--- type: cruise schema_type: TouristTrip id: c5a8d63c-e7df-4e36-a81d-1fcc88d16366 slug: 2203487 voyage_code: W718A cruise_line: Holland America Line ship: Westerdam departure_date: return_date: nights: 28 embarkation_port: Tokyo disembarkation_port: Tokyo starting_price_usd: None bookable: true last_updated: 2026-05-04T22:38:27Z --- # South Korea Discovery & Circle Japan > Holland America Line · Westerdam · Mar 14 – Apr 11, 2027   (28 nights) ## Quick Facts | Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | **Cruise Line** | Holland America Line | | **Ship** | Westerdam | | **Duration** | 28 nights | | **Departure Date** | N/A | | **Return Date** | N/A | | **Embarkation Port** | Tokyo | | **Disembarkation Port** | Tokyo | | **Starting Price** | N/A USD per person | | **Voyage Code** | W718A | ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Tokyo **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 07:00 PM Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century. ### Day 2: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 3: Kochi, Japan **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:30 PM High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market. ### Day 4: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 5: Jeju (Cheju) City **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 04:30 PM Jeju, formerly Cheju, may not be familiar to most Americans, but for Korean travelers the country’s largest island and home to one of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a popular destination. The island is roughly the size of Maui and has much in common with the Hawaiian islands. Like them, it is a volcanic island—it first emerged from the sea some two million years ago and the volcano Hallasan, which reaches a height of 1,950 meters, is the tallest peak in South Korea. It also shares the mil... ### Day 6: Incheon (Seoul) **Arrives:** 10:00 AM · **Departs:** 11:00 PM Once upon a time, Incheon was a quiet seaside village, pretty typical for Korea. The men went fishing, the women made kimchi. There were maybe a couple thousand people altogether in the region. And then it got caught in the middle of a war. Incheon is where, late in 1950, the U.S. Marines landed, marking the beginning of the end of the Korean War, a war that ultimately claimed more than 40,000 American soldiers’ lives and an undetermined number of Koreans. After the fighting, when Inche... ### Day 7: Incheon (Seoul) **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Once upon a time, Incheon was a quiet seaside village, pretty typical for Korea. The men went fishing, the women made kimchi. There were maybe a couple thousand people altogether in the region. And then it got caught in the middle of a war. Incheon is where, late in 1950, the U.S. Marines landed, marking the beginning of the end of the Korean War, a war that ultimately claimed more than 40,000 American soldiers’ lives and an undetermined number of Koreans. After the fighting, when Inche... ### Day 8: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 9: Busan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot ... ### Day 10: Fukuoka (Hakata), Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM ### Day 11: Nagasaki **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM City of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Sample shore excursions: Nagasaki Half-day Tour; Sakai Bridge & 99 Islands;Arita, Birthplace of Ceramics. ### Day 12: Osaka **Arrives:** 03:00 PM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the res... ### Day 13: Osaka **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the res... ### Day 14: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 15: Tokyo **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century. ### Day 16: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 17: Osaka **Arrives:** 06:30 AM · **Departs:** 07:30 PM Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the res... ### Day 18: Kochi, Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market. ### Day 19: Hiroshima, Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 11:59 PM Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy ... ### Day 20: Kanmon Strait **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM ### Day 21: Busan **Arrives:** 10:30 AM · **Departs:** 06:30 PM South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot ... ### Day 22: Sakaiminato, Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro (a character who’s everywhere in contemporary Japan), and gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, site of the famous “Black Castle.” ### Day 23: Tsuruga **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM This sleepy little port city is home to the intimate Kehi Shrine, with its red-lacquered Torii gate and koi pond. Learn about the fascinating history of the town at the Tsuruga Museum. Dine on grilled seafood like a local at Nihonkai Sakana Machi. ### Day 24: Toyama, Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM ### Day 25: Sakata, Japan **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 07:00 PM ### Day 26: Aomori **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 09:00 PM Most Japanese used to think of Aomori merely as the place you caught the ferry to when you were going to Hokkaido. By the time you’d gotten here, they figured, you were pretty much at the edge of the civilized world. The small Tsugaru Strait that separates Honshu from Hokkaido isn’t big—only about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) at its narrowest point—but it’s ecologically important: Hokkaido has animals related to northern Asia, whereas Honshu’s are more closely related to southern Asiaâ... ### Day 27: Hakodate **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 05:00 PM From the lively morning market of Asa-ichi, to the unparalleled views from Mount Hakodate, discover the history of the first Japanese port opened to international trade. Walk the ruins of the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku, the first of its kind in Japan, learn about local Ainu culture or simply feast on the abundance of fresh seafood this city is famous for. ### Day 28: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 29: Tokyo **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century. ## Pricing Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy in USD. | Cabin Type | Starting Price | |------------|----------------| | Pricing | Contact for latest fares | ## Ship Information ### Westerdam Recently updated with new bar, entertainment and dining venues, plus completely reimagined suites, Westerdam is a fascinating destination in her own right. On board, enjoy live entertainment