Royal Caribbean Announces Japan Spring 2028 Cruises

Voyager of the Seas will sail from late February through April, combining Japan’s spring scenery with regional food, historic ports and select South Korean destinations.

Royal Caribbean has announced new spring 2028 sailings aboard Voyager of the Seas, offering travelers several ways to explore Japan during cherry blossom season.

Running from late February through April 2028, the season includes a Hong Kong-to-Tokyo voyage, three roundtrip cruises from Tokyo, and a Pacific crossing to Seattle. According to the announcement, select departures are timed around anticipated peak bloom periods in different parts of Japan.

For travelers planning a spring holiday, the itineraries bring together several destinations in one journey, with overnight stays on select sailings allowing more time ashore.

From Hong Kong to Japan’s coastal cities

A 10-night cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo will visit Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kobe and Osaka. Royal Caribbean’s official itinerary lists departure on February 29, 2028, with arrival in Tokyo’s gateway port of Yokohama on March 10.

The voyage includes an overnight stay in Kobe, giving passengers additional time to explore its waterfront and culinary heritage. Other stops highlight Nagasaki’s history, Kagoshima’s regional flavors and Osaka’s food scene.

Because the cruise starts and ends in different cities, travelers can also plan time in Hong Kong before boarding and in Tokyo after disembarking.

Three roundtrip options from Tokyo

The season also features three roundtrip sailings from Tokyo lasting 11 to 12 nights. Royal Caribbean’s booking pages include an 11-night Japan Cherry Blossoms cruise departing from Yokohama on March 21, 2028.

Across the three itineraries, destinations include Kobe, Osaka, Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Sasebo. Depending on the sailing, passengers can also visit Shimizu, a gateway for Mount Fuji sightseeing, and Okinawa, where a select itinerary includes an overnight stay.

Some departures extend to South Korea, calling at Jeju’s Seogwipo port or Busan. These routes combine Japan’s city and regional experiences with island landscapes and another country’s coastal culture.

Ports vary by departure, making the individual itinerary an important part of choosing a sailing.

A longer journey from Tokyo to Seattle

For travelers seeking an extended voyage, the announcement also outlines a 16-night Pacific crossing from Tokyo to Seattle.

The itinerary includes an overnight call at Muroran, the port listed for Sapporo, offering time to explore Hokkaido before the ship continues across the Pacific. Several days at sea and a crossing of the International Date Line follow before arrival in Seattle.

The spring departures form part of Voyager of the Seas’ broader 2027–2028 Asia Pacific season, which includes cruises lasting two to 16 nights from Brisbane, Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Activities and dining between ports

Days at sea offer activities for different ages and interests. Voyager of the Seas features the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides, a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating, mini-golf and glow-in-the-dark laser tag.

Children can join Adventure Ocean activities, while teens have a dedicated space at the Living Room. Dining venues include Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and Izumi, alongside casual options such as Windjammer and Café Promenade.

For travelers considering Japan in spring 2028, the main choice is how much time to spend exploring: a 10-night journey between two cities, a roundtrip itinerary from Tokyo, or a longer ocean crossing.

Visit Royal Caribbean’s website for individual sailing details and booking information.