Seabourn Sojourn
March 24, 2024

Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan, offers docking at Keelung Port with excursions to Taipei. Travelers explore Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Excursions visit Yehliu’s rock formations. Local markets sell stinky tofu. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Taiwan Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes xiaolongbao, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like oolong tea, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Formosan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Keelung’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Taiwanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and coastal beauty, making Keelung an engaging destination.

Naha, Okinawa, Japan, offers docking at Naha Port. Travelers explore Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO site, and Tsuboya pottery district. Excursions visit Churaumi Aquarium’s marine exhibits. Local markets sell goya champuru. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Ryukyu architecture and turquoise seas. Dining onboard includes rafute, an Okinawan pork dish. Souvenirs, like shisa statues, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Okinawa’s Ryukyu history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Naha’s vibrant island culture offers a dynamic Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles, marine life, and Okinawan traditions, making Naha an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s southern island heritage.

Amami Oshima (Naze), Japan, docks at Naze Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute transfers. The island, population 70,000, features the Amami Mangrove Park, reachable in 15 minutes, with canoe tours through Japan’s second-largest mangrove forest hosting black crabs. Kinsakubaru Forest, 20 minutes east, offers hikes among ancient banyan trees and Amami rabbits. Naze’s Ohama Seaside Park, a 5-minute drive, provides coral beach swimming. Local markets sell shochu and black sugar candy. Excursions to Kakeroma Island, 30 minutes by ferry, explore fishing villages. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining includes keihan (chicken rice soup) at port cafes. Souvenirs feature tsumugi silk scarves. Kayak rentals available for coastal exploration.

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.

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.

Nagato, Japan, has docking at Nagato Port. Travelers explore Motonosumi Shrine’s iconic red torii gates and Hagi’s samurai district. Excursions visit Tsuwano’s traditional streets. Local markets sell yaki-zakana. The peak season, March to May, brings mild weather and cherry blossoms. Photography captures coastal shrines and historic castles. Dining onboard includes fugu, a local delicacy. Souvenirs, like Hagi-yaki pottery, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yamaguchi’s samurai history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Nagato’s blend of spiritual sites and historic charm offers a serene Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic shrines, samurai heritage, and coastal beauty, making Nagato an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s traditional culture and natural landscapes in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

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.

Returning to Busan (Pusan) — see Day 10 above for port info.

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.

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.

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

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 16 above for port info.

The Yangtze River in China has no docking; ships cruise from Chongqing to Yichang. Travelers view the Three Gorges’ towering cliffs. Excursions explore Fengdu’s ghost city. No facilities are available; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, April to October, avoids winter chill. Photography captures Qutang Gorge. Dining onboard includes spicy noodles. Souvenirs, like panda figurines, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover dam history. Light clothing suits mild weather. The Yangtze’s dramatic gorges offer a cultural and scenic Chinese river journey.

Returning to Shanghai — see Day 16 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 21 above for port info.

Returning to Hong Kong — see Day 21 above for port info.