NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Star Turn

Windstar Cruises’ new Star Seeker sets sail in all its glory.

It’s spacious, it’s stylish, and it’s lucky number seven in Windstar’s fleet of luxury yachts. The brand-new, custom-built Star Seeker begins its inaugural sailing season in January 2026 and it will be, in a word, spectacular.

The 224-guest yacht features 112 chic and modern suites, each with ample closet space, comfortable furnishings, and sumptuous bedding—most with large verandas or floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the outside. The collection of suites comprises 12 different sizes ranging from the 203-square-foot Ocean View Suite to the 548-square-foot Horizon Owner’s Suite. For families and groups who desire even more space, the two Horizon Owner’s Suites can be easily connected.

When it comes to dining, wellness, and entertainment at sea, the choices are plentiful. Windstar has been named the “official cruise line” of the James Beard Foundation, which means the locally inspired cuisine is being developed by culinary all-stars at the five onboard dining spaces: Amphora, Star Grill, and Yacht Club Café, plus 24-hour room service and a specialty restaurant that’s still under wraps. The expansive two-story World Spa by Windstar features a state-of-the-art fitness area, as well as a full-service salon and spa. Guests will also appreciate easy access to the ocean from the ship’s Watersport’s Platform, where they’ll find complimentary snorkeling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and floating mats. Another highlight is the ship’s unique open bridge policy, which invites guests to visit with the captain.

After its maiden voyage in the Caribbean, Star Seeker will spend the summer in Alaska, traveling between Juneau and Vancouver, British Columbia. Signature expeditions include exploring the remote wilderness of the Misty Fjords, hiking to 8,000-year-old petroglyphs, spotting brown and black bears as they feed on spawning salmon, and visiting the rough and tumble frontier towns along some of the most scenic shorelines in the world. For travelers who wish to extend their stay, a five-night tour through the heart of Denali National Park—and its more than six million acres of remote beauty—is a must.

Come fall, Star Seeker will sail to Japan with voyages between Tokyo and Osaka. Other featured destinations will include Kobe, Takamatsu, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima, where guests can stand in awe of Mount Fuji, explore the Kamikura-jinja Shrine, and wander among the sacred sites, pilgrimage routes, and dense forests of the Kii Mountain Range.

Sail beyond the ordinary.