Is this the perfect introduction to small-ship cruising?

For those of you who have always been curious about small-ship cruising but haven't quite committed to a week or a fortnight at sea, Windstar Cruises has launched something worth looking into.

From May 2026, the Miami-based line will start its first-ever season homeporting in the UK, with a series of short "Quick Getaway" voyages departing from the heart of London: three- to four-night sailings onboard one of its all-suite ships with Tower Bridge as your departure point. If you’re curious about yachts and small ships, we can’t think of a better introduction.

What are Windstar Cruises’ London mini cruises?

There are two itineraries to choose from, sailing aboard the 312-guest Star Pride and both beginning and ending at one of the most extraordinary settings in European cruising, Tower Bridge, in the heart of the capital.

The Belgium: A Sweet Getaway voyage is a three-night round-trip from Tower Bridge, calling at Oostende (the gateway to Bruges and Ghent) and Antwerp before returning to London. Fares start at £995 per person.

The St. Malo Getaway sailing offers four nights, sailing down the English Channel to the magnificent walled corsair city of St. Malo on the Breton coast, again returning to Tower Bridge. Prices begin at £1,068 per person.

All sailings operate in May 2026, timed as a curtain-raiser before Star Pride embarks on a longer 13-night voyage from London to Edinburgh, taking in Belgium and the Norwegian Fjords. If the short break leaves you wanting more, and it very likely will, the option to extend is right there.

Don't mind flying to your departure port?

Windstar Cruises also offers two three-night Yacht Cruises in the Mediterranean, including La Dolce Vita in Italy & France and A Taste of Southern France. The former sails roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Bonifacio (Corsica, France) and Portovenere (Italy). The latter departs from Barcelona (Tarragona), heading to Sète and Callioure (both in France) before returning to Barcelona.

Don't mind flying to your departure port?

Windstar Cruises also offers two three-night Yacht Cruises in the Mediterranean, including La Dolce Vita in Italy & France and A Taste of Southern France. The former sails roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Bonifacio (Corsica, France) and Portovenere (Italy). The latter departs from Barcelona (Tarragona), heading to Sète and Callioure (both France) before returning to Barcelona.

Why sailing from Tower Bridge is special

Before you even reach the open sea, the journey offers a memorable experience, starting from Tower Bridge. Star Pride is moored alongside a London icon: HMS Belfast. Immediately after setting sail, the ship glides underneath the famous bridge, which raises its bascule to let it pass through. Guests can then admire Canary Wharf, The O2 and the Thames Barrier among other landmarks; it's a spectacle that no large cruise liner could ever offer: only a small ship can navigate this far upriver.

Sailing past the City of London skyline, under that iconic bridge, is an exceptional start to a voyage. It also neatly encapsulates the core promise of small-ship cruising: access to places that bigger vessels cannot match.

About Star Pride: a ship Worth Getting to Know

Having joined the Windstar fleet in 2014, Star Pride was dramatically transformed in 2022 in a process that involved extending its hull with a new 84-foot mid-section. The result added 50 suites, an infinity pool, two whirlpools, a redesigned spa and two entirely new restaurants.

What didn't change is the fundamental character: intimate, sophisticated and easy-going. With a maximum of 312 guests and 204 crew, the staff-to-guest ratio sits at around 1:1.5. Crew members learn names within hours of embarkation. There are no queues at the pool, no competition for a sun lounger, just a sense of connection with the sea and the landscapes.

Every cabin on board is a suite. The entry-level Ocean View Suite measures 277 square feet, on par with many upscale hotel rooms, and includes a walk-in wardrobe, L'Occitane toiletries, and a sitting area. Upgrade to a Classic or Deluxe Suite for even more space, or opt for the Owner's Suites, topping out at 820 square feet.

Dining, drinking and the onboard atmosphere

Dining is one of the areas of the Windstar Cruises experience that guests praise time and again. Multiple restaurants are all included in the fare, an important distinction from cruise lines that charge supplements for speciality dining. The main Amphora restaurant focuses on classic dishes done perfectly. The Veranda is open for buffet or à la carte breakfast and lunch.

The Star Grill brings barbecue favourites in an outdoor setting, while Candles, Windstar Cruises’ signature al-fresco experience, is the place to be for a romantic dinner. A brand-new addition to the dining line-up, Bamboo + Basil serves a blend of Mediterranean and Asian flavours.

The atmosphere on board tends towards the casually sophisticated. There are no formal evenings. Fellow passengers are typically well-travelled couples, many of them repeat Windstar guests who could have chosen any number of cruise lines but come back here. Entertainment is understated by design, with live music in the Compass Rose lounge, occasional guest speakers, and the Signature Sail Away ceremony, which includes the raising of the ship's flag, on departure day.

The verdict: a genuine introduction to small-ship cruising

These London mini cruises do exactly what a good taster should: they deliver an authentic version of the experience, but condensed into a shorter trip. Three or four nights is long enough to understand what makes small-ship ocean cruising different from both a land holiday and a large-ship cruise.

And with prices starting at £995 per person for three nights in a suite, from central London, with multiple restaurants and most activities included, these mini cruises compare exceptionally well with a city break at a world-class hotel, particularly given that flights, transfers and baggage are not a factor.

Each itinerary has its own charm and appeal, but the World of Cruising team is particularly enamoured with the four-night St. Malo Getaway. The extra day gives the rhythms of life at sea a chance to properly settle in, and Brittany is a spectacular destination in spring. The Belgium sailing, meanwhile, is an excellent choice for those drawn to the Flemish cities and their art, architecture and famous gastronomy.

Windstar Cruises' London Quick Getaways sail from Tower Bridge in May 2026, aboard Star Pride. For further details and to book, contact Windstar Cruises on 0800 008 6682 or visit windstarcruises.co.uk.