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This 53-day Cruise Sails Across the Pacific Ocean and Back — With an Incredible 3 Weeks in Japan

The newly announced Holland America Line cruise leaves from Seattle and visits 13 exceptional destinations in Japan before returning to the U.S.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

On Sept. 1, 2024, you’ll be able to sail to Japan on a 53-day cruise. The Majestic Japan journey is Holland America Line’s newest itinerary in the cruise line’s Legendary Voyages program, which takes guests on extended cruises ranging from 25 to 59 days. (The Legendary Voyages program launched to honor Holland America’s 150th anniversary this year.)

And, you don’t even have to fly to Japan to get there.

The “Majestic Japan” itinerary starts and ends in Seattle. From the Pacific Northwest, the ship, Westerdam , sails to Vancouver and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands before heading down to Japan. Once in Japan, you’ll spend 20 days visiting 13 ports. It covers every part of the country, including Hokkaido as the first stop.

Luciano Mortula/Courtesy of Holland America Line

First, the cruise travels through the north and mountainous regions, heading up the east coast (as far north as Toyama) and stopping in Kobe and Yokohama. Since it’s a September cruise, the leaves in the high country will be turning to their brilliant fall colors, and the weather will be temperate and comfortable for all the itinerary’s outdoor excursions.

On the south end of the country, passengers will stop in Nagasaki, Ishigaki, and Naha, then sail by Iwo Jima and Midway — two destinations of particular importance in World War II history. 

Other Japanese ports on the cruise include Kushiro, Hakodate, Kochi, Hiroshima, Kanmon Strait, Fukuoka, Sakaiminato, and Kanazawa.

“Guests will find a good balance of full-day port visits, overnights, as well as scenic cruising,” said Paul Grigsby, the vice president of deployment and itinerary planning at Holland America Line.

On the way back to Seattle, the cruise spends three days in Hawaii.

According to research done by Holland America, the cruise line’s customers are increasingly interested in longer cruises with more immersive experiences. This Japan itinerary was created with that in mind.

Alan LAW/Adobe Stock/Courtesy of Holland America Line

“Consistently, Japan rates as one of the most desirable Asian cruise destinations,” Grigsby said. “Majestic Japan allows us to offer Japan ‘from your doorstep’ with no more than a domestic air flight to and from Seattle. Because we can linger on our way, we have chosen to visit some of the best ports in Alaska, including Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, before landing at Kushiro, Hokkaido.”

Aside from, you know, all the time you get to spend in Japan and on a cruise ship, the itinerary has two major things going for it. First, it’s one of the longest Japan itineraries on a major cruise line, with nearly three weeks in Japan. Second, Grigsby says, “we are not aware of any major cruise line that has an immersive voyage like this sailing round-trip from the United States.”

Right now, the Majestic Japan itinerary is on sale for $153 per day, with upgrades available for the Have It All Early Booking Bonus deal — that includes low-price guarantees on shore excursions; specialty dining; free upgrades to the Elite Beverage package and Premium Wi-Fi; and free prepaid Crew Appreciation costs, with cabin fares starting at $207 per day.

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14-Day Circle Japan

Amazing food and superb service make Holland America one of the longest running cruise lines.

Culinary eccentricity meets historical adventure when you cruise to Asia and the Pacific.

See Japanese history in person as you discover Yokohama, Japan’s biggest port city, where the country was first opened to outside trade after more than 200 years of seclusion.

• Noordam - Passenger Capacity: 1,972 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2006 Last Refurbished: 2019

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Cruise Ship

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Yokohama, Japan

Destination

Ports of call.

Yokohama, Japan , Aomori, Japan , Otaru, Japan , Hakodate, Japan , Akita, Japan , Sokcho, South Korea , Sakaiminato, Japan , Fukuoka, Japan , Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan , Kochi, Japan , Osaka (Kyoto and Nara), Japan , Shimizu, Japan , Tokyo, Japan

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14-Day Circle Japan sailing on the Noordam

Departure dates: oct 2024 - apr 2025.

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*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include government taxes & fees. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Holland America Line 2024 Majestic Japan Cruise

Alaska + Japan + Hawaii

Alaska’s wildlife and glaciers, Japan’s dynamic cities and Hawaii’s volcanoes await on an incredible voyage with overnights in Yokohama (Tokyo), Kobe, and Honolulu.

Departing Sept. 1, 2024, you’ll embark on an ultimate dream vacation aboard the Westerdam, cruising first to remote ports in Alaska, continuing to Japan and later the Pacific Islands. Throughout your journey, you can enjoy enriching onboard programs, entertainment and the best dining at sea.    

