Chrysanthemum Throne – Hakodate, Busan & Kanazawa

About this cruise

A 22-night sailing gives you something shorter trips can't: the feeling that you're not just visiting places but actually living somewhere else for a while. This one leaves Tokyo on June 5, 2027 and visits Hakodate, Aomori and Sakata, with additional stops along the Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan. A few ports come in quick succession, which is great for sightseeing but means you'll appreciate the sea days when they arrive. Bullet trains visible from the harbour, cherry blossoms, and thousands of years of history. East Asia is a lot to take in. People come back from this cruise talking about Shimizu: Mount Fuji's closest port with tea plantation views. Around 10 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. Sapphire Princess takes the food seriously, with 14 restaurants to choose from. 7 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. There are enough performances, events, and social mixers on a cruise this length that you couldn't do them all if you tried. And that's a good problem. This one's for people who really want to switch off. No half measures. Block out the calendar. The timing works well too: warm evenings on deck, late sunsets, and a lively atmosphere. 12 ports, 2 countries, one suitcase. That's the appeal.