Inside Windstar Cruises’ New Star Seeker
By Anne Kalosh
Bookings are open for Windstar Cruises’ new ship, the 224-passenger Star Seeker that will debut in late 2025.
It’s going to first sail in the Caribbean, then will operate Windstar’s popular Alaska and Japan itineraries. And it will bring new types of accommodations, most with spacious balconies.
Star Seeker’s first cruise is a trans-Atlantic crossing from Málaga, Spain to Miami embarking Dec. 28, 2025.
This 16-day maiden voyage will overnight in the Canary Islands for New Year’s Eve fireworks at Santa Cruz de Tenerife alongside Wind Star.
Star Seeker Miami Christening
After arriving in Miami on Jan. 13, 2026, Windstar Cruises’ new Star Seeker is scheduled to be officially christened there, where Windstar Cruises is based. Then, on Jan. 15, the ship sets off on an eight-day christening voyage in the Caribbean, ending at San Juan, Puerto Rico. Calls include Puerto Plata and Samaná in the Dominican Republic and Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Soper’s Hole (Tortola) in the British Virgin Islands.
Several other Caribbean cruises follow before Star Seeker heads through the Panama Canal en route to Alaska, then Japan, as earlier announced.
Windstar President Christopher Prelog said Star Seeker will likely not return to the Caribbean again, “so it’s a wonderful but fleeting chance for our Caribbean destination fans to experience the ship.”
He added that celebrations are planned to put Star Seeker together with other Windstar ships in the Caribbean such as a sunset sailing parade past St. Lucia’s pitons with Wind Spirit and Star Pride.
Bird’s-eye view of the 224-passenger Star Seeker. * Rendering: Windstar Cruises
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Alaska Epic Voyage Combos
Star Seeker is scheduled for Alaska from May to August 2026, with several epic combination voyages available including San Juan to Juneau (49 days), Costa Rica to Juneau (25 days) and Mexico to Juneau (17 days).
In Alaska, the ship will offer two main itineraries: a seven- or eight-day “Scenic Alaska” and a 10-, 11- or 12-day “Alaskan Splendors,” both sailing one-way between Vancouver, British Columbia and Juneau. Smaller ports like Haines and Wrangell are featured, and a five-day Denali National Park cruise-tour is available as an add-on.
Expedition Programming
Windstar will employ expedition leaders as it has for past Alaska programs. To explore remote wilderness areas such as Misty Fjords, passengers can book hiking, kayaking and skiff expeditions.
Japan
In Japan, Star Seeker will operate 10-day “Grand Japan” cruises between Yokohama (the port for Tokyo) and Osaka. Besides port-rich content in Japan, with destinations including Kobe, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and others, the ship will make a call at Busan, South Korea.
Adding on a two-night stay in Osaka with touring in nearby Kyoto makes a 12-day “Kyoto & the Zen of Japan” cruise-tour.
Alaska-Japan Voyage Combos
Or, combine Alaska and Japan in three extended voyages with numerous sea days on the Pacific crossing. Options are Vancouver to Tokyo (25 days), Seward (the port for Anchorage) to Kobe (24 days) or Vancouver to Kobe (35 days).
Peek Inside Windstar Cruises’ New Star Seeker
What will Windstar Cruises’ new Star Seeker be like?
The ship will offer five dining options (all included in the fare), a full-service spa with a grand entrance from the deck above, a fitness facility and a fresh take on Windstar’s characteristic marina watersports platform that provides direct ocean access.
Public areas will be styled in vibrant hues inspired by the sunrise and sunset, including yellow, gold and orange.
Aiming for a sense of tranquility in the suites, the style there will use light wood and a color palette of blue, green and brown.
Suites
Spacious accommodations are a hallmark. There are 112 suites, all but 10 with veranda or floor-to-ceiling infinity window, a large glass panel where the top slides down to open to the fresh air.
Of the dozen accommodation types, many allow triple occupancy.
Triple suite. * Rendering: Windstar Cruises
Star Seeker’s best addresses are the pair of horizon owner’s suites all the way aft on Deck 7. These can be combined with adjacent suites for more space and multigenerational families.
Each comes with a wrap-around balcony suitable for evening cocktails or dinner.
As with all Windstar ships, there are no interior cabins. The entry-level (most affordable) accommodations are the 10 ocean-view suites with a window.
Veranda suite, the ship’s standard category. * Rendering: Windstar Cruises
Suite Amenities
All rooms include a fully stocked mini-bar and refrigerator, interactive television, safe, fresh fruit basket, bathrobe and slippers. The four top suite categories — horizon, star, classic, deluxe — add other perks such as an Illy espresso machine, canapés service and fresh flowers.
Rendering of a Deluxe Suite. * Windstar Cruises
Star Seeker is under construction at WestSea Viana in Portugal. Originally intended for Atlas Ocean Voyages, it is being customized for Windstar.
A sister ship, Star Explorer, is planned to join in December 2026. It’s currently operating as World Explorer. The 2019-built first ship in the Mystic expedition series, World Explorer is currently on seasonal charter to Quark Expeditions.
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