“Why be ordinary?” says Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s chief operating officer, adding that the classic pair of suites on each vessel were already due for a renovation. “There are a lot of hotels that build cruise ships but there are not a lot of cruise ships that can theme their suites with an existing portfolio of hotels.”

Broadmoor at Sea and Sea Island at Sea are currently available on Windstar’s 312-passenger Star Legend, Star Pride and Star Breeze, and its Sail Class vessel Wind Surf. They’ve have been a hit, he tells us. “Guests love the homey feel, love that they are distinct from any suites they’ve ever seen on a cruise ship,” noting that the initiative was recently awarded best suites design on small ships from Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI). “And guests from Sea Island and Broadmoor who travel on Windstar appreciate the nod to the hotels they love. It’s comfortable to be reminded of places where they’re happy.”

Creating the ambience

Liz Schneider, of Seattle-based Liz Schneider Interiors, partnered with Creupelandt and Windstar on the project and offers a back story.

“We created The Broadmoor at Sea around a concept that celebrates the legacy of the Penrose family (founders of the property) in the American West,” she writes on LinkedIn.  “In the early 1900’s, Spencer and Julie Penrose were philanthropists in the American West. Their vision was to build a hotel of dreams in Colorado Springs. Spencer and Julie were inspired by their own steamship sailings to Europe and in doing so decorated the Broadmoor Resort in a way that shared the colors, patterns, gilded and ornate furniture found on their adventures.

“Inside suite 500, you will find, in gilded gold frames of course, archived photographs of the resort celebrating its rich legacy. In addition, we recreated the Broadmoor’s own suite carpet design,” Schneider continues. “Next we curated a collection of custom fabrics & paint colors and designed a wall covering inspired by Julie Penrose signature bougainvillea paper that decorates the walls of the Broadmoor.”

Yes of course, there were challenges!

Creating lovely interior spaces at resorts is one thing; cruise lines, Creupelandt tells us, have a whole other series of maritime regulations their designers must follow. It’s not quite as simple as nipping into storage at Sea Island or the Broadmoor and picking up a few rolls of wallpaper.

Regulatory requirements apply to every inch of a cruise ship, he tells us.

“Regulations relate to fire retardancy and apply to furniture, cushions, foam used in pillows and on chairs, wallpaper, even the carpet itself.” For this project, Broadmoor, for instance, “gave us approval to reproduce the carpet and the wallpaper that decorates Broadmoor at Sea and then we refabricated them to the maritime specifications we are required to follow.”

And passengers would never know the difference.

The post Have You Seen These Suites, Inspired by The Broadmoor and Sea Island? appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

Volcanoes smolder in Iceland, goliath fjords abound in Sweden, giant cliffs tumble into Ireland’s rough seas, forests become frozen in Finland, glaciers pierce French wilderness, towering mountains and fields of waterfalls mark Norway, and serrated mountains soar in Scotland. Witnessing these natural wonders provides a wonderful contrast with Northern Europe’s historic sites and cultured urban experiences.

All told, Windstar has 40 Northern Europe itineraries starting with the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Ireland. Continuing east, destinations include France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while to the north they incorporate the Baltic Sea countries of Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, along with the Nordic nations of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Greenland.

If you’d like a precise focus centering on just one Northern European country, consider Endless Days in Norway, or Belgium: A Sweet Getaway. Should you prefer a wider-ranging itinerary, many of our Northern Europe voyages connect two, three or four countries. For example, the 25-day Fjords and Fire pairs Britain and the Nordics.

There’s also an epic 80-day Grand Europe Adventure, which docks in 20 European nations. What better ship for such a dream trip than Star Legend, an intimate all-suite yacht which serves just 312 guests, and has a gym, spa, infinity pool, two bars, on-deck hot tubs, and 24-hour room service.

Each Northern Europe itinerary can be tailored to personal tastes by selecting from a trove of day excursions: sea kayaking in Finland, seafood cooking lessons in Estonia, or exploring World War II history in Poland. Check out scenic helicopter flights in Norway, castle explorations in Scotland, and  volcano trekking in Iceland. Such variety ensures each itinerary can cater to a diverse range of guests. In fact, many ports on this voyage have 10 or more such excursions to choose from.

