We’ve been on many Asian cruises earlier than, with regular sailings from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Shanghai. However final October 2025, we lastly obtained to sail immediately from Manila to Okinawa in Japan aboard Costa Serena, an Italy-flagged cruise ship that normally sails round Europe and South America.
Right here’s the excellent news! Due to the sturdy curiosity, the cruise line determined to increase its particular chartered journeys in Asia from Manila this 12 months! Meaning extra probabilities to expertise cruising with out the extra step of reserving a flight to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai.
From February to March 2026, Costa Serena will probably be crusing from Manila to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, and again! Initially, there have been solely three routes obtainable, however on account of excessive demand, a fourth route was added: 8D/7N Manila-Naha-Kaohsiung-Manila, crusing from March 19 to 26, 2026.
On this submit, we’ll deal with Route 4, and we’ll stroll you thru the entire expertise, from pre-boarding to disembarkation. Hopefully, this offers you a good suggestion of what it’s like to affix a cruise that sails straight from the Philippines.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the starting stage, you can too go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our advisable lodges and excursions. Simply go to this web page: TPT Masterlist. We have now a compilation for locations around the globe.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
That is the itinerary as of 21 January 2026, however this could nonetheless change, so contact the journey company the place you booked.
In the event you haven’t booked but, contact Avian Summit Journey Company. It’s one of many prime businesses which can be a part of the #Select Premium community. It’s IATA-certified and DOT-accredited.
Listed here are the contact particulars:
- Cell/Viber: +63 928 291 7170
- E-mail Deal with: aviansummit@gmail.com
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- Instagram/Tiktok: @aviansummit
DAY 1: EMBARKATION & SAILING
That is D-Day!
You’re lastly boarding Costa Serena! Earlier than embarking on this enjoyable journey, make certain all the required paperwork are prepared, and your necessities are packed. We have now a separate, extra detailed article on that right here: What to Pack for a Costa Serena Cruise from Manila
Embarkation
Alright! Right here’s how the embarkation or boarding course of from Manila normally goes:
- Baggage Drop-off. Your first cease is at Quirino Grandstand, the place you’ll drop off your baggage on the designated space. Observe your assigned embarkation time, which is predicated in your deck quantity.
- Holding Space. After handing over your baggage, proceed to the Visitor Holding/Ready Space, the place you’ll wait to your flip to get on a shuttle service.
- Eva Macapagal Terminal. The shuttle bus will take you to Eva Macapagal Tremendous Terminal.
- Safety Verify. As soon as on the terminal, you’ll undergo the safety screening to your carry-on baggage. Do not forget that liquids must be 100ml or much less.
- Verify-in Counter. After safety, head to the designated check-in counter. That is the place your particulars are verified and the place you’ll obtain your Costa Card, which additionally serves as your onboard ID, cost card, and cabin key.
- Immigration Clearance. Then, board the ship and proceed to immigration clearance. Current your passport and eTravel Departure kind.
- Welcome to Costa Serena!
Aboard Costa Serena
Now that you just’re on the ship, listed below are the issues to do after boarding.
- Welcome Buffet. Whereas ready to your baggage to reach, be happy to have your first meal on the ship at Prometeo, the place you’ll discover the welcome buffet.
- Head to Your Cabin. As soon as cabins can be found, you can also make your technique to yours. You may choose up your baggage on the best way there. The checked baggage are normally positioned within the space between the elevator and staircase close to your cabin.
- Obligatory Security Drill. And naturally, there’s the necessary security drill. Everyone seems to be required to attend this. Verify your Costa Card to your assigned Muster Station and comply with the crew’s directions. Don’t neglect to carry your life vest, which you’ll discover in your cabin.
- Hyperlink Credit score Card to Costa Card. To hyperlink your bank card to your Costa card, discover a Costa Card kiosk. You may ask one of many workers or examine the map in your Costa app. We noticed one on the midship on Deck 5, close to the Galleria Retailers. You are able to do this inside 24 hours after boarding. You may also add your different companions’ Costa playing cards to your bank card.
