What’s the very best time of yr to see Europe? Should you’re seeking to escape the crowds and better costs, the reply is the low season. That’s true for cruises as properly, as we found earlier this yr after we took Windstar’s nine-day “Winter Italy and Dalmatian Coast” cruise, on Star Legend.
Our port of embarkation was Venice, with stops deliberate in Zadar and Dubrovnik, Croatia, Messina in Sicily, Naples and Rome. It was late January, and whereas temps largely ranged within the 40s and 50s, when was the final time you visited St. Mark’s Sq. and it was nearly empty, as was most of Venice.
Windstar, which celebrated its fortieth anniversary final yr, operates a fleet of six ships, or as they like to name them, yachts. Star Legend is one in all three energy yachts, and there are three masted yachts. All three energy yachts underwent a significant renovation a number of years in the past below the $250 million Star Plus initiative, which elevated every ship’s size by 84 ft, added 50 new suites and new engines, in addition to different upgrades.
With visitor capability at 312, serviced by a crew of 208, the all-suites Star Legend actually does really feel extra like a yacht. Boasting eight decks complete, with six passenger decks, you’ll shortly study your means across the ship, ranging from the multi-story atrium, the place spiral staircases are framed by a dramatic skylight.
Let’s begin our Star Legend tour at our stateroom, positioned on deck six, the place we had been greeted by recent flowers, fruit and a bottle of wine. At a roomy 277 sq. ft, it featured a queen mattress, separate dwelling space with two chairs and a settee and a French door balcony. Whereas not a balcony within the conventional sense, the French balcony supplies a window to the world with out taking much-needed house from the room.
There was additionally a walk-in closet and dual-sink tub with an upscale, walk-in bathe that includes L’Occitane facilities. The flat display screen TV is your go-to for each day actions, ship data, a restricted variety of TV channels and a full slate of on-demand motion pictures and TV exhibits. There was loads of storage for our two massive suitcases of garments, plus a number of energy shops, together with USB. Once we discovered ourselves needing an additional plug-in, reception equipped us with a European adapter.
If you need further privateness, you may draw a curtain that separates the mattress from the lounge. With gentle lighting and impartial colours, altogether it creates a comfy residence away from residence for exploring the world.
With baggage unpacked, your subsequent cease will seemingly be one of many eating places onboard. Since Windstar is the official cruise line of the distinguished James Beard Basis since 2015, you’ll discover various menu gadgets curated by James Beard cooks, augmenting the general culinary excellence of meals aboard Star Legend.
A mainstay for lunch and breakfast is the Veranda on deck seven. It’s excellent for having fun with the scenic locations the ship visits in the course of the cruise. That includes indoor and outside seating, it gives each a luxurious buffet and ordering from a menu. The omelet station at breakfast turns into a carving station at lunch. At night time, the Veranda turns into Candles, with a wide selection of steaks and seafood in a setting assured to set a romantic temper. Reservations are required, but it surely’s included in your fare.
The principle eating room is Amphora, on deck three. Fantastically appointed with a up to date aptitude, your three-course dinner comes with a collection of curated wines. Whereas dressing on the ship was largely resort causal, many visitors loved a extra elegant look in Amphora. Along with Candles, the opposite specialty restaurant is on deck six: Cuadro 44, that includes Spanish dishes and tapas impressed by Grasp Chef Anthony Sasso. Additionally included in your fare, it does require reservations, which it is best to make as early as doable.
An alternative choice for lunch and breakfast is the Star Grill and Bar, positioned topside on deck eight, providing a beneficiant buffet of salads, burgers and lighter fare as you dine al fresco, with seating on both aspect of the ship. Simply inside is the Yacht Membership, a spacious lounge that additionally includes a collection of deli sandwiches, pastries and cookies, in addition to specialty coffees and teas. Additionally, notice room service is out there 24/7.
Apart from meals, the Yacht Membership was one in all our favourite locations to hang around. You possibly can chill out on one of many sofas, learn a e book or simply admire the views supplied by the wrap-around glass, floor-to-ceiling home windows. Step exterior on the teak deck to seize that particular second or ocean sundown. Friends additionally use this house to assemble puzzles or play video games.
