Last Updated on May 15, 2024
Small Ship Cruising with Windstar Star Legend
“It isn’t that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better”
If you thought that a cruise holiday wasn’t for you, then perhaps I can help you reconsider. I was once told that there’s a cruise for everyone – it’s just a question of finding the right one. And, having tried everything from quantum class with literally thousands of guests on board to cruising the Med in a Turkish Gulet catering for a maximum of 16 guests, with several ‘in-between’ options, I agree. I’ve found what works for me – and Windstar Star Legend fits the bill perfectly. There’s space for just 324 guests on this suite-only cruise ship, spread over 6 decks. And with around 200 staff, you can be sure that you’ll be well looked after. Here’s what makes Windstar Star Legend so special.
Table of Contents
Legendary Winter Itinerary
The itinerary I enjoyed was the newly launched ‘Legendary Winter in the Mediterranean’ replacing plans to cruise the Middle East. Already a fan of ‘shoulder season’ travel to destinations like Florence and Rome, it seemed like a no-brainer to me, enabling guests to visit some of the most popular destinations in Italy and France at a time when it would be calmer. My journey went from Civitavecchia to Livorno, then on to Nice and Marseille before arriving at Barcelona. There were no sea days and there were overnight stays in Nice, Civitavecchia and Barcelona – something I personally really appreciated.
Last year’s programme, set up at short notice, has already been revised and extended with 5 different itineraries planned for winter 2024/5. Importantly the best elements of the itinerary are preserved, with overnight stays a part of each programme. The advantage of the overnight stays is that you have enough time in port to immerse yourself in the local culture – you can choose to stay out as late at night as you want (although the food on board might dissuade you from doing so!).
There are even some very special holiday and event sailings. Imagine going to Christmas Eve mass at the Duomo or celebrating the New Year in Palma Majorca. These are the kind of bucket list events you can expect if you choose to cruise on Windstar Star Legend next winter. In this feature I’m not covering the destinations and shore trips but I’ll go into more detail about shore excursions and some of the destinations in my next article on the Legendary Winter Itinerary.
Cabins on the Star Legend
I wasn’t alone in being genuinely impressed with my balcony suite cabin. The cabins on Windstar Star Legend are spacious and well-equipped. It’s an ‘all suite’ ship so everyone can enjoy the kind of comfort that I did.
The balcony suite cabins are configured with a sitting area directly next to the French balcony. There’s a comfortable sofa and two armchairs, a coffee table with fresh flowers and a rather classy dresser. Plenty of European plug sockets, a few USB As and one American socket meant that I could easily recharge.
I didn’t miss having a larger balcony because the doors of the French balcony open fully so that you can get all the benefits of sitting outside. If you want to do so, there’s enough space to stand on the balcony to watch sail-away and take photos.
The sitting area was spacious and could be divided from the bed area using a heavy full-length curtain. On the dresser, an ice bucket that was refreshed daily, a fully stocked mini-bar, red wine and drinking water. I loved the quality glassware and the bowl of fresh fruit which could be restocked on request.
The king-sized bed could be separated into two twins and was equipped with a heavy mattress topper for comfort. Pristine white sheets with pretty nautical detailing on the duvet cover added to the elegance of the room.
The large bathroom was equipped with Jack and Jill sinks and an efficient walk-in shower, Fluffy white towels, bathrobes and slippers together with fragrant L’Occitane toiletries added to the sense of luxury.
The cabin was light and airy with a gold and navy trip, a light limed oak finish, cream wall panes and navy and cream stripe curtains, complementing a cream, grey and blue carpet. A spacious dressing room/walk-in wardrobe meant that even the most avid fashionista would have space for their Louboutins and Chanel!
Everything was immaculately cleaned, with not a speck of dust to be seen and, throughout my stay, the daily servicing was consistently excellent. As our cruise director pointed out, the housekeepers were like ninjas – you left your cabin for a coffee and came back to find every smudge on the stainless steel or watermark on the shower door gone as if by magic. Always smiling and always friendly, they somehow managed to have perfectly ordered cleaning trays too – with all their microfibre cloths neatly folded and bottles of magic cleaning liquids neatly stored.
Most significantly, if anything did go wrong (my balcony doors jammed, which is a common issue because of the salty air), the efficient reception team organised a fix in super quick time! It took less than 10 minutes for the engineers to be around with a tool kit and lots of WD40 – and less than 5 minutes to fix.
