27 Nights Star Collector - Alaska Crossing to Japan: Vancouver to Tokyo

Type of Vessel

With only 212 guests, a Star Legend cruise will make you feel like you're on board your own private yacht almost as soon as you step aboard. The sitting area of your spacious, suite gives you an expansive ocean view, making it a welcome retreat. When you're ready to make an appearance, the lounges, club, casino, screening room, and library are waiting to be explored. Take some "you" time in the tranquil WindSpa, enjoy a dip in the pool, work off that decadent dessert in the fitness center, and, of course, you are always welcome to visit the Bridge to examine navigation charts with the Captain.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Vancouver, BC, Canada: Vancouver’s location at the mouth of the Fraser River and on the waterways of the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and all their tributaries makes this busy seaport an easy place for meeting. It is one of Canada’s most populated, most ethnically diverse cities that is a popular filming location. Visit the interesting neighborhoods of Gastown, Granville Island and Chinatown. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge and stroll through Stanley Park. See the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museum of Anthropology. There is an amazing variety of things to see and do here.

Day 2 | Scenic Cruising Canadian Inside Passage: Today we cruise the fjords of Canada’s Inside Passage boasting centuries-old coastal rainforests, beaches, waterfalls and mountains. Over 25,000 miles of rugged coastline lie in Canada’s Inside Passage, joining Alaska’s 15,000 miles of inside waters and provides a safe and sheltered West Coast waterway transit. In this isolated wilderness look for coastal First Nations longhouses fronted with proud totems and a variety of marine life, from orcas and porpoises to some of the largest populations of bald eagles in the world.

Day 3 | Ketchikan, Alaska: Dubbed the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan is the southeastern-most town in Alaska and is home to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles that are found throughout the city and at four major locations: Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and the Totem Heritage Center. Other attractions of Ketchikan are Creek Street, a boardwalk road built on pilings over Ketchikan Creek and the Waterfront Promenade that skirts the bustling shoreline with inviting whale-tail benches to take in the view.

Day 4 | Scenic Cruising Misty Fjords, Alaska: Misty Fjords, with its gorgeous views of natural formations is a national monument and wilderness area with steep valleys formed by glaciers and lava flows. It is part of the Tongass National Forest and is about 40 miles east of Ketchikan along the Inside Passage. With its icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snowcapped peaks and glacial valleys literally everywhere you point your camera you will get a postcard picture, depending on the weather of course.

Day 5 | Wrangell, Alaska: One of the oldest towns in Alaska, Wrangell is located near the mouth of the Stikine River. Much of its history can be seen in the impressive collection of totems scattered throughout the town. Highlights here are the amazing Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park where you can find primitive rock carvings and just 30 miles away is the Anan Wildlife Observatory with the largest pink salmon runs in the Inside Passage, and a platform from which you can look for eagles, harbor seals and black bears.

Day 6 | Sitka, Alaska: Sitka is one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in Alaska, filled with rich Tlingit, Russian, and early American settler history. Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, the copper-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Pioneer Home and the Russian Bishop’s House. It contains 22 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is where the contract of sale was signed transferring Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Day 7 | Scenic Cruising Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm, Alaska: Stunningly beautiful Tracy Arm is a fjord 45 miles south of Juneau that actually consists of two deep and narrow fjords – Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Both fjords are over 30 miles long. At the end of Tracy Arm are the impressive twin Sawyer Glaciers. Wildlife in the area includes black and brown bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals and a variety of birds. What you'll be able to see today and how far we can travel up Tracy Arm is weather and ice dependent.

Day 8 | Haines, Alaska: Haines is one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports and one of the best places for hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, especially bald eagles. Within the Haines city limits Fort William H. Seward is a nationally recognized historic landmark, with some of its structures open to the public. Other cultural offerings in Haines include the Alaska Indian Arts Center where traditional craftsmen offer demonstrations of their work, the Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center where local Tlingit people are featured, the Hammer Museum, dedicated to the history of the hammer and the Tsirku Canning Company Museum with memories of Haines’ salmon canneries.

Day 9 | Juneau, Alaska: Located on the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle, Juneau sits at sea level below steep mountains between 3,500-4,000 feet high. Atop these mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass from which about 30 glaciers flow, and two of them – Mendenhall Glacier and Lemon Creek Glacier are visible from the local road. A unique feature of Juneau is that it is the only U.S. capital that has no roads connecting it to the rest of the state.

Day 10 | At Sea:

Day 11 | Scenic Cruising Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: Today is a day of wonder as you cruise the Kenai Fjords, Alaska’s smallest national park. Carved by glaciers flowing from the Harding Icefield to the sea, Kenai Fjords has a rugged arctic landscape and is a rich habitat for marine animals and other wildlife. Most cruise lines can’t go here so enjoy this unique opportunity. As with all Alaska, what you’ll be able to see is subject to weather and ice conditions.

Day 12 | Seward (Anchorage), Alaska: Seward, (Anchorage’s gateway) is sandwiched between the Kenai Mountains and the Kenai Fjords National Park. It is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities, with Mount Marathon rising majestically behind the town. Even though Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, it is also home to 1,500 moose, surrounded by national parks full of wildlife.

Day 13 | Homer, Alaska: Two hundred miles south of Anchorage and home of the Discovery Channel’s “The Last Frontier,” Homer is a small city on beautiful Kachemak Bay. The geological landform known as Homer Spit is the main attraction here. This 4.5-mile-strip of land with its variety of shops, art galleries, seafood restaurants and beaches was named one of the best 100 beaches in the U.S. Less than 10 miles from the Spit is Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park, the only designated wilderness park in Alaska. Homer is also known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World” and is the homeport for the Time Bandit of “Deadliest Catch” fame.

