This week, Windstar Cruises tiny Star Legend became the largest cruise ship ever to transit the Ballard Locks and sail onto Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. Star Legend’s inaugural visit to was especially significant because Seattle is the home of Windstar Cruises.  Onboard, Windstar employees, VIPs, travel partners and media enjoyed a grand homecoming with hundreds of people lining the locks and shoreline for the event. Local media covering the Star Legend Ballard locks event live both on board and from helicopters above.

Beginning at Pier 66 in Seattle, where you may have been for your cruise to Alaska, Star Legend first took a scenic cruise of Elliott Bay.   Transiting the Ballard Locks, the 212-passenger ship sailed through the Lake Washington Ship Canal and under the Ballard and Fremont Bridges. On board, catering was provided by Seattle’s own Renee Erickson, a James Beard award-winning chef who has sailed with Windstar as part of its unique partnership as the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation.

While on Lake Union, Zodiac rides were given to guests, highlighting the new fleet of six inflatable rugged boats that are a key part of Windstar’s new Signature Expeditions program in Alaska.

During an official ceremony on board, the Zodiacs were named after prominent Seattle figures including Chef Renee Erickson and Bonnie Elgin, brand advisor and the wife of Seattle advertising guru who penned Windstar’s tagline, 180 degrees from ordinary.

Here are more views of tiny Star Legend on that historic day

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Photos: Steve Schimmelman

Star Legend Ballard Locks
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Tiny Star Legend called on Seattle as a special detour from its summer series of inaugural Alaska cruises, running from May through September.  Interestingly, Seattle-based Windstar Cruises had not had a ship in Seattle in nearly three decades.

Cover Photo: Steve Schimmelman