MS Noordam
January 30, 2028

Singapore offers docking at Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Travelers explore Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park. Excursions visit Sentosa Island. Local markets sell Hainanese chicken rice. The peak season, November to March, brings milder weather for city tours. Photography captures futuristic skylines and Singapore Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes laksa, a Singaporean favorite. Souvenirs, like orchid crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peranakan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Singapore’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural heritage, making Singapore an engaging destination for exploration.

Laem Chabang, Thailand, has docking at Laem Chabang Port with excursions to Bangkok. Travelers explore Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha and Grand Palace. Excursions visit Pattaya’s beaches. Local markets sell mango sticky rice. The peak season, November to February, brings dry weather. Photography captures temples and urban skylines. Dining onboard includes tom kha gai, a Thai soup. Souvenirs, like silk scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Thai history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance temple tours. Laem Chabang’s access to Bangkok offers a vibrant Thai stop, blending culture with urban energy.

Returning to Laem Chabang (bangkok) — see Day 3 above for port info.

Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, offers docking at Phu My Port with excursions to Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers explore Notre-Dame Basilica and Cu Chi Tunnels. Excursions visit Mekong Delta. Local markets sell phở. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for city tours. Photography captures colonial architecture and South China Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes banh mi, a Vietnamese favorite. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viet history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Phu My’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Vietnamese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic deltas, making Phu My an engaging destination.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, has docking at Kota Kinabalu Port. Travelers explore Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park’s islands. Excursions visit Mount Kinabalu’s trails. Local markets sell pearls. The peak season, February to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures coral reefs and rainforest vistas. Dining onboard includes laksa, a Malaysian favorite. Souvenirs, like batik crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sabah’s biodiversity. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Sturdy shoes enhance hikes. Kota Kinabalu’s coastal vibrancy offers a lively Malaysian stop, blending marine beauty with rainforest adventures.

Puerto Princesa, Philippines, offers docking at Puerto Princesa Port. Travelers explore the Subterranean River’s UNESCO-listed caves and Honda Bay’s islands. Excursions include island-hopping tours. Local markets sell cashew nuts. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather for cave tours. Photography captures limestone karsts and turquoise bays. Dining onboard includes kinilaw, a Filipino favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Palawan’s ecology. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance island exploration. Puerto Princesa’s natural allure offers a vibrant Filipino stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of underground rivers, scenic islands, and tropical beauty, making Puerto Princesa an engaging destination for exploring the Philippines’ Palawan.

Boracay, Philippines, docks at Caticlan Jetty Port, with ferries to Boracay’s Tambisaan Port, a 15-minute ride to White Beach. The island, population 30,000, offers kitesurfing at Bulabog Beach. Travelers explore Puka Beach, 20 minutes north, for shell collecting. Local markets sell calamansi muffins. Excursions to Ariel’s Point, 30 minutes by boat, include cliff diving. Peak season December to May; taxis 100-200 PHP. Dining includes adobo at beachfront stalls. Souvenirs feature shell necklaces.

Manila, Philippines, provides docking at Manila South Harbor. Travelers explore Intramuros’ colonial walls and Fort Santiago. Excursions visit Rizal Park and Taal Volcano. Local markets sell adobo. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather for city tours. Photography captures Spanish-era architecture and Manila Bay sunsets. Dining onboard includes sinigang, a Filipino sour soup. Souvenirs, like barong tagalog shirts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Philippine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Manila’s vibrant blend of colonial heritage and modern energy offers a dynamic Philippine stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, bustling markets, and scenic beauty, making Manila a captivating destination for exploring the Philippines’ rich cultural tapestry and urban vitality.

Returning to Manila — see Day 12 above for port info.

Hong Kong offers docking at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Travelers explore Victoria Peak and Temple Street Market. Excursions visit Lantau Island’s Big Buddha. Local markets sell dim sum. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour vistas. Dining onboard includes char siu, a Hong Kong favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cantonese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Hong Kong’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural markets, making Hong Kong an engaging destination.