Food and Drinks on Windstar Star Legend
The ship is well set up with Amphora, the main restaurant for dinner on deck 3, a buffet-style breakfast and lunch restaurant Veranda on deck 6 that transforms into a fine dining restaurant in the evening, another speciality restaurant serving wonderful Spanish dishes, Cuadro 44, a coffee shop in the Yacht Club on deck 8th and with the star bar and grill serving food and drinks al-fresco when the weather permits. There’s also complimentary room service, available 24/7 if you want hot or cold drinks or food in your cabin.
The significance of a link with the James Beard Foundation is less obvious to a British guest than it might be to an American. Beard was a chef, cookbook author, teacher, and television personality who played a significant role in shaping American cuisine and culinary culture and while his name is not so mainstream as, for example, Julia Child, he’s highly regarded in gastronomic circles. The James Beard Foundation was established in his memory and is dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America’s culinary heritage.
Although my Windstar Star Legend trip was not one of the special James Beard culinary-themed cruises, each one of the restaurants had menu items created by guest chefs from the foundation and the menus went far beyond my expectations. My mouth is watering just reading from the Candles menu – ‘James Beard Best Chef Midwest – Paul Berglund’s Roasted Lamb Rack with red wine jus, preserved green and red tomatoes’ or Chef and and rising star nominee Irene Li’s Coconut Dashi Clam Chowder.
There was a market excursion with executive chef Gavin Baxter in Livorno, wine tastings with sommelier Andrew, and best of all for me, a cookery lesson where we learned how to make Cioppino. More of that in a later post where I can share his recipe!
I was particularly impressed with the range of fresh vegetables on offer and with a very obvious nod to the destinations we were visiting in the menus on offer. And, the portion size was generous without being over-large. Each restaurant had its own wine list with a wide range of interesting cocktails, beers and soft drinks too. Although I enjoyed the drinks package, it’s fair to say that the markup on the wines was very realistic too.
The coffee shop in the Yacht Club on deck 8 was set in a lovely space with large picture windows and a deck if you wanted a bit of fresh air. It served a continental breakfast and then snacks (including cookies, scones with jam and cream and sandwiches throughout the day. With jigsaws and games on hand, it was the perfect place to hang out if the weather was inclement (never!) and a good place to mingle with other guests.
A typical day of food for me started with a freshly made spinach and smoked salmon omelette at Veranda, washed down with a pot of tea. I started the cruise ordering a room service breakfast of a smoked salmon bagel but quickly migrated to the restaurant simply because the omelette station was so good. The ship offers a 24×7 complimentary room service for anything from teas and coffees to meals if you want to eat in private.
I was seldom on the ship at lunchtime but did manage to try the Star Grill one day, feasting on salad and rotisserie chicken with some delicious roast potatoes. I wish I’d had more time to experience it, but I’d packed my itinerary with shore trips and excursions so only got a quick lunch. Nevertheless, I could see spiced slow-cooked lamb, burgers and range of salads on offer. And as the Star Grill is right next to the Star Bar it’s the perfect place to try one of the ship’s fabulous cocktails and mocktails – either from their menu of classics and specials or by asking the mixologist to create something special for you! I was genuinely impressed by the range and quality of spirits on offer – from classic bourbons, whisky and rum to Artisan Gins and more.
I did manage to try each of the main evening restaurants twice and honestly couldn’t pick between them. Amphora, the largest of the dining rooms, is on deck 3 and offers a daily menu with some truly fabulous dishes created by some of the James Beard chefs. This panko-crusted crab cake with arugula (rocket), and lemon aioli was a typical starter – a light, well-seasoned filling inside the wonderfully crunchy shell, with the lemon aioli providing refreshing citrusy notes and a creamy texture.
I followed that with perhaps the best Gambas Al Ajillo I’ve ever had – with roasted garlic, smoked paprika and white bean puree. That dish was created by Hugh Acheson – the James Beard Best Chef South East in 2022.
To finish, a fragrant and perfectly wobbly pannacotta from James Beard Chef Keith Rodes. The addition of goat cheese caramel and hazelnut brittle with a lime granita made this diah quite sublime.
If you preferred something simpler, there were classic options of grilled salmon, chicken breast or sirloin steak.
Wine recommendations were listed on the menu but the sommelier was always on hand to help. And, there was an excellent selection of wines by the glass.
Veranda restaurant, a buffet restaurant for breakfast or dinner is transformed into ‘Candles’ by night, with on-deck dining if the weather permits. It serves a classic menu of grills with some very special touches that make it seem every bit as good as the best steak house you know.
You’ll get offered your choice of steak knife – and a little tray of gourmet salts (I particularly liked the Hawaiian Black Salt). Starters include a delicious tomato and watermelon salad from James Beard Top chef Annie Pettry and Irene Li’s Coconut Dashi Clam Chowder.
