Windstar Cruises Will Return to Alaska and Japan
By Anne Kalosh
Windstar Cruises will send a new ship, the 224-passenger Star Seeker, to Alaska and Japan when it joins the fleet in 2026.
The line last sailed in those areas in 2023 before it redeployed Star Breeze to year-round Tahiti service.
“We are really happy to be able to bring back Alaska and Japan for our guests,” Windstar President Christopher Prelog said. “We know these are popular destinations, and we have many people asking us to return there.”
Varied Alaska Cruises
Star Seeker will sail in Alaska from May through August 2026 on seven-, 10- and 11-day cruises between Juneau or Seward, Alaska, and Vancouver, B.C. Pre- and post-cruise land tours to Denali will be available.
Hiking in Juneau. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Expedition Programming
Windstar will employ expedition leaders as it did for previous Alaska programs. To explore remote wilderness areas such as Misty Fjords, passengers can book hiking, kayaking and skiff expeditions. Expedition leaders will also give presentations about Alaska’s history, culture, flora and fauna.
“These immersive, small group expeditions are a key part of our Alaska program and bring our guests closer to the beauty of Alaska,” Prelog said. “Being on the water and seeing the topography from that viewpoint brings the grandeur of Alaska into perspective. It’s also quiet and meditative to be out in these wild places. You never know what wildlife you might see.”
Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog said people have been clamoring for Alaska and Japan. * Photo: Windstar Cruises
“Grand Japan” Cruises
After departing Alaska in late August 2026, Star Seeker will sail to Japan to begin 10-day “Grand Japan” cruises sailing between Tokyo and Osaka. The ship remains in Japan through November.
Windstar plans to have Star Seeker’s itinerary details online and bookable in early August this year.
RELATED: John Roberts tells us about his Windstar Japan cruise.
New Build From Portugual
Star Seeker, originally dubbed World Seeker and intended for Atlas Ocean Voyages, is scheduled for delivery from Portugual’s WestSea Viana shipyard in December 2025. A sister ship, currently sailing as World Explorer, will transfer to Windstar as Star Explorer in December 2026. It was built in 2019 as the first of a series and currently operates on seasonal charter to Quark Expeditions.
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HEIDI SARNA