Deciding which Northern Europe voyage to take is part of the fun. As the region grows in popularity, there are more options than ever before. We’ll help you choose with our Passport guide.

Best for First-Time Northern Europe Travelers? Start Short

If you’ve never been to any part of Northern Europe — and/or you are new to cruise travel — try a shorter cruise (ten days or less). Other itineraries last from 10 days to almost three weeks. What’s great about Seven Gems of the Baltic is that, in seven days, you get an overview of major cities in the region. We also love the Quick Getaway Seaside Charms and Dutch Waterways,  a three day trip, that travels from London to Amsterdam. 

Why?

It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short time without the hassle of packing and unpacking. And the itinerary incorporates a lot of lesser-known cities in addition to marquee urban destinations.

You will visit three of Northern Europe’s most dynamic cities — Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki — along with Poland’s Gdansk, Estonia’s Tallinn, Denmark’s Bornholm and Latvia’s Ventspil.

Or, alternately, the three day sampler Quick Getaway visits Bruges and Harlingen, in addition to London and Amsterdam. It’s the perfect taster cruise for a new-to-cruise traveler — or a lovely add-on to a longer European stay. 

Highlights

With an itinerary that starts in Stockholm and ends in Copenhagen, consider adding a few days pre- and post-cruise in those dynamic cities, truly two of the most charming in Europe. In Stockholm, favorite parts of the city, which stretches over 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, include the ancient old town of Gamla Stan, dating back to the 13th century, and Sweden’s Royal Palace. In the lively neighborhood of Djurgårdsvägen, you’ll find Grona Lund, a fabulous amusement park with rides, restaurants and music; ABBA, the Museum, which features exhibits and films of live performances, and probably the most important, the Vasa Museum. It celebrates a 17th century warship that actually sank on its way out of the archipelago. The Royal National City Park is here, too.

Beyond Stockholm, Helsinki has a burgeoning design culture (Marimekko is based in Finland), a beautiful harbor, with daytrips by ferry to the Suomenlinna Island fortress. Go kayaking in the Finnish archipelago, shop in one-of-a-kind boutiques downtown, and sip coffee and people-watch along its central, tree-lined and art-inspired Esplanade. Gdansk, known for its amber trade, is Poland’s most important port city. It was rebuilt after World War II and was the base for the Solidarity Movement. And Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is one of the best preserved medieval town centers in Europe.

If Copenhagen is probably best known for the beloved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, one of my favorite places in any city in the world is Tivoli Gardens. Believed to have inspired Walt Disney when he was creating Disneyland, Tivoli brings together restaurants, amusement park rides, pedal boats on a flower-fringed lake, concerts, performances and more.

Best for a Deep Dive into the British Isles: Bordeaux to Edinburgh 

The five nations of the British Isles — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland — have had an outsize impact on history and culture around the world.  Take a deep dive into the region and its roots on the 17-day French Nights and UK Delights voyage on Star Legend, departing June 3, 2026.

Why?

The expansive itinerary offers plenty of time to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage and to let Britain and Ireland soak deep into your soul. Destinations include busy cities (Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Swansea), quaint towns (Fort William, Portland) and sublime islands (Guernsey, Outer Hebrides), plus six days of land excursions in France.

Highlights

Experiences range from visiting Stonehenge in England and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, to wildlife-spotting in Wales and learning to blend whiskey in Ireland.  On a guided excursion to Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’ll learn about St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland 1,600 years ago. Adjacent to this magnificent, 800-year-old church is a park where the holy man performed baptisms.

In Northern Ireland’s Belfast, you’ll see the once-mighty shipyards where the Titanic was built. When this infamous cruise liner sank in 1912, it triggered the shipyard’s decline. But in 2012, the area was reborn as the impressive Titanic Quarter. This billion-dollar precinct boasts hotels, bars, restaurants, historic vessels, and museums, including Titanic Belfast. An eight-story attraction, it tells the ship’s tragic story via artifacts, videos, archival photos, recreated Titanic cabins and immersive experiences.

