East Asia Cruise Itineraries
Combine China with Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
Get East Asia Cruise QuotesChina as Part of an East Asia Voyage
Most cruises from Chinese ports, and most international voyages that visit them, combine China with its neighbors. South Korea and southern Japan are a short sail from Shanghai and Tianjin, and Hong Kong links easily to Taiwan, Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Short cruises from Shanghai and Tianjin, typically four to six nights, usually call at one or two ports such as Jeju, Busan, Fukuoka, Sasebo, Nagasaki or Okinawa. Longer international voyages may sail between Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan and Singapore over two weeks or more, sometimes as the start or end of a repositioning voyage.
Popular Ports Beyond China
Busan, South Korea
Beaches, seafood markets and the hillside Gamcheon Culture Village.
Busan shore tours →
Okinawa, Japan
Subtropical islands with their own Ryukyu culture, beaches and the Shuri Castle site in Naha.
Okinawa shore tours →
Inland extensions
Guilin’s karst scenery, Xi’an’s terracotta army and Chengdu’s pandas are all a flight from the coast.
Typical Itinerary Patterns
| Pattern | Typical length | Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Short Korea or Japan cruise from Shanghai or Tianjin | 4–6 nights | Jeju, Busan, Fukuoka, Sasebo, Nagasaki or Okinawa |
| Hong Kong to Shanghai or Tokyo | About 10–14 nights | Taiwan, Okinawa, southern Japan, sometimes Korea |
| Hong Kong to Singapore | About 10–14 nights | Vietnam, Thailand, sometimes the Philippines or Malaysia |
| Long Asia voyages and world-cruise segments | 2 weeks or more | Combinations of China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia |
These are typical patterns, not a schedule. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will tell you which lines sail which pattern in the season you want.
Choosing Between Them
A short cruise from Shanghai is an easy add-on if you are already in China, but expect a ship designed mainly for Chinese guests. If you want an English-first ship and more ports, look at international voyages starting in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo or Singapore.
Each country on your route has its own entry rules. Japan and South Korea set their own requirements, and some ports use electronic arrival forms, so check every country on your itinerary. Port-by-port tour ideas for the whole region are on Asia Shore Excursions.
Best Seasons for East Asia Voyages
- Spring (March to May): cherry blossoms in Japan and Korea, mild weather and very popular sailings.
- Summer (June to August): the main season for short homeport cruises from Shanghai and Tianjin; hot and humid, with typhoon risk later in the summer.
- Autumn (September to November): autumn colors in Japan and Korea, comfortable sightseeing, and many repositioning voyages.
- Winter (December to February): fewer sailings in the north, more in the south around Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
Typhoons can change the order of ports or replace a call with a sea day. Flexible travel plans and good travel insurance are wise for summer and early autumn sailings.
Combine China, Japan and Korea
Tell us which countries you want to see and how long you can travel. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare East Asia voyages and send free quotes.
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