Star Seeker Launches Windstar’s 2028 Small Ship Alaska

Glaciers, Wildlife and Small‑Ship Style

Windstar Cruises’ newest yacht, Star Seeker, is sailing her inaugural Alaska season this year, and the line is already looking ahead with bookings now open for its 2028 Alaska programme. The small‑ship itineraries are designed to bring guests up close to glaciers, wildlife and lesser‑visited communities, blending classic Inside Passage highlights with deeper exploration and time in Alaska’s interior.

Travellers who plan ahead can take advantage of Windstar’s Early Booking Offer on 2028 Alaska voyages, available through 30 June 2026, with the best fares and suite choice on these limited‑capacity sailings. Guests who pay in full at the time of booking also qualify for an additional 5% saving under the “Pay Now, Save More” promotion.

Explore Star Seeker and Alaska itineraries at:
https://www.windstarcruises.com

Why Windstar Is Built for Alaska

With just 224 guests in 112 suites, Star Seeker offers a deliberately intimate way to see Alaska, with small‑ship access that allows her to navigate deep into fjords like Endicott Arm and get closer to calving glaciers. Many suites feature private verandas or floor‑to‑ceiling infinity windows that open to the sea, so guests can watch for whales, bears and soaring eagles without leaving their stateroom.

Windstar’s small‑yacht footprint also means the ship can call at ports larger vessels often bypass, including Wrangell, where guests can explore totems in town, see petroglyphs on the beach and visit Chief Shakes Tribal House. Signature Expeditions launch directly from the ship, with guided kayak and Zodiac outings into quiet inlets and glacial bays, while a team of Expedition Guides sails aboard to lead excursions and interpret Alaska’s landscapes, ecosystems and culture.

Denali Cruise Tours: More Time in Alaska’s Interior

A standout feature of Windstar’s Alaska offering is its Cruise Tours to Denali National Park, which add several nights ashore to explore the interior by rail and coach. These programmes are designed to give guests more time in Denali than typical cruise‑tour combinations, increasing chances to see wildlife such as caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bears, and to experience the sheer scale of North America’s tallest peak.

Denali Cruise Tours also include experiences like riverboat excursions in Fairbanks, scenic rail segments and optional add‑ons such as dogsledding or glacier‑side kayaking, making them a strong fit for travellers who want a balance of small‑ship cruising and land‑based wilderness.

Life On Board Star Seeker

On board, Star Seeker is styled to feel more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship, with open deck spaces for glacier viewing and a relaxed, club‑like atmosphere. As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar leans heavily into regional and seasonal ingredients – think Alaska salmon, halibut, crab, venison, local beers, honey and preserves – across multiple dining venues including the specialty restaurant Basil + Bamboo.

Nearly all suites come with verandas or large opening windows, and the ship’s compact size makes it easy to move between lounges, decks and restaurants while staying connected to the scenery outside. Enrichment speakers, local musicians and cultural performers join each voyage to share stories, history and traditions from Alaska’s coastal communities.

2028 Alaska Itineraries: From Classic Routes to Pacific Crossings

Windstar’s 2028 Alaska season runs from May through August and comprises 27 departures across six core itineraries, ranging from seven‑day sailings to extended 33‑day Star Collector journeys. Several itineraries are structured as convenient week‑long vacations that begin and end in Juneau, while others stretch between Vancouver and Seward or combine Alaska with trans‑Pacific crossings to Japan.

Key itineraries include:

• Scenic Alaska (7 days, Vancouver–Juneau or reverse)
  Classic Southeast Alaska cruising with glacier time in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, plus calls in Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell and Ketchikan.
• Alaskan Splendors (10–11 days, Vancouver–Seward or reverse)
  Deeper explorations including Misty Fjords, Kenai Fjords National Park, Endicott Arm, Haines and gold‑rush towns, with strong wildlife‑spotting opportunities.
• Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour (15 days)
  A combined land‑and‑sea adventure with 4 days inland visiting Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks, paired with 10–12 nights cruising between Vancouver and Seward.
• Alaskan Coastal Adventures & Denali Discovery Cruise Tours (11 days)
  A shorter cruise‑tour balancing Inside Passage ports between Vancouver and Juneau with inland time in Denali National Park.
• Star Collector: Alaska Discovery & Pacific Crossing (approx. 25 days, Vancouver–Tokyo or reverse)
  A long, slow‑travel journey that links fjords and frontier towns with an unhurried Pacific crossing to Japan.
• Star Collector: Alaska Adventures & Wonders of Japan (approx. 33–35 days)
  Offered in May and August, combining Southeast Alaska’s nature and wildlife with calls in Japanese cities and smaller ports on either side of a full ocean crossing.

Exact durations and port calls vary by date, giving repeat Alaska guests reasons to return as well as plenty of choice for first‑timers.

Why Book Early on Star Seeker’s 2028 Season

Because Star Seeker carries just 224 guests, capacity on each 2028 Alaska sailing is limited, and many voyages are expected to be in high demand. Windstar’s Early Booking Offer rewards early planners with the best selection of departure dates, itineraries and suite categories, plus access to launch fares before prices rise.

Guests who pay in full at the time of reservation receive an extra 5% saving on top of promotional fares, making “Pay Now, Save More” particularly attractive for longer Star Collector journeys and Denali Cruise Tours. For travellers who don’t want to wait until 2028, Star Seeker is also sailing Alaska itineraries in 2026 and 2027 with similar small‑ship styling and expedition‑led experiences.

For full itineraries, availability and offers, visit:
https://www.windstarcruises.com