28 nights · Japan · Departs Tokyo (Japan) · Visiting Shimizu, Kobe-Osaka, Kochi City, Hiroshima City, Hakata-Fukuoka City, Nagasaki City, Busan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Saigon, Sihanoukville, Laem Chabang, Koh Samui Island Thailand, Singapore · Aboard Holland America on the ms Noordam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Noordam |
| Duration | 28 nights |
| Port calls | 17 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,864 per person |
| Year built | 2006 |
| Guests | 2366 |
| Cabins | 986 |
| Crew | 820 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Tokyo is a city of contrasts best explored one neighborhood at a time. In Asakusa, Senso-ji’s lantern gates lead to a centuries-old Buddhist temple; nearby, the Sumida River frames the skyline. Ride the efficient rail network to sleek Ginza, quiet Meiji Shrine, or the high-rise streets of Shinjuku. Come hungry: sushi counters, ramen shops, and department-store food halls make eating well remarkably easy. Tokyo’s scale is immense, but its details reward curiosity.
Shimizu offers a memorable arrival: on clear days, Mount Fuji rises beyond the blue waters of Suruga Bay. Shimizu is a working harbor famed for tuna. Across the bay, Miho-no-Matsubara’s pines frame a celebrated view of Fuji. At Nihondaira, take in the panorama, then ride the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu, a richly decorated shrine honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Osaka rewards travellers who look beyond its famous appetite. Japan’s third-largest city blends merchant heritage, bold architecture and everyday energy. At Osaka Castle, stone walls and broad moats frame a defining chapter of the city’s past. Follow locals to Dotonbori, where neon reflects on the canal and takoyaki comes hot from the grill. Excellent rail links make Osaka a practical gateway to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
Kochi rewards curious visitors with Shikoku’s history and easygoing, open-air pleasures. At its heart, Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s twelve castles to retain its original keep. Nearby, the Sunday market and Hirome Market reveal local life through seasonal produce and katsuo no tataki, seared bonito. Follow the coast to Katsurahama, where a statue of samurai reformer Sakamoto Ryoma faces the sea.
Hiroshima is a modern city with a history that reaches far beyond the events of 1945. At Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of the bombing. Across the city, local trams make it easy to reach Shukkeien Garden, lively Hondori and the riverside. A short train and ferry journey reaches Miyajima, famed for Itsukushima Shrine and its great torii gate.
Fukuoka is Kyushu’s largest city, a compact gateway where old Hakata meets modern Japan. Hakata’s shrines, covered shopping arcades and lively yatai food stalls reveal its character. Try famed tonkotsu ramen, then visit Ohori Park, where a broad lake lies beside Fukuoka Castle’s ruins. Efficient buses and subway connections make it easy to balance heritage, waterfront walks and contemporary city life.
Few Japanese cities combine harbor scenery and layered history as compellingly as Nagasaki. Its steep streets rise above a sheltered harbor that once linked Japan with Dutch and Chinese traders. At Dejima, the former Dutch trading post, exhibits trace the city’s unusual role during centuries of restricted foreign contact. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of 1945. Come for the history; stay to see how a resilient port city lives beside its past.
Busan pairs the scale of a modern port city with easy access to temples, markets and broad beaches. Visit Gamcheon Culture Village, browse Jagalchi Fish Market or ride Songdo’s cable car over the sea. The city’s best-known sights are spread across several districts, so plan your day around one area. For a quieter pause, visit Beomeosa Temple on the forested slopes of Geumjeongsan.
Shanghai is a city of striking contrasts, where historic lanes meet a skyline that ranks among the world’s most recognizable. Walk the Bund for views across the Huangpu to Pudong’s soaring towers, then explore the former French Concession’s tree-lined streets. At Yu Garden, classical pavilions and rockeries offer a quieter counterpoint to the city’s pace. Allow time for a meal: Shanghai’s restaurants range from traditional xiaolongbao shops to contemporary kitchens.
Hong Kong is best approached from the water, where the Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour beneath a skyline of towers. Ride the Peak Tram for sweeping views of the harbour and surrounding islands. In Central, colonial landmarks stand beside glass towers; across the harbour, Kowloon’s markets and temples offer a different pace. Cantonese kitchens range from dim sum teahouses to polished dining rooms. Leave time for the harbour after dark, when the city’s lights come into focus.
Hạ Long opens onto a singular seascape: thousands of limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Tonkin. From the modern cruise port, boat trips lead into sheltered coves and dramatic grottoes. Some itineraries visit a floating fishing village, where families once made their living from the bay. Back ashore, Bai Chay has cafés and seafood restaurants. Choose a longer cruise for the best perspective: the karsts are most striking from the water.
Da Nang is Vietnam’s most appealing blend of city energy, broad beaches and easy access to remarkable heritage. The Museum of Cham Sculpture offers an exceptional introduction to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The Marble Mountains rise above the coast; Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is about 30 kilometres south. Choose a beach day, a museum visit or an outing into central Vietnam’s layered past.
Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.
Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s principal seaport, set on the Gulf of Thailand beside a fast-changing coastal city. Its beaches, including Otres and Independence, offer a break from the busy port district. Nearby Ream National Park protects mangroves, river estuaries and coastal forest. Take a boat to offshore islands, or travel inland to Kampot for riverside scenery and colonial-era architecture.
Bangkok makes its first impression in motion: river boats, temple roofs and traffic threading between modern towers. At the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and ceremonial halls reveal the city’s royal heritage. Nearby, Wat Pho holds the famous Reclining Buddha; a Chao Phraya boat ride offers a quieter view of old neighborhoods. Come hungry: markets and street kitchens serve fragrant curries, grilled seafood and mango with sticky rice. Allow time for heat and distance; Bangkok rewards an unhurried visit.
Ko Samui rewards those who look beyond its beach resorts. Thailand’s Gulf island pairs coconut groves and fishing villages with polished dining and quiet coves. From Nathon, explore the island’s temples, including the gold-toned Big Buddha, or follow the coast to Chaweng and Lamai. Boat trips reach Ang Thong Marine Park, where limestone islands rise above clear water. Choose a driver for the day; distances and heat make leisurely exploration easier.
Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.
Published August 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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