Star Legend Ship Review

This past January, I joined Star Legend on a winter sailing calling at Nice, Genoa, Livorno and Rome. The voyage, which featured three overnights, formed part of Windstar’s repertoire of ‘local season’ itineraries, designed to showcase the Mediterranean without the crowds and stifling temperatures of summer.

Alongside testing out just how ‘worth it’ these off-season cruises really are, I had ample time to explore the boutique, all-suite yacht, forming an opinion on everything from the culinary offering to the design of the suites.

My opinion in a nutshell

This was my first experience of Windstar Cruises, and I disembarked Star Legend something of a convert. This is small ship sailing that feels refined but entirely pretension-free. That means you can enjoy the many advantages – access to exclusive ports, elevated cuisine, personalised service – while feeling relaxed, and not at all out of place if you forgot your tiara at home.

My favourite bits

• Basil + Bamboo: Between cups of delicate sake and a compelling blend of Asian and Mediterranean flavours, there’s a lot to love at Star Legend’s latest restaurant.
• The suites: With suites this spacious, elegant and luxurious, sea days are by no means a bad thing aboard Star Legend.
• The service: Across the board, from chefs happy to share their culinary wisdom to room attendants who go above and beyond, the team on Star Legend consistently deliver.

Style & Character 4/5

I met Star Legend in Nice port just as the crew were unfurling the red carpet (yes, really). As I climbed aboard, I was greeted by stylish interiors with brass handrails, marble-effect flooring and subtle pops of Windstar blue. At its heart is a symmetrical double staircase that spirals upwards through the central atrium.

Over the next several days, I would find a sense of understated elegance throughout, though that’s not to say the spaces on board are uniform.

While cohesive in overall style, each one has a character all its own. Veranda, where guests gather for lunch, pairs warm blond woods with abundant natural light, complemented by soft bossa nova and touches of greenery.

Contrast that with the screening room, with inlaid chess tables and a deep navy and charcoal palette, or Basil + Bamboo, where sultry lighting creates an intimate atmosphere.

What caught my attention most, however, was how timeless everything felt. After all, Star Legend sailed its maiden voyage nearly 34 years before my journey. Its longevity comes down to an extensive, multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2021. The project even saw the vessel ‘stretched’, meaning it was cut in half and fitted with a new midsection.

The result? A boutique ship that feels refined, quietly confident and more than capable of holding its own in a market of increasingly over-the-top luxury yachts.

Cabins 5/5

The moment I entered my Star Ocean View Suite, I was struck by how spacious it felt. At over 25 square metres, it’s generously sized, but more than that, it’s cleverly designed.

For instance, it’s broken into two distinct sections by sheer curtains. The sleeping area centres on a queen-sized bed dressed in Egyptian linen patterned with subtle Windstar motifs, alongside a writing desk and a wall-mounted television. Crucially, a large picture window adds depth and light.

The living area, meanwhile, feels like a fully realised lounge, with ample plush seating and an antiqued mirror that enhances the sense of space.

This connects to a large walk-in closet, complete with a safe and satin-padded hangers. The abundant storage is particularly useful on longer voyages, such as Star Collector itineraries, which range from a couple of weeks to well over two months.

The bathroom is well-sized for a cruise ship, too, with double sinks, a dual-head shower and L’Occitane amenities made in France.

Taken as a whole, the suite can be summed up as tasteful and welcoming. Expect a palette of warm woods, creams and muted blues, with subtle nautical stylings. At night, plentiful sconces and lamps cast a gentle glow, so you’re never reliant on harsh overhead lighting.

What impressed me most, however, was the attention to detail: fresh fruit and cut flowers on arrival, in-room filtered water with a regularly refreshed ice bucket, magazines and a teddy bear complete with a Windstar bow.

For those looking to upgrade, suite categories with French balconies are also available, ideal if you enjoy falling asleep to the sound of the waves.

