Alaska Cruise

August 7–15, 2026

Join the Purdue President’s Council on a 8-night cruise exploring the Last Frontier! Sail from Vancouver to Juneau via the Inside Passage, and witness Alaska’s awe-inspiring glaciers, remarkable wildlife, historic gold rush towns, and rich native culture while sailing on the inaugural season of Windstar Cruises’ 224-guest, all-suite yacht Star Seeker.

Your participation supports the
President’s Council Enrichment Fund
Your travel-package registration fee includes support for ongoing adventures, events, and lifelong educational opportunities with the President’s Council family. As a part of your overall price, a $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund helps underwrite the involvement of Purdue educators and administrators to enhance your personal travel experiences—a benefit exclusive to Purdue President’s Council members.

Itinerary Highlights:

  • 8 nights cruising Alaska & the Inside Passage aboard the new Windstar Star Seeker during its inaugural season
  • Visit Ketchikan, “Salmon Capital of the World,” known for its historic boardwalk, totem poles, and outdoor adventures
  • Sail through Misty Fjords and see its dramatic cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls
  • A true Alaskan frontier town, Wrangell has a rich indigenous heritage and gold rush history
  • Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and Russian influence
  • Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, Haines is a gateway to Skagway and its White Pass & Yukon Railroad

President’s Council Package Includes:

  • President’s Council Welcome & Farewell Receptions
  • Open-seating dining in a choice of four dining venues, including a new specialty dining venue yet to be announced, and 24-hour room service
  • Non-alcoholic drinks including specialty coffees, soft drinks, and juices
  • Windstar’s Signature Expedition Team leading guided Zodiac and kayak tours
  • Brand new ship with watersports platform, full-service spa, lounges, fitness center, pool, pool bar, and hot tubs, plus onboard entertainment
  • Optional “All-In Package” for all-inclusive gratuities, Wi-Fi, and beverages including wine, beer, premium spirits, and mini-bar items
  • $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund
  • Purdue President’s Council and Global Tracks staff
  • $100 shipboard credit per person

Cruise Itinerary:

Friday, August 7, 2026 | Vancouver, Canada

Embark onboard the Windstar Star Seeker.

During our leisurely day at sea, enjoy the amenities of the Windstar Star Seeker.

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.

Tucked away in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Misty Fjords National Monument is a breathtaking natural wonder. Towering glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and untouched forests create a landscape that feels untouched by time. Visitors can discover hidden coves, ancient Native American rock carvings, and abundant wildlife like bears, bald eagles, and humpback whales.

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.

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.

During our leisurely day at sea, enjoy the amenities of the Windstar Star Seeker.

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.

Disembark the Star Seeker in Juneau.

President’s Council Rates:

Category & Deck Double
Per Person 		Single
Price
Window Suites
OV | Oceanview Suite | 203 sq. ft. | Deck 3 | Midship $ $
IN | Infinity Suite | 280 sq. ft. | Deck 5 | Aft $ $
IN1 | Infinity Suite | 280 sq. ft. | Deck 6 | Aft $ $
IN2 | Vista Infinity Suite | 280 sq. ft. | Deck 7 | Aft $ $
IN3 | Triple Infinity Suite | 301 sq. ft. | Deck 6 | Aft $ $
Veranda Suites
VS | Veranda Suite | 225 sq. ft. | Deck 5 | Forward $ $
VSS | Premier Veranda Suite | 225 sq. ft. | Deck 5 | Midship $ $
VS1 | Premier Veranda Suite | 225 sq. ft. | Deck 6 | Forward $ $
VS2 | Premier Veranda Suite | 225 sq. ft. | Deck 6 | Midship $ $
VS3 | Triple Premier Veranda Suite | 246 sq. ft. | Deck 6 | Midship $ $
VVB | Vista Veranda Suite | 268 sq. ft. | Deck 7 | Aft $ $
Premium Suites
DS | Deluxe Suite | 288 sq. ft. | Decks 5 & 6 | Midship $ $
CS | Classic Suite | 353 sq. ft. | Deck 5 | Midship $ $
CS2 | Star Suite | 380 sq. ft. | Decks 5 & 6 | Midship $ $
OW | Horizon Owner’s Suite | 548 sq. ft. | Deck 7 | Aft $ $

The opportunity to travel with President’s Council is an exclusive benefit of membership. Read how to become a President’s Council member or contact us to learn more.

Rates do not include port taxes of $46 per person.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.
Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by Windstar and subject to change.

Required Deposit: $x per person for double occupancy and $x for single occupancy and a non-refundable Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person

Final Payment: Wednesday, May 7, 2026

Save $250 per person for all Windstar Yacht Club Members (if you have previously cruised with Windstar)

Cancellation Schedule: Cancellation penalties apply once deposit is paid, so please review policy below.

Airfare is not included: Global Tracks will book your air arrangements for a $100 per person ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation.

Airport Transfers to and from the Windstar Star Seeker are not included and can be purchased from Windstar Cruises. The cost of the transfers are to be determined.

Passports: Passports are required for all guests and must be valid for six months after the end of the cruise, or February 15, 2027.

Global Tracks offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 15 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Onboard Laundry Service:
Windstar offers an unlimited laundry service package for $19 per day for two people based on double occupancy ($152 total) or $9.50 per day for single occupancy ($76 total).  The package can be pre-booked or added on the first day of your cruise.

You can also pay for laundry service as needed with individual articles of clothing ranging from $3 to $7 per item.  Windstar does not have self-service laundry facilities on board.

Booking Terms and Conditions:

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Travel insurance and airfare are non-refundable once purchased. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms. All cancellations are subject to the Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person paid at deposit in addition to the below schedule:

Cancellation & Penalty Schedule Penalty Applicable
From time of deposit until March 12, 2025 $250 per person penalty
From March 13, 2025 to May 11, 2025 50% of total package penalty
After May 11, 2025 100% of total package penalty

For more information or to book your suite, please contact Sheila!
Direct: 303-729-3543 or Toll-Free 800-989-1204
sheila@globaltracks.com or info@presidentscounciltravel.com

Global Tracks and the Purdue President’s Council are committed to providing you with exceptional cruise and travel experiences. However, there are circumstances beyond our control that may affect the operation of our travel programs.

We strongly recommend that all passengers purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Travel insurance can provide coverage in the event of trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, including those considered force majeure events. “Force Majeure” means any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Global Tracks and the Purdue President’s Council including, but without limitation, acts of God, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, acts of terrorism, government intervention, riots, strikes, civil disturbance, sickness, pandemics, quarantine, weather conditions, defects in machinery and vehicles, delay, wildlife, or other untoward occurrences.

While we make every effort to adhere to the advertised cruise itinerary, we and our partners reserve the right to modify, postpone, or cancel any part of the cruise without prior notice. Such changes are made with the safety and well-being of our passengers in mind. In the event of a cancellation due to a force majeure event, we will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.