windstar cruises alaska reviews

Cruising Alaska With Windstar Cruises

This cruise to Alaska with Windstar Cruises was my third cruise to Alaska, my 29 th cruise all over the world and my third time on this ship, the Star Breeze! While each cruise I have taken to Alaska has served a different purpose, this was my favorite, by far.

I promise to share everything below about my trip so that if you are looking to take a Windstar Cruise to Alaska, you will be readily prepared. Keep reading!

This itinerary I chose was 12 days and started in Vancouver, B.C. and ended in Seward, AK. This was a one way itinerary. Both of the other cruises I have taken in Alaska were round-trip out of Seattle, which meant less ports because it needed to get to Alaska and back to Seattle. 

I honestly was not sure how easy (or hard) it would be to start in another country and end elsewhere, but honestly, it was perfect.

Planning for a cruise to Alaska

One of the things I love MOST about cruising with Windstar Cruises is that their rooms are big and beautiful, room service is included 24/7, the excursions are the best, and since the ships are more like big yachts, so they hold less than 350 guests and can get into a lot of places bigger cruise lines cannot. AKA all the best spots.

The last two cruises I took to Alaska were on big cruise ships through the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay – and while I did love those cruises, this smaller, more intimate cruise just fit the bill for me.

Plus – I got to experience so much more of Alaska because the cruise was longer and I was able to get into places bigger cruise lines cannot.

One of the very first things to consider before cruising to Alaska is time of year. Cruises typically run May – September for Alaska. From my personal experience, May was far too cold, rainy, snowy, and foggy. There were days I could not see anything. I would not cruise to Alaska in May again, most likely.

I have cruised in July in 2019 and now in June and the weather has been mostly spectacular. Most days of adventure have been extremely warm, sunny and bright and required no jacket. In my humble opinion, this is the best way to experience Alaska on a cruise.

When the conditions are nice like this (and it is never a guarantee), the waters are sparkling blue, the sky is clear and everything just feels so refreshing. The experience is completely different from fighting cold or rain/fog elements.

The second thing to consider is itinerary. There is a wide variety of itineraries for Alaska and I will tell you why I picked this one: the stops and it being one-way. Knowing the cruise was one-way, I knew I would get to see so many more places I had never been to and would not be stuck with a bunch of sea days trying to get to and from the originating port. Not that this is a bad thing – but this is why I chose this specific itinerary.

Yes, it can be easier going in and out of Seattle. However, I had no issues going through Vancouver OR Anchorage.

I will say this, because I started in Vancouver, I ended up staying in the city for a couple days because I had never been and there was a few things I wanted to do. You do not have to do this, but if you do – I stayed at the Fairmont Pacific Rim (right across the street from the cruise terminal) and my two favorite activities were the seaplane (right across the street) and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

When the boat docked in Seward, AK at the end of the trip, it was a 2.5 hour drive to Anchorage. Because I could not find a flight I wanted that day, I ended up staying the night in Anchorage. Well, part of the night. My flight left at 2:55AM.

My Alaska Itinerary with Windstar Cruises

Here is my exact itinerary:

Day 1: Embark Vancouver

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: Ketchikan – in port

Day 4: Misty Fjords

Day 5: Wrangell – in port

Day 6: Sitka – in port

Day 7: Tracy Arm

Day 8: Haines – in port

Day 9: Juneau – in port

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: Kenai Fjords:

Day 12: Seward depart – Anchorage

From the 12 days, 5 of the days were in actual ports where the boat docked and you could book excursions or do whatever you wanted on your own.

3 days were spent in Fjords and two types of excursions were offered off of the boat: zodiac tours and kayaking.

2 days were sea days and then you had the start and end days.

I have been very vocal on Instagram the last couple years in professing my love for Tracy Arm, and surprise, it’s still just as beautiful, if not more so, than when I came in 2019! Don’t let these three days in the Fjords fool you – they were some of the best experiences out here in Alaska.

What to do in each port in Alaska

I have been to this city twice before and there are a lot of things to do in Ketchikan .

Our ship docked in the port, so there was easy on and off access to the city. Right across the street and down a couple blocks is the famous “Creek Street.” If you do nothing else in this port, make sure to walk over and see it. It used to be a brothel back in the day and now is lined with shops.

The tour I booked for this port was a Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast. It was an easy/moderate tour and lasted about four hours. We drove for about 30 minutes to the George Inlet Lodge where everything would start. We took a boat out for a 7 miles cruise through the Tongass National Forest and George Inlet.

During our boat exploration we saw a ton of eagles, the beautiful landscapes, crabs, and much more. The boat was heated and offered inside and outside viewing.

Back at the lodge, we had an unlimited crab feast! All you can eat Dungeness crab (which is insanely delicious and fresh), a salad and this incredible blueberry cheesecake. The lodge area is really beautiful and they have a gift shop if you want anything. This tour was $259 per person.

When my tour was over, I spent time in Ketchikan walking around. I love buying souvenirs in Alaska and on this trip, I got a new Ulu Knife! These knives are so sharp, but I love them. I also went down to Creek Street again because I love seeing everything built up on wood.

Some of the other excursions Windstar offered in Ketchikan:

• Lumberjack Show (this is very popular)
• Canopy ZipLine Expedition

Misty Fjords

One of the best parts about cruising on a smaller ship with Windstar is being able to anchor in these smaller spaces. There was not a town here, but we anchored in the Fjords and it was stunning!

