Itinerary

Day 1 Sep 15, 2028 Osaka Departs 17:00 The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Osaka photo — Day 1 Sep 15, 2028 Osaka Departs 17:00 The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Day 3 Sep 17, 2028 Takamatsu 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Takamatsu is located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, in the Kagawa Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea. During the Edo period, it was famous for its seaside castle, one of the few with a moat utilizing seawater. The castle was destroyed during the Meiji period, and today the so-called Sunport waterfront project has substituted the Symbol Tower, Takamatsu’s tallest building, for the castle tower that once graced its flag. Long an important port for Japan, Takamatsu was nearly destroyed in 1945 by Allied incendiary bombing. A portion of the famous castle, including foundations and part of the wall, still strand on the city-center park, and there are plans to reconstruct more of it. The Ritsurin Koen garden, first built in the Edo period, survives, and makes a welcome oasis in the city, with a folk museum, rest houses and a tranquil tearoom among lakes, hills and groves of cherry trees that bloom in the spring and flame into color in the autumn. The Shikoku Mura is an open-air museum with traditional buildings gathered from all over Shikoku on display. The Yashima area boasts an Isamu Noguchi Museum dedicated to the late designer, artist and sculptor, with several traditional buildings he relocated and used as work spaces and galleries, along with many finished and unfinished sculptures. There is also a lovely Yashima Temple halfway up the mountain, and at the top, an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city and port. Takamatsu port guide Search cruises visiting Takamatsu

Takamatsu photo — Day 3 Sep 17, 2028 Takamatsu 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Takamatsu is located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, in the Kagawa Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea. During the Edo period, it was famous for its seaside castle, one of the few with a moat utilizing seawater. The castle was destroyed during the Meiji period, and today the so-called Sunport waterfront project has substituted the Symbol Tower, Takamatsu’s tallest building, for the castle tower that once graced its flag. Long an important port for Japan, Takamatsu was nearly destroyed in 1945 by Allied incendiary bombing. A portion of the famous castle, including foundations and part of the wall, still strand on the city-center park, and there are plans to reconstruct more of it. The Ritsurin Koen garden, first built in the Edo period, survives, and makes a welcome oasis in the city, with a folk museum, rest houses and a tranquil tearoom among lakes, hills and groves of cherry trees that bloom in the spring and flame into color in the autumn. The Shikoku Mura is an open-air museum with traditional buildings gathered from all over Shikoku on display. The Yashima area boasts an Isamu Noguchi Museum dedicated to the late designer, artist and sculptor, with several traditional buildings he relocated and used as work spaces and galleries, along with many finished and unfinished sculptures. There is also a lovely Yashima Temple halfway up the mountain, and at the top, an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city and port. Takamatsu port guide Search cruises visiting Takamatsu

Day 4 Sep 18, 2028 Kochi, Japan 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore An MSC cruise will take you to Kochi, situated in the prefecture of the same name, on the island of Shikoku. You can visit Kochi castle on an excursion; it is one of the twelve Japanese castles to have survived fires, wars and other catastrophes of the post-feudal age. It was built between 1601 and 1611. What you can see of the building today however, dates back to 1748, the year in which the castle was rebuilt after a fire. Curiosity: its main tower was not used only for military purposes, but it was also the residence of noble families. Quite unusual, since the nobility would usually reside in other parts of the castle. The wooden interior is typical of the traditional style of the Edo period. Near Kochi harbour is the picturesque beach of Katsurahama. In the local restaurants you can eat Katsuo, a type of tuna which is typical to Japanese waters, cut into slices and lightly grilled on straw fuelled fire which gives it a slightly smoky flavour. Seventy kilometres from Kochi there is an unusual tourist attraction, the ancient Kazurabashi Bridge, 45 meters wide and 2 metres wide, it stretches 14 metres above the waters of the river Iya. Today, the bridge – which is made from Actinidia arguta wood, a kind of vine similar to a kiwi plant – is reinforced with steel wires. It should not be missed for the surrounding landscape and the brief but thrilling walk it offers. Closer to Kochi is the wonderful Oboke gorge: we cross the river Yoshino on a boat and marvel at how over hundreds of millions of years the river has eroded the rocks of the Shikoku mountains shaping the stone into bizarre shapes. Kochi, Japan port guide Search cruises visiting Kochi, Japan

