Windstar Cruises has opened reservations for its 2028 Alaska deployment as the company’s newest vessel, Star Seeker, commences its inaugural season in Alaskan waters.
The programme comprises a series of small-ship itineraries designed to provide closer access to glaciers, wildlife regions, and remote coastal communities throughout Southeast Alaska and the wider Gulf of Alaska region.
The line’s 2028 season will include 27 departures operating between May and August across 6 itineraries ranging from 7 to 33 days. The deployment combines traditional Inside Passage voyages with longer expedition-style sailings, Denali Cruise Tours, and extended Star Collector itineraries linking Alaska with Pacific crossings to Japan.
Windstar Cruises has also introduced an Early Booking Offer available through June 30th, 2026, providing reduced fares and early suite selection for advance reservations. Guests paying in full at the time of booking are additionally eligible for a five percent fare reduction under the company’s “Pay Now, Save More” programme.
Tom Schofield, Master of Star Seeker, indicated that Alaska particularly suited smaller-scale expedition cruising, noting that the vessel’s dimensions permitted navigation deeper into fjords and closer approaches to glaciers and isolated communities. He further observed that the deployment had been designed to provide a more immersive and destination-focused experience during the yacht’s inaugural Alaska season.
The line stated that its small-vessel operating model enables closer glacier viewing and access to narrower waterways such as Endicott Arm, where Dawes Glacier forms one of the principal scenic highlights of the programme. Calls at lesser-visited ports including Wrangell are also intended to provide a less congested alternative to conventional Alaska cruise itineraries.
Expedition activities throughout the season will include guided Zodiac and kayak excursions conducted directly from the vessel. Expedition guides will remain aboard throughout each voyage to lead shore operations and provide interpretation concerning regional geography, wildlife, ecosystems, and local history.
Cruise Tour programmes linked with Denali National Park form a central component of the deployment, combining coastal voyages with inland touring through Alaska’s interior. These itineraries include rail journeys, wildlife viewing opportunities, riverboat excursions in Fairbanks, and optional glacier and dogsled experiences.
Accommodation aboard Star Seeker will be limited to 224 guests across 112 suites, the majority of which incorporate private verandas or infinity-style floor-to-ceiling windows intended to maximise visibility during glacier and fjord transits. Open deck areas have likewise been designed to support scenic viewing during navigation in glacial regions.
As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar Cruises will continue to incorporate regional culinary programmes highlighting Alaskan seafood, game, and local produce. Multiple dining venues will operate aboard, including the speciality restaurant Basil + Bamboo, while enrichment speakers, musicians, and cultural performers will participate throughout the voyages.
The deployment includes several principal itineraries. Scenic Alaska will operate 7-day voyages between Vancouver and Juneau, incorporating Sitka, Wrangell, Ketchikan, and Endicott Arm. Alaskan Splendors will extend the route to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park over 10 and 11 days, while the Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour programme combines inland touring with extended sailings between Vancouver and Seward.
Longer Star Collector itineraries will connect Alaska with Pacific crossings to Tokyo and Osaka, producing voyages of 24 and 33 days that combine Southeast Alaska exploration with trans-Pacific passages and Japanese port calls.
The company indicated that the 2028 deployment had been structured around limited-capacity operations, extended destination access, and a continued emphasis on small-ship expedition cruising in Alaska and the North Pacific region.