Alaskan Explorations & Denali Cruise Tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day-by-day description of your cruise and cruise activities.

Day 1

Fairbanks

Rivers, mountains, emerald wilderness and milky blue glacial lakes pass below during the flight to Fairbanks. After meeting your Alaskan Guide and transferring to your comfortable hotel, the rest of the day is yours to rest up or explore downtown Fairbanks’ unique blend of old and new.

Day 2

Denali

Board the Riverboat Discovery for a trip back in time on the Chena River, stopping along the way to learn frontier living skills at an Athabascan Indian village, watch an Alaskan bush pilot use the river as a runway, and visit Iditarod champion Susan Butcher’s kennels. After a scenic drive to Denali National Park, mingle with fellow guests at a Welcome Reception, then get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, complete with an all-you-can-eat salmon and barbecue ribs dinner.

Day 3

Denali

Spend a full 5 hours in the park famous for its wildlife, searching for moose, Dall sheep, caribou, grizzlies and wolves. If you have energy to spare, finish the day with an ATV or zip line adventure on your own.

(Includes overnight at Denali Lodge, Breakfast, Lunch and a Snack)

Day 4

Talkeetna

Board your deluxe domed train for a scenic ride to the quaint village of Talkeetna in the Alaska Range. Settle into your hotel, then listen to colorful tales of the area’s history before your Farewell Dinner.

(Includes overnight at Talkeetna Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 5

Talkeetna

On the way to Seward pause in Anchorage for a visit to the Anchorage Museum before finishing the drive to your waiting ship.

(Includes Breakfast and then all meals onboard your ship)

Day 6

Anchorage (Seward), Alaska

Seward, (Anchorage’s gateway) is sandwiched between the Kenai Mountains and the Kenai Fjords National Park. It is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities, with Mount Marathon rising majestically behind the town. Even though Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, it is also home to 1,500 moose, surrounded by national parks full of wildlife.

Day 7

Kenai Fjords National Park

As you navigate through the park's pristine waters, you'll sail by majestic glaciers, where stunning ice formations and calving events captivate the eye. Towering cliffs frame the fjords, creating a dramatic contrast with the glacial blues. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting marine life against this stunning backdrop.

Day 8

Day 9

Sitka

Sitka is one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in Alaska, filled with rich Tlingit, Russian, and early American settler history. Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, the copper-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Pioneer Home and the Russian Bishop’s House. It contains 22 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is where the contract of sale was signed transferring Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Day 10

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)

Privately owned Icy Strait Point is a tourist destination and the only privately owned cruise destination in Alaska. It is the property of 1,350 Alaskan natives with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area. Visitors here enjoy an educational experience learning about Alaska's native cultures, and the natural history of the region. There is much to do here including a brown bear search, tram excursion, flightseeing over Glacier Bay and the biggest zipline in the United States.

Day 11

Haines

Haines is one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports and one of the best places for hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, especially bald eagles. Within the Haines city limits Fort William H. Seward is a nationally recognized historic landmark, with some of its structures open to the public. Other cultural offerings in Haines include the Alaska Indian Arts Center where traditional craftsmen offer demonstrations of their work, the Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center where local Tlingit people are featured, the Hammer Museum, dedicated to the history of the hammer and the Tsirku Canning Company Museum with memories of Haines’ salmon canneries.

Day 12

Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm

Depending on the day’s conditions, you will cruise Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm. Both glacial fjords feature icebergs drifting serenely by and towering granite cliffs, carved by millennia of glacial activity. Here, you can witness impressive calving events as icebergs thunder into the water. The surrounding wilderness, with its rugged terrain, offers a pristine backdrop for spotting wildlife like seals and mountain goats.

Day 13

Wrangell

One of the oldest towns in Alaska, Wrangell is located near the mouth of the Stikine River. Much of its history can be seen in the impressive collection of totems scattered throughout the town. Highlights here are the amazing Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park where you can find primitive rock carvings and just 30 miles away is the Anan Wildlife Observatory with the largest pink salmon runs in the Inside Passage, and a platform from which you can look for eagles, harbor seals and black bears.

