28-day Japan, South Korea & far East discovery

Departures & Pricing

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Noordam

Details · Holland America Line

Noordam

Noordam is a Holland America Line Vista-class ship that entered service in 2006, carrying around 1,970 guests. A regular in Australian and New Zealand waters, she offers the line's classic mid-size experience with a notable art collection, the Greenhouse Spa and Pinnacle Grill dining.

Guests

1,916

Crew

800

Gross tonnage

82,500

Speed

23 knots

Length

285 m

Launched

2006

Deck plans

11

Noordam · Deck plans

Deck 11 — Sports Deck

− + Fit

Source: Holland America Line, captured 5 August 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Tokyo, Japan

   Departs 07:00 pm.

   Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It's a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.

2. 2

   Shimizu, Japan

   Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

3. 3

   Osaka (for Kyoto), Japan

   Arrives 09:00 am, departs 08:00 pm.

   For centuries, Osaka was Japan's cultural and commercial gateway to Asia - the point of entry both for trade goods and, most importantly, cultural influences that shaped Japanese society. From tea to Zen, from art to science and philosophy, Osaka was Japan's contact with the great East Asian cultures that flourished in China and Korea. The city reached its zenith in the late 16th century, when the great feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi made Osaka his capital. Toyotomi was master of Japan, and an immense administrative and commercial center rapidly developed around Osaka Castle. After Toyotomi's death, the nation's seat of power shifted from Osaka to a sleepy little fishing village called Edo - modern Tokyo. While overshadowed by Tokyo, Osaka remains Japan's second largest city and a vital commercial center.Modern Osaka is home to monuments from Japan's past including Toyotomi's immense castle and the Sumiyoshi Shrine. The city is also your gateway to Kyoto, Japan's ancient imperial capital and the nation's cultural and spiritual center.

4. 4

   Kochi, Japan

   Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

   Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchi's reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son - a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma - played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration.Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan - and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.

5. 5

   Hiroshima, Japan

   Arrives 07:00 am, departs 11:59 pm.

   On August 6, 1945, human history was irrevocably altered when the American bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The bomb was code-named "Little Boy," but its detonation left half the city in ruins and aflame. Today, Hiroshima is a monument not only to the destructive forces harnessed by men but also to the indomitable will of the human spirit to overcome tragedy. At the heart of the city lies Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome. The gutted walls of the city's old Industry Promotion Hall and the skeletal frame that supported its copper dome, vaporized in the blast, are instantly recognizable symbols of Hiroshima.Travelers to Hiroshima will discover a more serene note at nearby Miyajima Island. One of the top-three scenic spots of Japan, the island is home to ancient Itsukushima Shrine, a designated National Treasure.

6. 6

   Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait

7. 7

   Fukuoka (Hakata), Japan

   Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

8. 8

   Nagasaki, Japan

   Arrives 08:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

   For most travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horror and the inhumanity of war. An estimated 75,000 people perished in 1945 when the city became the second target of a nuclear attack. Today, Nagasaki's Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum draw visitors from around the world.But this beautiful city on Kyushu offers other sights. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. For three centuries, Nagasaki was Japan's sole window on the world. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly."

9. 9

   Busan, South Korea

   Arrives 08:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

   The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

10. 10

    At Sea

11. 11

    Shanghai, China

    Arrives 07:00 am.

12. 12

    Shanghai, China

    Departs 11:00 pm.

13. 13

    At Sea

14. 14

    At Sea

15. 15

    Hong Kong

    Arrives 06:30 am, departs 05:00 pm.

    Skyscrapers form a glistening forest of steel and glass, junks and sampans ply the busy harbor waters, and the green, dragon-crested hills of Kowloon beckon. Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world's great travel destinations. Now a semi-autonomous region of China, Hong Kong - literally "Fragrant Harbor" - has lost none of its charm, excitement or exoticism. Modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels climb the slopes of Hong Kong Island. Narrow streets are crammed with noodle vendors, fortunetellers and bonesetters. The endless array of shops offer the visitor everything from hand-tailored suits and ancient porcelain to the latest consumer electronics. And everywhere more than seven million people are moving at a breathtaking pace in one of the world's great monuments to capitalism, commerce and enterprise.The former Crown Colony has enough attractions to last a lifetime. To take in the entire spectacle, head to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Enjoy lunch on one of the city's floating restaurants. Walk down one of the crowded streets to take the city's rapid pulse. And whether you think you are in the mood or not - shop. After all, you are in the duty-free capital of the world.

16. 16

    At Sea

17. 17

    Halong Bay, Vietnam

    Arrives 07:00 am.

18. 18

    Halong Bay, Vietnam

    Departs 09:00 pm.

19. 19

    At Sea

20. 20

    Da Nang (Hue), Vietnam

    Arrives 08:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

21. 21

    At Sea

22. 22

    Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam

    Arrives 06:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

    Over three decades have passed since the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon. Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The air is filled with the cries of street hawkers and honking horns. Bicycles, motorbikes and automobiles fly down the boulevards at dizzying speeds. And everywhere, friendly faces and warm greetings meet you. The port of Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me") is your gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau.

23. 23

    At Sea

24. 24

    Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Japan

    Arrives 07:00 am, departs 08:00 pm.

    A mesmerizing landscape, a revered cultural history, and Japan's most sacred volcano are just a few of the many delights beckoning you to come and explore this ancient city. While Shimizu may have the reputation as being bustling and modern, its cultural and spiritual side is on display in the form of ancient and enthralling shrines. Of course, it may be the sacred and snow-capped Mount Fuji that garners the most attention. Towering over the region at approximately 12,388 feet above sea level, the active volcano, designated a "place and source of artistic inspiration" by UNESCO is just one of the many unforgettable adventures Shimizu inspires.

25. 25

    Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

    Arrives 12:00 pm.

26. 26

    Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

    Departs 06:00 pm.

27. 27

    Ko Samui, Thailand

    Arrives 09:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

    Thailand's third largest island has been attracting international travelers for less than half a century. Before then, this island in the Gulf of Thailand was noted for its coconut plantations and rubber production. Today, Ko Samui's premier charms are its powdery white beaches, its Buddhist temples or wats, and its crystalline waters. Despite the island's increasing popularity, it retains a casual and unspoiled air that offers a bracing tonic to the experienced traveler.The majority of the island's population resides in Nathorn, Ko Samui's capital. The island's first settlers were a mix of Hainanese coconut farmers and Malay fishermen.Nathorn is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship's tenders.

28. 28

    At Sea

29. 29

    Singapore

    Arrives 07:00 am.

    Singapore - the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world. Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.

Accommodation

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