MS Westerdam
September 13, 2026

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Canada Place Port. Travelers explore Stanley Park and Gastown. Excursions visit Capilano Suspension Bridge. Local markets sell poutine. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban parks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like Inuit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Vancouver’s urban charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making Vancouver an engaging destination for exploring Canada’s west coast.

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view fjords and humpback whales from the ship. Excursions include zodiac tours for wildlife spotting. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal cruising. Photography captures glaciers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like totem crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife viewing. Inside Passage’s natural allure offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine life and scenic fjords, making Inside Passage an engaging destination.

Ketchikan, Alaska, offers docking at Ketchikan Port. Travelers explore Totem Bight Park and Creek Street. Excursions include Misty Fjords flights. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures totem poles and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like Tlingit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Native Alaskan history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance historic walks. Ketchikan’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of native heritage and scenic fjords, making Ketchikan an engaging destination for exploration.

Cross International Date Line offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers experience the time shift at sea, gaining or losing a day. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season varies by itinerary, typically warm for Pacific crossings. Photography captures vast ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history and navigation. Light clothing suits the variable climate, while comfortable shoes enhance deck walks. Crossing the Date Line offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of educational briefings and open-sea relaxation, making the Date Line an engaging destination for exploration.

Kushiro, Japan, has docking at Kushiro Port. Travelers explore Kushiro Marsh’s red-crowned cranes. Excursions visit Akan National Park’s lakes. Local markets sell crab. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures wetlands and volcanic landscapes. Dining onboard includes kani miso, a crab dish. Souvenirs, like crane crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hokkaido’s ecology. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance crane spotting. Kushiro’s natural beauty offers a serene Japanese stop, blending wildlife with scenic landscapes.

Aomori, Japan, docks at Aomori Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute transfers. The city, population 280,000, features the Nebuta Museum, showcasing colorful floats from the August Nebuta Festival. Travelers visit Sannai-Maruyama, a 5-minute drive, for Jomon-era village reconstructions from 3900 BC. Hirosaki Castle, 45 minutes by train, offers cherry blossoms in April. Local markets sell apples and sake. Excursions to Lake Towada, 90 minutes south, include boat rides through volcanic scenery. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining features scallop miso soup at harbor cafes. Souvenirs include kokeshi dolls.

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.

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.

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.

Hiroshima, Japan, has docking at Hiroshima Port. Travelers explore Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome. Excursions visit Miyajima’s floating Itsukushima Shrine. Local markets sell okonomiyaki. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures historic sites and island shrines. Dining onboard includes Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Souvenirs, like peace cranes, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover WWII history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Hiroshima’s poignant history offers a profound Japanese stop, blending peace advocacy with cultural heritage.

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.

Busan, South Korea, in the southeast, sits on the Korea Strait, facing the Sea of Japan. The port is near Jagalchi Fish Market, where fresh seafood is sold daily. Haeundae Beach offers urban waterfront access, while Beomeosa Temple, in the forested hills, provides cultural history. The Gamcheon Culture Village, with colorful houses, draws visitors for its art and narrow alleys. Busan’s port history as a trading hub is evident in its maritime museum. The nearby Nakdong River Estuary is a birdwatching site, and the city’s coastal cliffs offer walking trails with ocean views.

Sakaiminato, Japan, offers docking at Sakaiminato Port. Travelers explore Mizuki Shigeru’s yokai museum and Tottori Sand Dunes. Excursions visit Matsue Castle. Local markets sell kani sushi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures manga art and Sea of Japan vistas. Dining onboard includes dashi broth, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like yokai crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tottori history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance dune walks. Sakaiminato’s quirky charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural museums, scenic dunes, and coastal heritage, making Sakaiminato an engaging destination for exploration.

Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan, offers docking at Tsuruga Port. Travelers explore Kehi Shrine and Nihonkai Fish Market. Excursions visit Tojinbo Cliffs. Local markets sell kani miso. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Shinto gates and Japan Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes echizen soba, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Fukui history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Tsuruga’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of spiritual sites and scenic coasts, making Tsuruga an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Hokuriku region.

Toyama, Japan, offers docking at Toyama Port. Travelers explore Toyama Castle and Gokayama’s gassho-zukuri villages. Excursions visit Tateyama’s snow corridor. Local markets sell masuzushi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic villages and Japan Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes kaisendon, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hokuriku history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance village walks. Toyama’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic mountains, making Toyama an engaging destination for exploration.

Sakata, Japan, offers docking at Sakata Port. Travelers explore Sankyo Warehouses and Hiyoriyama Park’s shrines. Excursions visit Dewa Sanzan’s sacred mountains. Local markets sell tamagoyaki. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic rice warehouses and Yamagata vistas. Dining onboard includes kiritanpo, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like washi paper, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tohoku history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Sakata’s historic charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks, scenic mountains, and coastal heritage, making Sakata an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Tohoku region.

Returning to Aomori — see Day 13 above for port info.

Hakodate, Japan, has docking at Hakodate Port. Travelers explore Goryokaku Fortress’ star-shaped design. Excursions visit Onuma Park’s scenic lakes. Local markets sell fresh squid. The peak season, April to June, brings mild weather. Photography captures night views from Mount Hakodate. Dining onboard includes kaisen don, a seafood bowl. Souvenirs, like glass crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hokkaido’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance fortress tours. Hakodate’s historic charm and scenic beauty offer a serene Japanese stop, blending culture with natural splendor.

Returning to Tokyo — see Day 15 above for port info.