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Tokyo

One of the places included in this itinerary.

Hakodate

Gaze down over Hakodate, from the heights of its namesake peak - Mount Hakodate - to see the city stretching out spectacularly, with back-to-back twin bays splitting the ocean. Hakodate port was one of the first to open Japan up to the world, and to international trade in 1859 - a fact reflected in the architecture, with its influences from the West and beyond. The port area is a redbrick wash of warehouses turned shopping malls, all observed by the onion domes of the city's Russian Orthodox church. View less Elsewhere, the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress glows with natural colours and a beautiful haze of cherry blossom during the season. Goryokaku Tower, which rises up beside it, offers a sweeping bird's eye view of the green fortress and mountain backdrop. Buses trundle up the 335-metre incline to the top of Mount Hakodate, but the best way to reach the views is to jump on the ropeway, which swings high above downtown's buildings, over a carpet of pine trees. Head up to the mountain's heights as sunset approaches. With darkness sweeping in, and the lights flickering to life, the panorama is one of Japan's most spectacular. Soak it all in, and look out to the horizon, dotted with the shimmering lights of ships hauling in harvests of the city's renowned squid. The plankton-rich waters attract a delicious variety of feasting sea life to Hakodate's coast, which is then plated up in the city's numerous, skilled restaurants. For an eye-opening, whirring morning, see the freshest produce being doled out at Hakodate Morning Market – amid a cacophony of noise and activity.

Kanazawa

Dive into feudal Japan! Fascinating Kanazawa is a real gem thanks to its elegant houses, the historic districts dedicated to pleasure, its proud white castle and the Kenrokuen garden. On an MSC cruise you will get to know this city, a much appreciated destination also for it handicrafts: the Kaga-Yuzen silk kimonos, Wajima's lacquer-ware and Kutani and Ohi ceramics are all exquisite. At the foot of the castle lies the district of Nagamachi, which you can visit on an excursion: the area preserves a historic atmosphere with its Samurai residences characterised by their "mud walls", private wooden entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals. Kenrokuen, the green area surrounding the castle, is a real discovery: ranked as one of the "three most beautiful landscaped gardens" in Japan alongside Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama. Its colours change depending on the season. Teambuoco Shima and Kaikaro theatres are the two chaya districts open to the public: these areas once hosted exclusive restaurants whose guests were entertained by Geishas. Shirakawa-Go was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 and is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri, some of which are more than 250 years old. That is wooden houses with steep thatched roofs, whose shape recalls the palms of the Buddhist monks joined together in prayer. In actual fact the roofs are designed to withstand the heavy snowfall during the winter.

Price tracking

Today’s fare, in context

Price history

Cheaper than 56%

30 days

Fare details

Price history by cabin type
Cabin	Current	Lowest	Highest
Inside	$2,424	$2,180 on Apr 16	$2,670 on Mar 25
Oceanview	$2,727	$2,456 on May 6	$3,153 on Mar 25
Balcony	$3,874	$3,280 on Jun 22	$4,081 on Aug 19
Suite	$5,484	$4,720 on Apr 16	$5,741 on Aug 21

○ = last seen (sold out or delisted). · Verified 13 hours ago.

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Cabin grades

Lines step when the price changed; a gap means sold out or no public fare that day. Plot up to 6 at once.

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $2,424

$121 / night

Fare rows

Interior Two Lower Beds

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,424

$121 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Oceanview

from $2,727

$136 / night

Fare rows

Oceanview Two Lower Beds (Obstructed View)

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,727

$136 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Balcony

from $3,874

$193 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Two Lower Beds

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,874

$193 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Suite

from $5,484

$274 / night

Fare rows

Mini Suite with Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,484

$274 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Prices verified Sep 1, 2026

The journey

20 nights, in order

Day by day

The full itinerary

21 scheduled calls

Your ship

Sapphire Princess

As you set your sights on the wonders of the world, let Sapphire Princess indulge your every whim. Over 700 balconies, world-class gourmet dining and dazzling entertainment options are just the beginning of your sea-going adventure. Dance the night away, enjoy casino gaming or relax and rejuvenate body and mind at the Lotus Spa.

5★ 115,875 GT 2,670 Passengers Built 2004

Sapphire Princess