Land of the Rising Sun – Kyoto & Hakodate

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 8 nights from Shanghai on September 11, 2026, visiting Sakaiminato (Matsue), Maizuru, Niigata and Hakodate. The ports come early and the voyage wraps with sea days. A good way to decompress before heading home. Karaoke bars, hot springs, and temples draped in moss. East Asia does culture and chaos in equal measure. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, There are 13 restaurants on Spectrum Of The Seas, so you'd need to double up a few evenings to try them all in 8 nights. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. 8 nights of not thinking about anything except where to eat next. That's the pitch.