Mariner, 23 Nights Across The North Pacific ex Tokyo to San Francisco

Seven Seas Mariner® exudes class, from the delectable offerings of Chartreuse to the debonair atmosphere of the Connoisseur Club.

Hitachinaka, Japan
Delight in glorious swaths of blooming color in this Ibaraki Prefecture port city that’s roughly 80 miles northeast of Tokyo. Originally developed as a company town for Hitachi in 1994, Hitachinaka is today renowned for its peaceful beaches, a bustling fish market and magnificent gardens. The most celebrated is Hitachi Seaside Park, a nearly 500-acre oasis with dozens of flowers species that include 170 varieties of tulips and millions of blue nemophila. Rub elbows with local chefs seeking the day’s catch at Nakaminato Fish Market before dining on an expertly prepared dish. Enjoy more floral brilliance at Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan’s finest.

Miyako, Japan
An important fishing port known for its salmon, trout, and mackerel, Miyako’s position on the estuary of the Hei River facing Miyako Bay and the Pacific meant it took a ferocious hit during the 2011 tsunami. The Taro Kanko Hotel, which had its lower two floors washed away but remained standing, is today preserved as a symbol of Miyako’s resilience and strength. Sample the region’s rich culinary delicacies that include creamy sea urchin and a unique cookie called ika senbei made with squid extract. A jagged promontory of white rocks along Jodogahama Beach is a picturesque must-see.

Hakodate, Japan
Hakodate abounds with natural beauty, historical buildings and delicious food. It is also famed for its abundance of hot springs, particularly the Yunokawa Onsen for a full body experience and the Ashiyu footbaths that are miniaturized hot spring baths designed for soaking one's feet. Also of interest is the Goryokaku fort. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the huge star-shaped fortress and surrounding moat from the adjoining Goryokaku Tower Observatory. Shop along the Bay Area facing Hakodate Port, its row of old red-brick buildings have been converted into a unique mall. After browsing, have a tea break while taking in the harbor views.

Muroran, Japan
Called the ‘City of Steel’ since the late 19th century, this industrial town on the eastern tip of Hokkaido’s Uchiura Bay also boasts nine miles of sheer, picturesque cliffs and a nearby UNESCO Global Geopark. At Chikyu Misaki (Cape Earth), ring the Bell of Happiness as you take in sweeping views beside a shimmering white lighthouse. Ride a ropeway to the summit of Mount Usu, a unique showcase of active volcanism on the Pacific Rim, before delving into local indigenous culture at the National Ainu Museum. Afterwards, try some savory Muroran yakitori (grilled skewers), a Hokkaido specialty favored by the city’s generations of steel workers.

Kodiak, Alaska
About 30 miles off the southeast coast of the Alaskan peninsula is Kodiak, encompassing around 5,000 square miles of dense forests, jagged peaks and bays teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Nicknamed "Alaska's Emerald Isle" by its residents, is described as a place to leave civilization behind as you brave the sometimes unrelenting elements to truly rediscover nature in its purest state. Endless outdoor activities range from hiking through the forests to watching the Kodiak bears foraging for food. Fishing enthusiasts find Kodiak Island offers great salmon, halibut and trout fishing.

Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska
Keep your binoculars handy to spot seals, otters and whales. Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound, where you can experience incredible glacier cruises and kayak in serene waters. Its unique "one-way-in" tunnel adds to the adventure. The town also provides access to nearby hiking trails and a fascinating WWII history, making it a perfect stop for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Sitka, Alaska
Founded by Russian fur traders as New Archangel in 1799, Sitka was the historic center of Russia’s Alaskan empire. The Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes when the United States purchased the Alaska territory in 1867. Today, picturesque Sitka, is known for its fishing industry, an annual summer classical music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. On a clear day Sitka, the only city in southeast Alaska that actually fronts the Pacific Ocean, rivals Juneau for the sheer beauty of its surroundings.

Klawock, Alaska
Nestled amongst lush rainforest typical of the Inside Passage, Klawock is an authentic pioneer town on the rugged central-western coast of Prince of Wales Island. Thriving wildlife that includes bears drawn to the salmon-rich Klawock River and extensive collections of totem poles promise a genuine Alaskan experience at this newly constructed port. Besides jaw-dropping wilderness, Klawock boasts an abundance of Tlingit cultural practices. At a carving shed, watch expert Tlingit artisans demonstrate the skills that have made their totem poles legendary.

Vancouver, British Columbia
This gleaming city in the midst of natural splendor has its origins in a saloon built for miners on their way to the Yukon. Walk the cobblestone streets of Gastown for a sense of Vancouver’s frontier history in what’s become one of the city’s most vibrant and unique areas. Explore the second largest Chinatown in North America on your way to Stanley Park, home to soaring old-growth trees and a spectacular collection of First Nation totem poles. Breathtaking views abound: Travel to ‘Vancouver’s Peak’ on the Grouse Mountain skyride and walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a treetop adventure.

Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is a picture-perfect city exuding old-world charm, with fragrant and colorful flowers everywhere. Founded in 1843 by James Douglas of the Hudson’s Bay Company, it was first known as Fort Victoria. By 1848, Vancouver Island was made a British colony. In 1868, Vancouver Island was incorporated with mainland British Columbia. Although it is a port city, Victoria is not as industrially oriented as Vancouver. The harbors, especially Inner Harbour, are dotted with pleasure crafts, ferries, and floatplanes.

Seattle, Washington
Named after the Native American chief Noah Sealth, who in 1851 gave a friendly reception to the first white settlers, Seattle was originally no more than a village of trappers and loggers. Its prosperity came first with the Klondike gold rush of 1897, and subsequently with its two natural resources, lumber and fish. The millions of ties that went into the construction of the first western railroads came mostly from around Seattle and from the state of Washington.

Astoria, Oregon
Nestled against the wooded hills along the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. With its steep hills and beautiful Victorian homes, Astoria has been called the “Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest.” Named for the early fur trader, John Jacob Astor, Astoria offers the traveler Fort Clasop, the reconstructed winter quarters of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the elegant Victorian mansion of Captain Flavel and excursions into the breathtaking surroundings including Mount St. Helens.

San Francisco, California
From the first Spanish Mission founded by the “Sacred Expedition” in 1776, to the rip-roaring days of the Barbary Coast and California Gold Rush to rising phoenix-like after the great earthquake of 1906, San Francisco never ceases to please the eye, the heart and the palate. With such iconic sites as Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Victorian architecture of Pacific Heights, Union Square, colorful trolley cars, Muir Woods and the surrounding vineyards of Napa and Sonoma Valley, the “City by the Bay” is always a must-see on any visitor’s list to the West Coast.