Two weeks ago, I boarded Star Legend for a seven-night cruise from Copenhagen to Amsterdam.
Until a decade ago, the Windstar Cruises fleet comprised three small sailing ships: Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. In 2013, the line strengthened its fleet with the purchase of three luxury yachts operating under Seabourn Cruises: Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit. The names were later changed to Star Pride, Star Legend and Star Breeze, and consequently, the Windstar Star-class fleet was born.
In 2021, the three yachts spent four months in drydock where, as part of the line’s $250 million Star Plus initiative, they each acquired 50 new suites, a re-imagined spa and fitness centre, and an elevated swimming pool.
The opportunity to join Star Legend on a European cruise was one I couldn’t refuse. With eight days to tour the ship, use the facilities and sample the food, I got a real taste of life onboard one of Windstar’s Star Plus-class yachts. Below is a day-by-day breakdown of my cruise experience.
Day 1: Embarkation
Check-in was swift and easy. After showing our boarding passes and proof of vaccination, we were welcomed onboard with a glass of champagne. Before heading to our room, we were asked if we wanted to book any shore excursions or spa treatments.
Star-legend offers all-suite accommodation divided into seven categories, most of which benefit from private balconies. We were allocated room 536, one of 50 new Star Balcony Suites, for our cruise.
The suite was surprisingly spacious for a small yacht, equipped with a queen-size bed, a sofa which doubled into a second bed, two armchairs, a dressing table and a walk-in wardrobe. Additional features included a flat-screen TV, a fully-stocked minibar and an electronic safe. The ensuite was also a generous size, comprising a walk-in shower, a toilet and twin sinks and stocked with L’Occitane products and Waffle Weave bathrobes and slippers.
We unpacked and settled into our new home before heading to Amphora for something to eat. We enjoyed an elegant three-course meal with some of the most exquisite seafood I have ever tasted, accompanied by several glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. After dinner, we sailed away to 1492: Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis – an experience I’ll never forget!
Day 2: Exploring Wismar, Germany
After a great first night’s sleep, we headed to Veranda for breakfast. The fresh fruit, eggs benedict, and breakfast steak put us in good stead for the day ahead as we were off to explore Wismar. Star Legend is a small vessel – 525 ft to be exact – and therefore perfect for gliding into small, hidden ports like Wismar.
We spent the late morning/early afternoon walking through the cobblestone streets and along the winding canals of the medieval town, brimming with gothic churches, old houses and museums. The Market Square – designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2022 – is a firm favourite amongst locals and tourists alike, home to the impressive 12-sided Wasserkunst Fountain and teeming with shops, restaurants and market stalls, attracting visitors from all over the globe during the Christmas period.
Tired from an afternoon of exploring, we decided to head back to the ship. We found a quiet little corner at the front of deck five with a whirlpool and a few sun loungers, perfect for getting lost in a good book or sipping a cocktail while looking out onto the horizon.
The whirlpool at the front of deck five.
In the evening, we enjoyed a four-course meal at Candles – one of the ship’s speciality restaurants – which served beef tenderloin cooked to absolute perfection and a delicious French onion soup. The outdoor venue was beautifully lit with candles on every table, providing the perfect setting for a romantic evening meal.
Day 3: Exploring Sassnitz, Germany
We spent our third day exploring the seaside town of Sassnitz at our leisure. Another great thing about Windstar is that guests can choose from over 2,000 one-of-a-kind shore excursions and land programmes. The line also offers private tours with an English-speaking guide for those who prefer to explore independently.
Sassnitz is a beautiful little town with a prominent fishing history. We enjoyed sampling our way through the plethora of seafood markets.
We then headed back onboard for an intimate performance from the Shanty Choir, followed by a “meet and greet” with the crew – including Captain Simon – with a complimentary glass of champagne. We continued the afternoon’s merriment with a few cocktails at Star Bar before heading to Amphora for dinner. We were delighted to see steak on the menu – we’d eaten enough seafood for one day!
One of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten!
Day 4: Exploring Lübeck, Germany
Time to tick another destination off the bucket list. This time, we were off to explore Lübeck, Germany’s equivalent of St. Tropez. We were moored directly into the city – in the middle of a sailing regatta! Lübeck is a beautiful place and another UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed for its impressive gothic architecture and brimming with shops, restaurants and bars. The beach is only a short walk away, too, offering a white sandy stretch, idyllic dunes and gentle waves – perfect if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
For dinner, we headed to Cuadro 44, another one of Star Legend’s speciality restaurants, offering a modern twist on traditional Spanish cuisine. We ordered an array of tapas dishes rather than a starter, main and dessert – and, of course, a few glasses of wine!
Day 5: Transiting the Kiel Canal
Our fifth day onboard Star Legend was a relaxed one as we transited the Kiel Canal. The canal has a rich history, which we enjoyed learning about along the way.
After breakfast at Veranda, we headed to deck seven to check out the new infinity pool. The vicinity was quieter than expected, but perhaps that’s because there was a slight chill in the air. So instead of going for a dip, we sat on one of the many sun loungers, feeling like we were on a river cruise.
That evening, we enjoyed a magnificent barbecue on deck with king prawns, oysters and a hog roast big enough to feed the 5000! The band played as we enjoyed our food, soaking up the atmosphere and mingling with newfound friends. This may have been my favourite evening onboard – a true highlight of any Windstar cruise.
Windstar’s signature Deck Barbecue.
Day 6: An unexpected day at sea
The next day was another chilled one as we had an unexpected day at sea due to poor weather conditions. Luckily, the crew had organised plenty of activities to keep us occupied!
The first was a cookery demonstration in the Lounge. We got to sample a trio of curry dishes (the Masala was my favourite), accompanied by a glass of Riesling at 11am – it’s always wine o’clock somewhere in the world! Then, we headed to the Yacht Club, where we enjoyed a light lunch over a game of Scrabble.
Bellies full, we decided to take a final walk around the ship, which put into perspective just how much this vessel has to offer. From the enhanced pool deck to the re-imagined World Spa by Windstar, we found everything one could expect to find on a ship of this size – and more!
The new elevated pool on deck seven.
Of course, we ended the evening with another lovely meal in Amphora, followed by ‘The Crew Show’, which was so bad it was good. From the pastry chef who couldn’t sing to the not-so-synchronised male swimmers, the crew had us laughing the entire time!
Day 7: Exploring Amsterdam
On day seven, we arrived at our final destination: Amsterdam. The first of many activities we had planned was a canal tour – the perfect way to explore the so-called Venice of the North. After the tour, we stumbled on the red light district by mistake! We walked a little further and found a lovely shack-style bar called Hannekes Boom, where we enjoyed a pint of Amstel right by the canal – when in Amsterdam!
After a pleasant afternoon, we returned to the ship, where everyone had gathered on the top deck to ‘appreciate’ the crew, who had made our time onboard so enjoyable. We ended the evening with one last meal in Amphora before heading back to our suite to pack.
Me enjoying a drink by the canal in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Disembarkation
Disembarkation was as swift and easy as when we first boarded the ship. We had left our suite and checked out within minutes. We were sad to say goodbye to the crew but were delighted to see the captain waving us off as we disembarked.
Find out more
If you’re a lover of small ships or want to try something different from mainstream cruising, why not consider Star Legend for your next cruise? You can browse all Star Legend cruises and view our latest Windstar cruise deals via our website.
To speak to Lynne about her time onboard, please call her on 01273 836617.
