Cruise Maven News: Windstar Returns to Alaska in 2018

Beginning in spring 2018, Windstar Cruises will once again return to cruise Alaska’s and Canada’s inside passage with their small ship, Star Legend.

It’s been nearly two decades since Windstar had a presence in this part of North America. Voyages are planned with a minimum of 11 days to give guests plenty of time to experience as much of this majestic region as possible. From Misty Fjords National Monument and Kenai Fjords National Park to Mendenhall Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjords, the Windstar Star Legend will be able to get up close and personal to areas where the big cruise ships cannot venture.

“We are working hard now to arrange customized bucket list moments like the chance to hike atop the massive Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska’s capitol of Juneau, zipline over crystal-clear creeks in bear country, snap a classic whale tail picture on your mobile phone – during a romantic deckside dinner, fly over majestic Glacier Bay in a private plane, uncover Sitka’s rich Russian heritage, or check out Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell – a destination rarely visited by cruise ships. Windstar is thrilled to put its stamp on this classic cruise region and expects it will quickly become a Yacht Club Member favorite. We honestly can’t wait!

All of the inaugural Alaska season cruises aboard the 212-guest Star Legend yacht include:

• Every cruise visits Tracy Arm and Misty Fjords.
• Optional kayaking and scenic cruising by Zodiac directly from the ship.
• Destination immersion with 7 to 8 Southeast Alaska and British Columbia ports each cruise.
• Star Legend will sail right into Misty Fjords and Kenai Fjords.
• Multiple glacier experiences on northbound/southbound sailings featuring Mendenhall Glacier, Tracy
  Arm, and Kenai Fjords.
• Naturalist/Expedition Leaders on all voyages plus speakers from Native American tribes.

After a 2017-2018 season in Asia the Star Legend will set off on a 14-day transpacific crossing from Tokyo to Seward (Anchorage), Alaska with stops in Miyako, Hakodate, and Kushiro in Japan.

Eight sailings with three itineraries are planned from May to August. One-way voyages will be offered; three 14-day southbound cruises from Seward to Vancouver and several 11- or 12- day northbound from Vancouver to Seward. Also offered are tw0 12-day Inside Passage cruises, round-trip Vancouver itineraries. Pre- and post-cruise land packages will be available.