Day 5 Sep 19, 2028 Hiroshima 08:00 – 22:00 14.0 hrs ashore Hiroshima means “wide island” in Japanese. The city was established in the 16th Century on Japan’s largest island, Honshu, and grew into an important shipping center and prefecture capital, boasting a fine castle. Although it was an important city in Japan throughout the imperial period, its reputation in the greater world was burned into history when it became to target of the first atomic bombing of a civilian target in August of 1945. The United States airplane Enola Gay dropped a nuclear device nicknamed “Little Boy” on the city that morning, obliterating everything within a two-kilometer radius and directly killing 80,000 people. Approximately 70 percent of Hiroshima’s buildings were destroyed. Within a year, injury and radiation illness had killed an additional 90, 000 to 116,000 citizens. The attacks on Hiroshima and nearby Nagasaki quickly led to the surrender of Japan and effectively precipitated the end of World War II in Asia. Within a few years, Hiroshima had begun to rebuild, and the city became the focus of an international movement to eliminate nuclear weapons from future wars. Relics of its past such as the impressive Hiroshima Castle and the tranquil Shukkeien Garden were rebuilt, and the city undertook the construction of a Memorial Peace Park, which today attracts visitors from around the world. The park, which holds a museum and a memorial “Atomic Dome” constructed on the closest remaining building to the blast site, is a moving and impactful place of pilgrimage in this re-born City of Peace. One notable feature is a colorful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wishes for world peace were recounted in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Hiroshima port guide Search cruises visiting Hiroshima

Hiroshima photo — Day 5 Sep 19, 2028 Hiroshima 08:00 – 22:00 14.0 hrs ashore Hiroshima means “wide island” in Japanese. The city was established in the 16th Century on Japan’s largest island, Honshu, and grew into an important shipping center and prefecture capital, boasting a fine castle. Although it was an important city in Japan throughout the imperial period, its reputation in the greater world was burned into history when it became to target of the first atomic bombing of a civilian target in August of 1945. The United States airplane Enola Gay dropped a nuclear device nicknamed “Little Boy” on the city that morning, obliterating everything within a two-kilometer radius and directly killing 80,000 people. Approximately 70 percent of Hiroshima’s buildings were destroyed. Within a year, injury and radiation illness had killed an additional 90, 000 to 116,000 citizens. The attacks on Hiroshima and nearby Nagasaki quickly led to the surrender of Japan and effectively precipitated the end of World War II in Asia. Within a few years, Hiroshima had begun to rebuild, and the city became the focus of an international movement to eliminate nuclear weapons from future wars. Relics of its past such as the impressive Hiroshima Castle and the tranquil Shukkeien Garden were rebuilt, and the city undertook the construction of a Memorial Peace Park, which today attracts visitors from around the world. The park, which holds a museum and a memorial “Atomic Dome” constructed on the closest remaining building to the blast site, is a moving and impactful place of pilgrimage in this re-born City of Peace. One notable feature is a colorful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wishes for world peace were recounted in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Hiroshima port guide Search cruises visiting Hiroshima

Day 6 Sep 20, 2028 Beppu 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore The lantern-lit hot springs of Beppu, known for its eight scorching “Hells”, is a town that’s prettier than a picture. The town is found in a particularly volcanically active part of Japan (hence the abundance of hot springs, or in Japanese, onsens). The viewing pools have evocative names; think Sea Hell, Blood Pond Hell and Tornado Hell. While the names might seem a little off putting, the reality is stunning; sulphur laced air and vast spectrums of blues and reds, depending on the mineralisation of the earth. As if the gorgeous palette of colours at the onsen was not enough, Beppu is also world famous for its Sakura, or cherry blossom season. More than 2,000 cherry trees near the base of the ropeway to Mount Tsurumi make for one of Beppu’s most impressive hanami (flower viewing) spots. If not lucky enough to be in the area during Sakura, from May to June rhododendrons colour the mountain. The view from this 1,375m mountain is beyond impressive, allowing you to see all the way to the Kuju Mountains, Chugoku and Shikoku. If brave enough to climb all the way to the top, the stone Buddhas that were carved into the mountainside during the Heian Period (794-1185) are a worthy reward! As with much of Japan, duality is ever present. Modernity sits very comfortably by ancient buildings. While Beppu’s biggest pull is by far the hot springs and the thermal baths, nearby (10 km) Yufuin has a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques, catering to trend setters and urbanites alike. Beppu port guide Search cruises visiting Beppu