Favorite Discoveries

Delve into this region’s extraordinary literary legacy by visiting low-profile yet rewarding attractions. They include Dublin’s spectacular 318-year-old Marsh’s Library, once frequented by legendary authors such as James Joyce and Bram Stoker, or Edinburgh’s Scottish Poetry Library, a modern facility which showcases this country’s finest writing.

Check Out These Possibilities

Complement a British Isles visit with explorations of Norway and Iceland on this 11-day cruise on Star Voyager, or venture even wider, pairing the U.K. with Portugal, Spain and France on this 25-day itinerary on board Star Legend.

Best Comprehensive Tour of Northern Europe: Stockholm to Edinburgh (17 days)

The Nordic and Baltic regions are sometimes grouped together,  erroneously suggesting a uniformity of culture, people, history and language.

In fact, their list of differences may be as long as any tally of their similarities. For example, you can’t learn phrases prior to your trip to use in all these countries, because Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Greenland each have their own national language, as do Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The food on your plate will also look different depending on where you are. Denmark is crazed for baked goods, whereas Sweden is known for seafood. From a historical perspective, Latvia and Estonia were greatly shaped by periods of Swedish rule, whereas Lithuania had stronger influences from Germany and Poland.  And each of the Baltic states has retained unique cultures despite five decades of being controlled by the Soviet Union, which tried to dissolve their national identities until it collapsed itself in 1991.

Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of time to unravel all the threads across this 17-day Legends of Scandinavia and the Baltics voyage on board Star Legend, departing July 15, 2026.

Why?    

Cold War history one day, fjords the next. Windstar has tons of itineraries which feature Scandinavia and the Baltic, but none quite as varied as this, with its remarkable depth of sights and experiences.

Ponder the ways in which Armageddon was narrowly avoided during a Cold War missile silo tour in Lithuania.  Stare in wonder at the lush and towering Norwegian fjords. Squeeze grapes and sample wine in a Danish vineyard visit. Imagine the carnage once spawned by a Viking warship in Norway. And awaken your senses while hiking Lithuanian dunes.

Highlights

This voyage begins with stops at a series of splendid, historic cities: Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, Ventspils, Gdansk, Bornholm and Copenhagen. Guests will finish this section of the cruise with vivid memories of Swedish palaces, Lithuanian Old Towns, Danish museums, Finnish markets, Latvian churches and Polish fortresses.

Then the crowds and cityscapes start to be replaced by tranquillity and wilderness, as the itinerary reaches its scenic zenith in Norway. For eight days, Star Legend will trace Norway’s rugged west coast. In the pretty port town of Haugesund, for example, passengers can alight to witness thunderous waterfalls, enormous fjords and serene islands marked by Viking heritage.

They can also peer down in amazement at the Sunnmøre Alp mountain range during helicopter excursions from Alesund, the picturesque Norwegian town whose architecture is an homage to the art nouveau period of the 20th century. Or hop in an off-road vehicle called a “troll” car, after docking at Norway’s tiny Olden town to reach the foot of the world’s biggest glacier, Jostedal. And, finally, catch a train from near Bergen port, through Flåmsdalen Valley, to see Kjosfossen waterfall plunge and explode. All of this is Europe in its most unvarnished form.

Favorite Discoveries

One of the most authentic souvenirs you can bring home from this region is glowing Baltic amber, a type of tree resin which, when fossilized, becomes a smooth, glowing substance resembling a gemstone. Baltic amber has been harvested in Gdansk for centuries and is now widely sold as jewelry or as decorative cutlery trim.  Gdansk is also home to the Museum of Amber.

Check Out These Possibilities

If you’re pushed for time, see seven Baltic and Scandinavian countries in just seven days with the fast-paced Seven Gems of the Baltic Cruise.  Or start in Scandinavia before exploring Scotland and Iceland during the 16-day Fjords and Fire itinerary on board Star Pride.    

