Windstar debuts in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is to be included for the first time on itineraries of the small ship luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises from next spring.

12 Middle East itineraries begin in November 2023 on all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend, taking guests to sites from world religions to Egyptian temples, Bedouin villages, and oil-rich cities that have risen from the desert over the past few decades.

As one of the first small-ship cruise lines to explore the Middle East, Windstar can take passengers to both big cities’ grand harbors and smaller, less-travelled ports. After an extensive renovation in 2021, the Star Legend increased its capacity to 312 passengers. It’s big enough to offer amenities such as a full-service spa and multiple restaurant options – including James Beard Foundation-affiliated dining at Amphora, Candles, Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, and Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso – but small enough to feel intimate and relaxed, with no stiff “dress-up” dinner nights or other formalities.

This all-suite yacht completed renovation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative by Windstar to provide more of “what their guests love”. New public areas, including two new dining venues, a new spa, elevated pool, and fitness area. The yacht also boasts all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean views and at least 277 square feet of suite comfort, Star Legend is the perfect yacht for cruising the Dardanelles and into scenic fjords from the serenity of your suite.

A nine-day cruise from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, (Petra) Jordan and the reverse (with ports in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan) debuts next March, including the beaches, sacred sites, and colourful coral reefs of the Red Sea.

The Middle East is renowned for its spices and great cuisine. On board, the “deck barbecue” is always an event, as the chefs purchase fresh produce, spices, and seafood in the region to incorporate the area’s culinary flavours.

Out-of-the-ordinary experiences in Saudi Arabia include an excursion to Al-Ahsa. A breath-taking desert oasis, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors from around the world travel here to enjoy the lush greenery, lively markets and poignant historical sites. Al Ahsa is adequately named; in classical Arabic ‘Ahsa’ means “the sound of water flowing underground”.