PortCastelló Welcomes First Mystery Cruise with 420 People On Board

6 November 2026

2026-11-06. PortCastelló is once again positioning itself as a reference stop for luxury cruise destinations with the arrival this morning of the first "mystery" cruise ship at the port of Castellón, the 'Star Legend', one of the most exclusive vessels in the sector. On board are 217 passengers, mostly from the United States, but also Canadians, from the United Kingdom, Australians, Swiss, Italians, Germans, and Brazilians, aged between 50 and 70, in addition to 203 crew members.

"Mystery cruises" are a type of ship travel where the itinerary and ports of call are kept secret from passengers. Travelers embark without knowing exactly which cities, islands, or countries they will visit, and they are designed for travelers looking to break away from traditional planning, experience adventure, and add an element of intrigue to their vacations.

The ship, coming from Mahón, docked today at noon at the Levante pier and was welcomed with a mascletá, a group of dolçainers, and a parade of giants prior to the departure of the excursions. It will remain there until 11:30 PM when it will set sail for Cartagena.

Upon its arrival, the president of the Port Authority, Rubén Ibáñez, welcomed passengers, crew, as well as the Captain of the 'Star Legend' vessel, Pedro Catarino Montes Pinto, to whom he presented a commemorative plaque. Along with Ibáñez, the maritime captain, Miguel Ángel Gómez, and the Councilor for Tourism of the Castellón City Council, Arantxa Miralles, were present at the reception and plaque exchange.

In his statements, Ibáñez highlighted the "enormous potential" of the port of Castellón to host this type of cruise and, in this regard, stressed that "we have been working for some time in a specific market niche, such as the luxury cruise passenger, a visitor profile that seeks exclusive experiences, destinations with personality, and proposals that go beyond conventional stops." "The arrival of the Star Legend demonstrates that Castellón has a lot to offer and that our port meets the conditions to continue gaining prominence in this market," he asserted.

"We do not want the port to be merely a point of arrival and departure for passengers, but a gateway for visitors to discover Castellón, its municipalities, its heritage, its gastronomy, and its cultural offerings," said Ibáñez, who highlighted as the ultimate goal that "each stop translates into opportunities for commerce, hospitality, tourism companies, and the province as a whole."

The chosen excursions for passengers are Castellón city, Sot de Ferrer, Vilafamés, Peñíscola, and an e-bike tour that will run between Castellón and Benicàssim with a tasting of local products in Voramar.

Likewise, independent passengers will be able to explore the city center, its shops, and its gastronomic venues thanks to the shuttle bus service and the tourist train that will connect the port and the city every 30 minutes. At the pier, a tourist information officer distributed maps and brochures with indications of points of interest.

At sunset, the Illes Columbretes dance group will delight the public with their traditional dances.

On the ship are executives from the shipping company and media outlets such as Bloomberg, who plan to take an excursion to Bellver Blue Tech where, after a local tasting with award-winning cheeses from Tot de Poble and Los Corrales, from Les Coves de Vinromà and Almedijar, with hanging tomatoes from Mas de Fumeiros and a tasting of farga variety olive oils from millennial olive trees with sourdough bread, they will try one of our tasty rice dishes and experience the innovative interactive proposal offered by the Tempus building in the Vortex room.

The proposal includes the participation of prominent representatives of the sector, who will contribute their experience and international vision, such as: Ricky Trautwein, Product Manager for French Polynesia, Spain, Western Europe, United Kingdom, and Central America; Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Officer; Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Operations Officer; and Ana Lanzas, Head of Public Relations.

Their participation enriches the experience, providing different professional perspectives and bringing attendees closer to the latest trends and initiatives in the sector.

The company Porcelanosa has collaborated with the initiative with a gift related to ceramics, an identity of our territory, giving them coasters made of porcelain material manufactured from natural minerals subjected to pressing and firing processes at high temperatures. Similarly, the Naturem cooperative from Burriana will present them with a sample of clementines under the Castellón Ruta de Sabor distinctive.

The 'Star Legend' from the US-based shipping company Windstar Cruises is a luxury yacht that is 159 meters long, has a draft of 5.4 meters, and 12,995 GT.

The culinary experience on board this vessel is one of its most outstanding features, offering a wide variety of gastronomic options adapted to the most demanding tastes. On board, passengers enjoy high-quality cuisine, with fresh and local ingredients, and a focus on creating exquisite dishes in an exclusive atmosphere.

The ship places special emphasis on the use of local and fresh ingredients in all its menus, allowing travelers to experience the typical gastronomy of the destinations they visit. Each dish is carefully prepared to highlight the authentic flavors of the region, guaranteeing a unique culinary experience in each port.