Norwegian Spirit
October 19, 2025

Incheon, South Korea, has docking at Incheon Port with excursions to Seoul. Travelers explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongdong markets. Excursions visit DMZ’s historic sites. Local markets sell kimchi. The peak season, April to June, brings mild weather. Photography captures palaces and urban skylines. Dining onboard includes bulgogi, a Korean favorite. Souvenirs, like hanbok dolls, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Korean history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city tours. Incheon’s access to Seoul offers a vibrant South Korean stop, blending culture with modern energy.

Jeju City, South Korea, has docking at Jeju Port. Travelers explore Seongsan Ilchulbong’s volcanic crater. Excursions visit Manjanggul Lava Tube. Local markets sell tangerines. The peak season, April to June, brings mild weather. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes haemul jeongol, a seafood hotpot. Souvenirs, like lava stone crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Jeju’s geology. Light clothing suits the temperate climate. Sturdy shoes enhance hikes. Jeju City’s volcanic beauty offers a vibrant South Korean stop, immersing travelers in its natural wonders.

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.

Shimonoseki, Japan, offers docking at Shimonoseki Port. Travelers explore Akama Shrine and Kanmon Bridge. Excursions visit Hagi’s samurai district. Local markets sell fugu sashimi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic shrines and Kanmon Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes kaisendon, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like pottery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yamaguchi history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Shimonoseki’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic straits, making Shimonoseki an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s western coast.

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.

Kanazawa, Japan, has docking at Kanazawa Port. Travelers explore Kenrokuen Garden’s serene landscapes. Excursions visit Higashi Chaya’s geisha district. Local markets sell kaga yuzen silk. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures gardens and traditional teahouses. Dining onboard includes kaga ryori, a local cuisine. Souvenirs, like gold leaf crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover samurai history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance garden walks. Kanazawa’s cultural elegance offers a refined Japanese stop, blending heritage with scenic beauty.

Niigata, Honshu, Japan, offers docking at Niigata Port. Travelers explore the Northern Culture Museum and Sado Island’s gold mines. Excursions visit Yahiko Shrine’s scenic trails. Local markets sell koshihikari rice. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for sightseeing. Photography captures traditional estates and Sea of Japan views. Dining onboard includes hegisoba, a Niigata noodle dish. Souvenirs, like sake bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Niigata’s rice history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Niigata’s cultural and coastal charm offers a serene Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic landscapes, and culinary traditions, making Niigata an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Honshu heritage.

Otaru (Sapporo), Japan, offers docking at Otaru Port with excursions to Sapporo. Travelers explore Sapporo’s Odori Park and Snow Festival sites. Excursions visit Otaru’s historic canals. Local markets sell miso ramen. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures urban parks and Hokkaido’s coastlines. Dining onboard includes jingisukan, a Hokkaido lamb dish. Souvenirs, like Sapporo beer glasses, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hokkaido’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Otaru’s access to Sapporo offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of urban culture, historic canals, and Hokkaido’s culinary delights, making Otaru an engaging gateway to Japan’s northern island.

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.

Nagoya, Japan, provides docking at Nagoya Port. Travelers explore Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine. Excursions visit Toyota’s factory museum for automotive history. Local markets sell kishimen noodles. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures samurai castles and urban skylines. Dining onboard includes hitsumabushi, a Nagoya eel dish. Souvenirs, like noren curtains, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aichi’s industrial history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Nagoya’s blend of history and modernity offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of samurai heritage, spiritual sites, and industrial innovation, making Nagoya an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s cultural and technological richness in the Chubu region.

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.

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.

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