Only two excursions are offered during anchor:

• Kayaking Expedition $219 per person
• Zodiac Expedition $229 per person

Either tour is great, it just depends on what you want to do. With kayaking, you are doing all the work and with the zodiac boats, you are in groups of six or less and you get to just be a passenger on an open air boat.

This was a new port for me that I had never been to and I was excited to get out and explore. We docked here, so getting on and off the boat was easy. 

I booked the Stikine River and Glacier by Jet Boat Tour and it was insane!! First, the jet boat was going against the rushing stream up the river and it was really fun. Second, when you start getting around glacier ice, the boat whips and turns fast and its a big thrill. If you are not into that, I would not recommend it – but it was pretty calm most of the trip. 

On our way up to the glacier, we stopped in a little cove area known as Andrew’s Creek (fresh water) and the water was crystal clear. You could see the sand ridges deep below us – that clear! You could also see where the water was not mixing with the river. Absolutely beautiful. 

Once we got closer to the glacier, I noticed there were some homes randomly placed in the water with only a boat to get to them. Pretty remote living for the right person. 

Unfortunately the glacier was still about 10 miles ahead before sheets of ice completely stopped us, but I did love this tour so much. Seeing the glacier would have been a bonus, but I saw many others on this trip and it didn’t take away from how fun this tour was. 

This tour was $399 per person and it was a 4 hour tour. 

Some of the other excursions Windstar offered in Wrangell included:

• Canoeing 
• Boating tours 
• City Highlights
• Hiking 
• Island Heritage 

This was my second visit to Sitka , and on my first visit I felt like I did so much that I already knew where I wanted to return. When I went the first time a couple years ago, I saw whales, sea otters, eagles, bears, etc. I was on land and sea and it was amazing!

Sitka is unique in that the port doesn’t have much in terms of things to do but there is a free shuttle to town every 10-15 minutes. We did not dock here, but tendered in. If you do not take a tour like I did, you will want to keep that in mind because you will need to catch the last tender back to the boat and be mindful of lines at the shuttle buses in town. 

I knew the only place I wanted to go this time was to see the bears again and to show my guest. It is the easiest and safest way to see a bear in Alaska. We took the shuttle into town and called the taxi driver listed where the tours were. 

He took us up to Fortress of the Bears and we stayed for about two hours. The taxi ride with tip was about $60 round trip and the entrance fee to see the bears was $15 each. 

You could easily spend hours here watching the bears. There was black and brown bears and they were all so playful. Highly recommend visiting either on your own or on a tour. 

Some of the other excursions Windstar offered in Sitka included:

• Sea Otter Quest
• Bike and Hike 
• Artist Walk
• Wildlife Quest and Fin Island 

Tracy Arm Fjord

I have been very upfront about thinking this is the most beautiful place in the USA and I stand by this decision three years later after revisiting. I woke UP TO THIS VIEW! A big piece of glacial ice floating on by!

What I loved about visiting this time is that the Windstar ship is so much smaller than most cruise liners and we were able to anchor around the corner from both North and South Sawyer Glaciers!!

I do want to note that weather conditions dictate the outcome of this stop and what you will be able to see. There was not a lot of glacial ice in the water later in the day, so we were able to see both glaciers.

While I would recommend doing the zodiac boat tour if you want to get super close to the glacier as it is not guaranteed to see either if the ship cannot make it down the path. 

The captain did surprise it though! He ended up taking us to view BOTH glaciers. And for an even bigger surprise, he turned the ship in a very tight area where North Sawyer Glacier was and it was just so impressive. 

First time visiting Haines and I struggled with what to do here. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but because there was a lot I wanted to do and not enough time. 

We docked here in Haines, making the boat access extremely easy. The town was pretty easy to walk to but there was also a shuttle right outside the cruise ship that ran on a loop about every 10 minutes and made three stops in town, all day. If you just want to go to town or if you need to purchase something – this is an easy way to do it. 

I ultimately did a tour – I picked the Wilderness Odyssey by Jet Boat! This jet boat was much different than the one I did in Wrangell because it was a flat bottom boat and completely open to the earths elements. Luckily, the weather was fantastic. 

On this tour we boated through about 25 miles of the Chilkat River system. We saw a lot of bald eagles and no other wildlife. Our guide thought we would see moose or even bears, but no luck. 

I really enjoyed this experience because it was a bit slower than some of the other tours and we really took our time, breathing in that fresh air of the last frontier. I think you can easily walk away really appreciating Alaska’s beauty. 

This tour was $175 per person and included lunch.

Some of the other excursions Windstar offered in Haines included:

• White Pass Railroad 
• Photography Tour 
• ATV Adventure 
• Chilkoot Lake 
• Bald Eagle Preserve 
• Wildlife Refuge (this was a big hit among guests on board)

This was my third time visiting Juneau and I knew I wanted to do something new! There are so many great things to do in Juneau that deciding on something will be hard, but know that whatever you pick, it will be amazing!

First things first, even if you choose not to do an activity or want to do an activity and then explore downtown, that is an option. While cruising with Windstar on this trip, we were not docked, we had to tender into the port. There was a relatively steep ramp to walk up to get onto the road and shops are everywhere.

