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.
Oneway From:Shanghai (Baoshan), China to Hong Kong, 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 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The most cosmopolitan island in the Yaeyama Island Group of Okinawa, Ishigaki's subtropical climate means it's beach weather all year round here — the island is rimmed with powdery white beaches and sky-blue waters teeming with coral reefs. Cruise to Ishigaki and take the one-hour hike up Okinawa's highest peak, Mt. Otomo, and marvel at the ocean views dotted with neighboring islands. Walk around Ishigaki's small town: Sample freshly caught fish at the Public Market, explore the 19th-century Miyara Dounchi House and Gardens, or channel inner calm at nearby Torinji Zen Temple. Looking for more thrill factor? Head to the mangroves of Nagura Anparu Wetland for a kayaking adventure.
Visit Kaibara Bay, where glass-bottom boats fly through striking blue water giving you a rare underwater look. The bay is passionately protected by locals, and swimming is not allowed, but if you'd like to take a dip, head to Sukuji Beach — here, you'll find warm water, jet skis and diving tours.
Insider tip
Although many tourists visit Ishigaki, learning a few Japanese phrases will make you popular with the locals.
Head to Yaima Village, where you can experience a real-life recreation of the Ryukyu Era. Old structures have been rebuilt and musical shows are put on daily. Have fun trying on Ryuku traditional dress, paint your own Shiisa statuette, or learn to make mouthwatering Sata Andagi donuts.
A visit to Ishigaki's Public Market will fill your bags with great Ishigaki souvenirs during your visit to Japan. Pick up a jar of locally harvested Okinawan sea salt, a bottle of awamori and a small handmade Shiisa statue. Shissa are guardian spirits that look like a mix between a dog and a lion.
On a clear day, climb up Mt. Otomo — the highest peak in Okinawa — for expansive views of the island and beyond. The mountainous path leads you through dense forest and takes one hour each way. Cruise to Ishigaki, Japan and finish your adventure at Nagura Anparu Wetland with a mystical kayak tour through the impressive Mangroves.
Insider tip
There are jellyfish from May to October. Only official beaches are netted and protected, so be careful at more secluded spots.
Head to Sukuji Beach for the island's best restaurants and bars. Try yaeyama soba, a delicious fusion of pork and seafood flavors balanced by Okinawan-style thick wheat noodles. Pair your soba with a glass of awamori, Okinawa's signature liqueur, with earthy, sweet flavors similar to sake or shochu.
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 6:30 AM
Although it's officially part of China, Hong Kong is a world unto itself. This bustling city is full of ancient and modern architecture, lots of people and — of course — the best dim sum around. Head to the Kowloon Peninsula for Golden Mile shopping along Nathan Road. Then, make your way to Hong Kong Island to admire the views from the top of Victoria Peak — you can see the skyscrapers of the financial district as well as the fishing village of Stanley Harbour. Cruise to Hong Kong and trek out to mountainous Lantau Island to see the famous Tian Tan Buddha, standing a full 112 feet tall. Or score some quiet time at Hong Kong Park, full of contemplative rock gardens and tree-lined paths.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you're up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.
Use an Octopus card for a ride on Hong Kong's iconic Star Ferry for inexpensive views of Hong Kong's harbor. The tour makes a scenic circular route between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, stopping at three piers. Skyscrapers are everywhere, but look closely for the smaller Golden Bauhinia near the Wan Chai Pier, a golden flower statue where the handover of Hong Kong took place in 1997.
Head to Causeway Bay for modern retail therapy: This stretch of Hong Kong is virtually covered in malls and shops. Central is the district to go to for upscale designer clothes, shoes and other items. But don't overlook the markets for local handicrafts during your Hong Kong cruise. Pick up an inexpensive but distinctive jade necklace or ornament, or look for poetry-inscribed paintings and bamboo handicrafts from the antique dealers on Cat Street.
Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It's a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There's lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.
Hong Kong is famous for dim sum, a meal of bite-sized foods with various selections brought to your table. Traditionally eaten for brunch, you'll find it at other hours, too. Choose from steamed buns, dumplings or fried rolls filled with spinach, crab or chicken. You'll likely need to share a table — but then you'll have help deciding what to order. Restaurants with lots of locals are a sign of quality and good prices.
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