by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:40 PM ET, Wed December 11, 2024
Windstar Cruises is opening bookings for its spring 2027 Japan sailings earlier than planned, due to high demand for its 2026 Japan sailings. The company is also adding an extra fall date.
“Just months after announcing our 2026 plans in Japan, we’re nearly sold out,” says Janet Bava, chief commercial officer for Windstar Cruises. “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.”
Windstar’s Japan voyages will be offered aboard the Star Seeker, its new ship slated to debut in December 2025. The vessel will spend the summer of 2026 sailing in Alaska, before heading across the Pacific to Japan in September 2026. The ship will offer five departures in Japan through October. It will return in the spring and offer seven departures from March through May 2027.
The 10-night “Grand Japan” itinerary sails from Tokyo to Kyoto. Travelers will enjoy scenic sailing in the Inland Sea, sail around the abandoned island of Hashima and explore the Peace Memorial Parks of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The ship will also visit smaller ports like Takamatsu and Karatsu.
Guests who want to explore more of the country can add on the “Kyoto & the Zen of Japan” cruise tour. On the extension, guests can enjoy hot springs, a traditional tea ceremony and a visit to the Golden Pavilion.
Guests who book between now and February 28 can take advantage of an early booking offer, which includes free WiFi; gratuities; unlimited beer, wine and cocktails; and a $200 credit per stateroom. The deposit is 15 percent and final payment is due 120 days before sailing.
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