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Le Jacques Cartier, 12 Night Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands ex Hong Kong to Okinawa (Naha), Japan

Cruise Le Jacques Cartier, 12 Night Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands ex Hong Kong to Okinawa (Naha), Japan
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Jacques Cartier
Destination Asia
Brief Description 12 Night Cruise sailing from Hong Kong onboard Le Jacques Cartier
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 22 Feb 2026
Cruise Description PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during a cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques Cartier, from Hong Kong to Naha, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

From the “Pearl of the Orient”, Hong Kong, you will set sail for the southern islands of Japan, including Ishigaki, the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago. In the heart of the magnificent Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, you will be able to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the eponymous city or discover Kabira Bay, renowned for its idyllic scenery, combining crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches of white sand.

Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species.

The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses. The beauty of its sea-beds and their mysterious rocky formations will delight the most experienced divers.

After calling at the stunning Miyako Island, you will head for Kumejima, the island that linked Okinawa to China in the past. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures: the mythical Mifuga rock formation or the idyllic beach of Hatenohama, a point of reference for fans of the underwater world. You will also call at Iheya Island, Okinawa’s northernmost territory, where the traditional culture of the region is preserved. You will be able to discover a few aspects of this through a traditional “Eisa” show featuring traditional drums.

Then, on the western coast of the island of Okinawa, fall under the spell of Motobu and its idyllic beaches bordered by breathtaking nature. Your final port of call will be Zamami, in the Kerama Islands. You will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called “Kerama blue”. The sea life in the area is also exceptionally rich and sea turtles can often be spotted swimming among the coral.

Your cruise will draw an end in Naha, your port of disembarkation, on the island of Okinawa.
Sailing Dates
22 Feb 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $12,790 AU $12,790
PR4 AU $14,190 AU $14,190
PR5 AU $14,900 AU $14,900
PR6 AU $15,720 AU $15,720
DS3 AU $21,890 AU $21,890 AU $11,390
DS4 AU $21,890 AU $21,890 AU $11,390
DS5 AU $21,890 AU $21,890 AU $11,390
DS6 AU $21,890 AU $21,890 AU $11,390
PS5 AU $29,570 AU $29,570 AU $15,230
PS6 AU $31,100 AU $31,100 AU $15,990
PV6 AU $32,650 AU $32,650 AU $16,770
PV5 AU $32,650 AU $32,650 AU $16,770
GD6 AU $35,860 AU $35,860 AU $18,370
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
22 Feb 2026 Hong Kong 6:00 PM
23 Feb 2026 At Sea    
24 Feb 2026 At Sea    
25 Feb 2026 Ishigaki, Japan
26 Feb 2026 Taketomi Island, Ryukyu Islands
27 Feb 2026 Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands
28 Feb 2026 Yonaguni, Japan
1 Mar 2026 Miyako Island (Miyakojima), Japan
2 Mar 2026 Kumejima, Japan
3 Mar 2026 Iheyajima, Japan
4 Mar 2026 Motobu, Japan
5 Mar 2026 Zamami, Japan
6 Mar 2026 Okinawa (Naha), Japan
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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