2 Week Cruise of The Philippines, Taiwan & Japan

Set sail on an extraordinary 15-day voyage aboard Holland America’s Westerdam, taking you to some of the most breathtaking destinations across Asia. Your journey begins in the dynamic city of Hong Kong, China, where towering skyscrapers meet bustling street markets. From there, head to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, where lush landscapes and the famous Underground River await. Discover the pristine beaches of Boracay, followed by the vibrant energy of Manila, with its mix of modern attractions and rich history. In Taiwan, explore the vibrant cities of Kaohsiung and Keelung, offering a perfect blend of culture, scenic beauty, and delicious cuisine. Your adventure continues to the tropical paradise of Ishigaki Island, Japan, known for its crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes. Next, experience the cultural charm of Naha, Japan, before diving into the excitement of Osaka, Japan’s food capital. Finally, your journey culminates in Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan, where you’ll find a captivating mix of tradition and innovation. With Holland America’s Westerdam, this cruise is the ultimate escape, offering a perfect combination of relaxation, exploration, and unforgettable cultural experiences.

March 1 - 15, 2026 

Verandah Stateroom From $5,219 CAD per person 

This price includes the Have It All Package: 

• SPECIALTY DINING

  Dinner at a fine dining restaurant

• SHORE EXCURSIONS

  2 Shore Excursions - up to US$200 per guest

• BEVERAGE PACKAGE

  Signature: wine, beer, cocktails, specialty coffee and soda. Plus, service charges are included. 

• Wi-Fi

  Surf Package

Mar 01, 2026  Hong Kong, China

Among the world's most glamorous and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong sits on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River estuary of the South China Sea. It comprises Hong Kong Island, where the Central Business District and most affluent areas and attractions are, and, on the mainland, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hong Kong is a regional and global hub for banking, shipping, fashion and food, boasting more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Its five-star hotels are among the most elegant to be found anywhere; many are set in the towering skyscrapers that carpet Hong Kong Island's steep slopes and light up its skyline so beautifully.Officially known as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy relative to the rest of China, even after it was reunified with China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule ended.Many cruises in Southeast and East Asia start or end in Hong Kong, and it's definitely a great city in which to spend a day or two sightseeing and finding cultural things to do before or after the voyage. Smaller cruise ships can dock right in Victoria Harbour, for front-row seats of the stunning skyline.

Mar 02, 2026 - At Sea 

Mar 03, 2026 - At Sea 

Mar 04, 2026 Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan in the Philippines, is home to 250,000 people and offers a vastly different experience from Manila’s often overwhelming big-city dynamism. For many travelers, it’s simply a gateway to the resorts of El Nido, also on Palawan Island. Those who spend some time here, however, will discover a city that combines a laid-back vibe with beautiful sandy beaches and a wealth of marine life. Nearby, there are also lush mountains, rain forests, waterfalls and dramatic limestone cliffs. Among the most popular sights are the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, where visitors are welcome to celebrate Mass accompanied by choral singing; the Palawan Heritage Center, which displays local artworks and crafts; and the peaceful Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village. The city's biggest draws, however, are a boat trip through the limestone caves of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and the beaches and islands scattered around scenic Honda Bay—perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing and picnics. Speaking of food, a visit to the most famous restaurant in the city, Kalui, is guaranteed to be a memorable experience for seafood fans; adventurous foodies can order crocodile sisig, a traditional—and delicious—stir-fry dish.

Mar 05, 2026 Boracay, Philippines

Discover the idyllic shores of Boracay on Holland America Asia cruises. Boracay is a small tropical island in the Philippines where visitors can relax under rustling palms or partake in thrilling water adventures, such as snorkeling its vibrant coral reefs. There’s more to Boracay than white-sand beaches and cerulean waters. Its most recognized landmark is Willy’s Rock, a tidal island topped with a Virgin Mary shrine. To gain insights into the Philippines pre-colonization, visit the Motag Living Museum, where you can play traditional games, learn rice farming methods, and make toys from coconut leaves.

Mar 06, 2026 Manila, Philippines

Fast-paced and endlessly fascinating, modern Manila is one of the most densely packed cities in the world, with some 1.6 million residents. Characterized by intense contrasts—soaring skyscrapers next to shantytowns, atmospheric food markets as well as air-conditioned malls—it’s also an impressively multicultural city, with a swirl of languages, cuisines and cultures. To catch some historic atmosphere, head to Manila's oldest neighborhood, the fortress enclave of Intramuros, which was founded in the 16th century and features sights such as Fort Santiago, Casa Manila and San Agustin Church.In the upscale financial center of Makati, visitors can find an array of bars, spas and restaurants in addition to malls like Glorietta, the landscaped Greenbelt Park and Ayala Museum, which showcases archaeological artifacts and indigenous textiles and art. In and around Rizal Park are several good museums, while the creative spirit of the city—from live music venues to independent art galleries—is sprinkled throughout several districts, and spaces such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines host shows, film screenings and plays. For day trips, Corregidor Island should not be missed.

