Star Seeker: Inaugural Alaska Season
The inaugural summer season of Star Seeker in Alaska has just begun, and Windstar Cruises has officially opened early bookings for the yacht’s 2028 sailings.
The 2028 Alaska season will feature a variety of itineraries designed around convenient one-week vacations, with departures and returns from Juneau, one of Alaska’s most iconic destinations. A total of 27 departures are scheduled across six itineraries from May through August, including a mix of seven-day voyages, extended 10- to 12-day itineraries, Denali cruise tours, and longer Star Collector sailings.
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The new Star Seeker yacht offers 112 suites and accommodates up to 224 guests. Its itineraries focus on glaciers, remote fjords, and Denali cruise tours, showcasing the highest mountain in Alaska. Thanks to the yacht’s intimate size, guests enjoy exclusive access to remote communities and wildlife-rich fjords that are inaccessible to larger traditional cruise ships.
Tom Schofield, Captain of Star Seeker, is enthusiastic about what the yacht makes possible: sailing deep into fjords, getting close to glaciers, and connecting with small local communities along the way. “Alaska evokes a true sense of discovery,” he explains, “and it’s a destination that rewards a more mindful way of traveling.”
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Tracy Arm Signature Expedition
Aboard Windstar’s yachts, guests can admire glaciers up close while cruising through fjords such as Endicott Arm, where towering ice formations and calving glaciers seem almost within reach. The voyages also include visits to lesser-known ports like Wrangell, offering a more authentic and less crowded perspective on Alaska.
The Signature Expeditions depart directly from the ship and include guided kayak and Zodiac excursions exploring quiet inlets, glacial coastlines, and wildlife-rich waters. Expedition Guides remain on board throughout the voyage, leading excursions and sharing insights into the region’s landscapes, ecosystems, and history.
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Among the various cruises, the classic itinerary is the 7-day Scenic Alaska voyage through Southeast Alaska, sailing from Vancouver to Juneau and back. Here, evergreen forests, soaring eagles, and pods of whales abound on a cruise featuring visits to Sitka, Juneau, Haines, and Ketchikan. Highlights include the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm and the small town of Wrangell, with its totems, petroglyphs, and the Chief Shakes Tribal House. Fishing for halibut, cod, and rockfish near the picturesque Tongass National Forest, cycling along remote coastal roads, trekking, or the thrill of driving a dog sled will immerse guests in local life.
The 10- or 11-day Alaskan Splendors itinerary sails from Vancouver to Seward or vice versa. Here, the majesty of glaciers takes center stage: the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, the Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park, and the twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm. Guests will also discover Alaska Native villages, Russian cathedrals, and the history of the Gold Rush.
The 4-day Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour inland experience is combined with 10-, 11-, or 12-night sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska (or vice versa). Here, the icy slopes and floating ice fields of Misty Fjords National Monument, Tracy Arm, and Kenai Fjords are paired with pods of orcas, grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou. The journey culminates in Denali National Park and Preserve, home to the highest peak in North America.
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Juneau Helicopter Tour
The perfect balance between exploration and wildlife observation is offered by the 11-day Alaskan Coastal Adventures & Denali Discovery Cruise Tours. From Denali National Park and Preserve to the cruise between Juneau and Vancouver (or vice versa), guests will explore Southeast Alaska, including Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. Awaiting them are the Athabascan Indian village along the Chena River, expedition teams in the wilderness of Denali, and the vast Tongass National Forest.
The most immersive cruises remain the two extended Star Collector voyages. The 24-day Alaska Discovery & Pacific Crossing sails from Vancouver, explores Southeast Alaska with stops in Ketchikan and Klukwan, before continuing across the Pacific to Tokyo (or vice versa). Zodiac excursions through the Kenai Fjords and Tracy Arm, a ride aboard the White Pass Railway, and a scenic glacier flight will leave guests dreaming.
Meanwhile, Alaska Adventures & Wonders of Japan is a 33-day voyage from Vancouver to Japan, featuring Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. The sailing follows the Inside Passage and Southeast Alaska, where the Wild West meets the Far North.
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Star Seeker offers an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, featuring either a private veranda or floor-to-ceiling infinity windows opening directly onto the sea, along with spacious deck areas perfect for admiring the glaciers. Added value comes from the culinary program, as Windstar Cruises is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation. Seasonal ingredients such as salmon, wild game, crab, halibut, beer, honey, and preserves inspire destination-focused menus, complemented by a variety of dining options, including the specialty restaurant Basil + Bamboo.
Given the limited accessibility of Alaska for large ships, demand for this form of “soft” tourism continues to grow, as guests are increasingly drawn to adventurous experiences and close encounters with truly wild wildlife, without giving up comfort and luxury.
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