Cruise Ship
Asia | Windstar Cruises - Star Breeze
Departure Dates:
2020: September 10, 20, October 1, 11 | 2021: April 9, 19, May 20
Ports of Call:
Osaka; Takamatsu; Hiroshima; Karatsu; Busan; Hashima Island; Sasebo; Yakushima; Shingu; Shimizu; Tokyo
General Info:
Layer after layer, Japan's story unfolds. In Edo-period gardens with their perfectly sculpted karikomi. In Chiran's exquisitely preserved samurai homes. In the peace memorials of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. And time after time you struggle to describe unforgettable moments, from your first view of Mount Fuji to the fluttering paper cranes of peace at Hiroshima's Atomic Dome.
TYPE OF VESSEL
With only 212 guests, you begin to feel like it's 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 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. Star Breeze is large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can't reach.
ITINERARY
Day 1 | Osaka, Japan: Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers.
Day 2 | Takamatsu, Japan: The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island's rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan's scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.
Day 3 | Hiroshima, Japan: Largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II, Hiroshima today is a modern city on the island of Honshu. The Hiroshima Memorial Peace Arch, a UNESCO site commonly referred to as the Atomic Dome, commemorates the 1945 event. One feature is a colorful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wish for peace was told in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Also worth seeing is the Hiroshima Museum of Art displaying paintings from Monet, Van Gogh, Fujishima and Asai and the UNESCO red torii of Miyajima.
Day 4 | Karatsu, Japan: Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle's history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November.
Day 5 | Busan, South Korea: The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples. Also of interest is South Korea's largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues.
Day 6 | Scenic Cruising: Hashima Island: Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since. (Visibility depends on weather conditions.)
Day 6 | Sasebo, Japan: With its beautiful ocean scenery, seaside promenade, and bright friendly atmosphere, romantic Sasebo has some interesting attractions and is the gateway to Nagasaki. Nagasaki is notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during World War II. A must-see there is the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park, which houses a beautiful 30-foot-tall fountain symbolizing peace. Sasebo is part of the Saikai National Park, which consists of more than 400 islands and is valued for not only its lovely semi-tropical vegetation. Seishin Cathedral, a Neo-gothic church built in the 1930s is the symbol of Sasebo, which is the only Japanese city that uses a symbol of the Christian church as part of its flag.
Day 7 | Yakushima, Japan: Another delightful small port, Yakushima has been a UNESCO site since 1993. This sub-tropical island is covered with an extensive cedar forest with trees that are 7,000 years old. Wildlife here includes the Yakushima deer and snow monkeys. A special Japanese liquor of rice, barley, sweet potatoes and buckwheat is made here.
Day 9 | Shingu, Japan: For over 1,000 years pilgrims have traveled to the Kumano Region to pray at the three Sacred Kumano Shrines. In Shingu you can see the Hayatama Shrine and the Kamikura Shrine. Both of these shrines are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Kamikura Shrine sits on Mount Kamikurayama and requires climbing 538 steps to reach it.
Day 10 | Shimizu, Japan: Most notably known as the city you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from. This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan's largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea.
Day 11 | 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. Options include Amphora Restaurant, Candles, Compass Rose, Veranda, Yacht Club Cafe, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, Star Grill by Steven Raichlen, The Lounge and Star Bar.
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.
Garden and Green Tea
Takamatsu Highlights
Udon Noodle Making Experience and Garden
Hiroshima and Miyajima Full Day
Hiroshima Highlight Excursion
Miyajima Highlight Journey
Panoramic Hiroshima
Culture and Panorama of Karatsu
Karatsu Highlights
Karatsu Highlights with Castle
Tea Ceremony at Kinshoji Temple and View of Karatsu
Beautiful Harmony of Nature and Humanity in Busan
Busan City Highlights
Journey Back in Time, Gyeongju
Sea Breeze of Busan
Arita Porcelain Town
Best of Nagasaki
Scenic and Cultural Sasebo
Concierge Collection: Yakusugi Chopsticks Making Experience
Kiegensugi Ceder and Yakusugi Museum
Yakusughi Hike
Yakusugi Land Walking and Museum
Doro Gorge River Cruise
Kumano Kodo Full Day Excursion
Kumano Kodo Hiking Jouney
Oniga-jo Rocks and Shrines
Miho No Matsubara with Fresh Sashimi Lunch
Mount Fuji Cultural Experience
Mount Fuji Highlight
Sacred Toshogu and Nihondaira Ropeway
Half Day Tokyo Tour with Haneda Airport Transfer
Half Tokyo Day Tour with Transfer
STATEROOMS OR CABINS
Guests can enjoy amenities including a queen size bed with luxurious linens, a waffle weave robe and slippers, a flat-screen television with DVD player, a full stocked mini-bar and refrigerator, safety deposit box, direct dial phone, luxury bath amenities, Wi-Fi access, fresh flowers and fruit, granite vanity with makeup mirror, walk-in closet with ample drawer space, bathroom with granite countertop, full-size tub and a shower, and hairdryers.
Gracious Balcony and Oceanview Suites | Where stylish comfort and oceanviews 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 | 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 Forward |With 575-square-feet, your Owner's Suite offers separate living room and dining areas. A veranda, two flat-screen televisions and DVD players, and a full master bath and separate powder room indulge you in spacious comfort.
Star Category Suites | As soon as you walk through the door, you're greeted with an open living area for a more welcoming entrance. Drift off to sleep by the window in your queen bed as you watch the same stars that sailors used to navigate the seas hundreds of years ago.
Star Porthole Suites | These suites represent a nod to the sailing tradition of porthole windows. And while sailors might have had cramped quarters, your 277-square-foot stateroom is wonderfully spacious and furnished with all the modern amenities and comforts of home.
Owner's Suites Midship | A stunning brand new owner's suites with 820-square-feet of space featuring two-bedrooms and two-bathrooms, a verandah, and plenty of space in the sitting area for entertaining. This is the most sought after suite on the entire ship and once you stay here, you'll never stay anywhere else.
Grand Owner's Suites Midship | The Owner's Suite Midship combines with the adjoining suite for a three-bedroom and three-bath suite totaling 1,374-square-feet. Bring your friends and share the suite like a villa, or luxuriate with just the two of you for accommodations as unique as your travels. There's no other suite like this at sea.
SPA
WindSpa | 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.
OTHER INFO
Starting February 20, 2020, this all-suite ship will undergo a complete renovation to provide more of what guests love. New public areas, including a two new dining venues, a new spa, infinity pool, and fitness area. The ship also boasts all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout that would expand itself to carry 312 guests. With oceanviews and over 277-square-feet of comfort, Star Breeze is the perfect ship to watch glaciers and fjords drift by from the serenity of your suite.
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