Mar 07, 2026 Day at Sea 

Mar 08, 2026 Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This attractive city—Taiwan’s second largest and its largest port—offers visitors an alluring blend of ancient and modern culture. The architecture ranges from atmospheric temples and monasteries to soaring commercial skyscrapers and gleaming malls topped with Ferris wheels, and the city is home to funky boutiques, colorful metro stations and modern galleries. The wide streets are filled with cafés and restaurants, and the seafood and noodle stalls around Cijin Island and the Kaisyuan and Jin-Zuan night markets, which together form the largest night market in Taiwan, are especially worth a visit.Stroll along Kaohsiung’s impressive harbor, one of the largest container ports in the world; walk or cycle around scenic Lotus Lake, with its Chinese pagodas; or sit at a bankside café on the Love River. Farther afield, visitors wishing to beat the city bustle can explore the striking landscapes of Kenting National Park, relax at one of the city’s swimming beaches, or enjoy a hike through the city’s nearly 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of dense forest.

Mar 09, 2026 Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan

Keelung City’s sheltered harbor and its location on Taiwan’s north coast have meant that, over the centuries, it has been ruled by the Spanish, Dutch and Chinese. While there are plenty of good coffee shops, markets and museums in the compact downtown and you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes at the Night Market, the city is today principally a gateway to Taipei for many travelers. Taiwan’s capital is just a half hour away by car or around 45 minutes by train. Long a small outpost of the Chinese empire, the city began to grow in the 19th century, when settlement from the mainland was encouraged. Then, from 1895 to 1945, the city (and all of Taiwan) was occupied by the Japanese. At the end of World War II, Taipei was handed over to the Republic of China, led by Chiang Kai-shek. In the decades since, it has seen an explosion of growth, but traditional temples and world-class museums still sit amid the skyscrapers. The modern metropolis also has top restaurants, food markets and upscale shopping. The Taipei Metro makes it easy to explore the city, or you can take an excursion to the countryside: A national park and a protected forest make for excellent day trips from both Taipei and Keelung.

Mar 10, 2026 Ishigaki Island, Japan

Talk with the Japanese a while about the Japanese and you’re going to hear the word shimagunikonjo. The breakdown is simple: shima—island; guni—nation; konjo—consciousness. In one word, it's the firm belief that people who live on islands are different from people who live on continents, and anyone who’s done both is likely to agree. American culture may be the strongest influence in Japan now, but the Japanese will understand the motivations of the Brits a whole lot better. Islands require a different mind-set than continents. Islands require manners. 

But what if your island was never meant to be part of another bunch of islands? That’s what’s happened with today’s Okinawa Prefecture. The people who’ve always been there are Okinawan, one of the healthiest, longest-living people on earth. But now they’re part of Japan and seriously outnumbered by the Japanese. (And they’re not at all happy that the Japanese interlopers gave so much of their land over to U.S. military bases.) 

Signs of Okinawan culture can be subtle but are easier to pick out in more remote islands of the chain, like Ishigaki. Traditional buildings are a mixture of Chinese and Japanese influences. In the markets, you’ll find fu chanpuru (an Okinawan stir fry dish) and whole-wheat soba, which the Japanese won't touch. The ryuso robe holds on despite crowded kimono stores. The few people left who speak Uchinaguchi are praying for a movement like the Hawaiian renaissance to bring the culture back. The tipping point is close. A trip to Ishigaki now is to witness either the beginning or the end.

Mar 11, 2026 Naha, Japan

Naha, the capital of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture and its biggest city, also serves as the region’s key political, economic and transportation hub. With a fascinating past as the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a working port that dates back to the 15th century, this city of 300,000 residents manages to be both a compelling city and a laid-back one.

Because it was largely destroyed during World War II, there aren’t many old buildings here; however, a few restored remains from the Ryukyu Kingdom era provide historic interest, including Shuri Castle, the royal residence, and its extraordinary gardens—both of which are included in a local group designated together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other legendary sites include the Royal Mausoleum (burial tombs set inside caves) and the Shurei Gate, so magnificent that its image appears on the 2,000-yen note. 

There are also a few contemporary hotspots, namely Kokusai Street, which offers almost two kilometers (1.25 miles) of shops, cafés and restaurants, and the nearby Makishi Public Market, which has dozens of food vendors hawking delicious treats. If you want to explore farther afield, Naha is the ideal jumping-off point for excursions to the rest of Okinawa.

Mar 12, 2026 Day at Sea 

Mar 13, 2026 Osaka, Japan

Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the rest of the country calls “dirty Japanese,” one entirely different than even Kobe’s—and Kobe is an Osaka suburb.

Nothing is old in Osaka. The place was flattened during the war (and then again in 1962 and 1989, by Godzilla). During the reconstruction, they forgot to include much in the way of parks or green space, and the sheer amount of concrete and steel sights can get overwhelming.

But Osaka has its attractions and interesting things to do. Sumo wrestlers wait for trains, reeking of chanko-nabe (traditional sumo food; pure energy and calories), just daring the official railway pushers to push them. Yakuza (Japanese gangsters) get train cars to themselves, but if you get on with them, it’s like you’re invisible. Busy markets, the visual noise of neon and nonstop action on shopping streets offer insight into the energy and ambition of Osaka.

And if all that isn’t enough, Osaka is less than an hour from some of the most beautiful temples, shrines and ancient Japanese tourist attractions in the world—a thousand years of Japanese history—waiting in the old capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Mar 14, 2026 Day at Sea 

Mar 15, 2026 Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities.  

From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. 

Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

With so many bucket list destinations in one cruise this is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime.  Reach out to your Uniglobe Travel agent to put down your deposit today.