Day 14

Misty Fjords/Rudyerd Bay

Cruising Misty Fjords/Rudyerd Bay in Alaska offers an awe-inspiring adventure through one of nature’s most pristine landscapes. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically from mirror-like waters. The mist-shrouded environment evokes a sense of ancient mystery and tranquility, while diverse wildlife, including seals and eagles, adds to the experience. Navigating these majestic fjords provides an unforgettable glimpse into Alaska’s raw, untouched beauty, where every turn reveals a new, breathtaking vista

Day 15

TRANSIT SEYMOUR NARROW

Transiting Seymour Narrows is a memorable highlight of any Inside Passage journey. This narrow channel in British Columbia is known for its strong tidal currents, which can reach up to 15 knots. Because of the fast-moving water, ships can only transit during slack water—a short period when the tide shifts and currents are at their weakest. Since slack water times vary daily with the tides, each transit is carefully timed for safety and comfort. Before and after navigating the Narrows, the ship cruises through the Canadian Inside Passage for several hours, passing serene channels lined with dense forests and dotted with small, remote islands. This stretch is an underappreciated and unexpected favorite for many guests—offering peaceful, scenic views and a true sense of the wild Pacific Northwest.

Ship

Your cruise ship

About this ship

Star Seeker

Launching in late 2025, Star Seeker is the latest addition to Windstar Cruises’ all-suite fleet, setting a new standard for small-ship luxury. Designed to carry just 224 guests, the vessel preserves the line’s hallmark intimacy while introducing expanded space, modern elegance, and enhanced amenities. This purpose-built yacht-style ship will offer immersive journeys across Alaska, Japan, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia, beginning with its inaugural sailing from Málaga to Miami.

Star Seeker’s design reflects a contemporary interpretation of yachting luxury, with generous outdoor spaces, open deck plans, and interiors inspired by the natural elements of sea, sky, and land. The atmosphere is relaxed yet sophisticated, combining Windstar’s understated elegance with a fresh, coastal aesthetic.

Accommodations aboard Star Seeker are exceptionally well appointed. All 112 suites face the ocean, offering either traditional private verandas, panoramic windows, or the innovative “infinity balcony” concept, where the window can lower to create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Among the suite categories are two expansive Horizon Owner’s Suites, which provide wrap-around balconies and spacious interiors ideal for entertaining or traveling as a family. Every suite is outfitted with thoughtful details including marble bathrooms, walk-in showers, fresh fruit, luxury robes and slippers, and bespoke amenities. Higher-category suites include additional comforts such as Illy espresso machines, canapés, and fresh flowers.

Public spaces have been designed for a refined yet casual onboard lifestyle. Dining will be a centerpiece of the experience, with multiple venues including Amphora, the main dining room, which features a rotating menu with contributions from Windstar’s James Beard Foundation culinary program. A new specialty restaurant, Basil + Bamboo, will showcase a creative fusion of Italian and Asian cuisines. Additional casual and al fresco dining options, such as the Star Grill and the Yacht Club café, offer variety and flexibility throughout the day.

Wellness and leisure facilities are equally well considered. The two-story spa and fitness center provides an environment for both relaxation and renewal. The reimagined watersports platform connects guests directly to the sea, offering a swim-out style design and easy access for kayaking, paddle-boarding, and snorkeling. Additional spaces include a forward-facing whirlpool, multiple lounges and bars, and open-air decks perfect for scenic cruising and socializing.

Technologically advanced and environmentally conscious, Star Seeker is built with modern sustainability in mind. It features Tier III emissions-reducing engines, shore power connectivity, and advanced navigation systems that allow it to visit more remote ports while minimizing environmental impact. The ship’s maneuverability and compact size make it especially well-suited for exploring lesser-visited destinations with a sense of closeness to nature and culture.

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