Seabourn Encore does not have a waterslide, a conga line or a Bingo-with-a-DJ situation. If that’s your idea of a good time, you can stop reading and go and enjoy yourself on something with a funnel the size of a hotel. If you want 532 guests, a 330-strong crew and a lot of Japan, this one’s for you. Our schedule has Encore sailing Asia from Kobe-Osaka, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong, starting this week and running into February 2027. The full dated list is on the Seabourn Encore itineraries page. This article is the “should I?” part.
Seabourn Encore in Asia: Quick Reference
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seabourn Encore, Mega Yacht class, built 2016, 40,350 GT, 12 decks |
| Capacity | 532 passengers, 330 crew |
| Season | Autumn 2026 (first departure 22 Oct); the schedule rolls into winter, to Feb 2027 |
| Region | Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Southeast Asia |
| Typical lengths | 8, 12, 14, 22, 24, 26, 40 and 54 nights |
| Home ports | Singapore, Hong Kong, Kobe-Osaka, Tokyo |
| CDC inspection score | 96/100 (inspected 27 July 2026) |
| Sailings in our data | 17 across the period |
The Ship’s Character and Who It Suits
Encore is an all-suite, all-veranda ship. Reviewers put entry suites at roughly 250 square feet, which is generous by cruise standards. Dining in the restaurants is included. The line is a small-ship luxury brand, and the shipboard hours are meant to feel like a very good hotel that happens to move.
Numbers worth knowing: 40,350 gross tons across 532 guests works out to about 76 tons per passenger. With 330 crew you get roughly 1.6 guests per crew member. We use 532 guests; some reviews quote about 600, but either way this is a small crowd by modern cruise standards.
The restaurant lineup includes The Restaurant, The Colonnade, The Grill by Thomas Keller and a sushi restaurant that reviewers say is unique to Encore. The Observation Bar on Deck 11 is the high point, literally, and Seabourn Square does the coffee.
The ship suits couples and friends who want the destination to be the main event, and who would happily pay for a quiet evening. It also suits first-timers to Japan who don’t want to coordinate bullet trains and ryokan. It does not suit anyone who needs a nightclub, a kids’ programme or a bargain. Sorry, but that’s the deal.
On hygiene, the ship scored 96 out of 100 on its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection (27 July 2026). The pass mark is 86, so that’s 10 points clear. You can check the report yourself in our CDC inspection lookup, and the ship’s page is at Seabourn Encore.
The Itineraries on Offer and Which to Pick
A note on ports first: our database doesn’t record them for these sailings. The port lists below come from Seabourn’s announcements and published cruise timetables, so confirm them with Seabourn or your agent before you book. Anything that isn’t confirmed is flagged as such.
The Japan coast sailings (22 Oct). Two voyages leave Kobe-Osaka on 22 October. The 12-night Harvest Horizons: Japan’s Coastal Charms ends in Tokyo on 3 November. The 24-night Autumn Reverie: Japan’s Hidden Gems returns to Osaka on 15 November. According to the published cruise timetable, the first stretch calls at Kochi, Sokcho (South Korea), Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, Hakodate and Miyako, then Tokyo. The 24-night adds Shimizu, Toba, a second Kochi, Beppu, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Busan, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. Departure is three days away, and listings at one agency already show both sailings as sold out. Assume they’re gone unless Seabourn or your agent tells you otherwise.
The southern Japan loop (3 Nov). The 12-night Exploration of Japan & South Korea runs Tokyo to Osaka (arriving 15 November). It calls at Shimizu, Toba, Kochi, Beppu, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Busan, Nagasaki and Kagoshima, with a Kanmon Straits pass-through listed alongside Hiroshima. This is the best pick for a first Japan cruise: lots of different ports, only one sea day on the way out and one at the end. The same date also has a 26-night version to Singapore. Per the cruise listings, it follows those ports, then Hirara, Keelung (Taipei), Hong Kong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. That is simply the 12-night followed by the 14-night below.
The Japan-to-Singapore crossing (15 Nov). The 14-night Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam & Taiwan leaves Osaka and finishes in Singapore on 29 November. Of its 15 calendar days, 7 are at sea (two days of sea after Osaka, then more between each port). The ports are Miyako (here almost certainly Miyakojima in Okinawa, also listed as Hirara, and not the Miyako on the Iwate coast from the October sailings), Keelung, Hong Kong (overnight, 21–22 Nov), Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a good one-way sailing if you want both halves of Asia and don’t mind the sea days.
