Spectrum of the Seas
Watch as robots craft a custom juice creation for you at the Bionic Bar. Elevate your stay in one suite of our Suite Club, the most luxurious accommodations at sea with access to a variety of exclusive amenities. Or change the way you make family memories in the Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multi-room retreat complete with its own insuite slide and cinema which also doubles as a karaoke stage.
Roundtrip From:Shanghai (Baoshan), China
Visiting:
Departs at 4:30 PM
Called Hu for short, glamorous Shanghai is China's largest city, and it reverberates with echoes of China's past. But at the same time, it's a city with its eyes on the future, where Gothic and neoclassical architecture contrasts space-age skyscrapers. Cruise to Shanghai and visit the Bund, a historic neighborhood on the west side of the Huangpu River, where you can still see buildings from the city's past prior to 1949. Across the way on the east side, you can gaze up at the futuristic towers of Pudong. See decorative bronze artifacts dating back to the 18th century B.C. at the Shanghai Museum. Then, head to the Old City, where you can wander the bustling narrow streets inside the fortified walls, take in the smell of incense and sip longjing green tea at a traditional teahouse.
The Bund is Shanghai's art deco heritage neighborhood, with colonial architecture from the 1920s and '40s. Walk along the riverfront promenade at the golden hour for beautiful photos — from here, you can see the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong's skyscrapers across the river.
Insider tip
China's currency is the renminbi (abbreviated as RMB) and also called the yuan. Shanghai has lots of ATMs, though not all accept foreign cards. Smaller Chinese cities don't always have ATMs, so it's wise to stock up on extra cash in Shanghai.
Get a feel for old China by wandering through the Yu Garden during your Shanghai cruise vacation. The classical garden is 400 years old, with carp-filled pools and bamboo groves. See more of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum, which has 120,000 ancient relics, including bronze artifacts and sculptures.
It's hard not to find shopping in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is the busiest, with everything from specialty food shops to modern malls. If you have time to get something tailored, try the South Bund Fabric Market. During your China cruise, pick up a distinctive Chinese red lantern at the Antique Market or at most street markets.
Take a river cruise to see some of Shanghai's modern architectural highlights: The 1536-foot-tall Oriental Pearl Tower looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, while the twisting Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world, is meant to evoke a lucky dragon coming out of the earth. The World Finance Center Tower looks like a giant bottle opener.
Eating in Shanghai is all about street food. You'll see people drinking from giant dumplings through straws in a dish called xiao long bao — a soup dumpling. Join in, or eat them with chopsticks in a sit-down restaurant. Try cold noodles with eel, ginger and bamboo shoots, or pick up a flaky, pork-flecked scallion pancake — this comfort food is practically a way of life here.
Buckle up and take the wheel for nonstop fun on the only bumper cars at sea. Rush hour gets a thrilling spin at the largest indoor activity space ever to set sail — SeaPlex®.
The fun comes in gallons. This bigger, better kids aqua park features slides, water cannons, waterfalls and more. And when the drench bucket gets full, everyone gets wet.
There’s no rush in the world like skydiving — and on the RipCord® by iFLY® simulator you can feel the freedom of freefall without even leaving the deck.
From 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
A busy port in Tottori Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, Sakaiminato is a gateway to some of Japan's best nature and slow-paced, traditional culture. Head to Daisen Oki National Park, where you can hike up volcanic Mount Daisen, stopping for a rest inside Daisen-ji Buddhist temple, which lies halfway to the summit. In Sakaiminato city, walk along Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with statues inspired by Japanese comic legend Shigeru Mizuki's characters — pop into the museum of the same name to see the artist's original comics. Cruise to Sakaiminato and drive out to Matsue Castle — finished in 1611, it's one of the oldest still-standing castles in Japan — and continue on to the ancient Shinto shrine at Izumo Taisha.
Less than an hour by bus or train from Sakaiminato is the lakeside city of Matsue, capital of Shimane Prefecture and home to one of Japan's few still-standing 17th-century samurai fortresses, Matsue Castle. Another excellent piece of traditional architecture is the nearby Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum, dedicated to Greek-Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn.
