Review: Windstar’s Star Legend cruises Southern Spain – Days 1 to 4

As a small ship, with a maximum of 312 guests, the all-suite Windstar‘s Star Legend, has slipped right into the heart of Malaga. We are in pole position for exploring the sun-blessed city. 

Windstar offers luxurious small-ship cruises, taking us into harbours beyond the mega-cruisers on our seven day exploration of Southern Spain.. Sometimes we will be the only cruise ship in the port, giving opportunities for cultural immersion, that are, as the Windstar credo, reminds us 180° From Ordinary. 

Though many Windstar regulars will stay on board for the next two cruises! With Rome among the Italian highlights, before docking in Venice. That is 22 days of intimate excursions, a plethora of wellness options, and superb cuisine.

For Star Legend and her crew, after 12 days in a Cadiz dry dock, it is back to work. Looking more than ship-shape, the Star Legend has new carpets of maritime blues in many of the public areas, plenty of fresh paintwork and restaurant Basil and Bamboo ready to open. 

Day 1: Malaga

With check in from 1 pm, guests are soon through the formalities and heading for lunch. Led by the James Beard Foundation, the Veranda restaurant, with both a la carte and buffet announces that this will be a dream gastronomic cruise for foodies.

Guests in the know quickly book tables for the inaugural evening of Basil and Bamboo, an Asian / Mediterranean fusion experience. Following up with a booking later in the cruise for Candles, steaks and much more. 

Basil and Bamboo, with open kitchen, where east meets west, welcomes us with a lychee cocktail. Choosing between a sushi sampler and Mediterranean Raw isn’t easy; so we order both to share. Blackened miso cod is a perfect oriental take on the original blackened Cajun fish out of New Orleans. And is there any dessert, at sea or on land, more spectacular than the restaurant’s panna cotta? 

Heading to the lounge, Tanya, Director of Entertainment, introduces us to what lies ahead before Groove Factor’s live music takes over.

Day 2: Malaga

As with every morning there is an opportunity for early morning yoga, to improve balance and posture, with guest wellness consultant Debbie Dixon, before taking breakfast in Veranda or the Yacht Club.

Bianca’s presentation on Malaga had told us that Picasso’s first word was “Pencil”. Surprisingly, the Museo Picasso Malaga, tells more than the story of the precociously talented young boy who became one of the world’s great artists. The basement houses remains of both Phoenician and Roman homes. A reminder of Malaga’s long history. 

High above Malaga, the Alcazaba Fortress looks down on the city from Mount Gibralfaro. Built by the Moors, early in the 11th century, it eventually fell in 1487 as part of the Spanish monarchy’s centuries long reconquesta campaign. Significantly, it was the first battle in which both sides used gunpowder. 

A visit to the “One Armed Lady”, Malaga’s cathedral is another must. Even though construction lasted from 1528 into the 18th century, taking in Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles, the second tower was never completed. 

Mid-afternoon, Vishen Lakhiani, founder and CEO of Mindvalley, author and motivational speaker gave the first of two presentations. Enlightening his audience on how self-awareness, emotional mastery and aligning your inner world with your ambitions bring success. 

Day 3: Gibraltar

Long ago, the rock of Gibraltar, with the two pillars of Hercules, signified the edge of the known world. Now, Gibraltar marks the end of the Mediterranean and the beginning of the Atlantic’s churn.

Our small group tour briefly leaves Spain to explore the 2.6 square miles of British Overseas Territory. A tiny chuck of Britain with red pillar boxes, a Morrison’s supermarket and where fish and chips plus steak and kidney pie frequently feature on menus; washed down with a pint of Barbery beer.

Our guide, the oracle on Gibraltar, gives us the insider track on Gibraltarian life. Sick British citizens are flown to the UK for treatment in a NHS hospital. Space is at a premium. A road, controlled by traffic lights, runs across Gibraltar airport’s runway. 

He also reiterates warnings about the aggressive Barbary Apes, sometimes weighing in at up to 60 lbs and always scavenging for food. Believing the superstition that if the apes ever left Gibraltar it would fall, Winston Churchill imported apes to boost their population. Today there is a colony of around 300. 

Back on board, a local flamenco trope comes on board to give a foot-stomping, dress-swirling, head-turning, finger-clicking performance of raw intensity.  Their singing, dancing and guitar strumming show that flamenco covers the entire gamut of human emotion: lament, love, loss, joy and suffering.

Day 4: Cartagena

A late morning arrival at Cartagena gives opportunities for a visit to the World Spa. The vast array of treatments – acupuncture, age-defying facials, classic massage private yoga, private Pilates – give guests the opportunity to disembark from the cruise in fare better condition than they boarded. 

Cartagena grew rich on metals mined from the mountains and from ships calling into a key strategic port: restaurants line the harbour side and marble walkways pass between the shops but we are focused on a tapas trail. 

Although the details are lost in the mists of time, legend has it that Spanish royalty approved of a drink covered with a small piece of bread, topped with a snack, to keep out dust and flies. As tapir is the Spanish verb to cover, it is a credible tale that explains the evolution of tapas.

For Spaniards, tapas have become a social ritual, moving from bar to bar, to socialise as they drink and nibble. Wine, tapas and exploring Cartagena by foot is the ultimate form of slow travel. As we walk between bars, socialising and chatting, Jose introduces us to Cartagena’s history. Remarkably the Roman theatre was not discovered until 1988. Successive generations had built on top of the ruins. 

A cave at the top of the theatre tells of the Spanish Civil War. Locals had taken shelter when General Franco’s forces, supported by the German Luftwaffe, had bombed the port and key industrial installations. 

We are back in time for pre-dinner cocktails in the Compass Rose lounge, accompanied by music from the Harmony Duo.

The cost

Windstar Cruises operates year-round in the Mediterranean. 2026 prices for Star Legend’s off-season Mediterranean cruises start from £3,994 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.  

Mid-voyage verdict

Four days into Windstar’s Star Legend sailing and this Southern Spain itinerary is proving a masterclass in small-ship cruising. On board, the post-refit ship feels fresh and elegant, with suites that prioritise space and comfort and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. 

Star Legend is delivering exactly what Windstar promises: unhurried exploration, cultural depth and a quietly luxurious rhythm that makes every port feel personal.

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.