5 Nights | Asia and Asia Pacific | MSC Cruises: MSC Bellissima | Jan 02, 2026

Discover Japan’s Tropical Paradise

• Experience the perfect blend of refined Japanese elegance, ancient Ryukyu heritage, and laid-back island vibes on your MSC cruise to Okinawa.
• Step ashore in Naha, the vibrant capital of the Ryukyu archipelago, and immerse yourself in a world unlike anywhere else in Japan.
• Must-see highlights
• Shikinaen Garden – UNESCO World Heritage site with serene landscapes, traditional red-tiled wooden villas, and a tranquil lake perfect for quiet reflection.
• Peace Memorial Park – A moving tribute to the lives lost in the Battle of Okinawa, one of the final and bloodiest conflicts of World War II.
• Kokusai-dori – Naha’s lively 2-km main street packed with bars, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants. Sip ice-cold awamori, Okinawa’s signature spirit, while soaking up the island atmosphere.
• Ryukyumura Village – Step back in time in this living museum where artisans craft pottery, weave colourful textiles, and musicians play the soulful three-stringed sanshin.
• Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum – Dive deep into the unique history, art, and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
• Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters – Explore the haunting tunnels that served as command centre during the war.
• Cape Manzamo – Dramatic cliffs sculpted by the East China Sea, featuring the iconic elephant-trunk rock formation – a photographer’s dream.
• Okinawa isn’t just a destination – it’s Japan’s hidden tropical soul. Welcome to paradise with a thousand years of stories.

Day 3 Sunday, 04 Jan 2026

Ishigaki Japan Jan 04, 2026 | 10:00 AM To 07:00 PM

All shore excursions are subject to availability and may sell out.

Ishigaki – Japan’s Pristine Paradise

Your MSC cruise brings you to the sun-drenched island of Ishigaki, the jewel of Okinawa Prefecture and gateway to the breathtaking Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.

Just 124 miles from Taiwan, Ishigaki blends subtropical beauty with a fascinating history – administered by the United States until 1972 and officially a city since 1947.

Unmissable experiences

• Kabira Bay – One of the most stunning bays in Japan, famed for its emerald waters, pure white sand, and as the birthplace of cultivated black pearls. Strong currents prevent swimming, but the panoramic views are unforgettable.
• Iriomote Island – A true wilderness: nearly 90% covered in virgin subtropical rainforest and mangrove forests. Home to rare creatures like the coconut crab (capable of cracking coconuts with its claws) and the endangered Iriomote wildcat – a living national treasure.
• Taketomi Island – A perfectly preserved time capsule. Traditional red-tiled Ryukyu houses, streets of white coral sand, stone walls draped in bougainvillea, and water buffalo carts carrying visitors through flower-filled lanes. With only 300 residents, life here still moves at the rhythm of centuries-old traditions.

Crystal waters, untamed jungle, and living heritage – Ishigaki and its surrounding islands offer the purest slice of tropical Japan. Nature at its most extraordinary.

Day 4:All shore excursions are subject to availability and may sell out.

Taipei – A Metropolis Bridging Ancient and Modern

Taipei is the beating heart of Taiwan (China): home to the government, the cultural and commercial hub, and a mesmerizing fusion of Chinese heritage and Japanese influence. On your MSC cruise, dive into a city where centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge modernity coexist in perfect harmony.

Unmissable Highlights

• Taipei 101 The city’s iconic landmark, named for its 101 floors. Shaped like towering bamboo stalks, it was the world’s tallest building when completed in 2004 (509 m) and remains one of the most impressive skyscrapers on earth. Located in the stylish Xinyi district, it offers breathtaking panoramic views.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall A striking white monument crowned with a brilliant blue octagonal roof – colors that echo Taiwan’s flag and symbolize liberty, equality, and fraternity. Its grand staircase has 89 steps, one for each year of the leader’s life, surrounded by serene traditional Chinese gardens.
• National Palace Museum One of the world’s greatest treasure troves, housing over 700,000 artifacts spanning 8,000 years of Chinese art and history – from Neolithic times to the modern era. Originally located inside Beijing’s Forbidden City, the collection was moved to its current magnificent home in Taipei’s Shilin district in 1949.

Taipei isn’t just a city – it’s a living conversation between past and future, East and West, tradition and innovation.

Welcome to a capital that captures both heart and imagination.

• Excursions are subject to change and availability.

Miyako Island Excursions Today

• All shore excursions are subject to availability and may sell out.
• Get ready to fall in love with Miyako Island – Japan’s ultimate tropical escape and one of MSC Cruises’ most breathtaking destinations in Asia.
• Pristine turquoise waters, dazzling coral reefs, powdery white-sand beaches and lush emerald landscapes make Miyako one of the most photographed islands on earth. It’s paradise found for anyone who dreams of untouched nature.
• Yet Miyako is so much more than postcard-perfect scenery. It’s a living treasure of culture and tradition waiting to be discovered.
• Cross the island’s three spectacular bridges linking Miyako to its neighbours, dive into centuries-old customs, savour unique local flavours, and feel the genuine warmth of the Miyako people.
• Whether you crave heart-pounding adventure, pure relaxation on flawless beaches, or an authentic cultural journey, Miyako Island delivers it all.
• Your tropical paradise is calling. Book your cruise and secure your excursions now – Miyako is ready to steal your heart.

Farewell, Okinawa… Until We Meet Again

Today we leave Japan’s tropical paradise, the Okinawa Islands, with hearts overflowing with memories that will never fade:

the serene beauty of Shikinaen Garden, the haunting sound of the sanshin in Ryukyumura Village, the cool taste of awamori on Kokusai-dori, and that iconic “elephant trunk” rock at Cape Manzamo forever etched in our cameras and our souls.

Thank you, Okinawa, for the warmth of your people, your powder-white sands, your profound history, and the moments of peace and wonder you gifted us.

We carry the breeze of the East China Sea with us… and we will return one day, because anyone who visits Okinawa once is destined to come back again and again.

Until next time, dear heart of the Ryukyu…

• Our ship sails on, but a piece of us will always remain here.