Day 14 | Kodiak, Alaska: Kodiak is noted as being one of the top three fishing ports in the country and home to over 650 boats. Alaska Marine ferries dock here and Kodiak is also home to the largest U.S. Coast Guard base. This renowned fishing destination offers a variety of sport fishing including halibut, rockfish, cod, trout and five species of salmon. But Kodiak is best known for the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and the over 3,500 brown bears residing there. Bear viewing is the main attraction and male bears weigh in between 800-1,500 pounds and stand over 10 feet tall. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park is the best place to learn about Kodiak’s WWII history.

Day 15 | At Sea

Day 16 | Sand Point, Alaska: Sand Point, located on Popof Island, is home to the largest fishing fleet of the Aleutian Islands. The area offers excellent halibut, pollock, salmon, and cod fishing and the city is characterized by its ability to be self-sufficient, with modern marine facilities and commercial fishing at the heart of its culture. More than half the population here is of Qagan Taygunguin Tribe descent. There is a wonderful network of hiking trails here, where a herd of bison can be found as well as many birds and marine mammals.

Day 17 | Dutch Harbor, Alaska: Unalaska, home to the port of Dutch Harbor, has been continuously occupied by Aleuts for about 9,000 years. It is the only deep water port in the Aleutians and the main delivery port for king crab as featured on the Discovery Channel’s “The Deadliest Catch” reality show. The island provides opportunities for many types of outdoor activities such as bird/wildlife watching, hiking, skiing, sport fishing, and kayaking. The museums here are full of interesting artifacts from archaeological digs and the impact of WWII in the Aleutians.

Day 18 & 19 | At Sea:

Day 20 | Crossing International Date Line: Cross the International Date Line, the imaginary line of navigation that runs down the middle of the Pacific Ocean from the North Pole to the South Pole roughly following the 180⁰ Longitude north-south line. The IDL was established in 1852 in Greenwich, England.

Day 21 – 24 | At Sea:

Day 25 | Kushiro, Japan: On the island of Hokkaido, Kushiro is home to Japan's largest marshland, the year-round home to endangered Japanese cranes. Highlights of Kushiro include the Fisherman's Wharf with its bustling marketplace and the Nausamai Bridge, one of the prettiest bridges of Japan. Our later stay here will afford you time to try the local seafood at the Fisherman's Wharf where you can grill your own seafood for a delightful local experience.

Day 26 | Miyako, Japan: Miyako is now starting to look like a city again. It has been rebuilding since the 2011 tsunami that devastated the city when it was hit with a 125-foot wave. Over 4,000 buildings were destroyed and over 900 fishing boats. Visit the rebuilt city whose highlights include the Jodogahama Beach, part of the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, nationally designated a "Place of Scenic Beauty."

Day 27 | At Sea

Day 28 | Tokyo, Japan: There are so many interesting things about Tokyo it is not possible to list them here and you will want to plan to extend your stay. This is the place for excellent and unlimited shopping choices and from where new fashion trends seem to spring. It offers excellent cuisine and has earned mention on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Even though Tokyo’s neon-lit streets make it seem modernistic, it also prides itself on retaining its shogun past, carrying on sumo tournaments and kabuki productions. Tokyo is also committed to providing green spaces in the city or on the outskirts, quickly reached by train.

Food and Dining

All meals in all venues at all times, including room service menu available 24 hours. All non-alcoholic beverages, including cappuccino, espresso, and other specialty non-alcoholic drinks are offered to guests. There is also a welcome cocktails reception as well.

Onboard Activities/Events

Guests are allowed unlimited access to use all water sports equipment and there is also on board entertainment. A casino, library/computer center, lounge, pool, whirlpool, and screening room are also available for guests at their leisure.

Shore Excursions

Explore beautiful landmarks throughout your journey with many highlighted excursions. Below are just a few of the many that you can experience on your voyage.

Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition
Island Heritage
Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest
Guides Choice Photography Discovery
Kelgaya Point Hiking Tour
Discover Alaska Whales
Cooking School at Tutka Bay
Japanese Crane Park & Museum
Scenic Miyako

Staterooms or Cabins

Guests can enjoy amenities including a queen size bed with luxurious linens, a waffle weave robe and slippers, a flat screen TV with DVD player, a full stocked minibar and refrigerator, safety deposit box, direct dial phone, luxury bath amenities, Wi Fi access, fresh flowers and fruit, granite vanity with makeup mirror, wake in closet with ample drawer space, bathroom with granite countertop, full size tub and a shower, and hairdryers.
Gracious Balcony and Ocean View Suites are where stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 277 square feet. Your queen bed, which can be separated as twins if you prefer, features luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Enjoy a luxurious soak in your full-size tub or an invigorating shower, then wrap up in your waffle-weave robe and slippers, savor a treat from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and enjoy the fresh flowers.
Classic Suites allow you to relax in 400 to 530 spacious square feet. Your living area offers beautiful views from the forward-facing window and French doors onto your private veranda. Two spacious closets give you plenty of room to unpack.
Owner’s Suites with 575 square feet, your Owner’s Suite offers separate living room and dining areas. A veranda, two flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and a full master bath and separate powder room indulge you in spacious comfort.

Spa

WindSpa is available to guests who wish to take time and relax after an adventurous day out exploring.

Fitness

There is a fitness center on board for guests who want to continue their workout while sailing.