Windstar Cruises Opens Summer 2027 Reservations for its New Yacht Star Seeker in Alaska & Japan

Glaciers, geishas, and a brand-new Mystery Cruise—Windstar’s 2027 Star Seeker voyages are already selling fast, making early booking essential

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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 and 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 harbors, 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 harbors 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 travelers 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

How to Book and Alaska Cruise and Japan Cruise

• Summer 2027 voyages in Alaska and Japan are open now, with Early Booking Offers available through November 15, 2025 including an All-In package (WiFi, select alcohol, gratuities) and up to $200 onboard credit per suite.
• Get an additional 5% off with Pay Now, Save More when paying in full at time of booking. Offers are combinable and subject to availability.
• To plan a small ship cruise with Windstar book online here, contact a travel advisor, reach out to Windstar Cruises by phone at 866-258-7245, or request a call by a Windstar vacation planner.

Images Here, credit to Windstar Cruises.

About Windstar Cruises:

For four decades, Windstar Cruises has been reimagining small-ship cruising with a distinctive blend of relaxed luxury and genuine connection to the world’s most captivating destinations. From its origins with motor sailing yachts tailored for upscale yet casual travel, Windstar has grown into a diverse fleet of three Star Class all-suite yachts and three Wind Class sailing yachts, offering voyages that are both intimate and inspiring. Two highly anticipated new yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, set to debut in December 2025 and 2026, expand the fleet to eight yachts accommodating 150-350 guests. Windstar’s legendary Wind Class sailing yachts are also undergoing a meticulous two-phase redesign to be completed by 2027. Windstar yachts sail to more than 330 ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, Japan, the South Pacific, and Asia. Unlike most cruise lines, Windstar sails year-round in the Mediterranean and Tahiti, offering different destination experiences seasonally. Each Windstar voyage is designed to immerse guests in authentic cultural experiences, all while delivering the comfort, service, and style that define the Windstar difference.

Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy spanning over a hundred years. Xanterra operates iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Death Valley. The Xanterra Travel Collection® is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.