Seven Seas Splendor
April 20, 2029

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kagoshima, Japan, has docking at Kagoshima Port. Travelers explore Sakurajima volcano’s active trails. Excursions visit Sengan-en Garden’s historic grounds. Local markets sell shochu. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes kurobuta pork, a Kagoshima specialty. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyushu’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Kagoshima’s volcanic beauty offers a dynamic Japanese stop, blending nature with cultural heritage.

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.

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.

Yeosu, South Korea, offers docking at Yeosu Port. Travelers explore Odongdo Island and Hyangiram Hermitage. Excursions visit Suncheon Bay’s wetlands. Local markets sell hoe. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures camellia islands and Sea of Japan vistas. Dining onboard includes bibimbap, a Korean favorite. Souvenirs, like seaweed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Jeolla history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance hermitage hikes. Yeosu’s coastal charm offers a vibrant South Korean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic islands and cultural heritage, making Yeosu an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Hakata, Japan, offers docking at Hakata Port. Travelers explore Fukuoka’s Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Canal City. Excursions visit Yanagawa’s canals for boat rides. Local markets sell hakata ramen. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures shrines and urban vibrancy. Dining onboard includes tonkotsu ramen, a local specialty. Souvenirs, like furoshiki cloths, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyushu’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Hakata’s cultural richness offers a dynamic Japanese stop, blending tradition with modern energy.

Beppu, Japan, docks at Beppu Port, 3 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 120,000, features the Hells of Beppu, geothermal hot springs for viewing. Travelers relax at Kannawa Onsen, 15 minutes east. Excursions to Mount Tsurumi, 20 minutes north, offer cable car rides. Local markets sell yuzu products. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining includes toriten (chicken tempura) at onsen cafes. Souvenirs feature bamboo crafts.

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