Luxury small ship line, Windstar Cruises is turning up the excitement in two of its most in-demand regions – Alaska and Japan – with summer 2027 sailings of its newest all-suite yacht, Star Seeker.
Built for discovery, the 224-guest small-ship yacht offers private verandas and infinity windows in most suites, expansive decks made for glacier and wildlife viewing, and standout venues like the new Basil + Bamboo restaurant. On its Alaska cruises guests can expect stunning, close-up glacier encounters with richer cultural immersion on its Japan cruises – now featuring a brand-new Mystery Cruise and an exclusive Destination Discovery Event.
“Star Seeker was purpose-built for destinations like Alaska and Japan,” said Stijn Creupelandt, chief operating officer of Windstar Cruises. “She’s small enough to reach tucked-away harbours and narrow passageways and personal enough that every guest feels connected. Pair that with our new Mystery Cruise concept and a one-of-a-kind Destination Discovery Event in Japan, and the 2027 summer season will be unlike anything else at sea.”
What makes these voyages different?
- Alaska, up close: Star Seeker brings guests eye-level with glaciers in Kenai Fjords, Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, and towering granite cliffs in scenic Misty Fjords. Small enough to slip into Wrangell, where indigenous heritage thrives, yet spacious enough for wildlife spotting on open decks.
- Signature expeditions: Kayak alongside icebergs or cruise by Zodiac, launching right from the yacht’s marina platform. Expedition guides enrich the journey with storytelling, lectures and guided hikes.
- Denali extensions: Optional cruise tours pair Alaska’s coastline with inland journeys to Denali National Park.
- Japan with Windstar flair: Guests sail from iconic ports like Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto to smaller harbours such as Karatsu and Takamatsu, where udon-making workshops and tea ceremonies await.
- Exclusive Destination Discovery Event: In Tomonoura, Windstar guests explore Edo-period streets with exclusive access to cultural treasures – live koto music, samurai sword performances, tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops and private entry into historic residences.
- Windstar Mystery Cruise – now in Asia: Adventurers can embark in Hokkaido and disembark in Osaka, with each port revealed only days in advance. Featuring new-to-Windstar South Korean ports, the Mystery Cruise pairs seamlessly with Grand Japan for a 21-day voyage.
Why book Alaska and Japan cruises now?
With Alaska and Japan among Windstar’s most in-demand regions, early interest is already strong. Windstar’s 2026 voyages are pacing ahead of forecast; returning itineraries for 2027 ensure travellers can secure their preferred suites and itineraries now.
What makes Star Seeker unique?
Delivered in December 2025, Star Seeker offers:
- 112 ocean-view suites, most with a private veranda or infinity window
- Expansive open decks for panoramic viewing
- Specialty dining including Basil + Bamboo, a Pan-Asian venue with a Mediterranean twist
