highlights and everyone was talking about them!
Compass Rose is the place to be if you are into cocktails. The bar is stocked with really high-end spirits, wines, champagne and more. On the inclusive package, there are some really excellent premium choices with a wide range of cocktails, top-shelf spirits and much more, all included.
Stunning Suite Accommodations
THERE ARE ONLY SUITES! What a great thing that is. All suites include queen-sized beds, walk-in closets and newly redesigned bathrooms. Additionally, guests are pampered with amenities such as an LCD flatscreen IATV: Two Way Interactive Television, personal safe, mini-bar with complimentary soft drinks, international direct-dial phone, wireless Internet, toiletries by L’Occitane®, hair dryer, magnifying mirrors, luxury bedding, comfortable robes, slippers, fresh fruit and the most gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers.
There is an array of different suite options for guests to stay in including deluxe suites with French-style balconies, star ocean view suites, and star balcony suites. The suites are stunning and so spacious. They are a real home away from home. The double vanity area in the bathroom is a real treat at sea, as are the luxury bathroom products.
On Ship Experiences
The public areas on the ship include The Lounge, Compass Rose, Star Bar, two whirlpools, a screening room, an all-renewed fitness studio and an infinity pool. Guests can delight in the Watersports Platform with complimentary snorkelling gear to use for the entirety of the cruise, paddleboards, kayaks, water ski boat, wakeboard, tubing and floatable water mats. You may not need to venture too far as dolphins are a regular sight, even around UK waters. They love to swim along with the yacht in groups which was fascinating.
There is also the World Spa by Windstar with a full-service salon, spa and barber shop featuring treatments based on the ship’s destination. Offerings include massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy, acupuncture, haircuts and even highlights.
Some other things to experience while on board is the attentive care from the staff, for anything guests might anticipate or need. During the day there are also cooking demonstrations and classes, and complimentary digital newsstands for guests to find books to read while relaxing, and at night there are shows, including a Windstar staff talent show to delight in. There is a real togetherness onboard and the staff talent show was such a great demonstration of this.
On Shore Expeditions
When docked, guests can travel around the destinations on their own or take part in regional cultural trips or private tours. Because Windstar travels in small groups, it can adjust tours in real-time based on guest feedback, whether that means finding a different place for lunch or spending more time at a particularly fascinating place.
No matter the destination, the Star Legend and other Windstar Cruises pride themselves on the details of intimacy, exclusivity, and enjoyment to its guests. The ship ensures the best quality experience and can focus on every individual because of its smaller size, unlike larger cruises. This summer take sail on a Windstar Star Legend cruise and enjoy the pristine elements of luxury travel and sublimity, the way getaways are supposed to make you feel.
To Discover More Visit windstarcruises.com
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All Imagery Courtesy of Windstar Cruises.