By
Alex Smith |
Holland America Line will introduce three new Japanese ports – Hitachinaka, Nagoya and Maizuru – as part of its 2027–2028 Asia programme onboard Noordam.
Sailing from September 2027 to April 2028, Noordam will operate 13- to 15-day itineraries visiting ports in Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. The vessel’s size allows it to call at smaller harbours, including Jeju in South Korea and Boracay in the Philippines, providing access to ports that are not accessible to larger ships.
In Hitachinaka, travellers can visit the Seaside Park, known for its seasonal floral displays. Nagoya features a reconstructed castle decorated with golden shachi-hoko roof ornaments, while Maizuru, a historic port city, will be the departure point for a new scenic cruising experience through Maizuru Bay.
"Asia offers guests a wealth of natural wonders and remarkable cultural landmarks," said Robert de Bruin, Holland America Line's director of deployment and itinerary planning. "We know our guests are eager for deeper exploration, so this season we've added new ports, increased calls to lesser-visited destinations and provided extended stays in popular locales. These enhancements allow guests to make the most of their journey, fully delving into the culture of each destination."
Overnight calls in Halong Bay, Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, Osaka and Shanghai are designed to extend time in port and enable evening exploration. Several itineraries will begin or end in Tokyo, with others depart from Singapore, Hong Kong and Seattle.
Onboard, Holland America Line’s Destination Dining programme will feature menus inspired by the ports visited, incorporating regional ingredients and traditional dishes. Two pop-up concepts, Taste of Tamarind and Morimoto by Sea, will also be offered during Asia sailings.
Shore excursion options will include cultural, historical and outdoor experiences. These range from visits to temples and art districts in Busan and samurai-era sites in Kochi to tours of Hoi An and coastal excursions near Da Nang.