StuartSailing under London’s Tower Bridge has been a massive bucket-list item of mine for as long as I can remember. So, when the opportunity arose to hop on the ultra-luxurious, small-ship yacht Star Pride for a 4-night sampler down to France, I packed my bags faster than you can say “all aboard.”
The Pre-Cruise & Star Pride Boarding Experience
To kick off the holiday, we booked a pre-cruise stay at The Tower Hotel in London. While I chose it strictly for its location—it sits right on the river and is incredibly close to the Millennium Pier where we boarded—it’s fair to say the hotel itself is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s fantastic for convenience, but it can feel quite dated and hectic inside, lacking that premium feel you want before a luxury cruise.
The ship itself was docked right next to HMS Belfast, which made for a stunning backdrop. On embarkation day, we handed our bags to the porter at the pier, hopped onto the ship’s tender, and checked in directly on board. It was incredibly slick and fast, made even better by a welcome glass of proper champagne handed to us the moment we stepped inside.
My tip: The very first thing you should do once you get on board is book your slots for the two speciality restaurants (Candles and Basil + Bamboo). They are fully included in your cruise fare (everyone gets one visit to each), but prime times book up incredibly fast!
Life On Board Star Pride: Suite 405 & Dining
We stayed in an Outside Window Suite (Cabin 405). I was blown away by the space: a proper lounge area, a massive walk-in wardrobe, and a large bathroom with double sinks. You certainly don’t get this kind of space on standard mega-ships.
Our first lunch was at The Verandah, a buffet-style spot with outdoor seating. The British-themed lunch later in the cruise featured piping-hot fish and chips and cottage pie that absolutely hit the spot. For breakfast, while there is a great buffet, you can order a la carte. My chocolate chip pancakes with syrup were flawless every single day, and Chris’s eggs benedict were cooked to perfection.
Dinner at the main Waterside restaurant was equally impressive. There are no set dining times; you just turn up. We got a lovely table for two straight away and enjoyed a gorgeous three-course meal with a brilliant bottle of wine. (Note: Soft drinks and specialty coffees are included, but alcohol is extra. I skipped the drinks package as we had a long day in port, which made more sense financially).
After a wander around the ship and a few glasses of champagne at the Star Bar, we caught the evening entertainment in The Lounge—a cabaret-style space with a fantastic small entertainment team led by their versatile and highly talented Entertainment Director, Lori Kellett. We then moved on to the Compass Rose lounge to catch the resident band before the big moment.
The Main Event: The 1am Sailaway
At 1:00 AM, the moment arrived. We headed up to the deck as Star Pride began her transit out of London. Sailing right under Tower Bridge while it was fully lit up was nothing short of magical. It was a bit chilly, but the crew were absolute stars, handing out warm blankets to take off the edge. We stayed up until 2:00 AM watching the ship glide past Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena. It’s a unique Thames experience that gave me absolute goosebumps.
The Destination: St Malo, France
Sunday was my birthday, and we spent it in the stunning walled town of St Malo. One of the great perks of arriving by cruise ship is the seamless arrival—as a cruise transit passenger, you can step right off into the heart of the destination without the usual passport control lines on the pier. Even though it was a Sunday, the cobbled streets were buzzing, and almost all the shops and cafes were open.
Because of the ship’s size, we anchored out and took a quick 5-minute tender to the shore. A slight swell meant a bit of a wait to get off the ship, but it was well worth it. When we returned mid-afternoon, the ship hosted a lovely local French acoustic duo in the Compass Rose lounge, complete with a charcuterie buffet, French cheeses, meats, and traditional cocktails.
For my birthday dinner, we had booked Candles (The Verandah transforms into this intimate, open-kitchen steakhouse at night). Because of the evening chill, we had to sit inside, though it would be stunning on a warm night. They had a minor first-world-problem hiccup with serving warm white wine, but they sorted it out eventually. The absolute highlight? The crew completely surprised us by bringing out a massive, rich chocolate fudge cake and singing Happy Birthday. When we got back to our suite, our steward had decorated the room beautifully. It’s these small-ship, personal touches that make Windstar stand out.
An Unexpected Turn & Single Travel
On our sea day, I relaxed in the deck hot tub and took a tour of the other suites (they have some stunning modern vs. traditional layouts depending on your taste). Sadly, Chris became quite unwell later in the day, meaning we had to visit the ship’s Medical Centre.
I have to praise the medical team—they were incredibly thorough with their testing. Because Chris was resting, I dined alone in the Waterside restaurant that evening even though I did have the option to dine with other people if I wished. The staff could not have been more accommodating or kind. If you are a solo traveller, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Windstar; they make you feel incredibly safe, welcome, and looked after.
The next morning, we disembarked early to head to a local hospital for follow-up tests, and the port and ship crew went above and beyond, even arranging our transfers.
The Verdict
| The Good | The Bad |
| Unforgettable 1am Tower Bridge sailaway with blankets provided. Incredibly spacious window suites with walk-in wardrobes. Impeccable, highly personalized service (especially the birthday surprises and medical care). Superb dining quality with no upcharges for specialty venues. | The Tower Hotel is highly convenient but dated and hectic. The Verandah’s outdoor seating could use patio heaters for chilly UK/Channel sailings. |
Stuart’s Verdict on the Star Pride: 9/10
I’ll admit, I was a bit apprehensive about sailing on a smaller yacht, worrying I might feel the choppy movement of the English Channel—but I needn’t have worried. The ship was remarkably stable and comfortable. Windstar delivers “casual refinement”—all the luxury of a 5-star hotel without any of the stuffiness.
A Note on Travel Insurance: Our unexpected trip to the ship’s medical centre is a stark reminder that robust travel insurance is an absolute must, even for short European breaks. Onboard medical care is charged in US Dollars (convertible from GBP on your final statement) and can add up rapidly. Always ensure your policy covers cruise travel and emergency medical treatment!
Windstar has a fantastic programme of cruises departing right out of London again next year. Because these bookings are tailor-made for UK guests, you’ll enjoy full financial protection when booking your holiday package through me so contact me to find out more.
