Windstar unveils 2028/29 Asia programme aboard new Star Seeker

Windstar Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028/29 Asia season aboard its new ship Star Seeker.

The programme includes 25 departures across East and Southeast Asia, with itineraries ranging from 10-night cruises to voyages lasting more than 40 days.

Operating between September 2028 and May 2029, the season will see Star Seeker sail to destinations in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore, reflecting continued demand for small-ship cruising in Asia.

The deployment follows growing interest in the region among cruise travellers, with Windstar positioning the vessel’s smaller size as a means of accessing ports and city-centre berths that are often unavailable to larger ships.

“We’re seeing extraordinary enthusiasm for Asia, with bookings significantly outpacing previous years,” said Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Officer, Windstar Cruises.

“Travellers are looking for experiences that feel more immersive and personal,” she added. “With Star Seeker, we’re able to dock closer to the cultural centres of cities like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, visit smaller ports throughout the region, and create connections to local culture that simply aren’t possible on larger ships.”

The season will comprise four core itineraries that can be booked independently or combined into longer Star Collector voyages ranging from 20 to 42 days.

In addition to cruise-only sailings, passengers will be able to extend their holidays with a series of pre- and post-cruise land programmes in destinations including Hanoi, Angkor Wat, Chiang Mai, and Kyoto.

Among the featured itineraries is the 10-night Grand Japan voyage, which sails between Tokyo and Osaka while incorporating calls at smaller Japanese ports such as Karatsu and a transit through the Inland Sea.

The 10-night Vietnam & Cambodia Revealed itinerary includes overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Halong Bay, allowing additional time ashore in two of the region’s most visited destinations. Optional land excursions to Angkor Wat are also available.

Windstar will also offer East Asian Legends, a 10-night itinerary linking Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, with calls at destinations including Taipei, Okinawa, Amami and Ishigaki.

For travellers focused on Southeast Asia, the 11-night Tantalising Thailand & Sparkling Singapore itinerary connects Bangkok and Phuket and includes an overnight stay in Singapore.

Longer programmes include the 18-night Legendary Temples: Chiang Mai & Angkor Wat Cruise Tour, which combines a cruise with inland exploration in northern Thailand and Cambodia.

The most extensive option in the programme is the 41-night Grand Asia Explorer. The Star Collector voyage combines multiple itineraries into a single journey between Phuket and Tokyo, incorporating overnight stays in four cities and scenic cruising along both the Saigon and Chao Phraya rivers.

The new programme will be operated by Star Seeker, one of Windstar’s newest vessels. The deployment highlights the increasing importance of Asia within the premium and small-ship cruise market, where operators are seeking to differentiate themselves through destination-intensive itineraries and longer stays in port.