Fresh Details on Windstar Cruises' New Star Seeker
By Anne Kalosh
Updated June 2025
New Mediterranean-Asian Fusion Restaurant
Star Seeker will debut with Windstar Cruises' new Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant, Basil + Bamboo, which is replacing Spanish tapas restaurant Cuadro 44 across the fleet.
The intimate Basil + Bamboo will be open for dinner only, by reservation but at no extra charger. * Rendering: Windstar Cruises
Menu choices include miso soup, tuna tartare and a sampler of sashimi, nigiri and maki. Premium ingredients will go into producing the bold flavors in entrees such as as miso black cod with pea purée; jamon ibérico de Bellota and pickled wood ear; free-range young chicken served with Jerusalem artichokes and yuzu kosho; and crispy brussels sprouts glazed in Korean honey-soy.
Premium ingredients and bold flavors in the Mediterranean-Asian fusion dishes. * Photo: Windstar Cruises
Among the desserts are citrus olive oil cake with lemon cream aside Greek yogurt ice cream, and chocolate caramel drémeux paired with ginger-cinnamon hibiscus ice cream and sake caviar.
Basil + Bamboo will be open for dinner only. With limited seating, reservations are required but there is no additional charge.
Southeast Asia Land-Sea Programs
A wide range of Southeast Asia land-sea programs will be available on Star Seeker in 2026. Two core itineraries are combinable into 17 variations including inland pre- and post-cruise tours.
These are crafted to give an in-depth experience of the cultures, cuisine and history of Thailand and Vietnam. Unlike the typical big-ship offering in the region, with many cruises that start and end in Singapore or Hong Kong, make stops at industrial ports far from key attractions and spend just two or three days in each country, Windstar is capitalizing on Star Seeker’s small size to provide a more immersive experience.
Star Seeker is small enough to sail up rivers to dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.
Itineraries begin in-country — at Hanoi, Bangkok and Phuket — allowing optional pre- and post-cruise tours to such marvels as Angkor Wat.
The two core itineraries include the 10-day Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand program with three to four Vietnamese ports and overnights at Ho Chi Minh City and Halong Bay (for Hanoi), with an additional visit to Cambodia, where cruisers can book a three-day/two-night Angkor Wat excursion.
Star Seeker will offer 10-day cruises to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. * Map: Windstar
An 11-day Thailand, Singapore & Malaysia itinerary provides a Thailand-intensive cruise with six Thai ports including small destinations like Krabi and Ko Yao Noi, plus an overnight in Singapore.
Optional pre- or post-cruise add-ons include Hanoi, a three-night trip for sailings beginning or ending at Ha Long Bay; Angkor Wat, a three-night extension for cruises starting or ending in Bangkok, and Chiang Mai, three nights in northern Thailand on cruises that start or end in Phuket.
Cruisers may book back-to-back “Star Collector” sailings ranging from 20 to 41 days, with the longest between Tokyo and Phuket.
2027 Japan
And bookings for Star Seeker's 2027 Japan itineraries are open. The 10-night Grand Japan packs in a variety of highlights, plus a stop in Busan, South Korea.
Star Seeker will reposition from Alaska to Japan in early September 2026 for five departures through October. The spring 2027 sailings will take place on seven dates from March through May, taking in cherry blossom time.
Star Seeker's “Grand Japan” itinerary. * Map: Windstar
Highlights include scenic cruising the Inland Sea, sailing around the abandoned island of Hashima, visiting the Peace Memorial Parks of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and calling at smaller ports like Takamatsu (famous for its gardens and Udon) and Karatsu, including its castle.
Cruisers can extend their stay with the “Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour” with experiences like bathing in hot springs, a traditional tea ceremony and a visit to the Golden Pavilion.
October 2024
Inside Windstar Cruises' New Star Seeker
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 the line 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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HEIDI SARNA