Christmas and New Year (13 and 21 Dec). There’s an 8-night Malacca Strait Explorer round trip from Singapore (13–21 Dec), calling at Penang, Langkawi, Phuket, Klang (for Kuala Lumpur) and Malacca. It’s the easiest “try Seabourn” option, and the best for first-timers who want to test the ship without committing. The 14-night Singapore-to-Hong Kong sailing leaves on 21 December. It calls at Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), Ko Kood on Christmas Day, Sihanoukville, Ho Chi Minh City (overnight), Da Nang on New Year’s Eve, and Halong Bay before reaching Hong Kong on 4 January. The 22-night version leaves on 13 December and strings the two together, finishing in Hong Kong on 4 January.
The rest. Our data also lists a 14-night sailing from Hong Kong on 4 January, a 14-night from Singapore on 18 January and 1 February, and the Singapore sailings of 26, 40 and 54 nights on 1 February. Ports for those aren’t confirmed, so ask Seabourn or your agent for the day-by-day plan. Seabourn’s original announcement described a January 2027 round trip from Singapore called Gulf of Thailand & Malaysian Peninsula, but it gave no departure date. Check before you book.
The Ports and What’s Genuinely Worth Doing
- Kanazawa: Seabourn’s own announcement features it as a port highlight, and Kenrokuen Garden is the reason to come. It’s the strongest stop on the Sea of Japan run, though the 27 October call falls on the 22 October sailings that agencies list as sold out.
- Hakodate and Aomori: the ship is in port until 21:00 at each (Aomori on 30 October, Hakodate on 31 October), which would be good for evening views and a proper dinner ashore. Both calls are only on the 22 October sailings, which agencies list as sold out, so ask Seabourn whether anything has come free.
- Hiroshima and Nagasaki: serious, moving history, both on the November southern loop. Don’t squeeze them into a half-day.
- Beppu: on the 3 November Tokyo-to-Osaka sailing the call is short, 09:30–16:00 on 8 November, so pick one thing (the hot springs, probably) and do it properly.
- Kagoshima: Seabourn’s announcement lists “Shopping with the Chef” culinary experiences in Nagasaki, Kushiro and Kagoshima on select voyages. It doesn’t say which sailings, so ask your agent or Seabourn whether the 13 November Kagoshima call on the 3 November sailing has one.
- Osaka: the gateway to Kyoto. If you embark on 15 November, arrive a day or two early, as the Kyoto autumn leaves peak in mid-to-late November.
- Hong Kong: the 15 November sailing arrives at 08:00 on 21 November and leaves at 18:00 the next day. That’s a rare proper overnight, so use it.
- Ho Chi Minh City: on 26 November the ship is in port from 08:00 to 23:00, a long day. The 21 December sailing overnights here, from 09:00 on 28 December to 16:00 on 29 December.
- Ko Kood: the Christmas Day beach barbecue (Seabourn calls it “Caviar in the Surf”) is the sort of thing I’d call over the top if I weren’t already planning to go.
- Halong Bay: Seabourn lists an optional excursion. Book it, because the bay is the point.
Conditions and Packing for This Season
This season is two climates in one wardrobe.
Japan, late October to mid-November. Guides put November temperatures in Tokyo at 10–18°C. For Kansai, highs run 19–21°C in early November and fall to 13–16°C by the end of the month. Pack layers: a light down jacket or wool coat for early-to-mid November, plus thick socks, because temples ask you to remove shoes and the wooden floors are cold. The Sea of Japan coast is wetter. One historic average for Aomori in mid-to-late November was 53/42°F with about a 60% chance of rain, so bring a compact umbrella.
Southeast Asia, late November to January. Mainland Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are generally in their dry, cooler window between November and February. Singapore is the exception: wet and humid year-round, with one historic listing showing roughly 85/75°F and a 90% chance of rain. Halong Bay is cooler (around 73/58°F in one listing), so bring a light layer. Da Nang is the wildcard, since one mid-December listing showed an 85% rain chance. Pack a light rain jacket and don’t plan your whole day around the weather.
Guides put the Kyoto and Tokyo foliage peak in mid-to-late November, so the 15 November Osaka embarkation lines up better than the October sailings.
Money and Where the Value Is
Seabourn is priced as all-inclusive. Agency listings say drinks, gratuities and basic Wi-Fi are included, so check Seabourn’s own site for the current inclusions before you book. If you want to know how tipping works elsewhere, see our cruise tipping guide. Excursions, spa treatments, flights and the optional Cambodia and Laos pre- or post-cruise package are extra.
Prices vary widely by agency and date, and several listings don’t state currency. The ones that do:
- 14-night Osaka to Singapore (15 Nov): Veranda Suite from AU$9,398 per person, twin share, at an Australian agent. That’s about AU$671 per person per night, or AU$18,796 for two. Penthouse Suites start at AU$26,898 per person.