Shanghai, China, offers docking at Shanghai Port. Travelers explore The Bund and Yu Garden’s historic pavilions. Excursions visit Suzhou’s classical gardens. Local markets sell xiaolongbao. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Huangpu River vistas. Dining onboard includes Peking duck, a Chinese favorite. Souvenirs, like silk crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shanghai’s history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Shanghai’s urban allure offers a vibrant Chinese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern skyline and historic heritage, making Shanghai an engaging destination for exploring China’s cosmopolitan heart.

Returning to Shanghai — see Day 18 above for port info.

Kagoshima, Japan, has docking at Kagoshima Port. Travelers explore Sakurajima volcano’s active trails. Excursions visit Sengan-en Garden’s historic grounds. Local markets sell shochu. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes kurobuta pork, a Kagoshima specialty. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyushu’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Kagoshima’s volcanic beauty offers a dynamic Japanese stop, blending nature with cultural heritage.

Nagasaki, Japan, offers docking at Nagasaki Port. Travelers explore the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Excursions visit Glover Garden’s colonial mansions. Local markets sell champon noodles. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures historic sites and Dejima Island views. Dining onboard includes sara udon, a Nagasaki dish. Souvenirs, like castella cakes, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nagasaki’s WWII history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Nagasaki’s blend of history and resilience offers a poignant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of somber memorials, colonial heritage, and scenic harbors, making Nagasaki an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s cultural and historical depth on Kyushu Island.

Fukuoka, Japan, offers docking at Hakata Port. Travelers explore Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine’s historic gardens. Excursions visit Canal City’s vibrant shopping complex. Local markets sell hakata ramen. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures shrine architecture and modern cityscapes. Dining onboard includes tonkotsu ramen, a local specialty. Souvenirs, like furoshiki cloths, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyushu’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance shrine visits. Fukuoka’s blend of ancient shrines and modern vibrancy provides a dynamic Japanese stop, immersing travelers in its rich cultural heritage and lively urban energy.

Kanmon Straits, Japan, no docking; ships transit the narrow strait. Travelers spot fishing boats. Lectures cover WWII history. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season April to October; tides affect. Photography captures Shimonoseki bridges. Dining onboard includes fugu. Souvenirs, like strait postcards, in ship shops. Briefings on navigation. The straits connect Honshu and Kyushu efficiently.

Kochi, Japan, has docking at Kochi Port. Travelers explore Kochi Castle’s samurai history. Excursions visit Katsurahama Beach and Ryugado Cave. Local markets sell bonito flakes. The peak season, March to May, brings mild weather. Photography captures castle views and Pacific shores. Dining onboard includes katsuo tataki, a local seared tuna. Souvenirs, like yosakoi crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shikoku’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance castle tours. Kochi’s coastal heritage offers a serene Japanese stop, blending samurai history with scenic beauty.

Osaka, Japan, provides docking at Osaka Port. Travelers explore Osaka Castle and Dotonbori’s vibrant food scene. Excursions visit Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple. Local markets sell takoyaki. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures samurai castles and neon-lit canals. Dining onboard includes okonomiyaki, an Osaka favorite. Souvenirs, like tenugui cloths, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kansai history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Osaka’s dynamic urban culture offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, culinary delights, and modern energy, making Osaka an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Kansai region and cultural heritage.

Returning to Osaka — see Day 26 above for port info.

Shimizu, Japan, offers docking at Shimizu Port. Travelers explore Mount Fuji viewpoints and Nihondaira’s tea gardens. Excursions visit Shizuoka’s Toro Ruins. Local markets sell wasabi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Fuji’s slopes and Suruga Bay vistas. Dining onboard includes unagi, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shizuoka history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance garden walks. Shimizu’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making Shimizu an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Fuji region.

Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin), Madagascar, offers docking at Tolanaro Port. Travelers explore Nahampoana Reserve and Libanona Beach. Excursions include lemur-watching at Berenty Reserve. Local markets sell zebu curry. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rainforests and Indian Ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes romazava, a Malagasy favorite. Souvenirs, like raffia crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tsitongambarika history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance reserve walks. Tolanaro’s natural allure offers a vibrant Malagasy stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique wildlife and scenic beaches, making Tolanaro an engaging destination for exploration.