Insider tip
Be sure to check the return timetables for buses and trains if you're going to venture to Matsue or Izumo Taisha.
If you prefer to stay in Sakaiminato, check out the legacy of local hero Shigeru Mizuki, a celebrated comic artist who created many yokai (monster) characters including the beloved GeGeGe no Kitaro. Mizuki Shigeru Road features 153 bronze statues of these creations, and the Mizuki Shigeru Museum offers a fascinating look at the artist's life and the world of yokai.
Tottori Prefecture is known for its fine sake rice wine. Browse the selection at Chiyomusubi sake brewery off Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato. You can watch the sake craftsmen in action with a brewery tour. During your Sakaiminato cruise vacation, pick up a figurine of GeGeGe no Kitaro or another of Shigeru Mizuki's characters in Sakaiminato center.
Believed to be Japan's oldest Shinto shrine, Izumo Taisha is a revered sanctuary dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of marriage. The shrine is famous for its enormous shimenawa sacred ropes, and while its design dates back to the mid-18th century, this spot has been a place of worship since at least the year 950. The Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo next door has a comprehensive account of local history.
Insider tip
Reservations are required for tours of Chiyomusubi sake brewery: Book ahead if you want to see how the good stuff is made.
Sakaiminato offers some of the best seafood in Japan, so come hungry. There's sushi, sashimi and kaisendon — a bowl of sashimi and fish roe over rice. If you're lucky enough to visit in winter, don't miss matsubagani, the sweet-tasting regional snow crab: Enjoy it raw sashimi-style, tossed into a hearty stew or grilled with soy-based dipping sauce.
From 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The gentle seaside city of Maizuru will win you over with its quaint collection of mountainside temples, pristine beaches and historical museums. Cruise to Kyoto and check out Maizuru Red Brick Park, a series of warehouses that today serve as a museum, and be transported to a Cold War-era spy thriller. See the nearby Amanohashidate sandbar, a 3-kilometer-long isthmus that connects the bay in a picturesque stretch of white sand and pine trees. Or head into central Kyoto, about a 90-minute drive from port — walk among the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, or climb to the top of Kyoto Tower for the area's best views.
Because Maizuru was a naval base, many buildings were built with striking red brick instead of traditional wood. Learn exactly how brick transformed this little seaside town at the Maizuru Brick Park. Don't forget to take a peek at the nearby naval ships floating casually in the bay.
Insider tip
Maizuru is quite spread out, so keep an eye on the time to make sure you make it back for departure.
Amanohashidate, translated as "Bridge in Heaven," is a picturesque sandbar stretching across the mouth of Miyazu Bay. With temples on either side, you can walk its length and enjoy the fine white sand. At the nearby Kitahama beach, the unique sand squeaks and sings as you step on it.
Insider tip
Tipping and haggling are not practiced in Japan — what you see is what you pay.
Pick up packets of Japanese seaweed snacks or dried fish at the Maixuru Port Toretore Center. For an unforgettable fashion experience, head inland to the Nishijin Textile center. You'll be treated to an array of brightly colored kimono and cloth imprinted with traditional floral designs.
The road to the Goro Sky Tower is almost as beautiful as the view from the tower itself. Winding up the side of a mountain, you'll find yourself surrounded by never-ending peaks and the vast blue ocean. From the tower, things get even better with an uninterrupted 360-degree view of the sea and the mountains.
Insider tip
Hiring a taxi or taking a tour for the day will let you see as many sights as possible.
Try a shojin ryori, a vegetarian set menu of seasonal Japanese vegetables and tofu. If vegetarian food isn't your thing, the Maizuru Port Toretore Center has the freshest fish available in the whole of Kyoto. Be sure to try whatever fish is in season during your visit to Kyoto.
