Seabourn previews array of Southeast Asia/Japan cruises

Seabourn Encore's program stretches from this December to March, while Seabourn Quest will operate in Japan during spring cherry blossom time and fall foliage seasons in 2025.

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn Encore will start with seven cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong, then continue to Japan, and finish with a trans-Pacific crossing, marking the ship's first visit to the United States. 

The first seven cruises, of 13 or 14 days, include highlights such as the line’s signature 'Caviar in the Surf' experience in Koh Kood, Thailand and overnights in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

A 14-day 'Southeast Asia & Japan' cruise departing March 2, 2025, travels from Singapore to Kobe with a maiden Seabourn call at Tokushima, Japan. The trip also features an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City and Seabourn Encore maiden calls at Kochi and Kobe.

The ship will finish its season with a 25-day 'Japan & Hawaiian Islands Pacific Crossing' from Kobe to Long Beach, California, featuring a maiden call at Wakayama, Japan. Sea days will feature guest performers and speakers as Seabourn Encore heads to its first US landing.

Seabourn Quest spring and fall

Seabourn Quest will explore Japan during the cherry blossom season in spring and return in the fall to showcase autumn landscapes and visit new destinations such as Akita and Wakayama.

The March through April cruises stretch from 14 to 34 days with the ability to combine voyages. Sailings visit the northernmost and southernmost islands of Japan during the height of cherry blossom season.

A 'Pacific Passage: Golden Week to Glacier Bay' 20-day voyage departing in April 2025 begins with Japan's Golden Week cultural festivities before heading to Alaska during the less-crowded early season.

In fall 2025, Seabourn Quest will return to Japan for the autumn landscapes. Between September and November the ship will operate four cruises of 12 to 41 days, visiting more than 20 destinations across Japan’s four main islands, as well as hidden gems of the smaller southern islands.

Maiden calls include Akita, with its hot springs and samurai districts; Ishinomaki, renowned for its arts scene; Niigata, celebrated for its coastal beauty; and Wakayama, home to impressive architecture and sacred sites.

New excursions

Two new shore excursions are available on select Japan cruises. 'Very Best of Kobe' is a full-day tour including UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, a Kobe beef lunch and sake culture at the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum.

'Hiroshige Museum & Tea Ceremony' is a half-day tour in Shimizu that visits Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art for traditional ukiyo-e art, followed by a Japanese tea ceremony at the Miyuki-tei house and a walk through the Miho-no-Matsubara pine grove, offering views of Mount Fuji.

Several voyages carry guest speakers such as Asia expert Jim Laurie, a writer, lecturer, broadcaster and media consultant, and Ann Cleeves OBE, an award-winning author of more than 35 critically acclaimed novels.