9 Night Best Of Japan Holiday Cruise

The 9 Night Best Of Japan Holiday Cruise is a 9-night Asia cruise aboard Spectrum of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. Departing Hong Kong, China on December 20, 2026, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $1,550 per person.

Length: 9 nights
Departs: Dec 20, 2026
Returns: Dec 29, 2026
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 4

from $1,550

$172 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 20, 2026 Hong Kong, China Departs 17:00 A spectacular, serrated skyline of soaring towers and neon lights, Hong Kong is a vibrant, immersive metropolis and cultural hub. Dramatic harbour-front light shows transform the waterfront’s gleaming buildings into a colourful canvas – best seen from the Star Ferry, when the Symphony of Lights blares into life each evening. A city where future and tradition collides - perhaps best illustrated by the skyscrapers that feature gaping holes, designed to allow spirit dragons to soar from the hills to the waterfront unimpeded. View less Wander flowing shopping streets, wade through sprawling markets and soak up the neon glory of this one-of-a-kind city - which continues to reach for the sky. Hong Kong's dense jumble of activity is one of its main appeals, but once you've felt the thrill of rising to towering observation decks, to see the soaring city from above, it's surprisingly easy to find peace among Hong Kong's intense urban wonders. Victoria Peak is the highest point and it offers staggering views down over the city and harbour. The Peak Tram funicular can ferry you to the top, to the vantage point which was historically adored by the rich for the cooler air found here, away from the busy bustle of the city streets. Many elaborate temples add a tranquil element to Hong Kong’s whirr, and Tin Hau temple has a surprisingly urban location, considering its dedication to the Goddess of the Sea. It did once occupy the shorefront, but the city's growth saw land reclaimed from the sea around it, leaving the temple marooned inland. Having been leased to the British for 99 years, milky tea is a revered tradition here - enjoy your cup with a serving of local dim sum.While it's easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today's Hong Kong, you need only walk or board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese but no less high-energy. You'll discover the real Hong Kong to the east of Central, too, in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and—depending on fate and the horse you wager on—one of Hong Kong's luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse. Kowloon sprawls across a generous swath of the Chinese mainland across Victoria Harbour from Central. Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, is packed with glitzy shops, first-rate museums, and eye-popping views of the skyline across the water. Just to the north are the teeming market streets of Mong Kok and in the dense residential neighborhoods beyond, two of Hong Kong's most enchanting spiritual sights, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery. As you navigate this huge metropolis (easy to do on the excellent transportation network), keep in mind that streets are usually numbered odd on one side, even on the other. There's no baseline for street numbers and no block-based numbering system, but street signs indicate building numbers for any given block. Hong Kong, China port guide Search cruises visiting Hong Kong, China

Day 4 Dec 23, 2026 Fukuoka 07:00 – 18:45 11.8 hrs ashore Kyushu’s largest city, Fukuoka is one of the most likeable places in Japan – indeed, despite the fact that it’s not exactly a household name abroad, it regularly pops up on global best-places-to-live lists. While it boasts few actual sights, there’s a certain Kyushu-style joie de vivre here, best exemplified at the umpteen rustic street-side yatai, where locals slurp happily away on their ramen while knocking back beer, sake or whatever takes their fancy. Until recently, the city was an industrial nonentity, notable only for its transport connections to Korea and the rest of the island, but its renaissance has been remarkable. When you are cruising the Pacific Ocean with MSC Cruises you’ll find that Fukuoka is a squeaky-clean metropolis; it deserves a day of any cruiser’s time. Highlights here include one or two excellent museums and ranks of eye-catching modern architecture – most notable in the latter category are Canal City, a self-contained cinema, hotel and shopping complex built around a semi-circular strip of water, and Hawks Town, which forms part of a major seafront redevelopment incorporating venues for shopping, eating and entertainment. If you feel like something more educational during your MSC Grand Voyages cruise, head for Fukuoka renowned festivals and folk crafts, which are presented at Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. As with any self-respecting Japanese city of this size, Fukuoka maintains a lively entertainment district, in this case crammed onto the tiny island of Nakasu, though it’s safer on the wallet to head for the less glitzy bars and restaurants of Tenjin, the city’s main downtown area. There are also a couple of excellent sights just south of Fukuoka: the ancient temple town of Dazaifu, once the seat of government for all of southern Japan, but now a pleasant backwater best known for its collection of temples and shrines; and the healing waters of nearby Futsukaichi Onsen. Fukuoka port guide Search cruises visiting Fukuoka

