When people first look at Japan cruises, they often become obsessed with picking the “best” cruise line.

After cruising to Japan with Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, my conclusion was actually very different from what I’d expected…

I think if you are cruising Japan specifically, the cruise line often matters less than:

• The itinerary
• The ports
• The overnight stays
• The time of year
• How long you get in each destination

It is very likely that if you decide to cruise to Japan, it is Japan itself that is the main attraction, not the cruise ship you are travelling on.

Why Japan Cruises Feel Different

Japan cruises are much more destination-focused than many Caribbean cruises, for instance.

If you cruise to the Caribbean, you are likely to visit man-made ports and cruise line private islands.

Japan is very different. Expect:

• Long port days.
• Intensive sightseeing.
• Cultural experiences.
• Trains, temples, food and fascinating cities will become the focus

You are likely to spend much less time onboard, sitting by the pool, watching shows or using the waterslides.

On some of the bigger ships, the ship itself is the destination. You could stay onboard all week and never get off in port at all. You still wouldn’t run out of things to do onboard!

After a full day exploring cities like Tokyo or Kyoto, many people just want dinner and bed!

The Cruise Line Still Matters… But Differently

The cruise line you choose will still affect:

• The atmosphere onboard
• The food
• Your cabin comfort
• Entertainment choices
• Dress codes
• The overall vibe of the ship.

If you have cruised before, you probably already have a good idea about which cruise line suits you and your style of cruising.

Cruise lines don’t fundamentally change because they are sailing in Japanese waters.

Norwegian Cruise Line

I had a wonderful cruise to Japan onboard Norwegian Spirit.

Norwegian Spirit was the first-ever cruise ship I sailed on, and she has a special place in my heart.

The opportunity to sail around Japan (one of my favourite ever destinations) onboard my favourite ship wasn’t one that I could pass up!

I love Norwegian’s relaxed approach to cruising, it suits me very well.

I enjoy all the flexible dining options; I am not keen on set dining and going to the same restaurant every night of the cruise.

Have a look at some of the wonderful places I visited on my Norwegian cruise in the video below:

Princess Cruises

I took my first-ever Japan cruise onboard Golden Princess with my parents.

Although Golden Princess has now been retired from the Princess fleet and needed a bit of TLC when I was onboard, we had a fantastic, memorable cruise.

Golden Princess has now been refurbished and sails as Carnival Adventure for Carnival Cruise Line.

Princess is very experienced in Japan itineraries and visits some wonderful places.

They are popular with older cruisers because their ships have a more traditional feel.

I always love Princess because of the number of swimming pools they have on board. A small thing, but it makes me happy!

They offer a range of longer itineraries, and in 2027, they will be taking a number of 22-day sailings. That would really help you see as much of Japan as possible when you are in Asia.

Have a look at one of my very early videos from that first-ever Japan cruise below. I absolutely loved everything about that trip:

Royal Caribbean

I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas. She is the largest cruise ship in Asia, and is very interesting because she was purpose-built to cater to the Asian market.

There were some differences in the dining, entertainment and general feel of the ship, because of the passenger nationalities onboard.

Find out more about those differences here:

Because Spectrum is a bigger ship, she has more onboard activities to choose from. She is great for families, as she offers more of a “resort at sea” type atmosphere.

Despite everything going on onboard, the things I remember most are the Japanese experiences in port, not the ship itself.

Why The Itinerary Matters More

In Japan, ports vary hugely – some are incredible.

Some are much more industrial than others.

If you can book an itinerary with some overnight stays, it can completely change your experience.

You might find that a smaller or older ship with an amazing itinerary can easily beat a newer ship visiting less interesting ports.

Things that matter more than the cruise line:

• Overnight stays in Tokyo or Osaka are well worth doing, if you can find an itinerary that includes them.
• Visiting smaller, interesting Japanese ports
• The cherry blossom season, from late March to mid-April, is the most popular time to visit Japan.
• The autumn foliage season runs from mid-September to the end of October and is another great time to visit.
• Try to avoid excessive sea days; there is so much to see on land.
• Good port timings – you don’t want to be arriving late in the day and leaving first thing in the morning, for example.

Some itineraries barely scratch the surface, while others feel much more immersive. You can get sailings anywhere from a few days to over three weeks long.

Not All Japan Ports Feel The Same

People often assume every stop in Japan will feel equally exciting, but that isn’t true.

Some ports are directly beside famous cities, but others require long train journeys or expensive cruise ship excursions.

Some places feel very traditional, but cities like Tokyo feel modern and urban.

There are some hidden gems to be found in many ports, so do your research before you go.

Have a look at some of the amazing places I visited in the video below:

What Actually Makes A Japan Cruise Good

Some of the things I would look for when choosing a Japan cruise would be:

• Longer port stays
• Overnight visits
• Smaller ports/intensive itineraries
• Good public transport access
• Cruise timing – visiting in blossom/autumn seasons
• Ports close to major attractions
• Enough sea days to recover between busy sightseeing days

Japan can actually be quite exhausting because there is so much to do!

Whether you take a cruiseline excursion or take public transport and do your own thing in port, you won’t be short on interesting places to explore.

Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, so don’t be afraid to “go it alone” in port.

Have a look at the places I visited on the cruise I took to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan with Royal Caribbean below. I took some cruiseline excursions, and sometimes explored independently:

Should You Pick A Japanese Cruise Line?

There are authentic Japanese cruise lines, although most cater primarily to a domestic, Japanese-speaking clientele.

International travellers looking to visit the region usually book Japanese itineraries rather than Japanese cruise lines

Language barriers and differing onboard expectations may not suit everyone.

On a Japanese cruise line, you are likely to find:

• More local food
• More Japanese passengers
• Different entertainment styles
• A more culturally immersive experience

So Which Cruise Line Is Best?

I don’t think there is one “best” cruiseline. It all depends on your personal cruising tastes. If you normally enjoy cruising with Norwegian, for example, you will doubtless enjoy sailing around Japan with them.

Choosing the right itinerary is far more important than the cruise line, in my opinion.

When I think about my Japan adventures, I find myself talking far more about the ports I visited than the cruise line I happened to be sailing with.

Before You Go

Find out why booking a cheap inside cabin might be a good idea if you suffer from seasickness here:

Why Booking The Cheapest Cabin Might Mean A Smoother Cruise

Find out why you are unlikely to get a free cabin upgrade here:

Why You’re (Probably) Not Getting A Free Cabin Upgrade