Review: Star Pride

What is the line? Windstar

Name of ship?  Star Pride

Passenger occupancy? 312

Itinerary? A Piece of Greece and a Slice of Sicily

A Windstar cruise is for travelers who like their vacations to be luxurious, low-key, and exclusive. Their fleet of yachts, many of which have been getting refurbished in recent years, offer the chance to see popular ports and lesser known destinations. They make a cozy home base for an adventurous journey.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for? Windstar is known for its sailing ships, but it also has a fleet of well-appointed motor ships, too, including Star Pride. The line sets itself apart by offering small-ship voyages that take cruisers to the more intimate corners of popular destinations that larger ships can’t access. In fact, its ships are small enough to call yachts. Imagine sailing through Greece’s Corinth Canal—usually reserved for those with private yachts—or docking in pocket-size ports like the French seaside village of Sanary-sur-Mer.  

Tell us about the ship in general In 2022, Star Pride completed an extensive renovation and extension. The project added two new restaurants, a new spa, a pool, and exercise area. Each stateroom on the all-suite yacht also got refurbished bathrooms. There’s also a new suite category—called Star Suite—with a new design. The renovated yacht has a cozy feel, but is still large enough to give you enough breathing room in public spaces like the pool deck or cocktail lounge without encroaching on other passengers.

Who is onboard? Mostly retired couples who are active and have an interest in history and culture. There are a few younger couples, too, including some honeymooners. There may be a few well-behaved kids on board as well. Windstar allows children age eight and up, but it’s not a cruise line that’s geared toward children, so there are few little ones on their sailings. 

Describe the cabins Every cabin aboard Star Pride is a suite, meaning they come with a sizable seating area in addition to the bedroom space. I was in a redesigned Star Suite, which opens into a seating area with the bed toward the back of the room. It also comes with a small French balcony to step out for fresh air and ocean views (it’s large enough for just one person standing at a time). While every room on board is a suite, not all rooms have outdoor space: 10 suites have portholes, 79 have picture windows, 60 have French balconies, and six have private verandas with furniture. The redesigned bathrooms feel fresh and modern, and offer plenty of secured storage space, so your toiletries won’t go flying in choppy seas.Each room also offers creature comforts like a fully stocked minibar, a waffle-weave bathrobe, and L'Occitane bath products. 

Tell us about the crew. The crew are upbeat and friendly, and know how to deliver five-star service. My suite was always refreshed and turned down with minimal intrusion and servers in the restaurant strike the perfect balance between talkative and helpful without hovering. Truthfully, I would’ve liked more information from the destination team for things to do outside of the cruise line’s excursions, but I found good information on each port on the destinations menu on the TV in my suite.

What food and drink options are available on board?  The standout restaurant is Cuadro, the ship’s new tapas restaurant. The menu offers classic—and delicious!—tapas dishes like charred octopus, patatas bravas, paella croquetas, and grilled chorizo. For a truly authentic tapas experience, there’s even a bar area that looks onto the kitchen, so you can watch the chefs prepare your plates and then pass them directly from the grill to you. I had two meals here on our seven-day voyage—and would’ve eaten more if it weren’t always full. Be sure to make reservations.

Elsewhere on board is the Star Grill, overlooking the pool deck; the Veranda, a breakfast and lunch buffet with some plates prepared a la carte; Amphora, the main restaurant featuring dishes from James Beard Award-winning chefs; and Candles, an outdoor steakhouse on the ship’s aft deck. There’s also coffee and grab-and-go snacks in the Yacht Club, and cocktails in Compass Rose.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting? Yes and yes! The spa also got a refresh and an extension in the renovation, making it well worth a visit. I had a facial, and my esthetician was so knowledgeable that I ended up buying several of the products she used to incorporate into my daily skincare routine. 

Activities and entertainment As far as onboard entertainment, Star Pride has a pool deck as well as a hot tub on the bow. In true yacht fashion, there’s also a swim platform that is unfurled at certain offshore dockings, where guests can go for a dip or engage in water sports like paddle boarding. There’s also a lounge with entertainment at night, like music and a crew show. Each voyage also has a few theme nights, like dancing under the stars with cocktails and a live salsa band. 

How was the experience for families? There are no special services for families or kids. But it would be a good cruise for teenagers, families with adult children, or multi-gen trips.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out? Our voyage departed from Athens and visited Argostoli and Corfu in Greece, then continued on to Sicily with stops in Messina and Trapani, followed Cagliari, Sardinia, and finished in Barcelona. The stand-out excursion was Windstar’s Shop with the Chef experience, in which a small group of travelers is led by the culinary staff to local markets to pick out special provisions for that night’s dinner. Our group went to a Sicilian fish market for fresh-caught dorado, as well as a dry goods store for cheeses and olives. It was a slice of local culture I wouldn’t have otherwise gotten, and it was thrilling to see the fish we picked that day on our plates later the same evening.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking. If you want the perks of both a private yacht and a meticulously planned cruise, look no further than a voyage on Star Pride. From the refreshed spaces to the cuisine, crew, and excursions, you’ll be in vacation mode from the minute you step on board until it’s time to leave.