Day 7 Sep 21, 2028 Miyazaki 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore Boasting the second warmest temperatures in Japan, Miyazaki offers a playground of outdoor activities that take full advantage of its balmy breezes and aquamarine waters. A resort atmosphere permeates Miyazaki, fragranced by blooms from local botanical gardens. Emerald green golf courses, some of the best surfing in Japan, and a zoo with the largest number of flamingos in captivity in all of Japan add to the festive atmosphere. A Peace Tower, built with stones from throughout Asia anchors the city and Heiwadai Park and is one of the most noted landmarks. Visit Haniwa Gardens where over 400 replica haniwa (burial statues) make for wonderful photo opportunities, and see Miyazaki's history and culture on display at The Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History, located on the same grounds as the picturesque Miyazaki Shrine. For a change of pace, stop into the Miyazaki Science Center where an animatronics "Dr. Cosmo" welcomes you to this hands-on museum. Looking for a little adventure? Try a side trip to Aoshima, a small island just off the coast of Miyazaki City, and enjoy the charming Aoshima Shrine and over 400 species of subtropical plants. The options are endless in Miyazaki to soak up local color…or just soak up the sun! Miyazaki port guide Search cruises visiting Miyazaki

Miyazaki photo — Day 7 Sep 21, 2028 Miyazaki 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore Boasting the second warmest temperatures in Japan, Miyazaki offers a playground of outdoor activities that take full advantage of its balmy breezes and aquamarine waters. A resort atmosphere permeates Miyazaki, fragranced by blooms from local botanical gardens. Emerald green golf courses, some of the best surfing in Japan, and a zoo with the largest number of flamingos in captivity in all of Japan add to the festive atmosphere. A Peace Tower, built with stones from throughout Asia anchors the city and Heiwadai Park and is one of the most noted landmarks. Visit Haniwa Gardens where over 400 replica haniwa (burial statues) make for wonderful photo opportunities, and see Miyazaki's history and culture on display at The Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History, located on the same grounds as the picturesque Miyazaki Shrine. For a change of pace, stop into the Miyazaki Science Center where an animatronics "Dr. Cosmo" welcomes you to this hands-on museum. Looking for a little adventure? Try a side trip to Aoshima, a small island just off the coast of Miyazaki City, and enjoy the charming Aoshima Shrine and over 400 species of subtropical plants. The options are endless in Miyazaki to soak up local color…or just soak up the sun! Miyazaki port guide Search cruises visiting Miyazaki

Day 8 Sep 22, 2028 Kagoshima 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 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 8 Sep 22, 2028 Kagoshima 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 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 9 Sep 23, 2028 Nagasaki 08:00 – 20:00 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 9 Sep 23, 2028 Nagasaki 08:00 – 20:00 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 10 Sep 24, 2028 Fukuoka 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 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 11 Sep 25, 2028 Yeosu, South Korea 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore Cruise to Yeosu, South Korea and experience one of the country’s most scenic coastal destinations on the Yeosu Peninsula in South Jeolla Province. The area is naturally protected by the surrounding islands of Namhae, Dolsan, and Geumo, creating calm waters and a distinctive coastal atmosphere that defines this region. Yeosu is known for its active fishing industry and serves as a starting point for travelers who want to visit nearby islands. Visitors can easily reach Odongdo Island and Geumodo Island, both popular choices for sightseeing and island excursions. The waterfront offers inviting scenery along with seafood restaurants and a fisheries market, providing an authentic taste of Yeosu’s maritime culture. Jasan Park is located near the shoreline and offers relaxing walking paths and elevated views over the coastal landscape. Yeosu also holds cultural importance because its harbor and shoreline served as the main setting for Expo 2012, an internationally recognized event focused on oceans and coastlines. Whether you visit for coastal scenery, fresh seafood, or island hopping, choosing to cruise to Yeosu, South Korea provides a memorable introduction to the natural and cultural beauty of the southern coast.

