Japan - Land of the Rising Sun

Pricing based on departure date: 2 October 2024

Think of Japan, and, chances are, the towering buildings and flashing neon come to mind. But beyond the bright lights, there’s much more culture, history, and delicious food to encounter across its scattered islands too. Try comparing its Samurai traditions with its zen gardens, taste the wagyu beef before savouring sushi and sake, or rest on pristine beaches.

A land with an ancient heart, proud of its centuries-old and sacred traditions, yet with a firm calling for the future. In Japan, the sacred aura of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines weaves into the advanced high-tech, the towering skyscrapers, the glimmering lights, and the vibrant nightlife of Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama. Embark on a Japan cruise and venture into a land of ethereal bamboo forests, serene Zen gardens for physical and spiritual quietness, historic wooden temples, and a famed Ukiyo-e iconography that captures the essence of Japanese beauty through its depictions of people adorned in traditional kimonos and yukatas set against the backdrop of stunning seascapes and forests.

Itinerary Highlights:

Muroran, 130km south of Sapporo, overlooks the Uchiura Bay and is surrounded by mountains. It’s the access point for the island of Hokkaido and its capital. With a population of nearly two million, Hokkaidō’s vibrant capital Sapporo is the fifth-largest city in Japan.  It’s worth lingering, as the city is generously endowed with parks and gardens. The mountains that attract skiers and snowboarders rise up to its south, and the dramatic coastline around the ShakotanPeninsula is less than thirty minutes away. Sapporo is also synonymous with its beer, which has been brewed here since 1891; a visit to the handsome, late nineteenth-century Sapporo Beer Museum and Bier Garten is a must, as is a stroll through the grounds and museums of the Hokkaidō University Botanical Gardens, which date from the same era. 

Dive into feudal Japan! Fascinating Kanazawa is a real gem thanks to its elegant houses, the historic districts dedicated to pleasure, its proud white castle and the Kenrokuen garden. Nicknamed "Little Kyoto," Kanazawa is rich history and culture ranges from geisha districts to a 16th-century castle. Locals here enjoy the good life away from big-city buzz, whether they're picking up fresh seafood at Omicho Market or strolling Kenroku-en Garden's manicured paths

Despite its status as Korea's second largest city, Pusan (or Busan) does not neglect the country's obsession with nature. The city's undulating hills result in an unusual mix of forested slopes, rugged beaches, lurching cliffs and hot springs. Pusan's seafood is legendary.

MSC for me – Connect. Enjoy. Just Be.

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Choose your experience

Your cruise experience is at the centre of everything we do. To help make your holiday with us truly memorable, we give you the chance to tailor your experience to your needs and desires. For example, you can either leave the choice of cabin to us and benefit from the best rates available, or choose your own ideal cabin and location, while enjoying extra flexibility and additional benefits to make your cruise even more special.

Guests choose their own cabin and dining time

The Fantastica Experience includes all the benefits of Bella but Guests will also be able to take advantage of booking changes flexibility, priority choice of dinner sitting, free in room breakfast, and an exclusive pre cruise offer.

Available with Balcony, Ocean view and Interior cabins

FANTASTICA Experience at a glance:

BOOKING FLEXIBILITY

• Opportunity to choose the cabin and its location*
• 1 free cruise change**

COMFORT

• Modern ships and elegant cabins
• MSC for Me (where available)

FOOD & DRINKS BENEFITS

• Discounted drink package option available at the time of booking
• Extensive buffet with a wide array of cuisine
• Main restaurants serving gourmet meals accommodating a variety of dietary restrictions
• Chance to request preferred dinner sitting (subject to availability)
• Specialty restaurants package, exclusive pre cruise offer available up to 2 days prior to embarkation***
• Breakfast in cabin (free delivery)
• 24-hour room service (delivery for a fee)

SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Varied programme of Broadway-style theatre shows
• Pool area
• Open-air sports facilities
• Well-equipped gym with panoramic view
• Entertainment activities for adults, infants and children
• Recreational activities for children

SERVICES

• Qualified multilingual personnel
  

Your Ship: MSC Bellissima

MSC Bellissima offers a stunning array of features to rival those of her sister ship, MSC Meraviglia. Innovative MSC for Me technology connects you to your fellow guests, the crew and the ship itself. Furthermore, guests will experience the world’s first digital cruise assistant, Zoe, a voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence device fitted in every cabin. The two-deck inside promenade features a spectacular 80-metre-long LED dome.

Get ready to dive into one of our pools, let your hair down at the themed parties, treat yourself to something delicious in one of our amazing restaurants, and much more! 

Yokohama, Muroran, Sakata, Kanazawa, Busan/Korea, Yatsushiro, Kochi, Osaka, Yokohama

All fares are displayed in Singapore Dollars and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.