Windstar Cruises Announces 2026 Sailings From London
With boutique cruise line Windstar Cruises’ recent announcement that they will be bringing their acclaimed small ship luxury to London for the very first time, it’s never been easier to see the world from your doorstep. Aiming to raise their profile in the UK, a select handful of itineraries will call the English capital their home port from May 2026, kicking off with a trio of taster ‘mini cruises’, before launching two more extensive sailings later on in the month.
Itineraries
These three and four night mini-cruises will set sail from 12 May 2026 and take place on the 312-guest all-suite motor yacht Star Pride. Embarking from Greenwich, London, guests can delight in a three-night Belgian cruise, touring medieval architecture, picturesque canals, fascinating museums, and of course, a mouthwatering chocolate tour of Bruges and Antwerp. For those seeking a little more je ne sais quoi, there is a four-day round trip setting sail on 15 May, offering guests the opportunity to visit the historic French port of St Malo, and enjoy freshly made crepes before exploring the iconic island of Mont St Michel.
Guests in the market for a lengthier voyage may be interested in Star Pride’s 13-night sailing around Belgium and the Norwegian fjords. Departing London on 19 May, the ship will roam Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium, before winding around some of Norway’s most scenic destinations, including Alesund, Trondheim, and Froya, and disembarking in Leith, Scotland.
Onboard Services
In between touring some of Europe’s premium locations, guests will never be short of things to do aboard Star Pride, which was one of three Windstar ships to undergo an innovative $250 million (£200m) ‘stretching’ renovation, completed in 2021. New features include contemporary seafood restaurant, Star Grill, and Cuadro 44, which offers tapas-style dishes dreamed up by Michelin-starred chef Anthony Sasso. In addition, passengers can also spend time in the fitness centre, take part in dance classes, enjoy musical entertainment, unwind in the onboard spa, and take in sweeping views from the Compass Rose Lounge, as well as taking advantage of the ship’s unique watersports platform, which gives guests the opportunity to snorkel or paddleboard whilst remaining a stone’s throw from the ship. All meals and drinks, wi-fi, gratuities, and port fees are included in the pricing for all the above voyages, and with 204 crew to 312 passengers, you can expect an intimate yacht-like atmosphere alongside highly personalised service.
“I’m really excited that Star Pride will be homeporting in my hometown of London in 2026,” remarked Augustus Lonsdale, Windstar Cruises’ Head of Sales. “This is a first for Windstar, and it clearly demonstrates the commitment to the UK market, and our customers from both Windstar and our wider ownership group.”
Lonsdale explained that "After a strong 2024, and with great forward business set for 2025, this is a pivotal time for sales from this region for Windstar Cruises.”
He added, “I am sure that the taster cruises will prove very popular with both new-to-cruise and new-to-Windstar guests and will be instrumental in helping us grow our business from the UK market’.
If this sounds like something that might interest you, find out more here.