Iceland at its Fullest: Reykjavik Roundtrip

Iceland’s environment is extreme and exotic, and its booming popularity is driven by one of the most common appeals of travel: feeling very far from home.

Everywhere you go in Iceland, savage natural forces are on display. Giant glaciers shift and crack. Volcanoes rumble and spew molten rock. Hot springs bubble from geothermal features. Rivers plunge over precipices and detonate into mist. Make no mistake, this is our planet in its rawest state.

Why?

Ten days in Iceland might seem excessive for a cruise to a country that’s smaller than most U.S. states and 80 percent uninhabited. But Iceland isn’t really that small. It just looks that way on maps, dwarfed by colossal Greenland and marooned in the Norwegian Sea. Iceland’s coastline is actually vast, at 4,800 kilometers, longer than the distance from Los Angeles to New York.

Windstar’s Comprehensive Iceland Cruise Tour skirts this entire coast during a seven-day ocean voyage. That way you can witness Mother Nature’s Icelandic embellishments: steaming geysers, black sand beaches, commanding sea cliffs.

Complementing these natural encounters are three nights at the Grand Hotel Reykjavik to savor Iceland’s more urbane attractions. They include Viking World Museum, which unravels the history of the Scandinavian conquerors who pillaged Europe from the 9th to 11th centuries; the Árbær Open Air Museum, which recreates an ancient Icelandic village; and Hallgrímskirkja, the distinctive 75-meter tall church that looms above Reykjavik and hosts summer concerts. Ascend to the steeple via elevator for a bird’s-eye view of Reykjavik, from mountains to sea.

Highlights

Nature photographers have become obsessed with Iceland thanks to its other-worldly landscapes. Cruise excursions will invite you to experience these by walking through the ice tunnels of  Langjokull, dipping into the bubbling hot springs of the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, feeling the thunderous impact of Gullfoss, Barnafoss and Hraunfosser waterfalls, and marveling as geothermal water erupts into the air from the Great Geysir.

You’ll also have the opportunity to spend an entire day amid the startling beauty of Þingvellir National Park, where geological forces forged plunging gorges and the Silfra Fissure, a gap between the tectonic plates of Europe and North America. Tourists can even dive or snorkel in the fissure’s clear, fresh water.

Discoveries

Like Mexico’s tequila, Ireland’s whiskey or Japan’s sake, Iceland has a signature alcohol as well: brännvin. The word translates as burned wine. Popular for centuries in the Nordic countries, it is a potent, clear spirit distilled from potatoes or wheat. You can learn about the history, production and varieties of brännvin during a guided tour of Reykjavik’s Eimverk Distillery.

And remember that Iceland isn’t just about natural beauty and Viking history.  It also has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with bustling downtowns, art galleries, museums and musical performances from Reykjavik and the country’s second-largest city, Akureyri, to villages like Isafjordur, Heimaey and Seydisfjordur.

Check Out These Possibilities

If you’re time-crunched, Windstar’s signature Around Iceland voyage travels around the country in just seven days.

Make Iceland just one of 20 European countries you visit on your next cruise by joining our ultimate Europe cruise: the epic, 80-day Star Collector: 2026 Grand Europe Adventure. Or delve deeper into wild, frosty landscapes by booking our 25-day Greenland Fjord, Canadian Maritimes voyage, which brings together Iceland, Greenland and isolated parts of eastern Canada.

The post Windstar’s Passport to Northern Europe: Our Guide appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

At home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the “feels like” Fahrenheit number is 21, snow is threatening, and I’m wondering whether to ask my pet-sitter to put the bathroom spigots on drip to avoid frozen pipes.

And yet, I’ve just boarded Star Legend in Malaga in southern Spain, the birthplace of Picasso and a place I’ve never been. I’m wild about Windstar Cruises’ “Winter Escapes” Mediterranean itinerary. I’ve been to Barcelona but all the other ports – Gibraltar, Cartagena, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca – will be new to me.

