Shrine & Neon Trails – Keelung, Jeju & Kochi

About this cruise

Clear the calendar from September 22, 2028. This one's 16 nights from Tokyo, and the route visits Keelung, Hualien and Ishigaki, with additional stops along the Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan. By the time you're a week in, you'll have completely stopped checking your phone. It starts gently with sea days, so by the time you reach the first port you'll have explored the ship and actually feel on holiday. Crossing 3 borders through the Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan: Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. You get around 10 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Diamond Princess takes the food seriously, with 12 restaurants to choose from. 7 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. One of the underrated parts of a longer cruise: you actually get to know people. The couple from dinner, the group at trivia, the bartender who remembers your drink. Suits retirees, remote workers, or anyone who doesn't need to be anywhere else for a while. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Tokyo has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A September sailing dodges the peak crowds while the weather is still cooperating. Well timed. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 16-night sailing is a strong place to start.