Royal Caribbean Announces Spectrum’s 2026-27 Hong Kong Season
Royal Caribbean International announced the Spectrum of the Seas’ 2026-27 Hong Kong homeport season, featuring new itineraries including a long-awaited combined Japan and South Korea route.
The upcoming season offers expanded scheduling with more flexibility and choice for vacationers.
The lineup includes exclusive, one-time-only itineraries designed to meet growing demand for diverse cruise vacations from Hong Kong, the company said in a statement.
Highlights of the 2026-27 season include a nine-night Japan and South Korea Thanksgiving and Autumn Foliage itinerary, marking the return of a combined route not offered from Hong Kong for years.
Guests will explore the cultures and landscapes of both nations, with calls at Tokyo, Osaka and Busan.
New this season are eight-night one-way voyages.
Guests can sail from Hong Kong to Tokyo along Japanese and South Korean destinations, or embark in Tokyo to explore Japan and Taiwan before disembarking in Hong Kong.
Two eight-night sailings can be combined to create one seamless vacation.
The season also features the classic five-night Okinawa and Ishigaki itinerary into Ryukyu culture, festive Christmas and New Year sailings, and a five-night Okinawa and Taipei route combining tropical island charm with city energy.
The four-night Vietnam Warm Winter Getaway is available one time only this season.
The just-concluded 2025-26 Hong Kong season achieved over 32 percent of guests on destination sailings originating from international markets, including North America, Europe and Australia.
Port of Tokyo: Japan’s Leading Turnaround Port, Welcoming Cruise Ships at Two Terminals
Located in Japan’s capital, the Port of Tokyo is now poised to make a significant leap forward as a cruise ship hub. In 2025, Harumi Cruise Terminal opened at the Port of Tokyo, commencing the acceptance of cruise ships alongside Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. The Port of Tokyo serves as a marine gateway not only for sightseeing in Tokyo but also for tours around Japan. It is frequently used as a turnaround port. Both terminals offer excellent access from the international airports (Haneda and Narita), making the port ideal for “Fly & Cruise” packages.
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal opened in 2020. It can accommodate the world’s largest class of ultra-large cruise ships. The number of port calls exceeded 70 in 2025, and the volume has been steadily increasing since its opening. There are also plans for Disney Cruise Line ships to launch cruises starting from and ending in Tokyo in fiscal year 2028.
Harumi Cruise Terminal had been closed for construction since 2022, but with renewed facilities, it resumed accepting passenger ships in June 2025. Developed to meet the increasing demand for cruise ship calls to the Port of Tokyo, it accommodates small and medium-sized ships capable of navigating under the Rainbow Bridge, which spans Tokyo Bay. It offers good access to central Tokyo, taking approximately 20–25 minutes by car to get to locations such as Tokyo Station.
Both terminals provide convenient access to popular tourist spots for domestic and international visitors, such as Ginza, Asakusa, Akihabara, and Shibuya. Tokyo is overflowing with both new and old charms. Traditional cultural experiences coexist with the latest sightseeing spots in Tokyo, a city that continues to evolve constantly. Its appeal lies in the fact that there are new discoveries to be made every time you visit.
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
To enhance the presence of the Tokyo Waterfront City (Odaiba, Aomi, and Ariake areas) and create further vibrancy, development is underway for a new landmark fountain in Odaiba Marine Park, “ODAIBA Fountain (tentative name),” scheduled for completion in March 2026, as a community-wide initiative. The performance, combining a 150-meter-high fountain with a 250-meter-wide fountain, will be one of the largest of its kind in the world. Visitors can expect to enjoy a magnificent waterfront show featuring music and illumination, with a motif based on the Somei-Yoshino (cherry blossom), the official flower of Tokyo.
Located approximately 10 minutes by car from Harumi Cruise Terminal, this is a gourmet and shopping area. Department stores and luxury brand shops line the main street, offering a great shopping experience. The backstreets also feature long-established famous stores and popular restaurants. Continually evolving, Ginza is a district that generates new energy while retaining the charm of the “good old days.”
The area on the opposite shore from Harumi. Toyosu Market, relocated from Tsukiji Market, is one of the world’s largest wholesale markets for seafood and produce. It is famous as a place to enjoy sushi and fresh seafood, and offers extensive observation tours within the market. The Toyosu area also features large commercial facilities where visitors can enjoy shopping.
The Tsukiji Outer Market is a popular area for international tourists as well. Fresh sushi breakfasts and lunches are recommended at the surrounding eateries. Hundreds of shops selling a variety of goods, including seafood, cooking utensils, and tableware, line the streets, making it a fun place for shopping.
According to a statement sent to booked guests, the cruise is no longer going ahead due to a technical issue.
The ship is now expected to arrive in Eden later this week, where it will dock for repairs.
“The Anthem of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we’re returning to begin required maintenance,” Royal Caribbean explained.
The company added that it won’t be able to complete these needed repairs before the January 27, 2026, cruise.
“We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news,” Royal Caribbean continued.
The company stated that affected guests will be fully reimbursed, receiving a 100% refund of the cruise fare, as well as taxes, fees, pre-paid packages, gratuities, amenities, and shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean.
“Additionally, to make up for this, you’ll also receive a 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used towards a future sailing departing within one year,” Royal Caribbean added.
The company also said it will reimburse non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees incurred, such as flight, hotel, train ticket, or rental car expenses.
Guests will be able to claim refunds for up to $200 per person for domestic flight changes or up to $400 per person for international flight changes.
Royal Caribbean is also reimbursing up to $250 per stateroom for up to two nights of hotel accommodation and up to $100 per person, per day for incidentals.
Anthem’s cancelled cruise was set to visit five ports of call in New Zealand, including Picton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The 4,202-passenger ship was also set to offer scenic cruising at Fjordland National Park before returning to Sydney.
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