with Music Walk, including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. Enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central atop the ship. #### Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Passenger Capacity | 1,916 | | Crew | 817 | | Gross Tonnage | 82,348.0 | | Length | 936.0 ft | | Total Cabins | 984 | ## Onboard Amenities ### Entertainment - **Slots**: Return to timeless classics, such as traditional slots and progressive jackpots, or take a chance on our newest, most innovative games, such as an adr... - **Bingo**: Join us for the most exciting bingo game at sea. Our snowball jackpot builds throughout the voyage and MUST hit before everyone leaves the ship! Ask a... - **Paradise Lotto**: Enter our Paradise Lotto drawing and you could walk away with a jackpot prize worth over $300,000. Purchase your tickets with the casino cashier. - **Billboard Onboard**: Between nightly sets, guests are part of the show as they sing and play along with trivia questions presented on screens throughout the room. - **World Stage**: World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivat... ### Food and Drink - **Morimoto by Sea (Pop-Up)**: Chef Masaharu Morimoto, our Global Fresh Fish Ambassador brings his innovative style to Morimoto by Sea, a pop-up dining experience that will take ove... - **Canaletto**: In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. Culinary Ambassador Ethan Stowell’s expertly crafted... - **Pinnacle Grill**: Pinnacle Grill offers an elegant dining experience, combining impeccable service with a menu that highlights the best of land and sea. Each course is ... - **Dive In**: Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toa... - **The Dining Room**: For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics ... ### Fitness - **Fitness**: Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilat... ### Other - **Pickleball At Sea**: Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. Al... - **Onboard Shopping**: Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds a... - **Kids Club**: Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-... ### Technology - **Holland America Line Navigator**: Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore e... ### Recreational - **Casino Action**: Cards, dice, blackjack and other table games offer an opportunity to say “yes” to excitement. Sharpen your skills with a quick hands-on lesson from ou... ## Ports of Call ### Tokyo *Coordinates: 35.6895, 139.692* Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the... ### Kochi, Japan *Coordinates: 33.5588, 133.531* High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market. ### Jeju (Cheju) City *Coordinates: 33.4996, 126.531* Jeju, formerly Cheju, may not be familiar to most Americans, but for Korean travelers the country’s largest island and home to one of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a popular destination. The island is roughly the size of Maui and has much in common with the Hawaiian islands. Like them, it is a volcanic island—it first emerged from the sea some two million years ago and the volcano Hallasan... ### Incheon (Seoul) *Coordinates: 37.5503, 126.997* Once upon a time, Incheon was a quiet seaside village, pretty typical for Korea. The men went fishing, the women made kimchi. There were maybe a couple thousand people altogether in the region. And then it got caught in the middle of a war. Incheon is where, late in 1950, the U.S. Marines landed, marking the beginning of the end of the Korean War, a war that ultimately claimed more than 40,000 ... ### Busan *Coordinates: 35.1579, 129.055* South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of ev... ### Fukuoka (Hakata), Japan *Coordinates: 33.5904, 130.402* ### Nagasaki *Coordinates: 32.7503, 129.878* City of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Sample shore excursions: Nagasaki Half-day Tour; Sakai Bridge & 99 Islands;Arita, Birthplace of Ceramics. ### Osaka *Coordinates: 34.6937, 135.502* Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play ha... ### Hiroshima, Japan *Coordinates: 34.3852, 132.455* Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and asso... ### Kanmon Strait ### Sakaiminato, Japan *Coordinates: 35.5452, 133.223* Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro (a character who’s everywhere in contemporary Japan), and gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, site of the famous “Black Castle.” ### Tsuruga *Coordinates: 35.6452, 136.055* This sleepy little port city is home to the intimate Kehi Shrine, with its red-lacquered Torii gate and koi pond. Learn about the fascinating history of the town at the Tsuruga Museum. Dine on grilled seafood like a local at Nihonkai Sakana Machi. ### Toyama, Japan *Coordinates: 36.696, 137.214* ### Sakata, Japan *Coordinates: -21.8917, 16.8995* ### Aomori *Coordinates: 40.8221, 140.747* Most Japanese used to think of Aomori merely as the place you caught the ferry to when you were going to Hokkaido. By the time you’d gotten here, they figured, you were pretty much at the edge of the civilized world. The small Tsugaru Strait that separates Honshu from Hokkaido isn’t big—only about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) at its narrowest point—but it’s ecologically important: Hokkaido... ### Hakodate *Coordinates: 41.7688, 140.729* From the lively morning market of Asa-ichi, to the unparalleled views from Mount Hakodate, discover the history of the first Japanese port opened to international trade. Walk the ruins of the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku, the first of its kind in Japan, learn about local Ainu culture or simply feast on the abundance of fresh seafood this city is famous for. ## Booking Information - **Book This Cruise:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2203487 - **Compare Prices:** CruisePirate compares prices across multiple booking channels - **Price Alerts:** Set up alerts for price drops on this sailing - **Support:** Contact our AI-powered cruise assistant for personalized recommendations ### Why Book with CruisePirate? - Real-time price comparison across booking channels - AI-powered cruise recommendations - Transparent pricing with no hidden fees - Expert cruise search and filtering --- ## Technical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2203487 - **Markdown URL:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2203487.md - **API Endpoint:** https://cruisepirate.ai/api/cruises/2203487/ - **Primary Image:** https://images.cruisepirate.ai/v3/static/cruise-lines/holland-america-line/westerdam/other/80121.webp - **Data Source:** CruisePirate Cruise Database - **Last Updated:** 2026-05-04 22:38:27 UTC