After checking all of the bins, you possibly can go to one of many bars to chill out, watch a present, attend a night social gathering, or name it an evening.
DAY 2 – 3: HIGH SEAS
You’ll be spending your Days 2 and three at sea as a result of the primary port of name is in Naha in Okinawa, Japan, which is nearly 800 nautical miles away from the Port of Manila. That is the very best time to discover the ship’s facilities and take a look at obtainable actions.
Costa Serena has 13 passenger decks, and utilizing the Costa App will make getting round simpler, with its deck map and listing function, amongst others.
Included Eating Spots
And what higher technique to begin your exploration than to eat?
Costa Serena gives two sorts of onboard eating — complimentary and specialty eating places. Complimentary meals are already included in your cruise fare. Meaning you don’t must pay for something — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, bear in mind these complimentary eating places on board:
- Ristorante Vesta. A two-level eating room that gives open seating for breakfast and lunch and assigned seating for dinner. There are occasions when the second degree is reserved for suite company solely, so greatest to examine the listing or the app for updates. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes can be found. Location: Deck 3 (Aries) – Deck 4 (Orion), Midship
- Ristorante Ceres. Twin eating room of Ristorante Vesta, it additionally has two ranges with open seating throughout breakfast and lunch, then assigned seating at dinner. Location: Deck 3 (Aries) – Deck 4 (Orion), Aft
- Prometeo Buffet Restaurant. This can be a self-service buffet restaurant, serving a big selection of meals decisions, from appetizers to desserts. Location: Deck 9 (Libra) – Deck 10 (Taurus), Aft
Onboard Swimming Swimming pools
After filling your stomach together with your selection of breakfast, you’ll have loads of actions to select from, together with swimming in one of many three swimming pools, or higher but, sliding from the highest deck to the Iris Pool! Costa Serena’s Toboga or waterslide is ideal for youths and youngsters at coronary heart. If sliding and swimming are your factor, listed below are the onboard locations to recollect:
Health & Sports activities
In case you are extra into sports activities and maintaining together with your health routine, you possibly can head to the gymnasium, the jogging monitor, the outside multi-sports courtroom, or Sole Balcony. There’s additionally an indoor playroom for little cruisers! Listed here are the areas on the ship:
Complimentary Exhibits & Night Events
Day by day exhibits can be found, normally within the night. And the very best half? They’re free, so that you don’t have to purchase a ticket to observe them.
Teatro Giove is the three-level important theater, the place present productions, musicals, live shows, and different performances are held. You’ll discover it on the ahead facet of the ship, spanning decks 3 to five. Right here’s a listing of exhibits that have been obtainable throughout our crusing:
- Glamazon
- Acrodreamers in “Eclissi d’amore”
- Venezia Innamorata
- EXTRALive
Along with night exhibits, your nights will even come alive with enjoyable themed events. You’ll get to completely embrace the environment as you costume as much as match every celebration and social gathering the evening away. Simply to provide you an concept, listed below are the themed events we attended on our final cruise with Costa Serena in October 2025:
- Gala Evening
- White Occasion
- Retro Occasion
- Masquerade Ball
Actually, you’ll be the one to surrender as a result of each evening is social gathering evening! These have been a few of the different events that occurred throughout that crusing:
- Revival Occasion
- Italian Evening
- Golden Occasion
- Latin Occasion
DAY 4: NAHA, JAPAN
Landing Naha! In your fourth day, you’ll lastly set foot in Okinawa, Japan. Top-of-the-line issues about cruising is that we get to go to a number of locations whereas nonetheless having fun with the comforts and facilities of the ship in between.
Okinawa Prefecture consists of over 150 islands, with Naha as its capital. For this cease, Costa Serena’s #ChoosePremium program gives two curated tour packages.