Day 13 Sep 27, 2028 Seoul (Incheon) 06:30 – 18:00 11.5 hrs ashore Once upon a time, Incheon was a quiet seaside village, pretty typical for Korea. The men went fishing, the women made kimchi. There were maybe a couple thousand people altogether in the region. And then it got caught in the middle of a war. Incheon is where, late in 1950, the U.S. Marines landed, marking the beginning of the end of the Korean War, a war that ultimately claimed more than 40,000 American soldiers’ lives and an undetermined number of Koreans. After the fighting, when Incheon had a chance to dig itself out from the mud and shrapnel, it became part of the Korean economic miracle, the country’s first official free-enterprise zone. With its perfect natural port, flat landscape and 3 million residents, it’s become as much a part of the Seoul megalopolis now as it is a place of its own. Visit Incheon with a Korean War vet, and they likely won’t recognize a thing, except maybe a small area around Freedom Park. Where once there were rice ponds, there are now high-rise apartment buildings. Even the beach the Marines landed on has been filled and reshaped to make more room for the Korean economic miracle. But there’s an entire generation haunted by this place, and it’s well worth looking around.

Day 15 Sep 29, 2028 Tianjin Arrives 07:00 Set on the north-east coast of the Bohai Sea, Tianjin’s port opens up the city and serves as a gateway to Beijing - which lies approximately three-hours drive inland. Tianjin is a vast and impressive city in its own right, with oodles of character and charm – especially since it received a comprehensive facelift for China’s Olympic Games in 2008. There is deep international history here, as the area was conceded to foreign powers during the Opium Wars. View less As a result, it’s peppered with historical buildings, temples and palaces, and you'll encounter a dizzying swirl of cultures. There is a distinctive European flavour in places - notably the architecture of the Five Avenues, which features a blend of historical buildings from Europe's past empires. The skyscrapers of modern China’s booming economy have also sprung up, along with ambitious structures like the flowing curves of the library. Unique creations like the Tianjin Eye span the river – a fusion between a ferris wheel and a bridge, it glows brightly over the river's water at night. The Ancient Culture Street is a traditional Qing Dynasty style stretch of bustling, living history. For most, however, the allure of one of China and the world’s mega-cities, Beijing, will be too strong a draw. Visit immense cultural treasures like the extraordinary Forbidden City, an incredible central labyrinth of 800 palaces. The vast and iconic Tiananmen Square stretches out close by - watched over by a ginormous Chairman Mao portrait - where you can see the Chinese flag ceremonially hoisted high into the sky each day, and a venue where dramatic and iconic events of Chinese history have played out. You’re also within reach of one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks - the undulating expanse of the Great Wall of China, which snakes across the area's mountains. Tianjin port guide Search cruises visiting Tianjin

Day 19 Oct 3, 2028 Baoshan (Shanghai) Arrives 13:00 When your MSC cruise brings you to Shanghai it is easy to understand that after years of stagnation, this great metropolis is undergoing one of the fastest economic expansions the world has ever seen. As Shanghai begins to recapture its position as East Asia’s leading business city, a status it last held before World War II, the skyline is filling with high-rises – there are well over a thousand now. Gleaming shopping malls, luxurious hotels and prestigious arts centres are rising alongside, while underneath everything snakes the world’s longest subway system. Shanghai’s 23 million residents enjoy the highest incomes on the mainland, and there’s plenty for them to splash out on; witness the rash of celebrity restaurants and designer flagship stores. MSC Grand Voyages cruises also offer excursions to the Bund – Shanghai’s original signature skyline –, a strip of grand Neoclassical colonial edifices on the west bank of the Huangpu River Pudong on the opposite shore – a backdrop domestic visitors queue up against to have their picture taken. Named after an old Anglo-Indian term, “bunding” (the embanking of a muddy foreshore), the Bund’s official name is Zhongshan Lu but it’s better known among locals as Wai Tan (literally “Outside Beach”). By whatever name, this was old Shanghai’s commercial heart, with the river on one side and the offices of the leading bank and trading houses on the other. Jinmao Tower is a beautiful building, an elegant tapering postmodern take on Art Deco, has an observation deck on the 88th floor. An ear-popping lift whisks you up 340m to the top in a matter of seconds. The spectacle of the city spread out before you is of course sublime, but turn round for a giddying view down the building’s glorious galleried atrium. Shanghai Museum is one of the city’s highlights, with a fantastic, well-presented collection. Baoshan (Shanghai) port guide Search cruises visiting Baoshan (Shanghai)

