MS Volendam
March 7, 2026

Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Sydney — see Day 1 above for port info.

Townsville, Australia, offers docking at Townsville Port. Travelers explore The Strand and Reef HQ Aquarium. Excursions visit Magnetic Island’s koala sanctuaries. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, May to September, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Coral Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Indigenous history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Townsville’s coastal allure offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine life and scenic beaches, making Townsville an engaging destination for exploration.

Cairns, Australia, docks at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, a 10-minute walk to the Esplanade, population 150,000. Travelers visit the Cairns Aquarium for reef species. Excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, 1 hour by boat, offer snorkeling. Kuranda, 30 minutes north, features rainforest cable cars. Local markets sell mangoes. Peak season June to October; taxis 10-15 AUD. Dining includes barramundi at waterfront cafes. Souvenirs feature opals.

The Torres Strait, with no docking, sees ships sailing between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Travelers observe dugongs grazing seagrass beds. Lectures cover Torres Strait Islander culture. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to October, avoids monsoons. Photography captures coral cays. Dining onboard features mud crab. Souvenirs, like pearl shells, are available in ship shops. Briefings discuss navigational challenges. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. The strait’s island-dotted waters offer a unique Australasian passage.

Darwin in Australia has docking at Port Darwin. Travelers explore Kakadu National Park’s wetlands. Excursions visit Litchfield’s waterfalls. Local markets sell Aboriginal art. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather; taxis cost 10-20 AUD. Photography captures Outback landscapes. Dining onboard includes kangaroo. Souvenirs, like didgeridoos, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover indigenous culture. Light clothing suits the tropical climate. Darwin’s vibrant port offers a gateway to Australia’s Top End.

Slawi Bay, Komodo Island, Indonesia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to coral shores. Travelers explore Komodo National Park and Pink Beach. Excursions include Komodo dragon treks. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for wildlife tours. Photography captures dragons and Flores Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes rendang, an Indonesian favorite. Souvenirs, like wood carvings, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Komodo ecology. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park treks. Slawi Bay’s wild allure offers a vibrant Indonesian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique wildlife and marine beauty, making Slawi Bay an engaging destination.

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia, docks at Benoa Port, 10 kilometers from Denpasar, with shuttles or taxis for 20-minute rides. Travelers visit Uluwatu Temple, a 11th-century clifftop shrine, 30 minutes south. Local markets sell batik sarongs. Excursions to Ubud, 1 hour north, explore rice terraces and monkey forests. Tanah Lot, 45 minutes northwest, features a sea temple. Peak season June to September; taxis 50,000-100,000 IDR. Dining includes babi guling at warungs. Souvenirs feature silver jewelry.

Returning to Benoa — see Day 14 above for port info.

Cross The Equator offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers celebrate the line-crossing ceremony at sea. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season varies by itinerary, typically warm for equatorial crossings. Photography captures vast ocean vistas and festive ceremonies. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime traditions. Light clothing suits the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance deck walks. Crossing the Equator offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ceremonial events and open-sea relaxation, making the Equator crossing an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Returning to Singapore — see Day 18 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.

Hue, Vietnam, has docking at Chan May Port with excursions to Hue and Da Nang. Travelers explore Hue’s Imperial City, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit Da Nang’s Marble Mountains. Local markets sell conical hats. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures ancient citadels and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes bun bo Hue, a spicy noodle soup. Souvenirs, like silk lanterns, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nguyen dynasty history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance citadel tours. Hue’s imperial heritage offers a rich Vietnamese stop, blending history with scenic beauty.

Halong Bay, Vietnam, no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to junk boats. Travelers kayak limestone karsts and caves like Sung Sot. Zodiacs explore floating villages. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season October to April; fog in winter. Photography captures emerald waters. Dining onboard includes fresh seafood. Souvenirs, like bay prints, in ship shops. Briefings on cave etiquette. Light clothing for humidity. UNESCO-listed Halong’s 1,600 islands provide iconic Vietnamese scenery.

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.

Returning to Hong Kong — see Day 26 above for port info.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan, has docking at Kaohsiung Port. Travelers explore Love River’s scenic waterfront and Cijin Island’s beaches. Excursions visit Fo Guang Shan’s Buddhist monastery. Local markets sell stinky tofu. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather. Photography captures urban skylines and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes beef noodle soup, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taiwan’s history. Light clothing suits the subtropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Kaohsiung’s vibrant energy offers a dynamic Taiwanese stop, blending culture with coastal charm.

Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan, offers docking at Keelung Port with excursions to Taipei. Travelers explore Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Excursions visit Yehliu’s rock formations. Local markets sell stinky tofu. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Taiwan Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes xiaolongbao, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like oolong tea, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Formosan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Keelung’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Taiwanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and coastal beauty, making Keelung an engaging destination.

Naha, Okinawa, Japan, offers docking at Naha Port. Travelers explore Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO site, and Tsuboya pottery district. Excursions visit Churaumi Aquarium’s marine exhibits. Local markets sell goya champuru. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Ryukyu architecture and turquoise seas. Dining onboard includes rafute, an Okinawan pork dish. Souvenirs, like shisa statues, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Okinawa’s Ryukyu history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Naha’s vibrant island culture offers a dynamic Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles, marine life, and Okinawan traditions, making Naha an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s southern island heritage.

Amami Oshima (Naze), Japan, docks at Naze Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute transfers. The island, population 70,000, features the Amami Mangrove Park, reachable in 15 minutes, with canoe tours through Japan’s second-largest mangrove forest hosting black crabs. Kinsakubaru Forest, 20 minutes east, offers hikes among ancient banyan trees and Amami rabbits. Naze’s Ohama Seaside Park, a 5-minute drive, provides coral beach swimming. Local markets sell shochu and black sugar candy. Excursions to Kakeroma Island, 30 minutes by ferry, explore fishing villages. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining includes keihan (chicken rice soup) at port cafes. Souvenirs feature tsumugi silk scarves. Kayak rentals available for coastal exploration.

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.

Returning to Nagasaki — see Day 35 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.

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan, offers docking at Yokohama Port with excursions to Tokyo. Travelers explore Senso-ji Temple and Shibuya Crossing. Excursions visit Kamakura’s Great Buddha. Local markets sell yakitori. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures neon streets and Tokyo Bay vistas. Dining onboard includes sushi, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like ukiyo-e prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Edo history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Yokohama’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic temples and modern cityscapes, making Yokohama an engaging destination.