Mark Chinese New Year with Royal Caribbean

Uncover east Asia

From China, Spectrum of the Seas cruises deep into the East China Sea, with Royal Caribbean’s array of itineraries taking passengers to various spots in Japan and South Korea. Here we highlight four signature trips to whet your clients’ appetites.

Japan: Okinawa Cruise

• Shanghai – Okinawa – Shanghai

This four-night, round-trip cruise takes clients from the futuristic metropolis of Shanghai to the tropical Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, where cashmere-soft sands, azure waters and ancient history await in this home of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. During their day in Okinawa, clients can spy the scarlet-hued Shurijo Castle – scheduled to reopen this year after restoration following a fire – or wander through the bucolic Shikinaen Royal Gardens. With a day at sea either side of their Okinawa visit, passengers can make full use of the ship’s onboard facilities, including theatre shows, a two-deck music hall and more than 15 restaurants and bars.

Four nights, departing October 20, 2026, and April 6, 2027

Japan: Tokyo, Mt Fuji & Osaka Cruise

• Shanghai – Tokyo – Mount Fuji (Shimizu) – Kyoto (Osaka) – Shanghai 

A trio of iconic Japanese destinations await on this eight-night voyage from Shanghai. Clients spend two days at sea enjoying Spectrum of the Seas’ facilities to the full. Then they’ll tick off some of the Japanese capital’s highlights, including the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji, Shibuya Crossing and lofty Tokyo Skytree. The next day the pace slows under the watchful gaze of Mount Fuji, where clients can stroll among the pines of Miho no Matsubara or learn how to pick tea leaves. They’ll finish their encounters among the temples, shrines and markets of Kyoto, before spending two days at sea on their return to Shanghai.

Eight nights, departing May 22, 2026

South Korea: Busan & Yeosu Cruise

• Shanghai – Busan – Yeosu – Shanghai 

On this five-night cruise, clients will skirt South Korea’s coast on a round-trip journey from Shanghai. First they’ll soak up historic Busan, rewinding to the year 678 at the intricately designed Beomeosa Temple and its three-storey pagoda. Passengers can then retreat to the sugar-white sand of Haeundae Beach and snack on eomuk, the region’s famous crispy fishcake. Next stop is Yeosu, a maritime city which clients can explore through its fisheries and seafood restaurants, or by hopping over to the forested islands of Odongdo and Geumodo.

Five nights, departing May 10, August 3 and September 1, 2026

South Korea: Seoul & Jeju Cruise

• Shanghai – Seoul (Incheon) – Jeju (Seogwipo) – Shanghai 

See a snapshot of South Korea on this five-night cruise, bookending two days in the country with a day at sea from and to Shanghai. The first day in South Korea will have clients exploring its capital, Seoul. They can take a wander among the traditional Korean homes of Bukchon Hanok Village and peaceful nature of the Cheonggyecheon Stream, before admiring the city from on high after taking a cable car to N Seoul Tower. Passengers will spend the next day immersed in Jeju’s verdant outdoors, where they can hike up Mount Hallasan, trace a trail to Cheonjeyeon Falls or relax in a herb sauna.

Five nights, departing September 6, 2026