Reserving a shore tour bundle ensures that you just’ll be again on the port on time, so there’s no stress about getting left behind by the ship. These excursions normally embody entrance charges, a neighborhood information, and transportation. However should you’re trying to take the cheaper route, you possibly can pull a D-I-Y.
The evening earlier than, your cabin attendant will ship a photocopy of your passport bio web page, a customs declaration kind, and a slip displaying your batch quantity, disembarkation time, and meeting station. In the event you’ve booked a shore tour, ignore the batch quantity slip and simply comply with the directions in your tour bundle voucher.
Don’t neglect to carry your Costa card, the passport bio web page photocopy, the customs declaration kind, and a few Japanese yen. Though there are ATMs at Naha Port, it’s at all times safer to have money readily available.
It was my first time in Naha on our final Costa Serena cruise, however Yosh had already been right here earlier than. So for this port of name, we determined to discover at our personal tempo as a substitute. Right here’s a pattern Naha itinerary you possibly can comply with:
Shuri Fort
From Naha Port, stroll to Kume Koshibyo-mae Bus Cease and take Bus 5 to Kokusai Dori, town’s important thoroughfare and vacationer hub. You may discover this space later. For now, you might want to hop on a bus once more (Bus 14) to Shuri Fort, Naha’s most iconic landmark. The citadel serves as a reminder of Okinawa’s wealthy historical past and tradition and is a part of the Gusuku Websites and Associated Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, a UNESCO World Heritage standing.
Shikina-en Royal Backyard
After exploring the citadel grounds, take Bus 14 as soon as extra to Shikina-en Royal Backyard for a calming nature stroll. This round backyard encompasses a pond, stone bridges, a Chinese language-style pavilion, and a picket statehouse. Like Shuri Fort, additionally it is a part of the UNESCO-recognized Gusuku Websites and Associated Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
Kokusai Dori
Subsequent, make your technique to your ultimate cease. Journey Bus 2, 4, 5, or 14 again to Kokusai Dori, also referred to as Worldwide Road. You’ll probably spend a very good period of time right here, as this will even be your cease for lunch and memento procuring.
Whilst you’re right here, don’t move up the chance to strive Okinawa soba. Not like the soba from mainland Japan, which is produced from buckwheat, this native model makes use of wheat flour. On our final go to, we ate at Kintiti (Kinchichi) Soba Kokusaidori Mutsumi Shokudo. I ordered the basic Pork Stomach Okinawa Soba, whereas Yosh selected the Pork Spare Ribs Soba (Hon Soki Soba).
In the event you favor ramen, take a look at Ramen Danbo Naha Makishi, conveniently positioned close to JR Kyushu Lodge Blossom. To finish your meal on a candy notice, seize a scoop or two of Blue Seal ice cream, a homegrown model with a number of branches alongside Kokusai Dori.
If you wish to take dwelling some Okinawan and Japanese souvenirs, drop by Don Quijote (Donki), Heiwadori, and Shijo Hondori.
Return to Naha Port
And eventually, head again to the port by bus or taxi. In the event you take the bus, alight at Kume Koshibyo-mae Bus Cease (Bus 5), and stroll for about 10 minutes to the port. In the event you’re in a rush, you possibly can merely hail a taxi from Kokusai Dori. The taxi fare to Naha Port is ¥1200 – ¥1500.
Naha has loads of different vacationer spots. However with a cruise cease’s restricted time (8-10 hours), it’s inconceivable to squeeze all of them in. To maximise your time, it’s greatest to deal with Naha’s highlights. Right here’s a pattern itinerary you possibly can comply with.
