We’re in the process of updating our extensive collection of cruise ship reviews here on The Avid Cruiser, and today we look at an old friend that has been given a new lease on life: Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend, formerly Seabourn’s Seabourn Legend and Royal Viking Line’s Royal Viking Queen.
Star Legend Ship Review
Star Legend. Photo courtesy of Windstar Cruises.
Star Legend Overview
Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend will be best known to some for her former incarnation as Seabourn Legend. The sister to Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend was the last ship of this class to join Seabourn Cruises in 1996, after having a brief stint with Royal Viking Line as Royal Viking Queen.
Movie buffs will also recognize Star Legend for her big on-screen role (as Seabourn Legend) in the 1997 film Speed 2: Cruise Control.
…at anchor this morning in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders
Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Legend were sold in bulk to Windstar Cruises, which acquired the three ships in 2014 and 2015, respectively. These vessels became Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend when they entered service for Windstar. Recently refitted by Seabourn before their transfers, the ships did require Windstar to do much work to do to the public spaces and staterooms onboard – but the line chose to embark on a multi-million-dollar refitting campaign that would make each of these three vessels unmistakably Windstar.
Star Legend features a stern-mounted marina platform. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders
One feature that wasn’t removed were the ship’s retractable marina platforms mounted at the stern, which have been heavily copied ever since. This fits in perfectly with the Windstar mantra; each of the line’s existing three sail-motor ships includes a retractable marina.
Capable of carrying just 212 guests, Star Legend is one of Windstar Cruises most attractive and inviting ships.
Star Legend Suites
Windstar spent millions of dollars transforming Seabourn Legend into its Star Legend. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders
Thanks to her luxury pedigree, the vast majority of suites aboard Star Legend come in at 277 square feet. These feel substantially larger still thanks to a great layout that includes a full seating area near the window complete with a plush couch on one side and two chairs and an end table on the other. In the center: an oversized coffee table. With three separate lighting options, this is the ultimate seaside reading nook.
Category S3 Oceanview Suite #303 on Deck 6 measures 277 square feet. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders
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