Fun fact about Juneau – it is the only capital in the USA that has no roads connecting it to the rest of the state. The only way in and out is boat or plane.

The first time I came here, the weather was terrible and I took the tram up right in the port and the fog was so thick I could not see anything. I also went out to Mendenhall Glacier on that visit.

On my second visit to Juneau, I took a day trip out to Tracy Arm Fjord (a stop that was on my itinerary already on this ship) and arguably the prettiest place in the USA!

So for this trip, I knew I wanted to do something unforgettable and something I had never done anywhere in the state. I went with the Seaplane Glacier Discovery and Taku Lodge Feast. This was one of my top 5 favorite things I have ever done and highly recommend.

For this excursion, I got off the boat and took a quick ride over to the seaplane port. Everyone got a window seat on the seaplane and we took a 25 minute flight, flying over 5 glaciers!!

The seaplane landed on the Taku River and we spent awhile at the Taku Lodge having a delicious lunch and enjoying the views. The Taku Glacier, which is five miles across and Juneau’s biggest, is right across the river and massive.

The lodge served wild Alaskan salmon, slow cooked baked beans, fruit compote, Alaskan sourdough bread, Taku Lodge ginger cookies, and more. They even served drinks with glacier ice!

For this incredible experience, the price was $529 per person. It is on the higher end of pricing but seeing those glaciers from the seaplane was priceless.

Some of the other excursions Windstar offered in Juneau included:

• Dog sledding
• Trails and ales
• Whale watching
• Helicopter tours
• Glacier trek via helicopter
• Culinary walking tour
• ..and more!

Kenai Fjords National Park 

This was the last stop on the cruise and technically we did not dock. Because we were in the National Park, parked between fjords AND facing Aialik Glacier, there was only two, but epic, excursions to choose from. You could do the zodiac boat ride or kayaking. 

This was my personal favorite experience of the entire trip. Yes, you could see the glacier the entire day from the ship, and it was over a mile away, but felt so close. However, getting on the zodiac boat and getting up close AND seeing sea otters everywhere – priceless!

Another thing I want to note is that a lot of cruise ships do not come here. This is an excellent way to experience this National Park since it is rather remote. 

• Zodiac Boat Tour – $229 per person
• Kayaking – $219 per person

Life on board the Star Breeze

If you have never cruised with Windstar Cruises before, I promise you it is not like the big cruise liners, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you are into.

Because the Star Breeze is more like a large yacht, you won’t find endless activities and dining options on board, but for the things that are, they are superb.

This cruise was mostly all-inclusive. The only time I paid for food was a specialty 30 ounce T-bone steak in Candles (which was optional).

The ship has six restaurants:

• Amphora – the main dinner dining room
• Candles – steak house by reservation
• CUADRO 44 – tapas style dinner restaurant by reservation
• Yacht Club Café – light bites and coffee open daily
• Star Grill – usually open for lunch
• Veranda – daily breakfast and lunch buffet and menu
• Room service is also included 24/7

Bars: you can get a drink anywhere, including your room, but if you want to go to a bar..

• Compass Rose

Alcohol is not included on the ship. You can purchase per drink OR get a drink package. If you already know you plan to drink daily, you might as well get a drink package and just not worry about it.

There are two different types of drink packages on board :

• Beer and wine package $49 per person/per day – this package will cover the beer and wine that is covered on board. This does not include bottles of wine or specialties. There are 33 wines to choose from and domestic and imported beers.
• Captains Exclusive Beverage Package $59 per person/per day – I think if you are going to get a package, this one is elite. It includes everything above PLUS: all the drinks in the minibar (liquors, wines, and drinks), cordials, liqueurs, aperitifs, etc. If you want to be able to have cocktails, beers, wines etc. at any time, this is your best bet.

Alternatively, you could get the “All-In Package” which includes drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities for $89 per person/per day.

Activities on board:

• Spa – hair, nails and body
• Nightly entertainment
• Expedition lectures
• Coffee chats in the morning
• Morning mile walk
• Work out classes like yoga, boot camp, etc.
• Specialty meals like BBQ’s on deck

Dining on board the Star Breeze

One area that I think Windstar outshines many other cruise lines is in their food department. They have menus with James Beard chefs’ dishes on them in the main dining room, Amphora, and everything is incredible. I have never walked away from a meal on board and thought “I didn’t like that.” Quite the opposite actually!

Let’s talk about the food .. 

Amphora – main dining room for dinner 

This is my second favorite dining spot on board and the menu is different each night with inventive dishes that are delicious. The food is amazing and the service is incredible. I am telling you right now, no one works harder than the Windstar staff and no request is too big. Have an allergy? Let them know and they will take care of you. 

I ate a LOT of seafood because it was readily available but the choice is yours! I also LOVE desserts. My fave. 

Candles – the steak house 

This is my favorite restaurant on board! I love steak and the menu does not change. You do need a reservation and I highly recommend booking in advance. I would suggest booking on days you are in the fjords because it is outside and you will have a magnificent view!

Cuadro 44 – Spanish 

This is a newer restaurant concept for Windstar and if you love Spanish food or tapas – definitely make sure to dine here. You do need a reservation, but it is included!

Room Service 

Available pretty much around the clock but the menu does not change. You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Whatever you like. 

I love room service breakfast for days my tours start very early or come back right as breakfast ends because room service breakfast runs until 11!