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• Ship: ms Westerdam
• Cruise Line: Holland America Line
• Sail Date: September 1, 2024
• From/To: Roundtrip Seattle
• Length: 53-Days

Interior Stateroom From

per person including all taxes, fees and port expenses

Included: Have it All Package:

~Shore Excursion Credit

~Beverage Package

~Specialty Dining

Enjoy Japan’s Fall Colors  

One of the many exciting aspects about this nearly two-month itinerary is the opportunity to explore 13 Japanese port cities during the autumn season when temperatures are cooler, and the weather is ideal for outdoor adventures and leisurely walks. With autumn comes vibrant fall colors, making it the best time of year to visit if you love autumn hues.    

Itinerary Highlights  

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to on this majestic itinerary:   

• Enjoy breathtaking views of glaciers along Alaska’s Inside Passage and Stephens Passage.   
• Explore the beauty of Juneau, Sitka, Kodiak and Dutch Harbor (through the Aleutian Islands).   
• Visit the east and west coasts of Japan, immersing yourself in the following ports: Kushiro, Hakodate, Yokohama (Tokyo), Kobe, Kochi, Hiroshima, Kanmon Straight, Fukuoka (Hakata), Sakaiminato, Toyama, Kanazawa, Nagasaki, Ishigaki Island and Naha. In addition to exploring the ports, you’ll also have the unique opportunity of a scenic cruise around Iwo Jima and Midway Island.     
• As part of the itinerary, you can visit sites important to World War II history, including the Children’s Peace Monument and Hiroshima Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  
• Enjoy extra time in  Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe through  overnight stays.    
• Continue to Pacific Islands, with volcano views and stops in Nawiliwili and Kauai, and an overnight in Honolulu.    

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.

Ship Highlights:

• Explore onboard at BBC Earth Experiences and Microsoft Studio
• Relax in a comfortable, coffee house environment at Explorations Café, presented by The New York Times
• Spoil yourself with a massage or other treats at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®
• Enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table
• Showcasing music, song, dance, comedy and more, the World Stage presents a myriad of performances

Prices are in USD, per person based on double occupancy, availability and subject to change without notices. Taxes, fees and port expenses included. All promotions are capacity controlled by the cruise line and can be pulled at any time without notice. Amount of onboard credit depends on the length of the sailing and cabin category. Have It All Package is for 6+ night sailings. Promotion excludes World Cruises and Grand Voyage Cruises. Other restrictions may apply. Ships’ registry: Netherlands

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You can spend two months exploring Japan, more for $8K on this cruise

If Japan is on your travel bucket list, why not take the scenic route?

Holland America Line’s new Majestic Japan cruise will take guests there and back over nearly two months in 2024. During the 53-day cruise, one of the cruise line’s Legendary Voyages , passengers will also visit Alaska and Hawaii and Canada, and feature multiple overnight stays.

“This cruise allows us to offer Japan ‘from your doorstep’ with no more than a domestic air flight to Seattle,” Paul Grigsby, the line’s Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said in a statement.

Here’s what travelers can expect.

When is Holland America Line’s Majestic Japan cruise?

The Majestic Japan cruise will sail round-trip from Seattle on Sept. 1, 2024, on the line’s 1,964-passenger Westerdam ship.

Where will the cruise sail?

The cruise will make its first stop in Vancouver. Passengers can then take in views of glaciers in Alaska’s Inside Passage and Stephens Passage, before visiting ports including Juneau and Sitka.

“Because we can linger on our way, we have chosen to visit some of the best ports in Alaska, including Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, before landing at Kushiro, Hokkaido as (the) first port of call in Japan,” Grigsby said. Other ports include Yokohama and Kobe, where the ship will stay overnight, Kochi and Hiroshima.

Bring the bikini, leave the kids: 4 things to know about sailing with Virgin Voyages

Guests can visit sites like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial , and Grigsby said travelers may also see leaves turning in the high country around Mount Tateyama.

The rest of the itinerary will include stops in Kanazawa and Nagasaki, views of Iwo Jima, an overnight stay in Honolulu and more.

How much does the cruise cost?

The sailing currently starts at $8,084 per person based on double occupancy, according to Holland America’s website .

The fares include the majority of food on board, drinks like regular coffee and tea and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

MS Westerdam - April 13, 2024

April 13, 2024.

