Cruise Description

Seven Seas Explorer® took luxury cruising to the next level, from the palatial Regent Suite to the hand-picked art accentuating her halls.

Shimizu, Japan
On a clear day, you can see magnificent Mount Fuji from the lively Port of Shimizu. Visit The S-Pulse Dream Plaza to tour the Shimizu Sushi Museum with informative displays and models that show the history and variations of Japan’s most famous fare. Stroll through the Kashi-no-Ichi Market, where some of the port's fresh seafood is sold and be sure to enjoy a delicious cup of tea.

Nagoya, Japan
It may lack the name recognition of Tokyo and Osaka, but cosmopolitan Nagoya impresses with an array of museums, temples and green spaces. In this birthplace of Toyota absorb the ancient spirituality of Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s three most important Shinto shrines and a perfect spot to enjoy a lunch of kishimen (flat noodles), a local specialty. Immerse yourself in over 10,000 pieces of Japanese art, theater, fashion, samurai culture and more at Tokugawa Art Museum. Gain an instant appreciation for Japanese postwar history at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, a fully hands-on museum featuring actual trains and simulators. Your inner train-loving-child will approve.

Osaka, Japan
This charming city serves up amazing cuisine, superb shopping and a friendly spirit, with the restored Osaka Castle offering a spectacular lesson in Japanese history and culture. Osaka's nickname – Tenka no Daidokoro (The Nation's Kitchen) – originally referred to its Edo Period status as Japan's rice-trade hub; today it refers to the city’s reputation as a gourmand's paradise. Take in a 360-degree view from Abeno Harukas – Japan’s tallest skyscraper – before visiting the city’s spectacular aquarium and through Dotonbori, Osaka’s glittering heart. The immensely historical city of Kyoto is within reach, beckoning with spectacular architecture that includes thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Kochi, Japan
Kochi boasts beautiful and abundant natural landscapes, from an expansive coastline running with the Kuroshio Current to the clear Shimanto River and the deep green forests that surround it. Located in the south of Shikoku, Kochi is ringed by rugged mountains to the north, and its arc-like southern coastline traces the outline of Tosa Bay. To the east is Cape Muroto, and to the west, Cape Ashizuri, with gently undulating sandy beaches stretching between these two extreme points. The prefecture also boasts the mystical limestone caves of Ryu-ga-do, and the beautiful sands and green pines of Katsura-hama Beach.

Hiroshima, Japan
Surrounded by dense forests and enticing hot springs, cosmopolitan Hiroshima is a symbol of rebirth and resilience. Moving memorials to the world’s first atomic bomb attack of August 6, 1945 include the Peace Memorial Park and its Atomic Bomb Dome, a haunting symbol of the bomb’s devastation and a World Heritage site since 1996, and Children's Peace Monument. Take a ferry to the Island of Itsukushima, a holy place of Shintoism that’s Cultural Heritage-listed and site of the iconic ‘floating’ torii gate. After walking the wide boulevards of this vibrant city, sample the delicious, savory, street-food classic, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Kagoshima, Japan
Kagoshima is Japan’s southernmost major city, and is nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern World,” based on its caldera bay location, hot climate, and volcano. The majestic view of Mt Sakurajima, one of the world's most active volcanoes, dominates the city's landscape, towering over the beautiful Kinko Bay. The city abounds in historic sightseeing spots such as the memorial site of St. Francisco Xavier, who landed in Kagoshima and first introduced Christianity to Japan.

Nagasaki, Japan
Japan's early gateway to trade with the West, Nagasaki boasts stately European-style homes, a bustling harbor and fusion cuisine (be sure to try Nagasaki’s version of Castella sponge cake, introduced by Portuguese missionaries). The vibrant city is also synonymous with the dropping of the second atomic bomb, making a visit to Nagasaki's Peace Park a necessary, and deeply moving, experience. Admire the city’s natural beauty atop Mount Inasayama. Drive through splendid countryside to browse the galleries of Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Back in Nagasaki, wander Japan's oldest Chinatown, trying Chinese food reinterpreted for Japanese tastes.

Jeju, South Korea
Jeju Island is often called the "Island of the Gods,” for its breathtaking landscape. UNESCO deemed the island’s dormant volcano Hallasan as a Biosphere Reserve because of the abundance and diversity of plant and animal species. Enjoy delicious fare, such as fresh fish, squid, octopus and sea cucumber, as well as its famous Shitake mushrooms and honey, which has a distinct taste.

Seoul (Incheon), South Korea
From Incheon, travel to the capital of South Korea, a city that artfully balances cutting-edge and traditional. Admire the Korean architecture of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea. Shop the antique shops and art galleries craft stores of Insadong in Seoul’s art district. Learn centuries of Korean history at the National Museum. Be dazzled by the World Heritage-listed Changdeokgung, the most stunning of Seoul's five main palaces. In Incheon, visit a memorial to the landing operation led by General Douglas MacArthur in September 1950, a decisive victory that turned the course of the Korean War.