Review: Windstar’s Star Legend cruises Southern Spain – Days 5 to 8

Windstar‘s Star Legend threads her way through the Mediterranean, sailing through time itself. Millennia of Phoenician legends, Roman roads, Moorish courtyards and Spanish crowns as we cruise from Malaga to Barcelona.

Windstar deliver warm and intimate luxury. A small ship journey that begins amongst Málaga’s palms and Picassos, pauses at Gibraltar’s improbable outcrop of red postboxes and Barbary Apes, then drifts towards Cartagena, Valencia, Mallorca and, finally, Barcelona.

Each evening, as cocktail ice clinks, Bianca, the destinations manager, offers tempting promises of what lies ahead: epic architecture, local cuisine that tells history’s stories and the culture that runs through Southern Spain’s civilisation.

Day 5 – Valencia

As first-time visitors, we choose the highlights tour. Others are drawn instead to the kitchen, a masterclass in the original Valencian paella. Chicken and rabbit, not a prawn in sight. They gather herbs and vegetables from a finca garden, then focus on the sacred moment of socarrat: caramelising rice into a crisp irresistible layer. 

Valencia thinks boldly. After the devastating floods of 1957, the River Túria was redirected east, and in its old riverbed the city planted a dream of tomorrow. The City of Arts and Sciences rises there now. The structural white bones and sweeping wings of Félix Candela’s futuristic vision, shimmering between blue pools and gardens. Museums, cinema, opera house and playground unfurl like a ribbon through what was once raging, tumultuous water.

Our tour strolls across the centuries. After the Reconquista of 1238, our encyclopaedic guide explains, Valencia, freed from Moorish rule, prospered from silk. Europeans preferred to buy from Christians. Twenty-eight stone gargoyles still stand sentinel over the plaza leading to the late-Gothic Silk Exchange; fortress-like and formidable. Across the way, domes and cupolas of ceramics, glass and iron form a building that feels like a modernist cathedral. Though,  it is, in fact, a covered market, designed by an architect more accustomed to railway stations than temples to food.

Earlier, a handful of guests had followed one of Star Legend’s chefs through that Art Nouveau market, on a quest for the day’s finest fish, meat and vegetables.

Day 6 – Palma

Again, choice beckons. Some wander Palma’s hidden patios: secret arches, cool stone, spiralling staircases. Others journey into the Tramuntana Mountains to the Valldemossa Charterhouse, where Chopin once created preludes from the silence. Then they descend into the Drach Caves, a subterranean cathedral of stalactites.

Our highlights tour begins at Castell de Bellver, its sun-bleached circular walls crowning a wooded hill. From here, Palma’s story unfolds. Bellver, translating from the Castilian as “beautiful view”, commands land and sea alike. Once royal residence, then prison, now museum, the fortress gazes out over some of Mallorca’s five million pale-blossomed almond trees.

Palma Cathedral owes its existence to fear and faith. Caught in a violent storm, King James I of Aragon vowed that, should he survive, he would build a cathedral to God’s glory. A Gothic giant dominating Palma Bay. 

Warm winter sun draws many to the Star Grill on Deck 8, where lunch is served with views over the masts of Palma’s harbour. Some drift back into the city afterwards.

Day 7 – Barcelona

By morning, we are moored in pole position in Barcelona. A slot booked two to three years previously, a watch officer told us. Barcelona is at our feet, Las Ramblas just a short stroll away.

Some guests ask Windstar to design a private tour, many book a small group excursion, whilst others disembark to explore Barcelona at their own pace. Inevitably many are drawn to Gaudi’s final unfinished masterpiece. A curving organic basilica, simultaneously neo-Gothic but also Art Nouveau. Begun in 1882, 144 years in construction, the Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress.

After a day on Barcelona’s cobbles, there is a steady stream of guests to the World Spa, for relaxation and rejuvenation. Slotted in before a final farewell from the staff.

One last decision remains.  Where should we dine? East meets West at Basil and Bamboo? Looking out over Barcelona and its harbour at Star Grill? Enjoying twinkling lights and sea breezes at Candles? Or savouring one last evening of classic fine dining at Amphora? 

Day 8 – Barcelona

For the majority of guests there is one last breakfast, though almost one third are staying aboard for the next cruise. Windstar’s supreme service inspires guest loyalty. 

As well as transfers to Barcelona airport, there are more tours of the city for those who have booked late flights. 

The cost

Windstar Cruises operates year-round in the Mediterranean. 2026 prices for Star Legend’s off-season Mediterranean cruises start from £2,900 per person for an eight-night Winter Italy and the Adriatic sailing departing 31st March.

In 2027, Windstar Cruises’ newest ship, Star Explorer will be christened at London’s Tower Bridge and will be based year-round in the Mediterranean with prices starting from £5257 per person for a seven-night Europe’s Winter Riviera sailing departing 15th January 2027.

The final verdict

Windstar’s Star Legend delivers a refined Mediterranean journey that balances cultural depth with relaxed luxury. This is cruising on a human scale: unhurried ports, thoughtful excursions and a ship that becomes a home, both indulgent and personal. Each destination from Malaga to Barcelona is enriched by expert guides and a wide choice of excursions. 

Disclosure: Our cruise was sponsored by Windstar Cruises.

Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards is a travel writer from Oxfordshire, UK. Although Michael had his first travel pieces published nearly four decades ago, he is still finding new luxury destinations to visit and write on.