Star Grill + Verandah Lunch 

both lunch restaurants are wonderful. They have a buffet style dining and a small menu you can order from. The menu does not change but it is meant to supplement the already large selections available. 

Can I just say – the desserts every single day were fantastic!!

What I packed for my trip to Alaska

Alaska is very unique and unlike most cruises. When you go to the Caribbean, you will most likely have tropical weather and pack for warmer climates. Alaska is .. wild. It could be 85 degrees and sunny and then a heavy fog cold front moves in with rain and its 45 degrees. Bottom line – it can be unpredictable, but I have you covered.

As a side note – I could have done carry-on only for this cruise. The unlimited laundry package was $178 for two people for the entire trip. You can send out laundry or pressing as often as you want and it comes back by 5pm the next day!

After three cruises through Alaska, these are my ride or die items I would not travel without.

• Light raincoat – a lot of the tours I took were on boats and certain times throughout cruise season it does rain a lot. In fact, many of the cities will tell you it rains well over 200+ days per year. Better to be safe than sorry.
• Layers – long sleeves, sweaters of varying thickness, jackets, etc. You can always remove a layer.
• Bathing suit – the ship I am on, Star Breeze, has a pool and two hot tubs!
• Hat and gloves – I really only found use for these out on kayaks and zodiac boats getting to the glaciers. It was very windy and chilly.
• Variety of shoes – tennis shoes, nice shoes for dinner, walking shoes, etc. I would absolutely make sure you have comfortable walking shoes as you will be getting in and out of boats, walking steep ramps, possibly getting in and out of boats, planes, trains, etc.
• Film camera – I LOVE my camera and take it everywhere. The reason I love this cheap film camera is because it’s nostalgic and I never worry about a “perfect shot.” I take the photo and move on. PLUS – getting them developed is so fun – I never remember what is on the roll.
• Camera Bag – this is my ride or die because it is waterproof! You never know when the rain will pour down and you can at least protect your camera(s).
• Sunscreen – clouds or full sun, do not forget sunscreen. You will not be swimming in the waters in Alaska but you will be exposed to the elements. You can easily get sun burned.
• Bug spray – I only needed this a few times, but the mosquitos can be relentless.
• Face masks – the crazy weather patterns will dry out your skin. I swear by these.
• After sun face and body sheets – I never travel anywhere without these masks. They saved me in the Maldives and now I know their power.
• Chapstick – the wind both on the cruise and excursions can be strong, leaving you with dry, chapped lips. Come prepared.
• Spare battery charger for your phone – I always have this back up battery pack for my phone. I can get two charges off of it and for long days, I need it.
• Chair clips – you wouldn’t think you would enjoy the chairs on deck or even sunbathe in Alaska, but you can! It gets windy from time to time, so these clips are great at holding down your towel.
• Lotion – your hands and other body parts will get dry. Trust me on this.
• Face moisturizer – if I didn’t put face moisturizer on every day, I would be flaking skin.

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Windstar Alaskan cruise day excursion experiences - Alaska Forum

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Windstar Alaskan cruise day excursion experiences

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Excursions are highly dependent on YOUR interests. What might interest me might hold no interest for you.

I am curious about the Kenai Zodiac Tour. Where is that taking place? Somewhere on the cruise stops? On the Kenai Peninsula before/after the cruise ?

Here is a link to an article that discusses their “ Alaska Expedition Program.”

https://akcruise.org/2018/06/windstar-cruises-new-alaska-expedition-program/

You may also want to visit the forum at cruisecritic.com.

The float trip on the Chilkat River here in Haines would be quite fun.....depending on what time you are here during the summer (the trip could take longer when the water is lower)....also the eagles will not be in the preserve area, as they usually don't show up until Nov to January.....there will be plenty of them around the boat dock though during the summer......

One of the most popular tours here in Haines is Steve Kroschels animal preserve....highly recommend if you like animals.....

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5 Incredible Excursions On A Small Ship Alaska Cruise

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When filling out your cruise itinerary, excursions are an important consideration. Some excursions are leisurely, others are active. But all contribute to the depth of experience that you will have. For an Alaskan cruise, nature and culture predominate. From learning about First Nation totems to fishing or glacier and bear encounters, these side trips will create lasting memories and add a spark to your trip.

For my first cruise to Alaska, I chose Windstar’s Alaskan Splendors itinerary on their newly renovated, all-suite Star Breeze to have a mix of sailing and exploring. The small ship was able to negotiate narrow channels, affording fabulous up-close views of America’s “last frontier” even from onboard.

Pro Tip: Windstar offers excursions with varying degrees of exertion from easy to strenuous. Be sure to ask for guidance when selecting the ones that best suit you. In case you decide to forego leaving the ship to while away the time from the top deck, you’re still likely to see humpback whales and orcas breaching nearby.

Here are my five favorite excursions that brought me deep into the culture and wild beauty of Alaska.

Windstar hosted me on this cruise, but all opinions are my own.

1. Tracking Bears

Tongass national forest.

From the port of Wrangell, we set sail on a frisky speedboat which took us to the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Tongass National Forest, a guaranteed spot for bear and eagle sightings. As I seldom experience seasickness, I sat next to the captain up front — the bumpiest of seats — as we zipped and slammed across the water. The rewards were great. Not only did I have the first mate’s sightlines, but I enjoyed a personal dialogue with the captain about what to expect when we arrived at the landing.