Work has been crazy-busy for months and I need a recharge, a refresh. Travel does that for me.

My waiter, Dede from Indonesia, stops by my table with a bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay. Oh sure, I tell him, uno mas, por favor.

Loving the Picasso Museum in Spain’s Malaga

I arrived in Malaga a day early to get my body attuned to the time change – and what better way to do that than to luxuriate in a ritzy hotel? The Gran Hotel Miramar, beautifully decorated for Christmas, is as posh as it gets and it’s just two blocks from the seaside promenade. Me? I barely left my room and slept like a rock. I think I’m going to start every cruise this way going forward. No rush – and adventure-ready.

Our cruise from Malaga to Barcelona spends a week sailing along Spain’s southern coast, visiting ports such as Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, and Valencia along with the U.K.’s Gibraltar.

After boarding the ship, the thing I wanted to do most while in Malaga on Spain’s storied Costa del Sol: visit the Picasso museum and the house where the artist was born. Star Legend made it easy – pretty much everything I wanted to see was within a 10-15 minute walk of the pier, nicely located right in the heart of town.

The vibe was not Sunday morning calm. The Malaga Marathon was under way with thousands of runners in motion. Streets were closed, spectators everywhere. Orange trees everywhere, too – and in glorious bloom. An abundance of pedestrian-only streets and great signage made the museum a cinch to find. The museum itself, housing 200-plus pieces, was a revelation. I’m no artist but as a writer, I loved this quote from Picasso: “We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” Talk about a mind-bend.

I had no idea that the scope of Picasso’s work included bronzes and ceramics. And at his birthplace, I learned about his influence on the dove as a symbol of peace – and why he named his daughter Paloma, “dove” in Spanish. Nuggets like these fill me up.

As a journalist, at work I’m writing a column about how older adults often feel invisible, unseen. Not me, at least not on Star Legend. When I returned to the Veranda for a late afternoon lunch, the waiter said: “Welcome Ellen.  Chardonnay and water? Cabin 508, right?”

And, oh, incidentally, it’s snowing at home.

Monkey business on Gibraltar

Gibraltar has been on my bucket list for years. It didn’t disappoint.

Just 2.6 square miles, the Rock, as it is known, is a British Overseas Territory with views of North Africa. Yep, that was Morocco in the distance. Home to one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, this island at the tip of Southern Spain is where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean Sea. There’s something poetic about that.

Gibraltar has roughly 38,000 inhabitants but it was this population stat that fascinated me more: 300 Barbary monkeys. These large-ish apes run free-range at the top of the Rock and they communicate by grooming one another. How had I not heard of them? They are a marvel to watch. Definitely, a highlight of the itinerary – as was St. Michael’s Cave with its impressive light show.

On our way back to the port, our guide turned on the bus’s “air con,” as the Brits call it. That’s how wonderful the moderate temperatures are in this part of the world in December. There wasn’t enough time to visit the town. Next time, I hope.

During sailaway, a couple lolled in the hot tub while folks soaked up the sun from loungers. Except for doing Wordle every day, I’m pretty much off the grid. On the way to Cartagena, I jump into the novel I’ve brought – called “Snow,” of all things.

Savoring quiet time in Cartagena and Valencia

I did a walkabout in Cartagena and enjoyed the ancient Roman Theatre and the not-to-miss Calle Mayor, the pedestrian-only main street made of marble. Valencia? Raining out of the Bible. Enough said. Instead of exploring, I made it a point to savor my quiet time, something that’s been all too rare recently. I read, streamed a couple of movies, napped, and ordered smash burgers from room service.

I also took in the special touches that my cabin steward delivered. He cleaned my eyeglasses, a mess always, and left a wipe. And my book, resting open, suddenly had a bookmark in it. That’s over the top – and typical, I’ve learned, of Star Legend’s service.

The ship was in dry dock before we embarked in Malaga and arrived with two big updates: new carpet everywhere and an Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant called Basil + Bamboo. The artisan whole burrata salad and the miso black cod with a little taste of the grilled Spanish octopus? Best meal of the trip.

