Best Of Japan & South Korea 8 nätter • Shanghai (Baoshan), China till Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan • Spectrum of the Seas

When you cruise from Shanghai, your vacation begins before you even set foot aboard the ship. Welcome to a city that’s bursting with futuristic feats, rich history, delicious cuisine, and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Make sure you dedicate a few days before your cruise out of Shanghai to crossing all the top must-visit sites off your travel list. First, go see the classical and Art Deco architecture of the famous Bund neighborhood, then enjoy the scent of tea and incense that perfumes the air within the fortified Old City. If you’re still craving history, head to Qibao Ancient Town, home to an impressive pagoda-like bell tower and the legendary Qibao Template (it dates back to the 900s). With its pretty bridges and well-preserved historic buildings, Qibao Ancient Town is also a great place to snap photos. And no vacation from Shanghai is complete without a taste of the city’s world-famous street food, from giant dumplings filled with steaming hot soup, to cold noodles served with tender eel and tangy ginger.

Immerse yourself in Jeju's brilliant green landscape and breathtaking peaks. Tackle the challenge of hiking up the dormant volcano Mount Hallasan volcano, or stroll through forested walking trails to the mystical Cheonjeyeon Falls. Then, have a bit of fun exploring the quirky Teddy Bear Museum. Or relax in an herb sauna or jjimjilbang, a Korean bathhouse, at Jeju WaterWorld.

Fukuoka is a historic port city where cultural imports from the Asian mainland were introduced to Japan. Explore Japan's first Zen Buddhist temple at Shofukuji. Then, see the ruins of Fukuoka Castle amid the dazzling cherry blossoms of Maizuru Park. Or hit the sands at Momochi Seaside Park, a long artificial beach along the waterfront, with modern skyscrapers towering behind you and forest-covered mountains in the distance.

Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.

Mt. Fuji sightseeing is the name of the game in Shimizu. If there are no obscuring clouds, head to Miho-no-Matsubara, an emerald green pine grove next to the ocean, backdropped by the soaring volcano. Spend the rest of your time picking tea in the tranquil countryside, or indulge in the freshest sushi at the Shimizu Sushi Alley in S-Pulse Dream Plaza.

Yokohama is the central gateway to exploring Tokyo, a once-humble fishing village that is now one of the world's biggest, most densely populated cities. You'll find an eclectic mix of traditional shrines and soaring skyscrapers lining these neon-lit streets. Walk the Rainbow Bridge over Tokyo Bay alongside the Yurikamome Rail Line, a futuristic, operatorless train system. Then, see old Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, an Edo Castle surrounded by moats and gardens perfect for strolling. Cruise to Tokyo and head to iconic Sensoji Buddhist Temple and pass below the massive red paper lantern of the Thunder Gate. Then, unwind in Yoyogi Park, a literal forest in the heart of the city, complete with Zen gardens and a gingko tree forest.