Tauck Travel USA Unveils 2026 Small Ship Cruises to Japan, Korea, and the Arctic

Tauck Travel (USA) has unveiled its 2026 small-ship cruising program, introducing two new itineraries: The Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea and Arctic Days & Northern Lights. This expansion aims to cater to the increasing global interest in culturally immersive small-ship expeditions in the North Pacific and Arctic regions.

The Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea

This 14-day voyage starts from $24,990 per person (double occupancy, including airfare) and begins in Seoul, South Korea. Guests will spend three nights at premier accommodations such as the Fairmont Ambassador, Conrad, or Four Seasons Seoul. The itinerary features guided tours to notable sites including Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean War Memorial Museum, and quaint Hanok dwellings, with opportunities for leisure in local markets.

Travelers will then journey from Seoul to Busan via high-speed rail, where they will board Ponant’s Le Soléal, a 184-passenger luxurious vessel designed for expedition cruising. The ship will navigate eastward, stopping at ports including Sakaiminato, Hagi, Beppu, Uwajima, and Miyajima Island. Activities will encompass visits to historical samurai residences and castle ruins, thermal hot springs, and displays of traditional Japanese culture. Passengers will have the chance to visit the Peace Memorial and Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima, with additional optional excursions to the contemporary art scenes in Naoshima.

The cruise also includes a stop in Kobe, with options to explore the city or venture to Kyoto. The voyage concludes in Osaka, followed by a two-night stay in Tokyo. This portion of the journey includes tours to the Meiji Shrine and Edo Museum, wrapping up with a farewell dinner and a sumo exhibition.

Cruises for the Sakura Seas are planned with departures on April 10 and 25 (eastbound from Seoul to Tokyo) and April 19 (westbound from Tokyo to Seoul). The fare covers all shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages, airport transfers, taxes, and fees.

Arctic Days & Northern Lights

Tauck’s Arctic program offers a 12-day itinerary starting from $22,690 per person (double occupancy, with airfare) aboard Le Lapérouse, an Explorer-class ship from Ponant. Sailing from Tromsø, Norway, this route traverses the stunning and culturally rich Norwegian Arctic coastline.

Designed to create optimal viewing conditions for the Aurora Borealis, this journey allows passengers to engage with Indigenous cultures, explore heritage sites, and experience the uniquely stark landscapes of the high north. As of now, 2026 sailings for the Arctic Days & Northern Lights are fully booked, but a waitlist is available.

Fleet Operations and Strategy

In 2026, Tauck will manage 133 departures across 20 small ship itineraries worldwide, illustrating a significant growing demand for their small ship program, with bookings for 2026 already tracking nearly 20% higher than 2025—a year projected to set records.

This growth aligns with Tauck’s "Small is Big" philosophy, which prefers smaller vessels to enhance guest experiences through personalized service and greater access. This approach also informs Tauck’s land-based tours and river cruises, where smaller group sizes lead to more spacious accommodations and superior onboard experiences.

Together, these initiatives solidify Tauck’s reputation as a leading choice in small-scale, culturally focused maritime and land exploration.

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