Riviera
September 30, 2027

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kyoto, Japan, offers a cruise excursion from Kobe Port. Travelers explore Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Excursions visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Local markets sell kaiseki. The peak season, March to May, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures golden pavilions and torii gates. Dining onboard includes sushi, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like kimono crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Heian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Kyoto’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic temples and scenic groves, making Kyoto an engaging destination.

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.

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