NAHA DAY TRIP
08:45 AM – Stroll to Kume Koshibyo-mae Bus Cease
09:00 AM – Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥260 (Bus 5)
09:10 AM – Kokusai-dori to Shuri Fort, ¥260 (Bus 14)
09:30 AM – Shuri Fort, ¥400
10:30 AM – Bus to Shikina-en Royal Backyard, ¥260 (Bus 14)
10:45 AM – Shikina-en Royal Backyard, ¥400
12:00 PM – Bus to Kokusai-dori, ¥260 (Bus 2, 4, 5, 14)
12:20 PM – Kokusai Dori: Meals Journey and Purchasing
04:00 PM – Bus again to port then stroll, ¥260 (Or taxi to Naha Cruise Terminal, ¥1200-1500)
In case you are a celebration of two, this itinerary will price you round ¥1200 (USD 14, PHP 785) every, excluding your meals and procuring funds. In the event you resolve to take a taxi again to the port, anticipate to spend a minimum of ¥2590 (USD 16, PHP 972) per particular person.
However should you wish to see different choices, right here’s a extra detailed article: Naha Day Journey
Bear in mind! Head again to the port by the indicated embarkation time. All the time double-check the time and guarantee your watch is about to the ship’s time.
Freshen Up & Dinner
After a day of exploring, take a while to relaxation and clean up, then make your technique to one of many onboard eating places for dinner. In the event you choose to dine at a restaurant with a set menu and discover that you just’re nonetheless not fairly full, you possibly can order extra gadgets from the menu or drop by the buffet at Prometeo on Deck 9.
Nonetheless have vitality to spare? Catch a present or mingle together with your fellow cruisers and luxuriate in the remainder of the evening.
DAY 5: HIGH SEAS
In your fifth day, you possibly can cowl different onboard providers and amenities. Actually, there’s no scarcity of issues to strive — even when spending the entire day at sea. Right here’s a fast rundown:
Different Onboard Facilities
Bars & Lounges
You may take pleasure in a drink or two at one in every of Costa Serena’s bars any time of the day. You might have a number of choices, every providing a barely totally different expertise for company.
- Apollo Grand Bar. Bar and lounge that includes a stage and a dancefloor. Location: Deck 5 (Gemini), Midship
- Cupido Wine Bar. A wine bar with a ballroom space and a stage. Location: Deck 5 (Gemini), Aft
- Luna Lounge. Round grand lounge and bar. Location: Deck 5 (Gemini), Aft
- Disco Bar. Two-level disco and nightclub. Location: Deck 4 (Orion) – Deck 5 (Gemini), Aft
- Pantheon Bar. Foyer bar. Location: Deck 3 (Aries), Ahead
- Sole Bar. This bar serves company at Lido Sole Pool Space. Location: Deck 9 (Libra), Ahead
- Lido Urano Bar. This bar caters to company within the Urano Pool space. Location: Deck 9 (Libra), Aft
DAY 6: KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN
Day 6 is devoted to Kaohsiung, your second port of name. From a small buying and selling village within the seventeenth century, Kaohsiung has flourished into a serious port metropolis. House to the Port of Kaohsiung, the busiest and largest harbor in Taiwan, it has additionally change into an everyday cease for worldwide cruise ships.
When you disembark, you possibly can start protecting a few of the metropolis’s vacationer spots by taking the LRT, on foot (for individuals who love strolling), or a mix of each. However, after all, you can too select to guide a shore tour should you’re touring with kids or aged companions.
Irrespective of which possibility you select, you’ll obtain essential reminders earlier than getting off the ship, together with return directions. Similar to in Naha, don’t neglect to carry your Costa card, some Taiwan {dollars}, and a photocopy of your passport’s bio web page, too.
Kaohsiung gives a variety of experiences, from historic and coastal points of interest to ecological websites, meals journeys, and concrete sightseeing. We’ve been to this southern Taiwan metropolis a number of instances, each as a part of longer multi-city journeys in Taiwan and as a port of name on earlier cruises. We’ve additionally explored a few of the areas near the cruise terminal. In the event you favor to do a DIY, you possibly can comply with this itinerary:
Once more, you are able to do this route on foot, by utilizing the LRT, or each. In case your selection includes driving the prepare, you possibly can confer with this KMRT Map as your information. The LRT line is the GREEN one.
