Reservations Open as Windstar’s New Ship Set to Mark Cruise Line’s Return to Alaska

Windstar Cruises’ brand-new ship debuts in early 2026, and reservations have opened for Star Seeker’s inaugural season in Alaska, Japan and the Caribbean. The small ship cruise line last sailed in Japan and Alaska in 2023. 

Star Seeker is currently under construction in Europe and is scheduled to debut at the end of 2025 and join Windstar’s 6-ship fleet in January 2026.  

Star Seeker will sail in Alaska from May through August on 7-, 10-, and 11-day cruises between Juneau, or Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, B.C. In Alaska, Windstar will employ expedition leaders on board to lead its Signature Expeditions as it did on previous Alaska deployments. To explore remote wilderness areas such as Misty Fjords, guests can book hiking, kayaking and skiff expeditions through the ship to enjoy up-close adventures in small groups led by an expert guide to provide context during the journey. Expedition leaders will also give presentations on board the ship bringing Alaska’s rich history, culture, flora and fauna to life. 

These immersive, small-group expeditions bring Windstar’s guests closer to the beauty of Alaska. Pre- and post-cruise land tours to Denali will be available as well. 

After departing Alaska in late August, Star Seeker will sail to Japan to begin the line’s popular 10-day Grand Japan cruises sailing between Tokyo and Osaka. The ship remains in Japan through November 2026. 

Star Seeker’s Inaugural Season in Detail 

Windstar’s newest ship’s maiden voyage will depart from Málaga, Spain on December 28, 2025, crossing the Atlantic with a special stop in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands for a New Year’s Eve celebration complete with fireworks alongside sister ship Wind Star. 

The cruise ends on January 13 in Miami, the cruise line’s home.  

On January 15, 2026, Star Seeker will then set sail on an eight-day christening voyage in the Caribbean from Miami to San Juan with stops in the Dominican Republic and British Virgin Islands. This is the first of several Star Seeker sailings in the Caribbean region before the yacht heads through the Panama Canal and towards Alaska and Japan.

Star Seeker’s inaugural Caribbean season is particularly special, as Windstar notes the ship will likely not return to the region again after she makes her way to the Pacific. 

To mark her time in the islands, Windstar plans to bring Star Seeker together with other Windstar ships in the Caribbean, like a sunset sailing parade past the pitons in St. Lucia with Wind Spirit and Star Pride. 

The ship will then cross the Panama Canal towards Alaska, where it will sail from May to August 2026. There are several epic options to make the trip from San Juan to Juneau (49 days),  Costa Rica to Juneau (25 days), and Mexico to Juneau (17 days). Once in Alaska, the ship will offer two main itineraries, a seven or eight-day Scenic Alaska cruise or a longer 10-, 11-, or 12-day Alaskan Splendors cruise, both sailing from Vancouver B.C. to Juneau, Alaska or reverse. Smaller ports like Haines and Wrangell offer guests a chance to see Alaska’s grandeur with fewer tourists around. Alaska cruises can be combined with a five-day inland tour through the heart of Denali National Park.

Windstar will bring back its popular Signature Expedition program to get guests closer to Alaska’s scenery including up-close views of scenic fjords and tidewater glaciers, plus a chance to spot more wildlife. Guests can choose to take a small RIB boat exploration or kayak directly from the ship’s Watersports Platform in remote and scenic areas like Misty Fjords National Monument, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Tracy Arm Fjords. The team of knowledgeable expedition guides sail on board for the duration of the trip, and in addition to leading expeditions, they give presentations on the natural environment, culture, and history of Alaska.  

Following Alaska, Star Seeker will cross the Pacific to Japan in early September, where Windstar will bring back its popular Grand Japan itinerary on four dates through October. Japan's highlights include scenic cruising the Inland Sea; sailing around the abandoned island of Hashima; visiting the Peace Memorial Parks of Nagasaki and Hiroshima; and calling on smaller ports like Takamatsu and Karatsu. Cruisers also can opt to add on a three-day inland exploration of Osaka and Kyoto. 

Additional itineraries in Southeast Asia are under development for Star Seeker in subsequent seasons. 

2 New Ships for Windstar

Star Seeker is one of two new ships for Windstar, arriving a year apart. Star Seeker and its twin sister ship, Star Explorer, will have 112 suites for a guest capacity of 224 and will be similar to the line’s current Star Class motor yachts. The ships’ new amenities include the Fitness Center, World Spa by Windstar, a new specialty restaurant, and the Yacht Club.

START YOUR SMALL SHIP CRUISE TRIP! 

Renderings courtesy of Windstar Cruises. 

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