Palma de Mallorca offers a winter wonderland

I now understand winter’s appeal when it comes to cruising the Mediterranean – but it hit home with an exclamation point in Mallorca. Picture this: Late morning, sunny. Two buses are in the parking lot of Bellver Castle, built in the 1300s and the oldest of five round castles like it in the world. Except for the buses, both ferrying Star Legend passengers, the lot is empty. Not a tourist in sight.

“It’s calm,” our guide tells me. “No people.”

It’s also green. At the moment, olive trees are tinged silver in the sunlight as our bus heads toward the hilltop village of Valldemossa. January and February, the almond trees will erupt with white blossoms. Friends had urged me to visit Valldemossa, a village tucked into the Tramuntana mountains, and I’m glad they did. It’s best known as the spot where writer George Sand and her lover, classical composer Frederic Chopin, took refuge in a monastery during the winter of 1838-1839.

Chopin composed 32 pieces during their sojourn. The view from the rooms where the couple stayed is something to savor. Sand, in her book “A Winter in Majorca,” put it this way: “The view is astounding for it leaves nothing to the imagination and nothing to desire. The reveries of poetry and art are fully realized here.”

Later, nibbling on a potato bun at an outdoor café, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. Now this is the kind of winter wonderland I can get behind.

Looking for a Plan B in Barcelona

I was in Barcelona a few years ago and focused then on the work of architect Antoni Gaudi, best known for his masterwork, the still-unfinished Sagrada Familia church. Today, my last day onboard Star Legend, I decided to revisit Las Ramblas, the famous pedestrian walkway that has a colorful farmers market, sidewalk cafes and shops. If Barcelona has a heartbeat, Las Ramblas is it.

Unfortunately, Las Ramblas is currently a massive construction zone and the inescapable sound of jackhammers was almost triggering. I saw plenty of people on the popular pathway with hands pressed over their ears. I needed a new plan for the day. Just a few blocks away, in the Gothic quarter, I found it: the Barcelona cathedral, which dates back centuries. Known as La Seu, the cathedral was comforting and quiet. I took an elevator to the rooftop, which has sweeping views of the city. At noon, chimes, resonant and deep, sounded from the clock tower.

I had been in need of a reset. The quiet embrace of the cathedral and the soulful sound of the chimes delivered that today.

Winter itineraries in the Mediterranean are genuinely special. A few tips:

Visiting Spain and Gibraltar in the low season was a revelation: warm weather, fewer tourists, shorter lines. But prepare to be nimble when it comes to shore excursions. Two that I’d signed up for were canceled due to not enough passengers signing up. In that event, talk to the shore excursion team about what else you might do if one falls through.

Also, be aware that some shops and restaurants do close down, particularly in smaller villages and cities, during winter. In larger cities like Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Barcelona museums and shops, along with restaurants, abound. And, if you are a solo traveler like me, keep an eye out for single supplement discounts on winter itineraries. I had a rather nice one that shaved a good bit off my cruise fare.

And finally, this:  Windstar Cruises offers unique “Local Season” itineraries in the Mediterranean from November through March, focusing on intimate, small-ship experiences without summer crowds. These voyages feature overnights in cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Venice, visit smaller, charming cities from Athens to Dubrovnik, from Genoa to Livorno for Tuscany, and specialize in experiences focusing on holiday markets, historic sites and local culture and art. And just as nice: the weather is typically quite moderate.

Editor’s Note: Read more about Windstar’s “locals’ season” of winter cruises here: 

• If You Love Culture and Art, the Mediterranean is Perfect Year-Round
• The Surprising Perks of Visiting Venice in Winter
• Choose Your Adventure: In Dubrovnik, Embracing the Culinary Tradition of Peka
• This May Surprise You: Winter can be the Most Magical Time to Cruise in the Mediterranean
• On Windstar, Build Your Own Christmas Market in the Mediterranean

The post What It’s Like: Cruising Coastal Spain During Locals’ Season appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.