MS Zuiderdam
February 28, 2024

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.

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

Omaezaki, Japan, offers docking at Omaezaki Port. Travelers explore Omaezaki Lighthouse and local tea plantations. Excursions visit Shizuoka’s Mount Fuji viewpoints. Local markets sell wasabi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Pacific shores and tea fields. Dining onboard includes unagi, a Japanese eel dish. Souvenirs, like tea sets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shizuoka’s tea history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance plantation walks. Omaezaki’s coastal and agricultural charm offers a serene Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic lighthouses, tea culture, and Mount Fuji views, making Omaezaki an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Shizuoka region and natural beauty.

Kobe, Japan, has docking at Kobe Port with excursions to Kyoto. Travelers explore Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Excursions visit Arashiyama’s bamboo forest. Local markets sell matcha sweets. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures temples and gardens. Dining onboard includes kaiseki, a Japanese multi-course meal. Souvenirs, like sensu fans, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyoto’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance temple tours. Kobe’s access to Kyoto offers a profound Japanese stop, blending heritage with cultural richness.

Returning to Kobe (kyoto) — see Day 4 above for port info.

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.

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.

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 9 above for port info.

Dalian in China has docking at the Port of Dalian. Travelers stroll Xinghai Square’s coastal paths. Excursions explore Golden Pebble Beach’s rock formations. Local markets sell dried seafood. The peak season, May to October, brings mild weather; taxis cost 10-20 CNY. Photography captures modern skylines. Dining onboard includes jiaozi dumplings. Souvenirs, like jade trinkets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover port history. Light layers suit temperate conditions. Dalian’s blend of modernity and nature offers a dynamic Chinese coastal stop.

Tianjin (Beijing), China, offers docking at Tianjin Port with excursions to Beijing. Travelers explore Forbidden City and Great Wall. Excursions visit Summer Palace. Local markets sell jianbing. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures imperial palaces and Beijing vistas. Dining onboard includes Peking duck, a Chinese favorite. Souvenirs, like cloisonné crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ming history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Tianjin’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Chinese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and cultural heritage, making Tianjin an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Tianjin (beijing) — see Day 13 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.

Returning to Hong Kong — see Day 18 above for port info.

Da Nang in Vietnam has docking at Tien Sa Port. Travelers explore Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit Marble Mountains’ caves. Local markets sell silk lanterns. The peak season, February to August, avoids monsoons; taxis cost 100,000-200,000 VND. Photography captures Cham temples. Dining onboard includes banh mi. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover cultural heritage. Light clothing suits the tropical climate. Da Nang’s beaches and history provide a vibrant Vietnamese coastal stop.

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.

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.