Discover Tauck Travel USA’s 2026 Small Ship Cruise Itineraries to Japan, Korea, and the Arctic

Tauck Travel (USA) has unveiled its 2026 small-ship cruising program, featuring two new itineraries: The Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea and Arctic Days & Northern Lights. These cruises reflect the increasing demand for culturally immersive experiences on small vessels in the North Pacific and Arctic regions.

The Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea

This 14-day journey starts at a price of $24,990 per person (double occupancy, including airfare). The adventure begins in Seoul, South Korea, where guests will spend three nights at luxury accommodations such as the Fairmont Ambassador, Conrad, or Four Seasons Seoul. The itinerary includes guided tours of significant sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean War Memorial Museum, and traditional Hanok homes, alongside opportunities to explore local markets.

Following their time in Seoul, travelers journey to Busan via high-speed train and board Ponant’s Le Soléal, a 184-passenger ship tailored for expedition cruising. The ship will make stops at various locations including Sakaiminato, Hagi, Beppu, Uwajima, and Miyajima Island. Activities on board include visits to historical residences and castle ruins, geothermal hot springs, and cultural demonstrations. In Hiroshima, guests will visit the Peace Memorial and Atomic Bomb Museum before continuing to Tamano with optional excursions to Naoshima’s contemporary art or cycling routes around town.

The voyage wraps up in Kobe with options to either explore the city or head inland to Kyoto. Disembarkation occurs in Osaka, where travelers will enjoy a two-night stay in Tokyo. Scheduled activities include visits to the Meiji Shrine and Edo Museum, concluding with a farewell dinner featuring a sumo exhibition. The Sakura Seas itinerary includes departures on April 10, April 19, and April 25, 2026, with all excursions and onboard amenities included in the fare.

Arctic Days & Northern Lights

The Arctic itinerary spans 12 days and is priced from $22,690 per person (double occupancy with airfare). Guests will board Ponant’s Le Lapérouse in Tromsø, Norway, cruising along the dramatic Norwegian Arctic coastline known for its stunning vistas and deep cultural heritage. This route is designed for optimal Northern Lights viewing, offering travelers interactions with Indigenous communities, visits to important heritage sites, and exploration of the unique remote landscapes that characterize the Arctic.

The Arctic Days & Northern Lights sailings for 2026 are already fully booked, with a waitlist currently available.

Fleet Operations and Growth Strategy

In 2026, Tauck is set to operate 133 departures across 20 small-ship itineraries encompassing Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Antarctica. The demand for Tauck’s small-ship program is at an all-time high, with 2026 bookings exceeding those for 2025—a year that is already projected to be record-breaking.

This growth aligns with Tauck’s strategic vision of "Small is Big," which prioritizes limited-capacity vessels that enhance guest access, personalization, and engagement. This philosophy extends to all Tauck offerings, including land-based small-group tours and river cruises, where reduced guest numbers lead to more spacious accommodations and enriched experiences.

In sum, Tauck continues to solidify its position as a leading provider of small-scale, culturally nuanced travel experiences across oceans and continents.

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