Spotting bears and even being around bears requires concentration and caution. We were instructed to walk single file remaining close together in a silent procession with the rifle-toting ranger, our leader and protector. Bears are serious business, and we definitely didn’t want to become fodder for their lunch. After the half-mile hike, we arrived at the viewing deck where we enjoyed a prelude of bald eagle sightings. We learned to distinguish the juvenile birds with their dark heads and mottled wings from the adults who evinced a yellow beak and a white head and tail. They soared so close that we didn’t need binoculars to view them.

Our quest, however, was to see the bears, and we had multiple ways to do so. Sometimes the black and brown bears simply strolled near the platform, triggering a mad rush as we crowded to the side to catch a glimpse. Other times, we gathered along the rail over Anan Creek to watch the hungry guys catch runs of pink salmon.

The true gift of this excursion was the chance to shelter in the intimate photo blind at stream level with salmon and bears in full view. Watching the bears’ varying degrees of success diving for, catching, and devouring their prey provided endless entertainment and awe. It was the circle of life coming full circle.

Pro Tip: You should be physically fit for this excursion. The boat ride takes about an hour and can be uncomfortable for those prone to motion sickness. The trail to the observatory is gravel and dirt with some roots and is muddy and slippery in places. To reach the photo blind, you must descend a long stairway. Also note that this is a rainforest, so dress and pack your gear appropriately.

2. Kayaking To The Glaciers

Inside passage.

Windstar offers two ways to experience the mighty fjords and icefields of Alaska’s Inside Passage from the water. You can join a zodiac tour, where the leader takes care of paddling and steering, and all you do is sit back and take in the breathtaking scenery. Or, as I preferred, snuggle into a two-person kayak, relying on coordination with your fellow boater to navigate alongside blue-tinged drift ice. We watched lazing harbor seals and bobbing otters as we made our way toward the magnificence of the glaciers and waterfalls.

Kayaking with your spouse (or with any partner for that matter) can be a challenge, but done correctly, you move serenely yet swiftly toward your goal. In the kayak, you can position yourself horizontally under waterfalls and close to the glaciers to see not only the ice but also the mountain goats that impossibly make their home high on the cliffs.

Silence is occasionally broken by the sounds of water cascading down cliffs and the thunder of calving glaciers, dripping icebergs in their wake. I felt privileged to watch the unfolding renewal of the glaciers and caught my breath each time I heard a thud.

Windstar has several excursions by kayak — one by the high waterfalls of Misty Fjords , a second to Kenai Fjords’ Harding icefield, and another to Tracy Arm-Endicott Arm’s twin glaciers. Icy water conditions often determine the destination, and we were directed to Endicott Arm on my excursion. Bordered by steep rock walls and glacier-covered mountains, this teal-sapphire blue passage afforded a front-row seat to the impressive Dawes Glacier. I left feeling very small, smaller than usual in this amazing landscape.

Pro Tip: If the trip turns inclement, you always have a choice to return to the ship by zodiac. On the other hand, I completed a 2-hour kayak in a downpour, counting on the many rain-resistant layers I wore to protect me. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

3. Dogsledding On The Glacier

In Juneau, Alaska’s state capital, we met our pilot for a dogsledding adventure on Mendenhall Glacier . We watched a short instructional film and were given special boots for walking on ice and snow, a noise-blocking headset with a microphone for the helicopter flight, and guidance on how to best enjoy the view of the massive blue-tinged icefield from above.

Our chopper ride was even more adventurous than anticipated. The fog (and wind) had started rolling in, and we were the last flight allowed to the glacier that day. First there were green mountains, then snow-covered ones, and finally glaciers appearing through almost whiteout conditions. Had the weather worsened, we might have spent the night at the dog camp with the mushers rather than returning to the Star Breeze . I felt like Neil Armstrong landing on the moon.

The dogsled ride was thrilling. We zipped through the all-white setting, led by a spirited team of canines. I alternated sitting in the sled or standing in the back with the musher. With the weather turning nastier by the minute, we started to fantasize about camping with the pups and their very special trainers, some of whom had participated in the Iditarod race. We had just enough time after our glide across the glacier to meet the dogs up close, pet them and learn a little about life on Mendenhall before boarding our chopper in the thickening mist.

Pro Tip: Does it take a bit of courage to do this trip? Well, yes. Especially if you’ve never been in a helicopter before. And once you land, you have a couple of choices to make: sitting in the sleigh as you careen across the snow, or taking a big sip of courage and standing on the wooden ski-like pedals at the back where you join with the dogs and musher in controlling speed and braking.

4. A Wildlife Safari

Taking to the water allowed for another type of animal encounter. This time, on a small ferry-like boat from Sitka and narrated and guided by a naturalist, we searched for sea otters, eagles, and the very lazy harbor seals that seem to enjoy cuddling as much as hunting for fish.

This quest is hit-or-miss. You can circle and circle and see nothing for significant periods of time. You might distinguish more cloud shapes than animal silhouettes for a while, but when the animals appear, it’s magical. Bald eagles sit perched in treetops. Otters pop their furry heads up for a moment, diving back underwater almost as quickly as they appear. It occurred to me for a brief moment that I could have seen more marine life at my city aquarium. But what set this apart are the majesty of the setting and the unpredictability of nature as it reveals itself like the tease of the humpbacks we could only see at a distance.