My Roasted Shiitake Mushroom Cromesqui was wonderfully smokey and nicely spiced with tomato jam. Full of umami it was a great way to preface a classic steak dinner.
Trying hard not to overeat, I ordered the Beef Filet Steak Mignon with a Bearnaise sauce. The meat was well-aged and perfectly cooked to my order of rare. It was well rested so that when I cut into it the pink flesh was soft and tender.
Lemon Tart with Greek Yoghurt and Honey completed this delicious meal.
Cuadro 44 by Michelin Antony Sasso, a James Beard Foundation recognised chef, is a Spanish restaurant offering classic tapas with a twist and some truly innovative main courses.
I particularly enjoyed the seafood here- I tried the Pulpo Gallego – charred Portuguese octopus with sweet and sour Yukon gold potatoes, pimenton, pickled celery and piparra.
I loved the Pescado de la Playa – a seabream fillet served on a gazpacho with seafood salad and cucumber oil.
And, the Tuna Agridulce – seared yellowfin with tomatoes, fennel and artichoke hearts with a sweet sour dressing was utterly moreish without being overfilling.
All in, I was left with space for the nicest Crema Catalana I’ve ever tried – orange-infused and topped with crisp caramel and a grapefruit ‘jam’
As mentioned, there’s always someone on hand to help with wines and spirits. I was genuinely impressed by the range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on offer. With over 30 wines available by the glass I was pleased to spot some of my own favourites, including Errazuriz ‘Max’ Chardonnay, Zola Malbec and Ravenswood ‘Zen of Zin’ Zinfandel made it difficult to pick. But there was always a sommelier around to help.
The selection of food and drink on offer was consistently excellent – and I can honestly say the best I’ve tried on a cruise.
Facilities and Entertainment
While Windstar Star Legend isn’t a huge ship, there always seemed to be plenty of space on deck. The pool on Deck 7 had a kind of infinity feature with a whirlpool tub – there were loungers, tables and chairs and cabanas dotted around too if you felt like relaxing with a drink.
Deck 5 had its own whirlpool tub too for those looking for a little more privacy.
The Spa on Windstar Star Legend had a comprehensive range of treatments – from relaxing and toning Elemis touch facials through to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicine. I enjoyed a facial and shellac manicure – my skin was left glowing and my nails looked so perfect afterwards – the manicure even lasted for another week after the cruise. There was a sauna and steam room – and some luxurious heated stone loungers for anyone who wanted to relax. Finally, there was a small but well-equipped gym with a mix of complimentary yoga, stretch and pilates classes and personal training options.
For those who preferred to stay on the ship, there was always something happening. From special cocktail and wine-tasting events to seminars on acupuncture and well-being. And, after allaboard, a short port talk about the next destination followed by live music and entertainment.
Apart from the super enthusiastic entertainers on board, we were treated to a fabulous evening of music from Butterfly – a group of three female vocalists in Nice.
And, the highlight of the trip for me was the staff talent show, with Pinoy and Indonesian speciality dances, some unexpected vocal stars and a ‘synchronised swimming’ display involving some of the male crew in swimming trunks, a large sheet and some intriguing moves! This evening encapsulated the relationship of the crew to passengers – I was truly thrilled to spot some of my favourites appearing as Tina Turner or starring in the Indonesian clapping dance.
Summary
My first ever Windstar cruise was a resounding success – and I hope will not be my last. Every detail was carefully considered and thoughtful. A different chocolate on my pillow each night reflecting the destination, tiny purse-sized ‘translation guides’ for each country, WiFi that worked. A ship layout that even someone with my lack of direction could understand and food that somehow managed to combine delicious flavours with dishes that were healthy anf fresh.
Most of all though, it was the crew – the unwavering friendliness, a magical ability to recognise every guest by name and the ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude that made this trip so special.
I travelled with Windstar Cruises on Star Legend. For more about the Winter itineraries for 2024/5 on Windstar Star Legend please check their website. And, watch out for my next feature where I’ll cover more about some of the destinations on the Winter itinerary that I enjoyed
Nancy Simone says
Fiona, I finally found your wonderful review of the Windstar Legend. While reading it, I was back on the ship with you.
I enjoyed our time spent on this wonderful cruise and thank you for allowing me to connect with your review.
Best wishes on your continued travels! I’m off to Italy for 2 weeks tomorrow!
Fiona Maclean says
Hi Nancy
I’ve been meaning to get in contact! How great it was to meet you all. If you do come to London ever please look me up. I’m also about to publish another piece on the trip – it was such fun!