Food & Drink 5/5

Windstar has clearly positioned itself as the cruise line for gourmets, and I have to say, the case they make is a persuasive one.

Most notably, it partners with the James Beard Foundation, and every single night at Star Legend’s main restaurant, Amphora, features recipes created by seriously prestigious chefs.

Those dishes form part of a multi-course menu that is constantly changing, with each night bringing entirely new culinary experiences. You might have butter-poached lobster served over creamy risotto and garnished with asparagus one night, and a ridiculously tender herb-crusted rack of lamb served with baby potatoes and cherry tomatoes the next.

There’s always a good array of plant-based options, too, such as eggplant cannelloni with pine nut Romesco sauce or cashew and vegetable stroganoff.

Best of all, the entire menu is available as room service, meaning you’re welcome to dine in your waffle-weave robe in bed, if you so wish.

That said, you’ll have to resist the temptation of Star Legend’s other venues first. Veranda, for instance, where breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, transforms into Candles at night. Here, guests can order steakhouse classics while enjoying the romance of dining al fresco.

My personal favourite was Basil + Bamboo, which debuted on Star Legend in December 2025. Once we sat down to cups of sake, I opened a menu to find dishes that fused Asian and Mediterranean flavours. Think 12-hour hot smoked beef short rib with Szechuan pepper sauce and white miso cream, followed by tiramisu mochi with lemon jackfruit caviar.

You’ll be unsurprised to hear they take their wines seriously on board as well, with an extensive list and thoughtful pairing suggestions. There’s also an option to book sommelier-led wine tastings, with vintages selected to reflect the regions you’re sailing through.

If that whets your appetite for local flavours, you can also join Star Legend’s chef on a visit to a market in port, where he’ll help you source the most desirable ingredients.

Service & Facilities 5/5

For a ship of its size, Star Legend is admirably well-equipped. You won’t find the sprawling casinos or family-friendly water parks of mega vessels, but you will find everything required for a comfortable, well-rounded escape at sea.

You might start your day with a workout in the gym, which offers a wide range of equipment, or perhaps with a yoga session in the studio next door.

After a day of exploring, the serene spa and salon offer a welcome respite. Treatments come at a premium, but access to the thermal suite with a sauna, steam room, experiential shower and heated mosaic loungers is complimentary.

I was also pleased to find that even in January, it was possible to head outside for a swim in the infinity-edge plunge pool, heated to a comfortable temperature for a mild Mediterranean winter. The adjacent hot tub was equally inviting, and both were well-lit in the evenings.

There were a good number of daybeds and cabana pods as well, which I imagine come in handy when sailing Tahiti, where Windstar operates year-round.

On rainy days, there’s also plenty to occupy you indoors, including the screening and games room, where you can enjoy an old-school movie night.

In warmer destinations, however, the pièce de résistance is the marina. This platform lets you dive directly off the yacht into the ocean and, if you so wish, take part in a variety of watersports.

Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, a foam flotation magic carpet, water trampoline and sailboats are all complimentary. On select itineraries to destinations like the Caribbean and Central America, you’ll even receive custom-fit snorkelling gear.

The service, meanwhile, may well be the most impressive element of a Windstar cruise. Even at full capacity, there’s roughly one crew member for every one and a half guests. Across the board, from the reception team to the hotel manager, staff make guests feel genuinely cared for, learning names and preferences to deliver a highly personalised experience.

Most remarkable of all is the level of attention from the room attendants assigned to each suite. This goes beyond housekeeping and nightly turndown. From placing a Windstar bookmark in your beach read to untangling and securing your charging cables, no detail is too small.

Entertainment & excursions 4.5/5

Windstar Cruises’ approach to entertainment is different from many mainstream lines. If you go expecting Broadway or West End-style productions, you’ll likely leave disappointed.