Apr 13th - May 13th

MS Westerdam

Holland America Cruise Line

30 Night Japan & North Pacific Crossing Collector

from Yokohama (tokyo), Japan

The April 13, 2024 cruise on the MS Westerdam departs from Yokohama (tokyo), Japan. On this 30 Night Japan & North Pacific Crossing Collector (Yokohama To Seattle) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 31 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The MS Westerdam sets sail on Saturday, Apr 13th and returns on Monday, May 13th.

MS Westerdam - April 13, 2024 - 30 Nights

The MS Westerdam was built in 2004 and is amoung Holland America's 22 ships in it's fleet. The MS Westerdam is included in the cruise line's Vista Class class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the MS Westerdam vs all other Holland America ships.

Japan's second largest city and one of its leading seaports, Yokohama belongs to the extensive urban-industrial belt around Tokyo called the Keihin Industrial Zone. The city has four universities; a variety of Christian churches, Shinto shrines, and temples; and numerous parks and gardens, notably Nogeyama Park, which was created after the earthquake of 1923. It is the site of Kanazawa Library, founded in 1275, which houses a large collection of historical documents.

Famous for its succulent Kobe beef and cosmopolitan flair, this booming port town sits between the Rokko Mountains and Osaka Bay. Home to many foreigners, this commercial center is the most international in western Japan, containing a remarkable architectural mix of Swiss chalets, Muslim mosques, and Russian Orthodox churches, tucked between traditional Japanese buildings.

On the upper tip of Japan's southern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka (Hakata) is one of the few large cities in Japan that can actually be described as "laid back." Fukuoka is one of Japan's most colorful and fun cities, famous for its raucous nightlife and world-class restaurants. If you're headed here, though, put off the fancy restaurants for a day or two and head to the famous ya-tai alley for wonderful, inexpensive food.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Opened to U.S. ships in 1854 and then in 1857 to general foreign trade, Hokodate was the chief port of Hokkaido until recently replaced by Sapporo. It is linked with Aomori on Honshu by the Seikan Tunnel. A commercial and industrial center, the city's main industries are fishing, shipbuilding, and food processing. Of interest is the Goryokaku, the fort where the Tokugawa shogun made his last stand.

Muroran is a major industrial center and port, with iron, steel, and cement works and an oil refinery. Hot spring resorts are nearby. Muroran is the port for Sapporo, one of Japan's most rapidly growing urban, tourist, and winter sports centers. Famous for its annual Snow Festival, it played host to the 1972 winter Olympics.

Kodiak, Alaska is famous for huge Kodiak brown bears, world-class sport fishing and the magnificent green that the island turns during the summer, which is why Kodiak is called Alaska's Emerald Isle. The Kodiak Island Archipelago and the Katmai Coast are rich in sea, land and bird life, and Kodiak's vast wilderness serves as the ideal backdrop for everything from sport fishing to a leisurely hike.

Sitka is considered Alaska's most beautiful seaside town, with views of island-studded waters and stately spruce forests reaching to the water's edge. Sitka offers a combination of Native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness which provides a diverse and unequaled Alaskan experience. The mild climate and dense forests make Sitka one of the best places to view wildlife in Alaska.

The first cruise ship appeared in Ketchikan 114 years ago, and it has been a favorite port ever since. You can tour the area by boat, bus, horse-drawn trolley, or even a restored 1955 Chevy. The most famous part of town is Creek Street. The homes once comprising the red light district are now filled with arts, crafts and gift shops. Totem poles are everywhere, with 24 at Saxman Native Totem Park.

Alaska's Inside Passage is awash with pristine water mountain views. A cruise among the fjords and islands takes you into prime habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, and whales. The Inside Passage is home to the totem poles of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Indians, and Russian setters, as well as prospectors, lumberjacks, and fishermen. All have added to the tapestry of this area's history.

Founded as a fur-trading post by the Hudson Bay Company, Victoria is home to an interesting mix of cultures. There are English pubs, East Indian restaurants, and Japanese sushi bars. Chinatown features great buys at Market Square. Spend a pleasant afternoon among the flowers and waterways of world-famous Butchart Gardens.

Christened "The Emerald City", Seattle is known as one of the most livable cities in the world and actually receives less annual rainfall (36 inches) than New York and Atlanta. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, Puget Sound, and mountains, Seattle is a recreation enthusiasts' dream. In the summer, water sports are only 10 minutes away and winter sports, such as snow skiing, are only 45 minutes away.

Kagoshima, Japan

Like Naples, to which it is always compared, Kagoshima is dominated by the smoking cone of a volcano, towering Mt. Sakurajima. See where St. Francis Xavier arrived in 1549, the West's first contact with Japan. Wander the colorful stalls of the morning market. Visit the exquisite Iso-teien garden and villa.

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