Glory Pier & Love Pier
From the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal (Station C9), flip left and stroll towards Glory Pier (Station C10). Then, you’ll move by the Kaohsiung Music Middle. After appreciating its structure, proceed towards the Love River and cross the bridge to succeed in the Love Pier (Station C11). Take within the view of the harbor, then stroll onward to Pier 2 Artwork Middle.
Pier 2 Artwork Middle
In the event you’re into arts, popular culture, and Instagrammable spots, then Pier 2 Artwork Middle (Stations C12 & C13) is your playground. Spend as a lot time as you possibly can right here, exploring each inventive nook and cranny. You may also have your lunch right here, or higher but, go on a café hopping. We’ve been right here a couple of years in the past and completely loved wandering by way of the inventive areas.
Be sure to take a look at the view from the Nice Harbor Bridge.
Hamasen Railway Cultural Park
Then, take a brief stroll to Hamasen Railway Cultural Park (Station C14), the place you possibly can go to the Takao Railway Museum, which options previous locomotives and artwork installations.
Dream Mall
In the event you’ve had your fill of arts and tradition, you possibly can both take the LRT again to the Cruise Terminal (Station C9) already or make a cease at Dream Mall (Station C5) for memento procuring and one other spherical of meals journey. This mall can be dwelling to the Kaohsiung Eye Ferris Wheel.
Cijin Island
In the event you nonetheless have time to spare, an alternative choice is to take the ferry at Gushan Ferry Pier, close to Hamasen LRT Station, to Cijin Island. The ferry trip takes about 5 minutes. Right here, you possibly can go to Cijin Outdated Road, Kaohsiung Lighthouse, Qihou Fort, and Cijin Tunnel. The island can be recognized for its seafood.
Dome of Gentle
The Dome of Gentle by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata is without doubt one of the most outstanding public artwork set up discovered at Formosa Boulevard MRT Station. This paintings used colourful glass panels and metal framework to characterize water (beginning), earth (progress), mild (glory), and hearth (destruction).
If you wish to embody this in your itinerary, you possibly can take the LRT from the cruise terminal (C9), then switch to the MRT Orange Line at Hamasen Station (C14/O1). Board the MRT prepare sure for Daliao, and get off at Formosa Boulevard Station (O5). You’ll discover the Dome of Gentle at B1, close to exit 1 or 4.
After taking images, you possibly can head again to Hamasen space and start exploring the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park. After that, you possibly can stroll towards Pier 2 Artwork Middle, then. do the waterfront stroll alongside Love River, passing by Love Pier and Glory Pier. Lastly, you can also make your means again to the cruise terminal on foot, or should you nonetheless have time, you will get on the LRT from Glory Pier (C10) to Dream Mall (C5).
Return to Ship
Because you’re solely spending a couple of hours in Kaohsiung, you could not have the ability to go to different common vacationer spots, comparable to Liuhe Evening Market, the Lotus Pond, and Fo Guang Shan. However the good factor is that there are many direct flights between Manila and Kaohsiung, making it straightforward to return and spend extra days to cowl extra points of interest. We’ll be making a extra detailed Kaohsiung Issues to Do article quickly.
For now, right here’s a pattern itinerary you possibly can comply with to your Kaohsiung port of name.
KAOHSIUNG DAY TRIP
08:45 AM – Cruise terminal to Love Pier/Love River space, stroll or LRT (NT$ 20)
09:00 AM – Love Pier/Love River Space
10:45 AM – Gang Yuan Beef Noodle Soup, NT$ 140
11:30 AM – Stroll to Pier-2 Artwork Middle, 10-Quarter-hour
11:45 AM – Pier-2 Artwork Middle
01:00 PM – Hamasen Railway Cultural Park
02:00 PM – Stroll to Gushan Ferry Pier, 10 minutes
02:10 PM – Ferry to Cijin Island, NT$ 30
02:20 PM – Cijin Island
– Kaohsiung Lighthouse
– Qihou Fort
– Cijin Tunnel
– Cijin Outdated Road
03:30 PM – Ferry again to Hamasen space, NT$ 30
03:45 PM – Hamasen to Cruise Terminal, LRT (NT$ 20)
This itinerary will price you round NT$ 240 (USD 8, PHP 450) per pax, excluding different bills like snacks and souvenirs.
