Departure:

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Naha is a city with a long history of welcoming visitors ashore — this onetime capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom has been a seaport since the 1400s. For a city with such a history things may seem surprisingly modern, because most of the classic buildings were destroyed in battles near the end of World War II, and historic ruins do remain. But there’s a ton of nature to see… and it’s beautiful like always, whether you’re exploring the million-ish stalagmites and stalactites of Gyokusendo Cave, the scenic views of Cape Manzamo’s grassy plain, or Ryukyu Village’s comfy harmony with its Okinawan surroundings. But don’t forget that the newly-built parts of Naha are worth exploring too, and Kokusai Street measures over one strollable mile of things to do, see and eat before you move on to explore more of the Okinawan region.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Hiroshima’s defining moment came with the dropping of the first atomic bomb. If you think they’d want to put this in the past, the ruined Genbaku Dome disagrees, defiantly standing as a preserved reminder of the event, while the broader Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park symbolizes hope for the future. Nearby Miyajima Island and Shukkeien Gardens provide more serene ways to spend your time, the former making Japan’s top-three scenic locations, and the latter a unique landscape of miniatures modeled after forests, valleys and mountains in China.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Like so many important port towns, Edo started off as a sleepy fishing village. This one, however, surprisingly grew up to become Japan’s capital, the biggest metro area on earth… and was later renamed “Tokyo.” For decades now it’s felt a bit like it’s living in the future… and you can probably say it is, with all the tech and neon and energy that flows throughout iconic neighborhoods like Akihabra and Shibuya. But with all the upgrades installed, Tokyo’s traditional culture hasn’t been replaced, best seen through the residential neighborhoods of narrow streets lined with traditional homes. And that’s not to mention the green spaces, like the city’s ample national parks, gardens, shrines and temples. Some can’t-miss spots are Imperial Palace Plaza in the city center, Tokyo Tower — which tops even the Eiffel Tower — plus the imposing Mount Fuji is always happy to join the city’s skyline for a photo.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

It may be hard to imagine today, but Japan once isolated itself from the rest of the world… and this lasted 200 years. This essentially ended at the remote seaport of Hakodate, which led the reopening effort by being the first to welcome visitors from the west. And that’s still happening today! Hakodate offers a window into a unique culture as the traditional home of the Ainu people, whose dress, food and even looks place them a bit outside of mainstream Japanese culture. For example, they favor cooked fish over sushi… and on that note, Hakodate’s four-block long street market is a strollable local source for fresh fish and shellfish. One historical mainstay is Goryokaku Park, a star-shaped island built in 1864 for the defense of the city, best viewed today from its own observation tower. More lofty views are available from Mt. Hakodate, but don’t worry if you’re not up for mountain climbing — cable cars will get you there. But back at ground level don’t miss dining, drinking and shopping at the lively Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse District, whose distinct industrial structures date back to 1909.

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Herring fishing! Coal mining! And would you believe… even music box manufacturing? Otaru, located on the island of Hokkaido, has certainly had a history of boom cycles, but the herring era, when its waters supplied all of Asia, holds an important place in the city’s history. After all, icons remain in the form of 19th century tycoons’ “herring mansions” — like the coast-hugging Otaru-shi Nishin Goden — which still draw the fascination of visitors. But even outside of history itself, the island’s scenic natural attractions, like national parks and its rugged west coast, have a timeless appeal. The freshness of the sushi is of course unsurprising, while the local whiskey distillery — perhaps surprisingly — uses traditional Scottish methods to produce a smoky malt. Don’t miss exploring the capital city, nearby Sapporo, and its spots for taking in the best sights, like Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill at Hokkaido Agricultural Experimental Station, which shows off the pastureland of Sapporo’s outskirts, and also the 482-foot Sapporo TV Tower at Sapporo Odori Park, which shares with the curious visitor some amazing city views, day and night.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Named after the U.S. Secretary of State involved in buying Alaska from Russia, the town of Seward went on to become an important location in the olden days of the Klondike Gold Rush. Teams of dogsleds would rush the lifesaving diphtheria vaccine from here… and today there’s even a race that commemorates that time. But if Seward is your starting point for exploring the region, the region’s big city of Anchorage and its Native American culture is just one of the spots that’s worth a detour. There’s Kenai Fjords National Park with its marine life and dozens of glaciers, while on land the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center welcomes visitors to see the orphaned and injured animals recovering there, including bears, moose, elk, eagles and more. And there’s potential for adventure galore, whether it’s floating down Resurrection River, strapping in for a dogsled ride, or going for a scenic, up-close nature cruise aboard a smaller boat.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Astounding ice-capped mountains welcome the cruising traveler to Juneau. Alaska is called the Land of the Midnight Sun, and its capital shines with a wide selection of delicious dining and native Alaskan art shopping. But Juneau isn’t just a fun name to say, you know — Carnival cruises to Juneau transport you to one of the most beautiful capital cities in America, with once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions that include walking on glaciers, whale watching, and hikes through the country’s last old-growth forests.

See Alaska’s history displayed at the state’s leading museums.

Touch glacier ice that’s thousands of years old.

Stroll beneath the mystic green canopy of a Pacific Coast rainforest.

See the remains of what was long ago the biggest gold mine in America.

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

For more than 100 years, Ketchikan, Alaska has been the gateway to the North. Ketchikan cruises dock along the famed historic waterfront. Check out the flourishing art scene and spectacular totem poles that have transformed this former frontier town into a popular southern Alaskan port of call. Experience the sights, atmosphere and excitement of the Last Frontier as soon as you cross the Alaska border on Carnival cruises to Ketchikan.

Catch a demonstration of lumberjacking skills by adroit woodsmen — and woodswomen.

Drop into quaint shops on a historic street that’s actually a dock.

Visit the Totem Heritage Center, where ancient totem poles, rescued from decay, are preserved.

Experience the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting close-up views of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers.

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

Day 29: Seattle

Arrives at 7:00 AM

Cruises departing from Seattle are your ticket to some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth — they’ll take you straight to Alaska! But there is plenty to see before or after your cruise, too. Carnival cruises from Seattle dock at the gates of the “Emerald City.” Set on Puget Sound in the shadow of Mt. Rainer, Seattle’s stunning waterfront can be found curving past skyscrapers, historic neighborhoods, important museums, and the lush, rolling parks that give the city its green nickname. One of the best parts of cruising from Seattle is the opportunity to explore the iconic city, famous for its hip coffee culture and musical tastemaking. From its burgeoning foodie scene to its cultural treasures, this sparkling Pacific Northwest jewel is yours for the taking when you book a cruise from Seattle, Washington.

Zip up the Space Needle for views over the city’s skyscrapers.

Snack on fresh-baked treats at the Pike Place Market.

Fuel up on Seattle’s famous coffee before boarding cruises from Seattle.