Shortly after I discovered Windstar Cruises' expeditionary personally in Tahiti, the line is ramping up that side of its product even more in Alaska for 2018 beginning in May.
Its new Signature Expeditions program will explore the Great Land onboard and off, and the company plans to eventually expand it into other regions.
"We are offering travelers the chance to slow down and truly enjoy scenic immersion cruising amongst the glaciers and wildlife, and we have the perfect size ships for Alaska, period. With the addition of our brand-new Signature Expeditions, our comprehensive land tours, and exciting roster of shore excursions, each guest will get to experience the best of adventure, breathtaking nature, and completely personalized service in an incredibly immersive yet completely uncrowded cruise," said Windstar Cruises President John Delaney, in a press release.
"Our experienced team has created the most intensive Alaska experience available in small ship cruising today and we can't wait to proudly welcome guests to Windstar's Alaska. It's all about our unique style of casual yet luxurious adventure."
The onboard component consists of complimentary enrichment classes, plus expert discussions and presentations. Every Alaska cruise will feature an expedition team of five for such purposes.
Off-board, optional shore excursions take the learning even deeper with personalized tours via kayak, zodiac or group hikes led by biologists, glaciologists and others. Particularly unique will be the programming shared intimately among only 212 passengers aboard the Star Legend-which will be fresh from a dry-dock addition of expedition hardware, including half a dozen new inflatable boats.
Expected to be the best part of such cruises, whale season offers the chance to witness majestic local wildlife.
Other experiences to look forward to are those immediately accessible from the ship's tender and/or Watersports Platform. Zodiacs take guests closer to the shoreline for wildlife viewing, while kayaks offer intertidal exploration. Excursions take place around the likes of Kenai Fjord, Misty Fjords, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm and the Inian Islands.
Zodiac tours will be priced at $150 per guest, kayak tours are $170 and hikes are $40-all of which are led by the onboard expedition team.
More traditional shore excursions will also be available:
-Photo ops of orphaned Alaskan animals at the over 60-acre Kroschel Wildlife Sanctuary.
-Classic Taku Lodge Feast & 5 Glacier Seaplane for local bites and sights of Tongass National Forest.
-The chance to catch and ship home halibut and salmon with Fishing the Inside Passage.
Windstar Cruises' grand return to Alaska follows an absence of over 20 years. The 2018 season will run from May through September 10, featuring the less-frequented destinations of Metlakatla and Wrangell, plus extended 14-day itineraries among Tracy Arm and Misty Fjord.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