What you get instead has plenty to recommend it. Enrichment plays a significant role in programming, with guest lecturers selected to shed light on the destinations the ship is visiting. The entertainment & engagement manager aboard Star Legend told me that on a recent Spanish itinerary, an artist and art dealer joined the sailing to provide context on Picasso before guests arrived in his hometown of Málaga.

On my voyage, one evening in Italy, we were treated to a set by Domo Emigrantes, who specialise in Southern Italian folk music. The next, we enjoyed a performance by a Grammy-winning opera singer in the bar and lounge, Compass Rose.

For most passengers, however, the standout is the crew show. The energy was palpable as staff members from across the ship dazzled guests with their hidden talents. These ranged from performances inspired by Balinese dance to a memorable rendition of Reflection from Mulan.

The grand finale of the eclectic programme was a synchronised swimming routine sans water that had the audience in hysterics.

Excursions, meanwhile, are divided into three categories. Firstly, there’s the Essentials Collection, which is excellent if you’re visiting a destination for the first time and want to tick off the must-see sights, such as Michelangelo’s David in Florence or Pompeii from Sorrento.

Then there’s the Concierge Collection, which focuses on hands-on culinary and cultural experiences, with just six to 16 guests per excursion. Think pesto-making in Genoa or a boat tour of Cinque Terre from Portofino.

Lastly, there’s the Beyond Ordinary Collection, with excursions that run far less often. These exclusive outings are designed to be truly once-in-a-lifetime. The one that stuck out in the destination manager’s mind when I asked was a visit to the tiny Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica.

On my voyage, I joined an excursion to Florence from Livorno, and found the whole process seamless and well-organised, with a knowledgeable local tour guide on hand to point out blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details.

Value for money 4/5

Windstar Cruises’ fares are competitive within the luxury market, so it really comes down to what you value most on your holiday. If you’re the type to splurge on fine dining, for example, this is likely a good option for you, since gourmet fare is very much on the table.

It’s worth noting you can occasionally find particularly attractive pricing, including for solo travellers. My advice is to book well in advance to get the best rates and your choice of suite, though sometimes you can find last-minute deals if you’re able to be flexible.

Also, consider whether a cruise-only or all-inclusive fare suits you better. Depending on your travel style, Wi-Fi and cocktails can add up, making the latter the more economical option in the long run.

FAQs

Where does Star Legend sail?

Star Legend sails Europe, including itineraries that showcase the Mediterranean in winter and ones that traverse hard-to-navigate routes such as the Corinth Canal. It also visits the Caribbean, plus Central and South America. 

What cruise line operates Star Legend?

Windstar Cruises, which is known for its fleet of boutique yacht-style vessels, destination immersion and foodie-forward ethos.  

When was Star Legend built?

It was built in 1992, but was completely revamped in 2021. The multi-million-pound refurbishment included the vessel being 'stretched', meaning it was cut in half and a new midsection was fitted. 

How big is Star Legend?

Star Legend is a small, boutique-style yacht. The 159-metre vessel has capacity for just 312 guests and a tonnage of 12,995.

What kind of cabins does Star Legend have?

Star Legend exclusively has suites, including the following categories: owner's suites, classic suites, deluxe suites, star balcony suites, balcony suites, star ocean view suites, ocean view suites and star porthole suites.

What facilities does Star Legend have?

• Fitness centre
• Spa with sauna, thermal suite and steam room
• Beauty salon
• Five restaurants
• Two bars
• Plunge pool
• Hot tub
• Water-access marina
• A screening room
• A theatre
• An open bridge 

 

Does Star Legend allow children?

Star Legend permits children aged eight and over, but does not have amenities specifically aimed at families. 

What currency is used aboard Star Legend?

USD is the currency used aboard Star Legend.

Who should sail on Star Legend?

Star Legend is an excellent choice for: 

• Couples looking for a touch of romance
• Multi-generational groups travelling with grown-up children
• Foodies looking for fine dining at sea
• Guests keen to spend a good portion of their holiday exploring ports