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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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Holland America to Offer 53-Day Cruise to Japan from Seattle

New 53-day Japan cruises will be offered by Holland America Line starting in September 2024.

Westerdam sails roundtrip from Seattle as a first for the company.

As well as Alaska and Hawaii , the voyage also includes port calls in the Far East.

It includes 13 Japanese port cities during autumn, when temperatures are cooler, making it an excellent opportunity to explore Japan during the nearly two-month cruise.

Holland America Line’s Deployment & Itinerary Planning Vice President Paul Grigsby, said, “This cruise allows us to offer Japan ‘from your doorstep’.”

We will stop at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor in Alaska before cruising to Kushiro, Hokkaido for the first port of call in Japan due to the fact that we have the opportunity to linger along the way.

The itinerary also includes beautiful cruises along Alaska’s Inside Passage and Stephen’s Passage and visits to Juneau, Sitka, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor.

Holland America said guests can also visit sites important to World War II history during the voyage, including the Children’s Peace Monument and Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Upon entering Japan, the Westerdam is scheduled to visit Kushiro, Hakodate, Yokohama (Tokyo), Kobe, Kochi, Hiroshima, Kanmon Straight, Fukuoka (Hakata), Sakaiminato, Toyama, Kanazawa, Nagasaki, Ishigaki Island, and Naha.

In addition, the 2004-built vessel will cruise around Iwo Jima and Midway Island before returning to Hawaii, stopping at three Hawaiian destinations: Nawiliwili, Kauai, and Honolulu.

In addition to Yokohama (Tokyo), Kobe and Honolulu, overnight stays will be scheduled.

This cruise will give you a deep insight into Japan’s northern and mountainous regions, Kobe and Yokohama’s populations, and the east coast where we sail as far north as Toyama,” Grigsby stated.

On the September cruise, you may see the leaves changing color on Mt. Tateyama near Toyama because it is a September cruise.”

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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.

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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.

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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].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You can spend two months exploring Japan, more for $8K on this cruise

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14-Day Japan & Taiwan

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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Yokohama, Japan , Okinawa (Naha), Japan , Ishigaki, Ryukyu Island , Nagasaki, Japan , Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan , Kochi, Japan , Kobe, Japan

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14-Day Japan & Taiwan sailing on the Noordam

Departure dates: mar 2025 - mar 2025.

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Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. 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’s Westerdam Returns to Japan for Spring Season

• March 13, 2023

The Westerdam is marking Holland America Line’s return to Japan today after a three-year gap.

Following a short season in Southeast Asia, the 1,900-guest vessel arrived in Yokohama to kick off a spring program in the country.

Sailing roundtrip from the port – which is located near Japan’s capital city, Tokyo – the Westerdam is set to offer a series of 11- to 14-day cruises to different ports including Kobe/Osaka, Tokushima, Kagoshima and Shimizu.

For its first cruise in the region since early 2020, the ship is offering a 14-night itinerary named “Japan Explorer.”

The voyage features visits to a total of ten ports in the region, such as Hiroshima, Kochi and Sakaiminato.

Through April, the program also includes visits to Ishigaki, Naha and other destinations in Japan, as well as ports of call in Taiwan and South Korea.

After completing its Asia schedule, the ship offers a 14-day North Pacific Crossing to Seattle – its homeport for the upcoming summer season in Alaska.

Part of Holland America’s four-ship Vista Class, the Westerdam first entered service in 2004. Extensively refurbished over the years, the 82,000-ton ship underwent a drydock in January 2023 for routine maintenance and class work .

Offering a premium cruise product, the vessel was designed with an array of dining, entertainment and bar venues that include the Exploration’s Café – a lounge that provides travel resources and enrichment opportunities for guests.

Other features comprise the Billboard Onboard, where two pianists perform shows centered around facts and figures of the music industry, and the Lincoln Center Stage, which showcases a nightly ensemble of musicians performing chamber music.

The ship also offers an extensive dining lineup that includes Holland America Line’s signature venues, such as the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian Canaletto Restaurant.

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