Santana Adventures is proud to announce that we have chartered Windstar’s brand-new all-suite Star Seeker for our 2027 Japan Cycling Cruise!
The Star Seeker is an ALL-SUITES yacht! The smallest suite is twice as large as staterooms found on other new cruise ships.
The Star Seeker has 17 different suite categories which provide plenty of options to suit every preference.
Every suite has an exterior view, and over 90% of the suites have either a balcony or floor-to-ceiling “infinity” windows.
All staterooms have independently controlled thermostats, sound proofing, flat-screen tv, mini-fridge, and resort-style bathrooms.
Owner’s Suite
Star Suite
Deluxe Suite
Veranda Suite
Infinity Suite
Ocean View Suite
The Star Seeker has a 1:1.5 crew-to-passenger ratio to provide award winning service.
Amphora Restaurant
The all-new Basil & Bamboo Restaurant
4 gourmet restaurants provide a variety of fresh culinary options — in addition to 24-hour complimentary room service!
Santana has worked with Windstar since 2010. With this win-win relationship, Santana obtains the lowest pricing and best availability. Their yacht-sized fleet allows Santana’s charters to use small ports that are better suited for cycling. We’ve now worked with Windstar to create custom-for-cycling itineraries in the Mediterranean, Tahiti, British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the Baltic Sea, and Japan!
The Yacht Club & Yacht Club Cafe
Santana and our participants love the intimate size of Windstar’s yachts, as does the cruising public and industry critics. Year after year, Windstar wins all the major awards for small ship cruising, and scores the highest return-client loyalty.
The Main Lounge
The Star Seeker is Windstar’s newest yacht, so new in fact that it won’t be in the water until December 2025. We are ecstatic to be one of the first to charter this incredible new small cruise ship, and we know you’ll share our enthusiasm about all of the brand-new five-star amenities.
Japan 2027 #2
Osaka to Tokyo
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the exact dates?
A: The Cruise Dates are April 20 to 30, 2027. An April scouting trip opened our eyes to the wonderment of Japan’s showcase season, Hanami (cherry blossom season). When we reached out to Windstar to plan our Japan charter for 2027, we hand selected one of the final weeks of Hanami for the warmest possible weather. An additional consideration was avoiding the heat, humidity, and typhoons that arrive in July and continue through October. We’re proud to have arranged the perfect dates!
Q: What’s the cost?
A: Due to Santana’s friendship with WindStar, our per-person pricing for this 11-day event on the brand-new all-suites Star Seeker in Japan starts at $8,299. Premium suite categories cost more. Booking early is easy and RISK FREE. Our reservations page shows pricing of available staterooms.
Q: What about tipping?
A: Santana’s team doesn’t accept tips. Included in our “total price fares” are a cruise extras fee, port taxes, and shipboard gratuities for the ships crew. The comprehensive “cruise extras” fee includes a long list of off-ship activities, tours, admissions, interpretive guides, site fees, non-rider touring coach, and ride support (gps route files and a pair of SOS vans driven by pro mechanics). Shipboard gratuities include wash & fold laundry and valet bike handling.
Q: All Suites?!
A: Every stateroom is an exterior suite. About 90% have balconies and/or floor-to-ceiling “infinity” windows. Pricing varies by location and floor plan (see the Stateroom Reservations section below for pricing details).
Q: Are there differences between the suites?
A: Certainly. The Star Seeker features deluxe bedding and spacious floor plans. The suites have a private bathroom with a double-vanity & double-sinks, air-conditioning with adjustable thermostat, and are soundproofed. All Star Seeker staterooms are located on the exterior, and offer exquisite views or balconies.
Q: How are suites assigned?
A: In any sub-category all rooms are virtually identical. Using the reservation timestamp, those who reserve earliest get the conveniently located staterooms closest to the heart of the ship. If friends desire a pair of adjacent staterooms the timestamp of the first reservation determines the location of both rooms. Out of fairness to all our guests, we will not take requests for specific room numbers. Those who book early obtain prime positioning.
Q: Are rental bikes available? Are e-bike rentals available?
A: Yes. If you own a nice bike that fits, however, bringing it with you is relatively easy and inexpensive. More info on this in Bill’s Travel Tips. Lightweight road bike rentals are about $550 per-person for the duration of the cruise, and E-Bike rentals are about $200 more. Bike rentals include delivery on embark day and retrieval at the end of the final ride. More info on our “Welcome Aboard” page.
Q: How do we get to and from the tour?
A: Detailed info by May ’26. Those who arrive and leave on select days will receive FREE Airport transfers.
Q: How many miles each day?
A: In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or reaching prime attractions via Santana’s non-rider touring coach), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 35 flat miles will be able to enjoy multiple days of easy cycling. Longer routes are available, and typically allow 60 or more miles. Our welcome aboard page has more info on mileage. At each morning’s breakfast you’ll get a map charting the day’s cycling routes and recommended stops. During a brief route talk you’ll hear about each route’s attractions. Santana’s vets have learned to love and rely on their handlebar-mounted GPS units. Available for less than $170, these touch-screen marvels prevent the age-old problem of getting lost or riding unplanned miles. Would you rather use your smartphone? Use the tips in our GPS Guide to make sure you’re ready to go. Santana supplies free electronic mapping and route files. Simply select the route and follow the highlighted map.