Two different favourite gathering spots are Compass Rose, the lounge/bar on deck six that hosts trivia competitions in the course of the day and leisure at night time, and the principle lounge on deck 5, which options onboard exhibits, cooking demonstrations and, occasionally, regional entertainers from the ports visited. Our cruise included an ensemble of Croatian people dancers and musicians, and two very gifted musical acts: Dr. Taste, a band from the Philippines that performed pop and rock, together with the Concord Duo.
In case your form of leisure entails a lounger, seashore towel and a drink with a type of tiny umbrellas, the swimming pool/scorching tub on deck seven is simply the ticket. Each decks seven and eight have an abundance of chairs the place you may absorb the sunshine and ocean breezes. In fact, Europe in January shouldn’t be superb for a dip within the water, so we loved scorching chocolate in lieu of the new tub.
For these in want of additional pampering, there’s the World Spa, with a full vary of therapies and providers, a Health Middle and a boutique for consumers. Star Legend additionally has a Marina positioned on the stern with a full array of water toys, a preferred possibility on Caribbean or South Pacific cruises.
Similar to the meals, the service supplied by the crew is outstanding. Ever pleasant {and professional}, they seemingly have one job: Make visitors really feel particular, which they do all through the cruise. With a smaller variety of passengers (229 on this cruise), they’ve a possibility to supply a larger diploma of private service, an actual plus for small ship cruising. One of many highlights of the cruise is the Crew Present, the place they’ve an opportunity to point out off their singing, dancing and comedic skills. It earned a standing ovation.
Included in your fare are lodging, all meals and onboard leisure. You should purchase an all-inclusive bundle that covers limitless alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Shore excursions and spa therapies are further.
One other main plus for small ship cruising is that these yachts can go the place the larger ships can not. Take Venice, for instance, which has banned massive cruise ships. Star Legend was capable of sail up the Giudecca canal, giving us an awesome view of St. Mark’s Sq. and the encompassing areas on our technique to Croatia.
In fact, climate within the low season will be unpredictable. In Venice, a blanket of fog delayed our departure, leading to each good and dangerous information. The excellent news? We had extra time to discover Venice. The dangerous information — we might miss our subsequent scheduled cease, which was Zadar in Croatia. However that turned out to be the one minor blip for the remainder of the cruise.
This was out first time in Croatia, and staying in a single day in Dubrovnik gave us ample alternative to go to the walled Previous City part with its superb sea views, to not point out the purchasing, the place Pam added a number of necklaces to her assortment. Croatia and Dubrovnik had been used as places for HBO’s common “Recreation of Thrones,” as evidenced by all of the memento outlets we noticed.
In Dubrovnik, we joined a bunch led by Star Legend Government Chef Joseph to go searching for meals. We stopped at a inexperienced market, a butcher store and a bakery, the place the chef purchased elements he would use to organize regional dishes. In case you puzzled, throughout our cruise, the kitchen workers would serve 23,000 meals utilizing 1,000 kilos of seafood, 2,000 kilos of greens and 6,000 eggs.
One other first-time cease was Sicily, the place we took a tour to the enchanting metropolis of Taormina, the place we noticed historic church buildings, the traditional theatre of Taormina, constructed by the Greeks within the third century BC, and sweeping views of the ocean. In fact, it’s also called the setting for the second season of HBO’s “White Lotus,” filmed on the 4 Seasons’ San Domenico Palace.
At Naples, we took an tour to Pompeii, which has all the time been on our must-see listing. It actually is awe-inspiring to witness a day in Roman life, frozen in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our information, Luka, did a wonderful job of showcasing vital points within the temporary time we had, together with an surprising bonus: A tour of the continuing excavation website, the place no photos or video is allowed.
In abstract, winter stands out as the excellent time to see Europe if you wish to be removed from the madding crowd — we even breezed via airport safety and customs in Amsterdam and Rome. And a Windstar cruise is an ideal selection if you would like the expertise the thrill of a yachting trip with the friendliest crew at sea.
PHOTOS by Gerry Barker
See cruises right here Windstar Cruises & Star Legend
Editor’s Notes:
Should you’d prefer to get a quote and e book a cruise see Browse Cruise Ships and Cruise Traces
CruiseCompete and its member journey advisors present many curated cruise and land offers, gives and facilities on over 50 cruise traces with over 500 cruise ships crusing all world wide.
Additionally see Shore Excursions – Ports, Day & Weekend Journeys
Cruise Info Portal – All Issues Cruise