Sailing under Tower Bridge has to rate as one of the best – and, for Britons, one of the easiest – ways to start a cruise.
Setting off from the heart of the capital, next to the HMS Belfast warship, there’s a sense of grandeur and history as the double-deckers, black cabs and other traffic crossing the Thames come to a halt before the two huge bascules lift almost vertically and you pass by the Tower of London and out towards the open sea.
As we were on Star Pride, one of Windstar’s stretched ships, we had to be manoeuvred in reverse by tugs before being able to turn the right way round at Wapping.
Leaving in the dark, on a three-night voyage to visit Bruges and Antwerp, we saw the lights of the Canary Wharf towers reflected in the water before passing the Thames Barrier, the Queen Elizabeth II bridge and Tilbury.
Our journey, though short, was to be very sweet, with the promise of waffles, chocolates and beer, mixed in with plenty of sightseeing.
But first I had to explore the 312-passenger Star Pride for my first ever cruise with Windstar. Built in 1988, it served with Seabourn before transferring to its new owners in 2014. Along with sisters Star Legend and Star Breeze, it was given a new 84ft section in the middle in 2021 to add new engines, restaurants and more deck space.
This year it went into dry dock again, emerging with the new dining venue Basil + Bamboo.
My suite – there are no cabins – had a bath and shower, walk-in wardrobe and a balcony where you could stand and enjoy the views.
I was on deck 6, which made finding my way around very easy. The very top deck, with the Yacht Club Cafe and Library, Star Bar and Star Grill, was two floors above me.
One flight of stairs up were the spa, gym, pool and one of the three restaurants – The Veranda, which transforms into Candles at night.
At the rear of my deck was Basil + Bamboo and a shop, then down a floor was the reception, shore excursions office and lounge.
Finally, on deck 3, was the Amphora main dining restaurant.
Arriving the next morning in Bruges, I joined a six-hour walking tour that included the Chocolate Museum and a visit to a waffle house, as well as some free time to dabble in local delicacies such as mussels or frites.
But the best part was staying on after the crowds had left and being guided around some of the most beautiful parts of the city in evening sunshine before catching our coach back.
After sailing up the River Scheldt to Antwerp the following day, a three-hour tour revealed some fascinating facts. Legend has it that the city got its name from the words for ‘hand throwing’, based on the story of a hero who cut off a giant’s hand and threw it in the river, as commemorated by a statue in the market square.
A much more modern artwork by the cathedral, of a boy lying down with his dog, recalls a folklore story of an orphan called Nello and his loyal pet Patrasche who sadly froze to death but were together till the end. The tale gained international popularity after being turned into a cartoon in the Far East.
I ventured out again in the evening as one of just three people on a tasting tour of some of the country’s best beers, guided by a Belgian ale lover in a checked shirt, patterned braces and an impressive curled moustache.
After sampling brews in three quite different pubs, it was a thankfully a short walk back to the ship for a meal at Basil + Bamboo where a table of us enjoyed plates of Asian fusion dishes such as sashimi, tuna tartare, miso black cod and beef medallions.
On Windstar, restaurants aside from Amphora require reservations but have no extra cost.
Starting at under £1,200 a person, a short cruise from London is a wonderful way to experience this line, which also has three sailing ships – Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf – as well as welcoming two new vessels, Star Seeker and Star Explorer.
Windstar’s slogan describes it as ‘180 degrees from ordinary’ and the vibe on board is relaxed and refined.
Whether you travel to the South Pacific, or just hop on a three-nighter from Tower Bridge, you’ll find fine food, attentive service and an uncrowded, yacht-style atmosphere. I’ve been wanting to try it for years, and I’m glad I did.
A three-night Belgium: A Sweet Getaway cruise leaving Tower Bridge on Star Pride on May 7, 2027, costs from £1,198pp, including all meals and drinks, port fees, WiFi and gratuities (www.windstarcruises.co.uk)