Q: What’s the next step?
A: A near-immediate sell-out of this event is anticipated. Early-in pricing is limited to the first few rooms in each category. Pricing listed on the Stateroom Reservations section is the current pricing. Refresh your browser to see any changes that may have occurred if you delay booking after loading this page. To lock-in availability and the lowest pricing on a RISK-FREE basis, reserve your space through our Online Reservations portal. Santana’s secure website is open 24 hours per day, accepts all major credit cards, and automatically adjusts for remaining stateroom availability. Reserving your spot is RISK-FREE. In each category the prime location staterooms will be assigned in the same order as the time stamp of your booking.
Q: What do you mean by RISK-FREE?
A: When you use your credit card and book through our website, we’ll give you 14 risk-free days to think it over and clear your schedule. If you change your mind, send an email to Cancellations@SantanaAdventures.com within two weeks to cancel the transaction and obtain a full refund. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: What if we change our minds after 14 days?
A: Because full-boat charters are binding, non-cancelable contracts, Jan and I will only enter into this charter based on your confirmed-through-payment commitment. In effect, we undertake a huge risk by guaranteeing full payment on your behalf. After entering into this obligation, we cannot afford for you to back out—for any reason. This is no different than the clear written policy that existed for all except one of Santana’s prior chartered-ship cruises (this charter will be our 109th!). While preparing for our 2009 Danube event I neglected to include the following proviso. That’s the year a group of friends, after verbally agreeing to pay in full and then stringing Jan along for many months, decided to cancel their plans. Lesson learned! Here it is (again) in writing:
Santana’s acceptance of your registration and non-refundable deposit for this event is subsequent to your agreement to pay the remaining balance in full. While Santana allows limited refunds on rallies and tours, Santana’s cruises are non-cancelable and non-transferable. When the possibility of paying yet not attending is unacceptable, Jan and I recommend Travel Guard trip insurance. For the past 25 years hundreds of our clients have relied on Travel Guard coverage without complaint. An informative application will be mailed with your invoice; and further information is available online. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: Have you ever relaxed your refund policy?
A: Jan and I have willingly resold a number of fully prepaid staterooms for a fee of $1,000 per stateroom—which is waived when vacating participants find someone to take their place. When there has been more than one pending resell request, those who paid-in-full earliest had their space resold next. Using this non-guaranteed method (which is grossly inferior to trip insurance) Jan and I have cheerfully refunded over $700,000 in otherwise non-refundable and non-transferable cruise fares. Here is a full listing of Santana Adventures’ Terms & Conditions.
Q: What’s the difference between a SAG-wagon and Santana’s SOS/treasure vans?
A: Most tour companies use SAG-wagons that haul luggage and “sweep” the route between overnight stops. The drivers refill water-bottles, fix flat tires, and retrieve riders who can’t manage the easiest route between the widely spaced hotels. The problem, of course, is that the roving vans tend to be annoying until you actually need help. At that point it’s common to wait for two or more hours until one shows up. Although SAG drivers can fix a flat, they don’t have the tools or know-how to handle serious mechanical problems. Instead, they drive you to a bike shop (which explains why SAG-wagons disappear for hours at a time). This tour’s SOS vans are driven by pro bike mechanics who bring tools and spares. When you phone our drivers with the coordinates from your GPS, they’ll arrive in a flash to get you back in the saddle. Because Santana expects participants to fill their own bottles, fix their own flats, and choose a ride they can finish, our SOS drivers are underworked, and have time to retrieve your shopping treasures.
Q: Are beverages included?
A: Normally extra, on Santana’s Japan charter a glass of beer or wine are included at our evening route talk. Additional alcohol is not included, but can be charged to your room. Soft drinks, coffee, espresso drinks, and juice are always complementary.
Q: Which meals are included?
A: During Santana’s earlier charters of Windstar cruises the culinary staff appreciated our appetites as much as we appreciated their multi-course gourmet meals. A 5-star chef will curate a new menu for each meal, and will always include a surprising selection of local fruits and produce, regional specialties, the freshest-possible seafood, vegetarian options, and grilled-to-order meats. A changing assortment of desserts and pastries are produced aboard each day. Breakfast and Lunch are served nouvo-buffet style, perfect for active cyclists. Dinners are served by knowledgeable and attentive waiters who can help you to make choices from each evening’s delightful menu of gourmet selections.
Q: Does the Star Seeker offer laundry service?
A: The Star Seeker does offer an optional laundry service for your cycling wear. Additionally, Windstar’s experts have always taken great care of our expensive cycling wear.
Q: Does the Star Seeker have WiFi?
A: Satellite based WiFi is available at extra cost.
Q: Will there be menu selections for vegetarians, vegans and picky eaters?
A: Yes to all of the above.
Q: Does the Star Seeker have Room Service?
A: Yes, all food served on board is complimentary, including 24-hour room service.
Q: Does the Star Seeker have Elevators?
A: Yes.
Q: What if we have more questions?
A: The quickest and easiest way to get help is to use Santana’s Contact Form. One of our team members will follow up with you as soon as possible.
Japan 2027 #2
Osaka to Tokyo
Suite Reservations
April 20 to 30, 2027
Deck Plan
— Click on the Deck Plan above to see a larger version —
Floor Plans
