Volendam

11 Night Cruise sailing from Shanghai to Kobe aboard Volendam.

The beautiful garden theme of the ms Volendam is reflected in an artful floral motif throughout the ship's spacious public rooms and elegant staterooms. "Flowers" can be found in abundance in the forms of floral fabrics and tapestries, as well as huge vases of tropical floral arrangements and chrysanthemums.

In addition to fresh flowers throughout the ship, Holland America Line has drawn on its collection of incredible artwork to enhance the interior of the ship's public spaces. Everything from pre-Columbian fetishes and sculptures to Renaissance-era fountains imported from Italy are included in its hallway galleries. At the heart of the ship an elegant sculpture by Luciano Vistosi, inspired by the myriad of moods and colors of a kaleidoscope, greets visitors in a soaring three-story atrium.

Highlights of this cruise:

Shanghai
Neon pulses, soaring skyscrapers pierce the sky, construction never stops in Shanghai's race to modernity. Still, you can feel the city's silk past in the peaceful Yu Gardens, its history as a financial powerhouse in the international banks along The Bund.

Xingang
Xingang links you to Beijing, where the power of 24 successive emperors radiates from the Forbidden City. Your Holland America ship will be here for two full days, allowing ample time to shop, explore and feast on Peking Duck right here in Peking!

Dalian
A key northern port, Dalian is small by Chinese standards, numbering only about five million people, but it's big on beaches, seafood, apples and exquisite glassware in every conceivable shape and color.

Pusan
Find stillness at some of the largest Korean Buddhist temples, including Beomeo-sa, first constructed in the year 678 and home to over one thousand monks-it also contains seven different registered national and cultural treasures. Near the port, explore the famous Jagalchi fish market or the city's renowned beach resorts. Journey to the Dongnae area to soak in the city's healing hot springs.

Nagasaki
City of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park.

Kobe
This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobe's famed wineries.