JAPAN BY SEA PONANT CRUISE DEAL

Package Duration:    7 nights
Cruise Starts:            21 May 2024 – from Maizuru
Cruise Ends:             28 May 2024 – into Hakodate
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JAPAN BY SEA PONANT CRUISE DEAL

Description:

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.This 8-day voyage along Japan's northern coast from Maizuru offers a superb introduction to its traditions and customs through a wide variety of carefully curated shore excursions in each port of call-an opportunity for you to sample widely among feudal castles, Buddhist temples, modern art, tea ceremonies, artisanal crafts, landscape gardens, and the wonders of nature.The richness from which to choose is immediately apparent in your first port of call, Sakaiminato, where options include Matsue Castle, built entirely of pine in 1611; the Adachi Museum of Art, displaying the great masters of modern Japanese painting and sculpture; a demonstration of the ancient craft of making paper (washi) from tree bark; and Yushien Garden, a landscape garden in traditional style, famous for its peonies.The South Korean port of Busan offers a similar range of experiences: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built in 1376 overlooking the sea; the Busan Museum of Art, featuring an outdoor sculpture garden as well as exhibits of contemporary Korean artists; Gyeongju Historic Areas, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site representing the flowering of Silla culture between the 7th and 10th centuries; and a Korean Tea Ceremony at the Hongbeopsa Temple, famous for having the largest Buddha statue in Asia.A day at sea brings you to Kanazawa and a chance to explore world famous Kenroku-en Garden, recognized as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan because it possesses 'the six qualities of a perfect garden'. Kanazawa is also known for its impeccably-preserved samurai and geisha districts, and for its handicrafts, especially its lacquer, pottery, gold, and silk-all of which you will be invited to experience and enjoy.The final two ports of call - Ogi, on Sado Island, and the small town of Sakata - are where Japan's natural beauty takes center stage. An excursion to Senkaku-wan Bay Ageshima Yuen Park on Sado Island is a landscape photographer's dream, as are Mt. Haguro, part of the trinity of sacred mountains known as the Dewa Sanzan, and Mt. Chokai and Tamasudare Falls outside of Sakata. But as always on this cruise, alternatives abound, this time in the form of a Folk Museum and Sake Brewery in Ogi and a photography museum and aquarium featuring jellyfish in Sakata.Your cruise ends in Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido.CruisePackage - PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation. Included Features:A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys ExpertsTransfers and luggage handling from the airport in Osaka to the ship in Maizuru on the day of embarkationComprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Soléal, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famousOne included shore excursion in each port of call (see ?Itinerary? for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)Transfer from the ship to the airport in Hakodate at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation Not included:Independent meals and beverages ashorePersonal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.) Notes:This voyage is offered on a space available basisProgram is subject to change without notice

Itinerary:

Day 1: Maizuru

Tue 21 May 2024 | Depart 6:00 PM

Day 2: Sakaiminato

Wed 22 May 2024 | 7:00 AM To 1:00 PM

Day 3: Busan

Thu 23 May 2024 | 8:00 AM To 6:00 PM

Day 4: At sea

Fri 24 May 2024

Day 5: Kanazawa

Sat 25 May 2024 | 7:00 AM To 7:00 PM

Day 6: Ogi, Niigata

Sun 26 May 2024 | 8:00 AM To 7:00 PM

Day 7: Sakata

Mon 27 May 2024 | 7:00 AM To 3:30 PM

Day 8: Hakodate

Tue 28 May 2024 | Arrive 8:00 AM

Your Ship:

Le Soleal is one of the newest Ponant cruise ships to offer 5-star luxury  cruises to all destinations.

Le Soleal sleeps 264 passengers in 132 staterooms, all with spacious suites, large windows and lounge areas, that open onto the outside. This ship is at the pinnacle of expedition cruising with innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment. It is the perfect vessel for any cruises around the world. 

Like Le Boréal and L’Austral, the two sister ships that preceded it, Le Soléal further reaffirms PONANT's signature approach: to take passengers to the farthest reaches of the planet onboard five-star ships offering top-of-the-range services.