Spectrum of the Seas
Watch as robots craft a custom juice creation for you at the Bionic Bar. Elevate your stay in one suite of our Suite Club, the most luxurious accommodations at sea with access to a variety of exclusive amenities. Or change the way you make family memories in the Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multi-room retreat complete with its own insuite slide and cinema which also doubles as a karaoke stage.
Roundtrip From:Shanghai (Baoshan), China
Visiting:
Departs at 4:30 PM
Called Hu for short, glamorous Shanghai is China's largest city, and it reverberates with echoes of China's past. But at the same time, it's a city with its eyes on the future, where Gothic and neoclassical architecture contrasts space-age skyscrapers. Cruise to Shanghai and visit the Bund, a historic neighborhood on the west side of the Huangpu River, where you can still see buildings from the city's past prior to 1949. Across the way on the east side, you can gaze up at the futuristic towers of Pudong. See decorative bronze artifacts dating back to the 18th century B.C. at the Shanghai Museum. Then, head to the Old City, where you can wander the bustling narrow streets inside the fortified walls, take in the smell of incense and sip longjing green tea at a traditional teahouse.
The Bund is Shanghai's art deco heritage neighborhood, with colonial architecture from the 1920s and '40s. Walk along the riverfront promenade at the golden hour for beautiful photos — from here, you can see the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong's skyscrapers across the river.
Insider tip
China's currency is the renminbi (abbreviated as RMB) and also called the yuan. Shanghai has lots of ATMs, though not all accept foreign cards. Smaller Chinese cities don't always have ATMs, so it's wise to stock up on extra cash in Shanghai.
Get a feel for old China by wandering through the Yu Garden during your Shanghai cruise vacation. The classical garden is 400 years old, with carp-filled pools and bamboo groves. See more of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum, which has 120,000 ancient relics, including bronze artifacts and sculptures.
It's hard not to find shopping in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is the busiest, with everything from specialty food shops to modern malls. If you have time to get something tailored, try the South Bund Fabric Market. During your China cruise, pick up a distinctive Chinese red lantern at the Antique Market or at most street markets.
Take a river cruise to see some of Shanghai's modern architectural highlights: The 1536-foot-tall Oriental Pearl Tower looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, while the twisting Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world, is meant to evoke a lucky dragon coming out of the earth. The World Finance Center Tower looks like a giant bottle opener.
Eating in Shanghai is all about street food. You'll see people drinking from giant dumplings through straws in a dish called xiao long bao — a soup dumpling. Join in, or eat them with chopsticks in a sit-down restaurant. Try cold noodles with eel, ginger and bamboo shoots, or pick up a flaky, pork-flecked scallion pancake — this comfort food is practically a way of life here.
From 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Jeju is South Korea's most famous island getaway, and for good reason. Dubbed "The Hawaii of Korea," it's home to some of the Korean Peninsula's most beautiful natural sites. Mount Hallasan dominates the skyline with its dark green foliage — hike up this dormant volcano, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and get a look at the gorgeous crater lake that lies near the summit. Or head to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, nicknamed the Pond of God: See the falls from the Seonimgyo arch bridge that passes over them, and walk among the park's rock formations and lush greenery. Cruise to Jeju Island, South Korea to go surfing on secluded, cliff-surrounded Sungmung Beach. Or cool off from the humid climate by exploring Manjanggul Cave, an underground lava tunnel.
The impressive Manjanggul Cave is one of the world's longest lava tubes, a geological remnant left behind when lava deep within the ground rises during an eruption. See remarkable lava stalactites 70 centimeters tall and the famous turtle rock formation that some say is shaped like Jeju Island itself. The tunnel takes roughly 50 minutes to explore.
Insider tip
There are very few international ATMs on the island. It's best to carry the local currency, Korean won.
Island legend has it that seven nymphs descended at midnight to bathe in the waters of Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. With three waterfalls and a deliciously refreshing pool you can swim in, you'll quickly be enchanted. Cruise to Jeju Island and be sure to catch a look at the seven nymphs emblazoned on the Seonimgyo Bridge.