Bear in mind! Be sure to return to the port by the indicated embarkation time. All the time pay attention to the time and guarantee your watch is about to the ship’s time.
Freshen Up & Dinner
Do the identical drill: relaxation and bathe, take pleasure in a hearty dinner, and should you nonetheless up for it, watch a present or dance the evening away!
DAY 7: HIGH SEAS
For Day 7, you possibly can merely select to decelerate and simply relaxation inside your cabin, chill out in one of many solar lounges all through the ship, have a dip in one of many swimming pools once more, or do your last-minute onboard procuring.
Specialty Eating places
In the event you’re a foodie otherwise you need to strive different eating choices on board, you can too dine at one of many specialty eating places. These are usually not included within the complimentary or inclusive eating places, so further expenses apply. Listed here are your decisions:
Pre-disembarkation Preparation
That is your final evening on the ship. This additionally implies that you might want to prepare and put together for disembarkation the subsequent day. Listed here are the issues you might want to do:
- Temperature Verify. You’ll be requested to undergo a fast quarantine temperature examine. That is necessary and normally finished early within the day. Be aware of the time and placement. It will likely be introduced.
- eTravel Arrival Kind. Be sure to finish your eTravel arrival kind for entry by way of Eva Macapagal Terminal. It’s greatest to get this finished forward of time to keep away from delays.
- Passport and Baggage Label Supply. Your passport and color-coded baggage tags will probably be delivered to your cabin. The coloured tags point out your assigned disembarkation time and meeting space.
- Baggage Assortment. Place your baggage outdoors your cabin earlier than the scheduled assortment time. Don’t neglect to maintain your necessities (journey paperwork, a change of garments, meds, pockets, and different valuables) in your carry-on.
- Closing the Costa Card Account. Double-check your Costa Card for any remaining expenses. If it’s linked to your bank card, all the things will probably be settled robotically, after which your account will probably be closed. In the event you’re paying in money, you’ll have to clear your stability on the Info Desk on Deck 3.
You’re all set for tomorrow!
DAY 8: END OF CRUISE
All good issues should come to an finish. However a minimum of, you’re not dreaming. You might have lived your dream trip for seven nights! So, rise up, have breakfast, and savor your final hours aboard Costa Serena.
Disembarkation
- Disembark on Time. Be prepared to depart the ship at your assigned time. The onboard screens will even present bulletins with the schedule and assembly factors, so that you’ll haven’t any downside.
- Declare Baggage. On the terminal, the bags declare space will probably be clearly marked with coloured flags, matching the baggage tags distributed the evening earlier than.
- Shuttle Switch. Since non-public automobiles and ride-hailing providers are usually not allowed contained in the port, you’ll must get on the shuttle bus as a substitute.
- SM MOA Drop-off. The shuttle bus will drop you off at SM MOA. From there, you possibly can guide your trip dwelling or ask a good friend or a member of the family to choose you up.
And that formally wraps up your Costa Serena cruise journey!
Be part of The Poor Traveler Help Group
✅ When you’ve got any questions or want journey ideas, be happy to submit them to the TPT Help Group. The members are very useful. This Fb assist group has been round for a very long time, and plenty of members have discovered journey buddies by way of it. You may be part of too! Simply go to The Poor Traveler Help Group. Be aware that that is totally different from The Poor Traveler Fb web page.
Have Peace of Thoughts Whereas Touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-obligatory, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey will be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it provides us peace of thoughts in case of surprising delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, take into account PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You may GET IT HERE. Don’t neglect to make use of WORTHIT for a particular inexpensive price.
Updates Log
2026 1 21 – First uploaded