Day 5 Dec 24, 2026 Nagasaki 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore In Japan’s third-largest island – Kyushu – an MSC cruise will help you discover the city of Nagasaki. Gathered in the tucks and crevices of steep hills rising from a long, narrow harbour, and spreading its tentacles along several tributary valleys, Nagasaki is one of Japan’s more picturesque cities, and one of the most popular with international visitors. This appeal is furthered by an easy-going attitude and an unusually cosmopolitan culture, resulting from over two centuries of contact with foreigners when the rest of Japan was all but closed to the world. On an excursion you can visit GloverGarden, as well as offering some of Nagasaki’s best views, it features seven late nineteenth-century, European-style buildings, each typically colonial with wide verandas, louvred shutters and high-ceilinged, spacious rooms. The houses also contain odds and ends of furniture and evocative photos of the pioneering inhabitants they once housed. The best approach is to take the“SkyRoad”up to the garden’s upper entrance and work down. Glover’s house, the oldest Western-style building in Japan, is worth a look around, as are those formerly belonging to Frederick Ringer, founder of the Nagasaki Press, and tea merchant William Alt. The exit from Glover Garden takes you through the Museum of Traditional Performing Arts, which displays the beautifully fashioned floats and other paraphernalia used during the Kunchi festivities. Nagasaki is not short of good viewpoints, but none can compare with the spectacular panorama from Inasa-yama, a 333m-high hill to the west of the city. A ropeway, or cable-car, whisks you up there in just five minutes. From the top, you get stunning views of the contorted local coastline, as well as the confetti of nearby islands and islets. Nagasaki port guide Search cruises visiting Nagasaki

Nagasaki photo — Day 5 Dec 24, 2026 Nagasaki 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore In Japan’s third-largest island – Kyushu – an MSC cruise will help you discover the city of Nagasaki. Gathered in the tucks and crevices of steep hills rising from a long, narrow harbour, and spreading its tentacles along several tributary valleys, Nagasaki is one of Japan’s more picturesque cities, and one of the most popular with international visitors. This appeal is furthered by an easy-going attitude and an unusually cosmopolitan culture, resulting from over two centuries of contact with foreigners when the rest of Japan was all but closed to the world. On an excursion you can visit GloverGarden, as well as offering some of Nagasaki’s best views, it features seven late nineteenth-century, European-style buildings, each typically colonial with wide verandas, louvred shutters and high-ceilinged, spacious rooms. The houses also contain odds and ends of furniture and evocative photos of the pioneering inhabitants they once housed. The best approach is to take the“SkyRoad”up to the garden’s upper entrance and work down. Glover’s house, the oldest Western-style building in Japan, is worth a look around, as are those formerly belonging to Frederick Ringer, founder of the Nagasaki Press, and tea merchant William Alt. The exit from Glover Garden takes you through the Museum of Traditional Performing Arts, which displays the beautifully fashioned floats and other paraphernalia used during the Kunchi festivities. Nagasaki is not short of good viewpoints, but none can compare with the spectacular panorama from Inasa-yama, a 333m-high hill to the west of the city. A ropeway, or cable-car, whisks you up there in just five minutes. From the top, you get stunning views of the contorted local coastline, as well as the confetti of nearby islands and islets. Nagasaki port guide Search cruises visiting Nagasaki

Day 6 Dec 25, 2026 Kagoshima 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore One of Japan's most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano's cone – a legendary active volcano that broods, churns and puffs out ash nearby. A pretty old-time ferry chugs across the still waters to the gently sloping foothills of the volcano's cone, and it's easy to imagine where the comparisons with its sister city Naples materialised, as you sail the glorious sweeping Kinko Bay, below beaming sunshine, towards the immense volcanic spectacle. View less This is certainly no historic relic, and the volcano remains revered and feared, with the most dramatic recent eruption taking place in 1914, and spewing out a new bridge of land into the sea. Make the most of the geothermal activity in the area by indulging in a stress-simmering black sand bath. Incredibly relaxing, you'll be submerged in the warm sand, as you feel your muscles relaxing in the heat, and rejuvenating blood pumping around your body. Enjoy a privileged view of the iconic volcano's loom from the terraced garden of Senganen Garden. Built in 1658, this elegant, traditional garden has belonged to the Shimadzu family for 350 years. Wander the gardens - which bloom with Japan's renowned cherry tree blossoms and feature tiny bridges looping over ponds and rock pools - before sitting back and sipping a wholesome green matcha latte. Elsewhere, museums offer Feudal Era and Satsuma Province history, as well as insights into the Kamikaze squadrons of World War II. Lake Ikeda is also close by, so be sure to keep an eye out for the legendary Issie monster. Kagoshima port guide Search cruises visiting Kagoshima