5. A Vintage Locomotive Trip

Listed as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the White Pass & Yukon Railroad in the gold rush town of Skagway dates from 1898. Tracing the steep route followed by Klondike Gold Rush Stampeders, a vintage railcar leaves Skagway depot traveling on a narrow-gauge railway overlooking gorges and scenic landmarks with evocative names like Bridal Veil Falls and Dead Horse Gulch. If you’re adventurous, this is a great excursion, and if you’re a photographer, it’s a real winner.

Between the cars, a moving platform beckons the daring to stand in the outdoors, caressed by the wind and protected from falling only by waist-high, wrought-iron railings. It’s pretty chilly out there, but the views make up for it as you ascend 2,888 feet. The “money shot,” from a photographic point-of-view, is a curve of the train’s front or back end, showing the cars in crescent formation as they round a bend.

There were many more “Kodak moments,” like when you traverse a wooden bridge high over the valley or enter a long tunnel and emerge from the dark to a burst of sunlight. White Pass Summit gave me a shiver as well — both U.S. and Canadian flags fly at the boundary between the two countries.

Pro Tip: Restored gold-rush town Skagway is a vivid historical immersion with museums focusing on the challenges (and lawlessness) of the prospectors, a saloon with a kitschy bordello tour (yes, it really was a brothel), and a 19th-century brewery updated slightly for today’s visitors. Don’t forget to look down — Skagway’s sidewalks are made of wood.

Windstar’s Alaskan Splendors Cruise

The 11-day itinerary from Alaska to Vancouver left from Seward, a 2 1/2-hour bus ride from Anchorage along Seward Highway, a designated National Forest Scenic Byway. While this wasn’t a scheduled excursion, it might well have been, passing along mountain-rimmed Turnagain Arm with non-stop, stunning vistas.

Related Reading:

• 7 Bold Winter Adventures To Experience In Alaska
• 7 Reasons You’ll Love An Expedition Cruise In Alaska
• Alaska By Small Ship Cruise: Wilderness, Solitude, And Wildlife Sightings

A Board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association, Meryl shares her finds in a myriad of travel publications. She is the author of Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids , a restaurant reviewer for Gayot.com, and a yogini and classical pianist. Follow Meryl's journeys via Instagram and across social media.

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Windstar Cruises Alaska Cruises

Alaska is a destination on many bucket lists and for good reason! Alaska is one of the most naturally stunning places in the world, and Windstar Cruises will help you experience the beauty yourself. While on your Alaskan cruise, you’ll see things you’ve only seen in photographs. Sprawling glaciers, villages rich in gold rush history, national parks filled with unique wildlife, and much more are waiting for you! Experience Sitka, one of Alaska’s oldest towns, which has fascinating native Alaskan, Russian, and early American settler history. Sitka houses 22 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and features the special designation of being the place where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States. Your Windstar cruise to Alaska will be like nothing else you’ve ever experienced before. No matter what kind of adventurer you are, Windstar Cruises is ready to help you have the trip of a lifetime. Find out more about Windstar Cruises to Alaska by giving The Cruise Web a call today at 1-800-377-9383.

Things to Do on an Alaska Cruise with Windstar Cruises

Allow yourself to be entranced on a Windstar cruise to Alaska, which offers innumerable excursion activities to please any type of traveler. See indigenous wildlife, such as whales, moose, and bald eagles in their natural habitat, or try your hand at sportfishing. Discover the history of the native Alaskan people by visiting the various museums, and then create your own souvenirs by embarking on a photo tour. In Juneau, for example, you can bring home photos of the Taku Glacier, a great natural wonder. Windstar’s Alaska cruises also allow you to visit Icy Strait Point and experience native cultures up close where you’ll learn firsthand the history of the region and its people. If it’s thrills you seek, Icy Strait Point also features one of the biggest ziplines in the world. Continue below to find out more of our recommended excursions while cruising to Alaska with Windstar Cruises:

• Sportfishing (Sitka, Alaska) Try your hand at the traditional salmon fishing methods: trolling or mooching. Trolling is when the fishermen have two or four lines and are fishing off downriggers while the boat is moving. Mooching is when fishermen hold the rod and work the bait while the boat is anchored. Sitka is one of Alaska’s best fishing places and this excursion will give you a prime opportunity to catch a unique souvenir; you’ll be able to fish for king, silver, chum, and pink salmon. If you live within the continental US, you can meet with local fish processors to have your catch sent to your home.  

• Taku Glacier Adventure (Juneau, Alaska) Explore Alaska’s Taku Glacier – the largest and only advancing glacier on the Juneau Icefield. This tour is ideal for small groups, and presents an opportunity to visit a remote, helicopter only location – a place few visitors get to experience. During this excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to explore an ancient landscape, taste the purity of the water from glacier streams, and fly in a helicopter over the Taku Glacier and numerous others.  

• Haines Photo Tour (Haines, Alaska) Create your own souvenirs of your Windstar Alaskan cruise by participating in the photo tour of Haines, Alaska. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to photograph the mesmerizing scenery of the Chilkat Valley with an expert photography guide to help you capture the best shots of the natural wonders. May, June, and July will feature wildflowers and bald eagles. In August, pink salmon begin their journey up the Chilkoot River to spawn, which is the best opportunity to see brown bears feeding along the river.  

