Kobe, Osaka & Tokyo Cruise 7 Nights • Shanghai (Baoshan), China • Spectrum of the Seas

When you cruise from Shanghai, your vacation begins before you even set foot aboard the ship. Welcome to a city that’s bursting with futuristic feats, rich history, delicious cuisine, and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Make sure you dedicate a few days before your cruise out of Shanghai to crossing all the top must-visit sites off your travel list. First, go see the classical and Art Deco architecture of the famous Bund neighborhood, then enjoy the scent of tea and incense that perfumes the air within the fortified Old City. If you’re still craving history, head to Qibao Ancient Town, home to an impressive pagoda-like bell tower and the legendary Qibao Template (it dates back to the 900s). With its pretty bridges and well-preserved historic buildings, Qibao Ancient Town is also a great place to snap photos. And no vacation from Shanghai is complete without a taste of the city’s world-famous street food, from giant dumplings filled with steaming hot soup, to cold noodles served with tender eel and tangy ginger.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:30 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.

At once a modern metropolis and a bastion of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After you take the 30-minute train journey from Osaka, see the iconic red gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine. Then, stroll through Nishiki Market and pick up yakitori grilled chicken for a snack, and take in a panoramic view of the city from Kyoto Tower.

Dive headfirst into the best kind of culture shock and catch a train to Tokyo from Yokohama. See iconic Shibuya crossing, where a dizzying array of pedestrian crosswalks overlooked by neon lights provides the ultimate urban sugar high. Or spend the day in nearby Kamakura — from the shore of its black beaches, you can spot the soaring bulk of Mt. Fuji.

Most international flights arrive at Pudong Airport. Take the bullet train into the city; it takes only 8 minutes between the airport and Longyang Road Station. From there, check out Longhua Temple: You'll recognize its two-meter-tall copper bell from Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun." Then, marvel at the modern skycrapers of Pudong — head to the Oriental Pearl Tower with its three distinctive spheres and get a 360-degree view of the city from the observation deck.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.