Samurai & Peninsula – Busan, Aomori & Hakodate

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 9 nights from Tokyo on April 19, 2028, visiting Aomori, Muroran, Hakodate, Busan and Nagasaki. There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. 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, Sapphire Princess keeps you well fed. 14 places to eat, with 7 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. The sweet spot for most travellers: you get to know the ship, see the ports, and come home before the laundry piles up. A spring departure helps too: decent weather and a calmer feel at each port. You'll probably start planning the next one before this one's even over.