• Discover Alaska Whales (Juneau, Alaska) Alaska’s waters have one of the highest concentrations of humpback whales and this excursion is a perfect opportunity to see them up close! You’ll sail out on a research vessel where you are guaranteed to see a humpback whale. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in numerous science activities onboard and learn about whale research. You could also see orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, and porpoises! The experienced captains will slow down when a whale is spotted, giving you plenty of opportunity to snap a priceless photo!  

• Cruise the Kenai Fjords (Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska) The Kenai Fjords may be Alaska’s smallest national park, but it’s large in allure. Most cruise lines can’t visit the Kenai Fjords but when you sail with Windstar, you’ll see it up close. The Kenai Fjords has a breathtaking arctic landscape, carved by glaciers, and is home to many marine animals and other wildlife. This is where you’ll make the memories that will last you a lifetime. Take advantage of Windstar’s unique opportunity to see one of Alaska’s most captivating areas.  

• Totems Poles in the Salmon Capital (Ketchikan, Alaska) Ketchikan, Alaska features several standing totem poles scattered throughout the parks and city, including several at Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, Saxman Totem Park and the Totem Heritage Center. Admire the bright colors and detailed etchings before making your way to the shops and cafes along Creek Street, built upon a boardwalk overlooking Ketchikan Creek.  

Top 10 Windstar Cruises Alaska Cruises

Windstar cruises alaska departure ports.

Learn more about the various departure ports for an Alaska cruise with Windstar Cruises. Your specialty Windstar Alaska cruise could embark from any of the following departure ports:

Photo Gallery for Windstar Cruises Alaska Cruises

Check out our image gallery of Alaska cruising photos for Windstar Cruises. Remember, this is only a small sample of the beauty waiting for you on a Windstar Cruises Alaska cruise vacation.

Humpback Whale in Alaska

Harbor Seals in Alaska

Bear Catching Salmon in Alaska

Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska

Totems in Ketchikan, Alaska

Killers Whales in Alaska

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Windstar Cruises ship

Where can you go on a Windstar Cruises ship? A surprising number of places, given the line's small size. Despite having just six vessels, the upscale line operates voyages to a wide range of destinations around the world, from North America and Europe to French Polynesia.

Among all the Windstar cruise destinations, Europe might be the most popular. As is often the case with higher-end lines, Windstar has a particularly large footprint when it comes to Europe itineraries. Nearly half of the 534 voyages currently on its schedule for 2024 focus on either the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. In a typical year, the line will deploy five of its six ships to Europe for at least part of the year.

Windstar also typically deploys at least one of its vessels year-round to Tahiti for sailings around the islands of French Polynesia. It's a particular specialty of the line.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

In the winter, at least two and sometimes three Windstar vessels will move to the warm waters of the Caribbean, another area of focus. In addition to classic Caribbean sailings, those vessels also often do sailings through the Panama Canal, another specialty of the line.

Currently, Windstar's itinerary lineup offers sailings as short as six nights and as long as 55 nights. The company generally doesn't do short sailings of just three or four nights, unlike big-ship lines.

Here, a look at TPG's picks for the five best destinations you can visit on a Windstar Cruises ship.

Mediterranean

Of all the places that Windstar ships sail, none gets as much focus from the line as the Mediterranean . As of the publishing of this story, a whopping 212 of the 534 voyages on the line's schedule for the coming year included calls in the region. That's 40% of all Windstar itineraries.

The Mediterranean trips offer a wide range of port stops and vary greatly in length. There is everything from relatively short, seven-night sailings around the sunny Greek islands to 23-day voyages that span a good chunk of the Mediterranean from Montenegro and Croatia to the far western coast of Spain.

Windstar features voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or the Eastern portion and voyages that include days traveling beyond the edges of the Mediterranean to such places as the Canary Islands.

Typical of the latter is the line's epic, 18-night "Star Collector: Canaries, Casablanca and the Costa del Sol" routing. It's a one-way trip between Barcelona and the Canary Islands with a mix of stops in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands. It's a deep exploration into the western side of Europe and North Africa.

Related: The best Mediterranean cruise for every type of traveler

Some of Windstar's Mediterranean itineraries also include a visit to Israel, although port stops in Israel have been canceled for the next few months due to the war between Israel and Hamas. For now, Israel remains on itineraries scheduled to depart in April 2024 and beyond.

Typical of the line's more focused, quickie Mediterranean itineraries are its eight-night "Myths and Marvels of the Aegean" routing out of Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens) that concentrates on the islands of Greece and Turkey with seven stops in the countries.

In the Mediterranean, the line's main hubs are Piraeus, Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Barcelona.

Windstar has been one of the leaders in a trend that has swept the cruise world in the past decade: cruises that focus solely on Iceland.

In 2016, Windstar became the first traditional cruise brand to operate complete circumnavigations of the Kentucky-size island nation, joining a handful of expedition-style cruise operators such as Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten that were starting to add Iceland circlings.

And while other cruise brands including Ponant and Scenic Luxury Cruises have since followed Windstar in offering voyages that take in every corner of Iceland, Windstar remains one of the biggest players in the market with regular summer sailings.

In a typical year, Windstar will offer seven-night circlings of Iceland every week from June through late August.

