Sarah Bretz, ContributorWindstar Cruises has seen very high demand for its 2026 Japan voyages aboard its newest upcoming ship Star Seeker, which will be joining the fleet in December 2025. So in response, the line is opening up spring 2027 bookings for Japan earlier than planned.
An extra fall sail date has also been added to meet demand for more bookable cruises in the region. Sailing from Tokyo to Kyoto, the 10-night Grand Japan itinerary packs in a variety of the country’s highlights — plus a stop in Busan, South Korea — on an intimate cruise experience.
“Just months after announcing our 2026 plans in Japan, we’re nearly sold out,” says Windstar Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava. “The combination of our return to Asia for the first time since 2023, along with the anticipation of a new ship and the fact that Japan is now one of the world’s most visited countries, has created an excitement for this region that we have not seen before.”
Star Seeker is scheduled to cross the Pacific from Alaska to Japan in early September 2026, where Windstar will bring back the Grand Japan itinerary for five sail dates through October. The spring 2027 sailings will take place on seven dates from March through May.
Grand Japan Itinerary Highlights
Grand Japan 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 (famous for its gardens and Udon) and Karatsu, including its incredible castle.
Travelers can extend their stay with the Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour, which features inland tours to Kyoto where guests can bathe in hot springs, experience a traditional tea ceremony, and visit the Golden Pavilion. Of course spring dates mean the potential to experience Japan’s famed cherry blossoms, and Star Seeker’s accommodations are poised for ample spring season sightseeing as most have balconies and infinity windows.
Along with the announcement, Windstar Cruises is offering an Early Booking Offer. It includes a complimentary upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares, which includes wifi, gratuities, $200 in onboard credit per stateroom, and unlimited select beer, wine, and cocktails. The offer runs through February 28, 2025. In addition, only a 15 percent deposit is required to book, with final payment due 120 days before sailing.
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