MIAMI, Florida – May 13, 2026 – Windstar Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season as its new yacht Star Seeker begins its first summer programme in the state. The line said the collection includes small-ship voyages designed to bring guests closer to glaciers, wildlife and remote communities.
Windstar said the 2028 season will run from May through August and feature 27 departures across six itineraries. The programme combines seven-day sailings, longer voyages of 10 to 12 days, cruise tours to Denali and extended Star Collector itineraries.
Travellers who book early can access its Early Booking Offer through June 30, 2026. That offer includes the best fares and suite selection, while guests paying in full at the time of booking can receive an additional five percent saving through the “Pay Now, Save More” promotion.
Season outline
Several Alaska sailings are designed as one-week holidays with round-trip departures from Juneau, aimed at travellers seeking a shorter route while still covering key Alaskan scenery and ports. The season also includes itineraries that go beyond the standard coastal route, including sailings with land extensions to Denali and longer journeys linking Alaska with trans-Pacific cruising.
Tom Schofield, captain of Star Seeker, said: “Alaska is a place that rewards a more thoughtful way of traveling,”
He added: “What excites me most is the access Star Seeker allows — navigating deep into fjords, getting right up to glaciers, and connecting with smaller communities along the way. There’s a sense of discovery here that stays with you. From the moment guests arrive, the experience feels deeply immersive, and I’m proud to share it during our inaugural season.”
Onboard and ashore
With just 224 guests, the new 112-suite Star Seeker yacht offers an intimate and friendly at-home feel. Nearly all accommodations feature a private veranda or a floor-to-ceiling infinity window that opens to the sea, while the ship also offers open deck space for glacier viewing. Its Alaska sailings include Signature Expeditions launched directly from the ship, with kayak and Zodiac outings, while Expedition Guides sail onboard throughout the voyage to lead excursions and provide destination insight.
Windstar also said its Cruise Tours to Denali National Park are a differentiating feature of the programme. The release states that these land components are designed to give guests more time in Alaska’s interior than many other cruise lines.
Itineraries in detail
The six itineraries listed for 2028 are Scenic Alaska, Alaskan Splendors, Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour, Alaskan Coastal Adventures & Denali Discovery Cruise Tour, Star Collector: Alaska Discovery & Pacific Crossing and Star Collector: Alaska Adventures & Wonders of Japan.
Windstar said Scenic Alaska is a seven-day voyage between Vancouver and Juneau, or the reverse, with calls including Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell and Ketchikan, plus Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. The line said Alaskan Splendors is a 10- or 11-day sailing between Vancouver and Seward, or the reverse, with visits including Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Sitka, Endicott Arm, Haines, Juneau and Kenai Fjords National Park.
The Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour combines four inland touring days with 10, 11 or 12 nights at sea between Vancouver and Seward, while Alaskan Coastal Adventures & Denali Discovery Cruise Tour pairs coastal Alaska with inland travel to Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks.
Windstar said the longer options include Star Collector: Alaska Discovery & Pacific Crossing, a 24-day itinerary between Vancouver and Tokyo, and Star Collector: Alaska Adventures & Wonders of Japan, a 33-day voyage between Vancouver and either Tokyo or Osaka.
Booking details
The release says the 2028 programme is being opened while Star Seeker is already sailing its inaugural Alaska summer season. Windstar described the ship as a key part of its small-ship approach to the region and said it is also offering earlier Alaska sailings in 2026 and 2027.
The line said the early booking window is limited and aimed at travellers looking to secure preferred dates, itineraries and stateroom categories before capacity fills.