The trips begin and end in Reykjavik, Iceland's main city and capital. The ship will sail in a counterclockwise direction around the country with stops at some of Iceland's most remote areas. It's a chance to see the full range of Iceland's famously striking geothermal fields of geysers and fumaroles, mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls without having to navigate the ring road that circles the country. And it includes stops in some of Iceland's smallest and quirkiest towns.

In 2024, the 312-passenger Star Pride will call on places like Heimaey Island, where passengers see the frozen-in-place lava flows of a famous 1973 eruption that covered a third of the town.

Another call at little-visited Grundarfjordur, along the remote Snæfellsnes Peninsula, offers the chance to hike onto the glacier atop nearby Snæfellsjökull volcano, the setting for Jules Verne's 19th-century classic "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

Other stops include Akureyri, the gateway to the geothermal fields of of Hverir and their bubbling mud pots and whistling steam vents.

French Polynesia

Windstar has been a longtime leader in French Polynesia cruises, too, operating in the region for 37 years. In fact, it's one of just two traditional cruise lines that dominate the market for French Polynesia voyages — the other being one-ship line Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Like Paul Gauguin Cruises, Windstar offers French Polynesia sailings year-round out of Papeete, Tahiti, the main hub for the region. Ranging from seven to 18 nights, the trips take in such iconic French Polynesian islands as Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahaa and Huahine. They appeal heavily to couples looking for a romantic getaway.

For many years, Windstar has used one of its sailing ships, the 148-passenger Wind Spirit, for its French Polynesia sailings. But in early 2024, it replaced that vessel in the region with one of its bigger motor-powered vessels, the 312-passenger Star Breeze.

The redeployment more than doubles Windstar's capacity in the region, a sign of just how popular these trips have become.

The voyages offer a large amount of time in each of the islands that are visited, thanks to the short distances between them. In most cases, the ship travels between the islands overnight and ties up or anchors in a new stunning bay each morning.

As is typical for French Polynesian trips, whether on land or water, days are spent exploring sandy tropical beaches, swimming and snorkeling in ridiculously clear water and visiting cultural attractions. You'll have a chance to visit the sites where locals harvest the cultured black pearls that account for more than half of French Polynesia's exports.

Diving is also a big draw on these trips. It's a top excursion during calls at the islands of Raiatea and Bora Bora. Snorkeling with stingrays and joining a marine biologist in search of dolphins and whales are other popular excursions.

Like many upscale cruise brands operating smaller ships, Windstar doesn't focus on Caribbean cruises . The Caribbean is more the domain of such big-ship cruise giants as Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean . Still, Windstar typically sends at least two of its six vessels to the Caribbean every winter to operate warm-weather-focused getaways to lesser-visited Caribbean ports — usually one of its motor-powered vessels and one of its wind-powered sailing vessels.

For 2024, Windstar's two main vessels in the Caribbean will be the 312-passenger Star Pride, a motor-powered vessel, and the 342-passenger Wind Surf, a sailing vessel. One other Windstar sailing ship, the 148-passenger Wind Spirit, will also make an occasional appearance in the region.

For the most part, WIndstar's lineup of Caribbean cruises is focused on round-trip, seven-night sailings out of St. Martin or Barbados.

When sailing out of St. Martin, the voyages typically include stops in St. Barts, Antigua, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. When sailing out of Barbados, the ships will call at more southerly Caribbean islands such as St. Lucia and the Grenadines.

For 2024, most of the line's sailings out of St. Martin will take place in the first part of the year, while the Barbados-based sailings will come at the end of the year.

Related: The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler

In addition, the line also sometimes offers Caribbean sailings out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with calls in St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin), Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and the Grenadines.

At times, the line will run back-to-back seven-night sailings in the Caribbean with different itineraries. The two trips can be paired to create a longer, 14-night voyage with few repeating ports.

Panama Canal

In addition to Caribbean trips, Windstar is known for a large number of sailings that begin in the Caribbean and end in the Pacific, or vice versa — voyages that involve a transit between the two regions via the Panama Canal.

Such trips offer travelers a chance to see the marvel of modern engineering that is the 48-mile-long Panama Canal up close. An entire day is spent traveling through the canal, including transits of the locks found at each end.

As is the case with many Panama Canal cruises, passengers on Windstar canal cruises also get a second chance to experience the canal the day before or after the transit when their ship docks at one side or the other of the canal. Shore excursions will take them to the locks for an up-close view of the lock chambers that their ship will navigate the next day (or passed through the previous day).

In a typical year, Windstar will offer as many as two departures a week through the Panama Canal from late November through the end of March. It typically has two of its six vessels operating such journeys in winter — one sailing ship and one motor ship.

Related: The best time to cruise the Panama Canal

The trips all are one-way, starting in either Aruba in the Caribbean or the port of Balboa on the Pacific side of Panama.

In addition to the experience of traveling through and visiting the canal, the Pacific-bound sailings visit Colombia, Costa Rica and the Caribbean side of Panama.

The Caribbean-bound sailings bring calls along the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama.

Bottom line

Windstar is a relatively small cruise line with just six ships, but its ships visit a wide array of cruise destinations. The line is known for regularly moving its vessels around the world to offer a diverse lineup of itineraries everywhere from North America and Europe to French Polynesia.

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