Volcanic Peaks & Palaces – Nagasaki, Busan & Kochi

About this cruise

Clear the calendar from July 15, 2028. This one's 15 nights from Tokyo, and the route visits Nagasaki, Busan and Sakaiminato (Matsue), 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. The itinerary clusters several port calls together. Fast-paced for a few days, then the sea days hit and you can catch your breath. Tokyo's neon at one port, Kyoto's temples at the next. You cover centuries in a few days. You get around 9 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, 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. 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. A July departure puts you in the best summer conditions: long days, warm nights, plenty of sun. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 15-night sailing is a strong place to start.