Day 11 – A Beautiful Day in Nagasaki (and a Ring to Remember)

 

Day 11 in Nagasaki greeted us with clear skies and sunshine—finally, a day with no rain in sight! We set off early, excited for a hands-on experience we had booked through Tripadvisor: a “Make Your Own Ring” workshop.

Since we had some time before our reservation, we wandered around the area and—much to my excitement—stumbled upon one of my favorite unexpected finds: a local cemetery. I’ve always been fascinated by cemeteries in different countries. There’s something so meaningful about seeing how different cultures honor their loved ones. After snapping a few photos and soaking it all in, we headed to the ring-making studio.

We were the first ones there, so it felt like a private experience. We chose our ring styles—deciding on the width, texture, and finish—then got to work hammering and shaping them ourselves. It was such a fun, interactive experience. A silver ring cost around $60, while gold and platinum options were more. Now, every time we look at our hands, we’ll have a little piece of Nagasaki with us.

Afterward, we decided to explore a bit more and walked about 15 minutes to Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. It turned out to be smaller than we expected, so we kept wandering and eventually found ourselves in a bustling shopping arcade. That’s where I made a beeline for Don Quijote for a skincare haul—always a full-on sensory experience in there!

Travel tip: If you’re shopping tax-free, they may direct you to a special “no tax” register. I waited in line, only to find out my total was 4,600¥ and the minimum for tax-free was 5,500¥. At that point, I wasn’t about to hunt for another 1,000¥ worth of items, so I just paid the tax. It’s only 10% anyway—just a few extra dollars—so for small purchases, it’s honestly not worth the hassle.

We headed back to Chinatown for a quick lunch at a cozy local Japanese spot. We’re still working on perfecting our chopstick skills, but we’re getting there! It was such a relaxed, easygoing afternoon that we decided to walk all the way back to the ship.

And what better way to end a sunny day than with a piña colada by the pool? 🍹

Day 10 – Discovering Busan with a Private Tour

 

Day 10 brought us to vibrant Busan, where we signed up for a Tripadvisor tour for the day—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. It ended up being just the four of us (only one other couple from the ship), which meant a more personalized experience.

Travel tip #1: If there’s something you really want to see, write it down ahead of time. These tours can be customized on the spot, and it’s easy to forget what was on your must-see list!

We asked for a mix of popular highlights and a few unique spots, and our guide delivered. Our morning started just outside the city with a peaceful stroll through a bamboo forest. We paid a small entrance fee (in Korean won—we had exchanged money beforehand), and since we were the first ones there, we had the entire place to ourselves. Quiet, serene, and a perfect way to start the day.

These are the burial grounds.

Next up was the stunning Haedong Yonggungsa, also known as the Korean Dragon Palace Temple. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple With Buddha's Birthday approaching, the temple was adorned with hundreds of colorful lanterns—it was absolutely breathtaking. We had fun finding our zodiac animals for photos (I’m Year of the Pig, Johnny is Year of the Horse), and everywhere you turned felt like a postcard moment. There were also plenty of spots to make wishes and offerings, adding to the peaceful energy of the place.

Lunch came a little early for our taste, but it turned into a fun cultural experience. Our guide ordered a variety of dishes for the table and showed us how to build lettuce wraps filled with spicy noodles, kimchi, and other local flavors. Delicious—but definitely more food than we could handle!

After lunch, we walked through the local fish market… which, honestly, wasn’t my favorite. Seeing fresh seafood up close—especially fish staring back at you or octopus being prepared—was a bit much for me. The nearby farmers market was similar; interesting to see, but not ideal when you can’t bring anything back on the ship. Also I hate to see the live crabs and fish in tanks.

From there, we headed to one of Busan’s most iconic neighborhoods: Gamcheon Culture Village, often called the “Santorini of Korea” or even the “Machu Picchu of Korea.” Once a struggling hillside community, it’s now a vibrant artistic village filled with colorful houses, murals, and winding alleyways. Despite the rain, we wandered through the maze of streets snapping photos of the bright, whimsical scenery. Gamcheon Culture Village

Our final stop was the Busan Air Cruise—a gondola ride over the ocean with incredible views of the coastline and city. You can choose between a regular cabin or one with a glass floor (our co- travelers were nervous about it so we opted out and got the non-see through). At the top, there are scenic viewpoints and fun photo spots, including the famous  The Little Prince statue that everyone lines up to see. Songdo Bay Station (Songdo Cable Car)

By the end of the day, we were so glad we booked this tour—there’s no way we could have covered all that ground on our own. It involved a lot of driving between locations, and at around $100 per person, it felt totally worth it.

Back on the ship, we met up with friends at the bar to swap stories from the day. Dinner was sushi (always a win), followed by an evening of music and entertainment with the talented Seabourn Six—the perfect way to wrap up another unforgettable day.

Day 9 – Exploring Fukuoka

 

We were up early again, ready to squeeze every moment out of our time in Fukuoka. There’s something about this city that feels calmer and more laid-back than the others we’ve visited—but don’t let that fool you, it still has plenty to offer.

Our morning started at Tochoji Temple, and the shift in energy was immediate. The city noise faded, replaced by a quiet stillness as we walked through the temple grounds. Standing in front of the massive wooden Buddha, you can’t help but feel small in the best way. It’s one of those places that makes you pause, reflect, and just take it all in—the history, the craftsmanship, the centuries of stories held within those walls.

From peaceful to playful, we made our way over to Canal City, and wow—talk about a contrast. Bright lights, bold colors, and shops that felt like a sensory adventure around every corner. We wandered through, picking up some popular rice skincare masks (because when in Japan…) and a few fun gifts for friends back home. Every store felt like its own little world.

Next stop: Tenjin Central Park—and this is where the day surprised us. What we thought would be a simple stroll turned into an unexpected cultural experience. We stumbled upon live performances with traditional Japanese dancing and musicians playing large drums, their rhythms echoing through the park. Mixed in were bright, almost xylophone-like melodies that gave everything a festive, almost magical feel. We stood there for a while, just soaking it all in—one of those unplanned travel moments that ends up being a highlight.

Food has been a bit of a challenge for us as vegetarians, but we were determined—and hungry. Luckily, we found a spot that could do a vegan-style ramen, and it absolutely hit the spot. Warm, comforting, and well-earned after a full day of exploring.

By late afternoon, we slowed things down, taking a breather before heading back to the ship. The evening wrapped up perfectly—dinner poolside with that easy cruise-life vibe, followed by a comedy show that had us laughing our way into the night.

Another day, another set of memories… and somehow, each one just keeps getting better.