From 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Niigata is the place to go to experience Japan's natural bounty. With four seasons of dramatic beauty — with a full month of cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, golden hues in autumn and snow-capped mountains in winter —this port city on the Sea of Japan is a nature lover's dream. Cruise to Niigata and head to Bandai Pier, where you can sample the most famed white fish in Japan from the local vendors. Explore the Niigata's opulent history at the tatami-clad Northern Culture Museum. Indulge your inner geek at the interactive Niigata Manga and Animation Museum. Or take the cable car to the summit of Yuzawa — you can ski here in winter and take in panoramic views year-round.
Niigata's Saito Villa was the summer house of a wealthy merchant family in the 20th century. Walk through the tatami-floored rooms, catching glimpses of the artful private garden. Be mesmerized by a geisha dance and play traditional geisha games. One of the games is like a geisha version of rock paper scissors: You play three times, and the loser turns around while the winner beats a drum.
Insider tip
Many attractions are near Niigata Station, making it the perfect base for your explorations.
Head to Hakusan Park, the first park public park Japan ever built in 1873. You'll find two large ponds teaming with koi fish, a 1,000-year-old shrine dedicated to marriage, impressive autumn leaves in the middle of the city and a bounty of pale-pink cherry blossoms in the spring.
Insider tip
Niigata is warm in the summer and snowy in the winter, be sure to pack appropriate clothing.
The Furumachi neighborhood started off as a Geisha district, but now it's buzzing with commercial shops. Respectfully step into one of the many revered kimono stores, lined with delicately patterned fabric. Cruise to Niigata and take home intricate jeweled hair ornaments, or try on a pair of traditional geta shoes worn with Yukata.
Niigata is famous for its rice, so you'll find a treasure trove of sake breweries. Tour Imayotsukasa Brewery where they still make sake the old-fashioned way. Next, nibble miso-pickles while sipping sweet sake at Minemura Brewery, and choose from 92 sake brands at Ponshu-kan Sake Tasting Corner.
Insider tip
Taxi's wait in designated spots outside train stations, but you can hail them within the city.
Visit the Niigata Furusato Bazaar Hall to find every specialty in one place. Grab a bowl of tarekatsu donbori, a fried pork cutlet over rice with a salty-sweet sauce. Tuck into a 10-piece Kiwami sushi platter of the fresh daily fish, and try hegi soba, the local type of slippery noodles made from seaweed during your cruise.
From 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Hakodate overflows with historic architecture and steamy hot springs . Located along Hokkaido's southwestern tip, it's the perfect spot to begin exploring this island's unique history and culture during your vacation. Cruise to Hakodate and start your day at the morning Hakodate-Asaichi, or Morning Market, and tuck into a hearty kaisendon, a bowl of ultra-fresh sashimi fish over steamed rice. Then, relax with a soak in the Yunokawa hot springs on Hakodate's outskirts, or check out Goryokaku Fort — the nearby tower lets you take in a bird's-eye view of the star-shaped design surrounded by a moat. And don't leave without taking in the million-dollar views of the city from atop Mt. Hakodate.
It may be only 334 meters high, but Mt. Hakodate has stunning views of the city of Hakodate and the surrounding waters. Known as the "million-dollar view," it's one of Japan's best-known spots for panoramic vistas. A gondola will get you to the observation deck in three minutes, and a hike takes around 45.
Insider tip
There's no tipping in Japan, but you'll face an 8 percent sales tax everywhere except major retailers, which often have tax-fee shopping campaigns.
The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a beautifully preserved group of bay-side godowns — a term for warehouses derived from an Indian dialect — dating to the early 20th century. Today, these buildings offer an eclectic mix of shopping and dining, but even their architecture makes them worth a stop.
Insider tip
If you're planning to head atop Mount Hakodate, pack a jacket even in warmer weather — it can get windy at the summit.
Celebrate Hokkaido's oceanic heritage with a cute squid-themed souvenir — favorites ranges from stuffed animals to keychains. Take home traditional Hokkaido handmade wooden items, such as spoons, bowls, placemats and other kitchenware, or pick up a bar of specialty soap made from Hokkaido-sourced materials: The local seaweed is thought to take exfoliation to the next level. Seek out these and other distinctive trinkets at the shops at Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse during your visit.
