South Korea Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
37 ships from 22 cruise lines
South Korea cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 346 upcoming sailings on 37 ships from 22 cruise lines visiting South Korea, calling at 6 places. Cruises can start in Incheon and Busan and end in Incheon and Busan. Of 346 upcoming sailings, 38 start in South Korea and 36 end there. More Asia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare South Korea cruise lines
See every South Korea cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About South Korea
South Korea offers a rare combination of ancient heritage, contemporary energy, natural drama, and personal safety. For the American milestone traveler, it works best as an ocean-cruise destination with port calls at Busan, Jeju, and Incheon, rather than as a river-cruise market. The country rewards those who trade overscheduled group tours for small-group and independent exploration: a quiet temple in Gyeongju, a dawn walk at Seongsan Ilchulbong, a seafood dinner in Busan, or a palace-to-hanok day in Seoul. The trade-offs are honest: there is no European-style river cruise network here, the language barrier is real but manageable with apps, and the DMZ requires licensed guides. Yet for travelers who want to feel deeply connected to a place without feeling herded, South Korea is among Asia's most accessible and rewarding choices.
Typical routes
- Japan-Korea circuit: short two-country loops from Japanese homeports or Shanghai that call at Busan, Jeju, and often Incheon for Seoul.
- Northern Asia grand voyages: longer itineraries connecting Japan, South Korea, Taiwan/Hong Kong, or Alaska/Yokohama to Southeast Asia, with multi-day Korean port stays.
Ports overview
International ocean cruising is the real South Korea cruise story. Major ports are Busan, Incheon, and Jeju, with secondary calls at Sokcho and Yeosu. Most itineraries pair Korea with Japan or China rather than operating dedicated domestic river cruises.
Cruise season
March-June and September-November are best for mild weather; summer is hot and humid with typhoon risk; winter is cold but scenic, with fewer crowds.
Find your South Korea sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at South Korea, earliest departure first.
36 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Tokyo
Visits South Korea. Also visits Canada, United States, Japan
Seabourn Encore
12 Days One-Way from Incheon to Hong Kong
Starts in South Korea. Also visits China, Hong Kong
Azamara Pursuit
26 Days One-Way from Incheon to Singapore
Starts in South Korea. Also visits China, Hong Kong, Vietnam
Azamara Pursuit
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29 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
ms Noordam
15 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
ms Noordam
10 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
MSC Explora 3
12 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
Silver Moon
12 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
Oceania Riviera
7 Days Shanghai, China Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits China, Japan
Spectrum Of The Seas
12 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Yokohama
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
Ritz-Carlton Luminara
12 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
Seven Seas Explorer
11 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Visits South Korea. Also visits Japan
MSC Explora 3
Where South Korea cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (2)
Busan (253) (cruises from) · Incheon (90) (cruises from)
Ships by type: 35 ocean 4 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your South Korea cruise
South Korea cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
South Korea cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about South Korea cruises
How many places do cruises visit in South Korea?
6 South Korea places are visited by 37 ships from 22 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a South Korea cruise?
March-June and September-November are best for mild weather; summer is hot and humid with typhoon risk; winter is cold but scenic, with fewer crowds.
Sources and further reading
Background on South Korea draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: South Korea
- The World Bank: Republic of Korea Overview
- Korea Tourism Organization: Visit Korea
- U.S. Department of State: South Korea International Travel Information
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: South Korea
- Cruise Critic: Cruise Ports in South Korea
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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