Towering glory: Star Legend passes under Tower Bridge (Picture: Blake Ezra Photography)
Here she is on her first visit to London – Windstar’s new ship Star Legend.
The former Seabourn Legend has undergone a a £5.4million ($8.5million) three-week refit in Genoa to give it more outdoor deck, a new entertainment area and cinema, as well as modern lounges.
Spacious: The Captain’s Lounge
Windstar Cruises’ vice-president of operations, Alan McGrory, showed off the 212-passenger yacht next to HMS Belfast near Tower Bridge yesterday, a month after it was christened in Rome.
He said the ship would help the fleet appeal to its target audience aged 45 and upwards who enjoy good service, the ability to visit smaller ports and the chance to join in active shore excursions such as cycling.
Relaxing: Sea prints at the foot of the stairwell
Asked about the typical passenger, he said: ‘They’re very young at heart, very much want to get into the local experience. The type of clientele we have on board is not just somebody who wants to come on and sit down, they really want to get out and get involved.’
Fine dining: The AmphorA restaurant
Windstar’s fleet now comprises three sailing ships and three former Seabourn yachts, which it bought in 2013. The old Seabourn Pride, renamed Star Pride, entered service in May last year. Star Legend and the former Seabourn Spirit, now Star Breeze, have joined Windstar this year after a dry dock overhaul.
Fully booked: The well-stocked library
Dining on Legend includes AmphorA restaurant, offering a contemporary international menu; Candles, romantic and alfresco with steaks; Veranda, a breakfast and lunch buffet; and the Yacht Club lounge and coffee bar.
Getting your bearings: The Compass Rose
The pool has been moved forward and the deck extended for more loungers and space for tables during deck-top barbecues.
Star Breeze has similar amenities and Star Pride will get them next April
Spiral: Looking down the stair well
As to future expansion for Windstar, Mr McGrory didn’t rule out getting involved in river cruising at some stage. ‘Maybe in the future,’ he said when asked about it. ‘I would not say no to river or a different segment of cruising.’
Cool: The Yacht Club
Star Legend, which has 140 crew, left London for a voyage along the south coast to Falmouth in Cornwall. It will go on to visit the Isles of Scilly, stop at Pembroke in Wales and Waterford in Ireland, return to Wales at Holyhead then end the trip in Dublin.
Dinner view: Al fresco tables
Poolside: The main deck
Open bar: The drink area on deck
Snack attack: Sandwiches on display
Nice joint: Beef on the buffet
Suite surroundings: An ocean suite
And so to bed: Part of the owner’s suite
For details on Windstar cruises, please click here
Apart from the main photo, all pictures by author.
Shipmonk has been shortlisted for the best blogger award in the Cruise International awards.
Er, the tags could use some correcting: “Compass Rose entertainment lounge” is actually called the Captain’s Lounge, the “observation lounge” is the Compass Rose. The “larger room” is an ocean view suite, at 277 sq ft the smallest suite / cabin (the balcony suites are also 277 sq ft).
Thanks, José. It was a very rushed tour so I did the best I could with my descriptions. I didn’t have any feedback from Windstar or their public relations people on this. I shall amend.