Insider tip
The public buses are usually slow. If you want to go to lots of destinations, it's best to book a tour or hire a private taxi
The Cheju Underground Shopping Street is the perfect place to get all your shopping done during your Jeju Island cruise. Pick up some famous Korean cosmetics, or keep it traditional with Korean dolls and ginseng. Typical souvenirs include mini replicas of Jeju guardian statues and sweet Jeju citrus made into chocolates or teas.
Formed thousands of years ago by an erupting underwater volcano, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Mountain) juts out of the ocean in the shape of a crown. The hike takes 40 minutes (with breaks) and rewards you with a sweeping view of the crater and sparkling east sea.
Insider tip
With over 5,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, you'll always find a connection nearby.
Stop by the Dongmun Market, which sells local delicacies like tender Jeju black pork (made from the highly prized black pigs that inhabit the island), spicy kimchi and even chocolate. The locals also pride themselves on their delicious fresh seafood, piled into a hot pot or served raw, sashimi-style. For the adventurous, try the fresh raw octopus that's still wriggling on your plate.
Buckle up and take the wheel for nonstop fun on the only bumper cars at sea. Rush hour gets a thrilling spin at the largest indoor activity space ever to set sail — SeaPlex®.
The fun comes in gallons. This bigger, better kids aqua park features slides, water cannons, waterfalls and more. And when the drench bucket gets full, everyone gets wet.
There’s no rush in the world like skydiving — and on the RipCord® by iFLY® simulator you can feel the freedom of freefall without even leaving the deck.
Arrives at 7:00 AM
Called Hu for short, glamorous Shanghai is China's largest city, and it reverberates with echoes of China's past. But at the same time, it's a city with its eyes on the future, where Gothic and neoclassical architecture contrasts space-age skyscrapers. Cruise to Shanghai and visit the Bund, a historic neighborhood on the west side of the Huangpu River, where you can still see buildings from the city's past prior to 1949. Across the way on the east side, you can gaze up at the futuristic towers of Pudong. See decorative bronze artifacts dating back to the 18th century B.C. at the Shanghai Museum. Then, head to the Old City, where you can wander the bustling narrow streets inside the fortified walls, take in the smell of incense and sip longjing green tea at a traditional teahouse.
The Bund is Shanghai's art deco heritage neighborhood, with colonial architecture from the 1920s and '40s. Walk along the riverfront promenade at the golden hour for beautiful photos — from here, you can see the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong's skyscrapers across the river.
Insider tip
Check visa rules carefully. They vary greatly depending on your nationality, length of stay, where you visit and if you re-enter the country.
Get a feel for old China by wandering through the Yu Garden during your Shanghai cruise vacation. The classical garden is 400 years old, with carp-filled pools and bamboo groves. See more of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum, which has 120,000 ancient relics, including bronze artifacts and sculptures.
It's hard not to find shopping in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is the busiest, with everything from specialty food shops to modern malls. If you have time to get something tailored, try the South Bund Fabric Market. During your China cruise, pick up a distinctive Chinese red lantern at the Antique Market or at most street markets.
Take a river cruise to see some of Shanghai's modern architectural highlights: The 1536-foot-tall Oriental Pearl Tower looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, while the twisting Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world, is meant to evoke a lucky dragon coming out of the earth. The World Finance Center Tower looks like a giant bottle opener.
Insider tip
Within the city, getting around by subway is cheap, easy and avoids surface-level traffic.
Eating in Shanghai is all about street food. You'll see people drinking from giant dumplings through straws in a dish called xiao long bao — a soup dumpling. Join in, or eat them with chopsticks in a sit-down restaurant. Try cold noodles with eel, ginger and bamboo shoots, or pick up a flaky, pork-flecked scallion pancake — this comfort food is practically a way of life here.
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