Jeju & Busan Cruise 5 Nights • Shanghai (Baoshan), China • Spectrum of the Seas

Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, this seaport is a vigorous modern metropolis with proud Chinese heritage and diverse influences including French, British and Russian. Your Shanghai cruise is not complete without strolling through the colorful Bund district, a colonial-era street with neoclassical and art deco architecture, or visiting the Jade Buddha Temple or the beautiful Yu Gardens. From authentic Chinese and Cantonese cuisine to local teahouses, you’ll find five-star gourmet and time honored traditional offerings to choose from, as well as endless international food options. Make your way to Nanjing Road and browse the hundreds of shops lining the expansive pedestrian walkway for keepsakes and trinkets. Or head over to the Old City God’s Temple Market for authentic Chinese souvenirs.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

South Korea's tropical island paradise will enchant you with its sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and amazing volcanic landscape. Need a break from your beach towel? Waterfalls, museums, folk villages, scuba diving, hiking and festivals galore will keep you busy. Explore the colorful coral and sea life with a scuba dive off the coast of laid-back Seogwipo. Take an underground stroll through the world’s longest lava-tube cave at Manjanggul.

Get a sense of what South Korea looked like in 678 A.D. at the elaborate Beomeosa Temple — its three-story red pagoda is set at the edge of dramatic Mount Geumjeongsan. Then, head to Busan city center and stroll the white sands of Haeundae Beach. Alongside the shoreline, you'll find plenty of restaurants and shops — pop into a local bakery for eomuk, the crispy fish cake the region is famous for.

Most international flights arrive at Pudong Airport. Take the bullet train into the city; it takes only 8 minutes between the airport and Longyang Road Station. From there, check out Longhua Temple: You'll recognize its two-meter-tall copper bell from Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun." Then, marvel at the modern skycrapers of Pudong — head to the Oriental Pearl Tower with its three distinctive spheres and get a 360-degree view of the city from the observation deck.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.