The Goryokaku is a unique star-shaped fort built in the mid-19th century by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect Hakodate from Western powers. In 1869, former samurai established the Republic of Ezo here before imperial troops defeated them six months later. Today, the fort is a leafy oasis surrounded by more than 1,000 cherry trees that bloom in spring.
Insider tip
Attractions in Hakodate can be crowded with travelers and school tours, so arrive as early as possible to avoid congestion.
Hakodate is a seafood lover's utopia. Cruise to Hakodate and drop anchor near the asaichi (morning market) south of Hakodate Station, and you'll find a myriad of eateries offering marine delicacies such as king crab, sushi and uni (sea urchin). If in doubt, try Maruyama Shoten's kaisendon (seafood bowl) of raw uni, squid, salmon and roe over rice.
Savor an exotic tapestry of authentic spices and wow-worthy Asian-inspired flavors while feasting your eyes on endless views for the whole table at Sichuan Red®, Designed just for Spectrum of the Seas®, this is one game changing specialty dining experience foodies won’t want to miss.
At Teppanyaki℠, expert chefs elevate cooking to a performance art form — and you’ve got front row seats to the show. Enjoy authentic Far East flavors prepared right at your table and served up with a sizzle, from succulent seafood to top-grade steaks seared to perfection.
This chic cafe serves up all your favorite hot and cold drinks, from original Chinese teas to classic coffee creations. Want the best of both worlds? Choose from a selection of trendy teas inspired by coffee-making culture — all paired with pastries from around the globe.
Treat your little ones to a tasty snack-a-thon made just for them. Located right near the kids’ pool area, Splashaway Café is the perfect flip-flop-friendly spot to fuel up in between epic adventures onboard.
Arrives at 7:00 AM
Called Hu for short, glamorous Shanghai is China's largest city, and it reverberates with echoes of China's past. But at the same time, it's a city with its eyes on the future, where Gothic and neoclassical architecture contrasts space-age skyscrapers. Cruise to Shanghai and visit the Bund, a historic neighborhood on the west side of the Huangpu River, where you can still see buildings from the city's past prior to 1949. Across the way on the east side, you can gaze up at the futuristic towers of Pudong. See decorative bronze artifacts dating back to the 18th century B.C. at the Shanghai Museum. Then, head to the Old City, where you can wander the bustling narrow streets inside the fortified walls, take in the smell of incense and sip longjing green tea at a traditional teahouse.
The Bund is Shanghai's art deco heritage neighborhood, with colonial architecture from the 1920s and '40s. Walk along the riverfront promenade at the golden hour for beautiful photos — from here, you can see the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong's skyscrapers across the river.
Insider tip
Check visa rules carefully. They vary greatly depending on your nationality, length of stay, where you visit and if you re-enter the country.
Get a feel for old China by wandering through the Yu Garden during your Shanghai cruise vacation. The classical garden is 400 years old, with carp-filled pools and bamboo groves. See more of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum, which has 120,000 ancient relics, including bronze artifacts and sculptures.
It's hard not to find shopping in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is the busiest, with everything from specialty food shops to modern malls. If you have time to get something tailored, try the South Bund Fabric Market. During your China cruise, pick up a distinctive Chinese red lantern at the Antique Market or at most street markets.
Take a river cruise to see some of Shanghai's modern architectural highlights: The 1536-foot-tall Oriental Pearl Tower looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, while the twisting Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world, is meant to evoke a lucky dragon coming out of the earth. The World Finance Center Tower looks like a giant bottle opener.
Insider tip
Within the city, getting around by subway is cheap, easy and avoids surface-level traffic.
Eating in Shanghai is all about street food. You'll see people drinking from giant dumplings through straws in a dish called xiao long bao — a soup dumpling. Join in, or eat them with chopsticks in a sit-down restaurant. Try cold noodles with eel, ginger and bamboo shoots, or pick up a flaky, pork-flecked scallion pancake — this comfort food is practically a way of life here.
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