Baoshan (Shanghai) photo — Day 19 Oct 3, 2028 Baoshan (Shanghai) Arrives 13:00 When your MSC cruise brings you to Shanghai it is easy to understand that after years of stagnation, this great metropolis is undergoing one of the fastest economic expansions the world has ever seen. As Shanghai begins to recapture its position as East Asia’s leading business city, a status it last held before World War II, the skyline is filling with high-rises – there are well over a thousand now. Gleaming shopping malls, luxurious hotels and prestigious arts centres are rising alongside, while underneath everything snakes the world’s longest subway system. Shanghai’s 23 million residents enjoy the highest incomes on the mainland, and there’s plenty for them to splash out on; witness the rash of celebrity restaurants and designer flagship stores. MSC Grand Voyages cruises also offer excursions to the Bund – Shanghai’s original signature skyline –, a strip of grand Neoclassical colonial edifices on the west bank of the Huangpu River Pudong on the opposite shore – a backdrop domestic visitors queue up against to have their picture taken. Named after an old Anglo-Indian term, “bunding” (the embanking of a muddy foreshore), the Bund’s official name is Zhongshan Lu but it’s better known among locals as Wai Tan (literally “Outside Beach”). By whatever name, this was old Shanghai’s commercial heart, with the river on one side and the offices of the leading bank and trading houses on the other. Jinmao Tower is a beautiful building, an elegant tapering postmodern take on Art Deco, has an observation deck on the 88th floor. An ear-popping lift whisks you up 340m to the top in a matter of seconds. The spectacle of the city spread out before you is of course sublime, but turn round for a giddying view down the building’s glorious galleried atrium. Shanghai Museum is one of the city’s highlights, with a fantastic, well-presented collection. Baoshan (Shanghai) port guide Search cruises visiting Baoshan (Shanghai)

Day 24 Oct 8, 2028 Hong Kong, China Arrives 08:00 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

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 41-day span: $6,909 · range $6,909–$7,549

Lower than 60% of peers This extended sailing's from-price per night is lower than 60% of comparable sailings.

same cruise line and duration · from-price per night · as of Jul 2, 2026 · Broader cohort: same cruise line and duration, compared by from-price per night.

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $7,549

$314 / night

Fare rows

Club Interior Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,549

$314 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Interior Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,779

$324 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Interior Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,999

$333 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Interior Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,229

$342 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $8,369

$348 / night

Fare rows

Club Oceanview Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,369

$348 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Oceanview Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,609

$358 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Oceanview Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,849

$368 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Oceanview Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,099

$379 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $10,739

$447 / night

Fare rows

Club Veranda Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,739

$447 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Veranda Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,039

$459 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Veranda Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,349

$472 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $12,779

$532 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,149

$547 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,539

$564 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $15,869

$661 / night

Fare rows

Club Continent Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $15,869

$661 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Continent Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $16,329

$680 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Spa Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $22,139

$922 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club Ocean Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $24,739

$1,030 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Club World Owner Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $27,659

$1,152 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 30, 2026

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

Show all 24 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Club Veranda Plus Stateroom	P1	Balcony
Club Veranda Plus Stateroom	P2	Balcony
Club Veranda Plus Stateroom	P3	Balcony
Club Veranda Stateroom	V1	Balcony
Club Veranda Stateroom	V2	Balcony
Club Veranda Stateroom	V3	Balcony
Guarantee - Veranda	X	Balcony
Club Veranda Plus Stateroom - Guaranteed	XP	Balcony
Club Interior Stateroom	09	Inside
Club Interior Stateroom	10	Inside
Club Interior Stateroom	11	Inside
Club Interior Stateroom	12	Inside
Guarantee - Inside	Z	Inside
Club Oceanview Stateroom	04	Oceanview
Club Oceanview Stateroom	05	Oceanview
Club Oceanview Stateroom	06	Oceanview
Club Oceanview Stateroom	08	Oceanview
Guarantee - Oceanview	Y	Oceanview
Club Ocean Suite	CO	Suite
Club World Owner Suite	CW	Suite
Club Continent Suite	N1	Suite
Club Continent Suite	N2	Suite
Club Spa Suite	SP	Suite
Guarantee - Suite	W	Suite