Kagoshima photo — Day 6 Dec 25, 2026 Kagoshima 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore One of Japan's most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano's cone – a legendary active volcano that broods, churns and puffs out ash nearby. A pretty old-time ferry chugs across the still waters to the gently sloping foothills of the volcano's cone, and it's easy to imagine where the comparisons with its sister city Naples materialised, as you sail the glorious sweeping Kinko Bay, below beaming sunshine, towards the immense volcanic spectacle. View less This is certainly no historic relic, and the volcano remains revered and feared, with the most dramatic recent eruption taking place in 1914, and spewing out a new bridge of land into the sea. Make the most of the geothermal activity in the area by indulging in a stress-simmering black sand bath. Incredibly relaxing, you'll be submerged in the warm sand, as you feel your muscles relaxing in the heat, and rejuvenating blood pumping around your body. Enjoy a privileged view of the iconic volcano's loom from the terraced garden of Senganen Garden. Built in 1658, this elegant, traditional garden has belonged to the Shimadzu family for 350 years. Wander the gardens - which bloom with Japan's renowned cherry tree blossoms and feature tiny bridges looping over ponds and rock pools - before sitting back and sipping a wholesome green matcha latte. Elsewhere, museums offer Feudal Era and Satsuma Province history, as well as insights into the Kamikaze squadrons of World War II. Lake Ikeda is also close by, so be sure to keep an eye out for the legendary Issie monster. Kagoshima port guide Search cruises visiting Kagoshima

Day 7 Dec 26, 2026 Kumamoto 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore Kumamoto City offers insight into both Japan's samurai past and its modern-day love of kawaii cuteness. Check out the city's old downtown area dominated by Kumamoto Castle, a reconstruction of the fortress from which samurai lords ruled their domain. Cruise to Kumamoto and walk alongside the Shirakawa River past traditional Japanese gardens the homes of prominent 19th- and 20th-century writers — pop into the former residence of Lafcadio Hearn, one of the first Western writers to settle in Japan. Then, see ancient and modern art and relax in the calming stone garden at the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, or head to Musashizuka Park to see the tomb and statue of famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 86-day span: $1,550 · range $1,550–$1,980

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,550

$172 / night

Fare rows

Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,550

$172 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,576

$175 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,576

$175 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,588

$176 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,642

$182 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $1,747

$194 / night

Fare rows

Ocean View Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,747

$194 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,772

$196 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,840

$204 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $1,870

$207 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,870

$207 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Obstructed Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,895

$210 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Obstructed Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,921

$213 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Oceanview Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,092

$232 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,092

$232 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,105

$233 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,118

$235 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,118

$235 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,142

$238 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,167

$240 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,167

$240 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,233

$248 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,241

$249 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,746

$971 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $3,734

$414 / night

Fare rows

Suite - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,734

$414 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Silver Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,954

$439 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Silver Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,513

$501 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,232

$1,248 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,402

$1,600 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,778

$1,642 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 22, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Royal Caribbean and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 40 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Ocean View with Large Balcony	1C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	1D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	1E	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	2C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	2D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	2E	Balcony
Studio Ocean View Balcony	2F	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	3C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	3D	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	4C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	4D	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	5D	Balcony
Sky Balcony	BY	Balcony
Connecting Oceanview Balcony	CB	Balcony
Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed	XB	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony Quad Gty	XQ	Balcony
Interior with Virtual Balcony	1U	Inside
Interior	1V	Inside
Interior with Virtual Balcony	2U	Inside
Interior	2V	Inside
Studio Interior	2W	Inside
Interior	3V	Inside
Interior	4V	Inside
Connecting Interior	CI	Inside
Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed	ZI	Inside
Interior Quad Gty	ZQ	Inside
Ocean View	1N	Oceanview
Ocean View	2N	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	3M	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	4M	Oceanview
Ocean View Stateroom - Guaranteed	YO	Oceanview
Ocean View Quad Gty	YQ	Oceanview
Grand Loft Suite with Balcony	GL	Suite
Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom	GS	Suite
Silver Junior Suite	J1	Suite
Silver Junior Suite	J4	Suite
Sky Junior Suite	JY	Suite
Owner's Suite	OS	Suite
Ultimate Family Suite	US	Suite
Suite - Guaranteed	WS	Suite