- Oct 22 sailings (both listed as sold out): suite from US$9,040 per person for 12 nights (about $753 a night) and US$16,256 per person for 24 nights (about $677 a night), taxes included. The longer one is about $76 a night cheaper.
- 3 Nov 12-night: a “balcony” fare from US$12,099 per person, taxes and fees included, about $1,008 a night, per the CruiseWeb listing. That’s a different cabin category from a different agency than the October suite fares above, so it isn’t a like-for-like comparison. Compare more than one agent.
Where’s the value? Longer isn’t automatically cheaper per night, so run the sums on each sailing. On the 22 October pair above, the 24-night does work out about $76 a night cheaper than the 12-night. One agency’s December fares, which don’t state currency or occupancy and may be out of date, tell a different story. They showed Veranda Suites at $5,098 for the 8-night, $11,498 for the 14-night and $17,253 for the 22-night. Booked separately, the first two come to $16,596, which is $657 less than the combined 22-night. Treat that as an illustration to check, not a rule.
Also watch the shipboard credit offers. A banner on Seabourn’s Encore page advertised up to US$2,000 per suite, while one agency offered $300 per couple. Those aren’t the same thing, so compare per-suite and per-couple carefully.
Timing: When to Book and What Sells Out
As of 19 October, 22 October is three days away, 3 November is 15 days away, 15 November is 27 days away and 13 December is 55 days away. That’s a whole lot of “soon”.
The Christmas and New Year sailing is the one that will sell fastest. One agency’s availability chart for the 21 December sailing showed the Penthouse Spa and Owner’s suites unavailable, and the 13 December 22-night also showed Penthouse suites gone. Availability changes daily, so call or check the booking page.
Dates move around in announcements. Seabourn’s 2025 launch release put the 22-night holiday voyage at 14 December to 5 January, while our database and current listings say 13 December to 4 January. Go with the current listing and confirm with your agent.
For the January and February sailings, there’s still time, but the longer 26-, 40- and 54-night itineraries tend to go for people with flexible calendars, so don’t wait too long.
FAQ: Is Seabourn Encore Worth It in Asia?
Is Seabourn Encore a good ship for Japan?
Yes, if you want a small ship that can reach secondary ports like Kochi, Akita and Kagoshima that big ships skip. With 532 guests you get quick disembarkation and a calm atmosphere. If you want a lively ship with lots of entertainment, look elsewhere.
Is Seabourn all-inclusive?
Agency listings say drinks, gratuities and basic Wi-Fi are included, along with dining in the ship’s restaurants. Excursions, spa treatments and flights are extra. Confirm the current inclusions on Seabourn’s own site before booking. Our alcohol policy guide explains the general rules.
What is the best time to cruise Japan in autumn?
Mid-to-late November is when guides say Kyoto and Tokyo foliage peaks, so the 3 and 15 November sailings fit best. October is milder but earlier in the leaf season. Expect cool, changeable weather in the north.
How safe is Seabourn Encore, according to the CDC?
Its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program score is 96 out of 100, from an inspection on 27 July 2026. A passing score is 86 or above. You can see the full report in our CDC inspection lookup and compare ships in the rankings.
Is the Singapore to Hong Kong cruise worth it at Christmas?
If you like the idea of Christmas Day on a beach in Ko Kood and New Year’s Eve in Da Nang, yes. The 14-night sailing leaves 21 December and reaches Hong Kong on 4 January. Mainland Southeast Asia is generally in its dry season then, though Da Nang can be wet.
How much does a Seabourn Encore Asia cruise cost?
One Australian agent lists the 14-night Osaka to Singapore (15 November) from AU$9,398 per person, twin share, in a Veranda Suite. That’s roughly AU$671 per person per night. Prices vary by agency and date, and some listings don’t state currency, so compare several.
The Bottom Line
Seabourn Encore in Asia is for travellers who want a small, calm, well-fed ship, who don’t mind paying for it, and who would rather spend a morning in Kanazawa than at a pool party. The 3 November Tokyo to Osaka sailing is the best Japan option still bookable, the 15 November crossing is the best way to see both halves of Asia, and the 21 December voyage is the Christmas one that will go first. Check the dated list on our itineraries page, confirm ports with Seabourn or your agent (ours aren’t recorded), and don’t ask me to pack for you. I’d bring the umbrella.
Ships in This Story
- Seabourn Encore Seabourn · Latest CDC score 93
Try our free cruise games & calculators
Explore real CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship.