I love traveling, but I always had the same worries: packing, hotel check-ins, changing accommodation and hauling bags every time we moved. Traveling with a child makes all of that even harder. Eastern Cruise blew those worries away in one go.
We sailed from Busan to Fukuoka and Sasebo for 3 nights and 4 days on Eastern Cruise, a Korean-style cruise line. The short itinerary included a weekend, so it was easy to fit in, and we got to relax in a premium hotel-style cabin while exploring a new place every day.
It was our first cruise and I was nervous, but it turned out to be one of the most comfortable and rewarding trips I’ve taken. Here’s my honest, detailed review, from preparation and life on board to the Japanese port days.
1. Why We Chose Eastern Cruise
The appeal of a Korean-style cruise
I used to think of cruises only as foreign cruise lines. The biggest draw of Eastern Cruise is that it offers 100% Korean-language service.
On a foreign cruise you’d have to follow English announcements, decipher menus and talk to crew in another language, which is even more stressful with kids.
Eastern Cruise was different. Everything from check-in to disembarkation was in Korean, and the crew were friendly throughout. Announcements, show information and emergency instructions were all in Korean, which was reassuring.
What makes Eastern Cruise special
1. Departing from Busan: you can easily reach Busan Station or the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal by KTX or SRT. It’s far less hassle than heading to Incheon or Gimpo airport.
2. Short weekend-friendly itineraries: 2-night, 3-night and overnight (1-night) sailings mean a weekend plus one day off is enough. Perfect for busy workers.
3. Premium hotel-style cabins: think of it as a hotel on the sea, with clean, comfortable rooms every night.
4. All-inclusive service: meals, shows and entertainment are included, so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about extra costs.
5. A variety of Japanese ports: Fukuoka, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and other cities, with a new place to explore every day.
6. Plenty of onboard entertainment: shows, live music, movies, a sauna and a pool mean you never get bored at sea.
2. From Preparation to Boarding: A Complete Guide
Preparing is easier than you think.
When I first prepared for the cruise I was half excited, half worried. What should I bring? How much luggage? Is it okay with a child?
But it turned out to be much simpler than a regular overseas trip.
Cruise packing list
1. Passport: it must be valid for at least six months. A cruise is still international travel.
2. Comfortable clothes: casual wear is fine on board, but something a bit dressier for evening shows and the formal dinner adds to the mood. I packed a casual dress and shirts.
3. Swimsuit: there’s a pool on board, and you’ll need it for the jacuzzi too.
4. Outfits for port days: check the weather in Japan before you pack.
5. Toiletries: basics are provided, but bring your favorite products.
6. Medicine: motion sickness pills, digestive aids and painkillers are good to have, though medicine is also available on board.
7. Chargers and adapters: there are outlets in the cabin.
8. Japan SIM, eSIM or roaming: once you’re near Japan you’ll need mobile data, so prepare one of these.
Tip: you don’t need to pack much. The ship works like a hotel, so you never repack. There’s also no weight limit on a ship, so shop as much as you like.
Arriving at Busan Port International Passenger Terminal
On departure day we headed to the terminal full of excitement. The ship usually departs at 5 p.m., and you should arrive at least two hours early for check-in, immigration and boarding.
I took the KTX to Busan Station and walked to the terminal via exit 10.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the station, which is very convenient.
The terminal was bigger and cleaner than I expected, busy with excited cruise passengers.
Check-in steps
Step 1: terminal check-in desk
Show your passport and booking confirmation at the check-in desk.
Step 2: immigration
Departure immigration works just like at an airport and goes quickly.
Step 3: your cruise card
The cruise card is the most important item on the trip.
This one card is your cabin key, pays for everything on board (restaurants, bars, duty-free), serves as ID for boarding and disembarking, and gets you on and off at ports, so always keep it with you. You hand in your passport and receive a copy, which you can use for tax-free shopping in port.
Step 4: boarding
Once all the steps are done, you finally board the ship.
The crew greet you with big smiles and a warm welcome, and that’s when the trip really begins.
Orientation and safety briefing
Before you even unpack, an announcement calls everyone to the mandatory safety briefing.
It’s usually held before departure and covers emergency procedures, how to wear a life jacket and where the exits are. I thought it would be a formality, but it was genuinely important.
After the briefing, the cruise really gets under way.
3. Life on Board: Better Than I Imagined
A cabin as good as a premium hotel
When I opened the door, our Eastern Cruise cabin was far larger and cleaner than I expected.
It had a sea-view window, a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom, a wardrobe and a desk.
We chose an ocean-view cabin and loved it. In the morning the open sea fills the window, and at dusk the sunset pours in. My child was fascinated by the waves and seagulls.
Cabin amenities
- Comfortable bed: soft like a hotel bed, with clean pillows and duvets
- Bathroom: neat shower, sink and toilet, with good water pressure
- TV: onboard programs, movies and news
- Safe: for valuables
- Wardrobe and drawers: plenty of storage
- Hair dryer: provided
- Air conditioning: adjustable room temperature
Tip: housekeeping comes every day. Come back from a day out to a tidy cabin and fresh towels, just like a hotel.
Meals on board: Korean food when you miss it most
Meals are one of the great joys of a cruise. Eastern Cruise serves mainly Korean buffets, which is a big plus.
Breakfast
The breakfast buffet usually runs from 7:00 to 8:30, with Korean dishes like abalone porridge, kimchi, mackerel and soft tofu stew.
I like a Korean breakfast, so it was an easy start to the day. My child loved the grilled sausages and fruit.
On disembarkation morning there’s a full buffet with a wide variety of delicious dishes.
Eating breakfast by the window while watching the sea is something special. Taking our time as the waves gently rolled by was pure happiness.
Lunch
Lunch usually isn’t needed because you eat in port, but passengers who stay on board can eat on the ship.
Dinner
The dinner buffet runs from 6:00 to 7:30 and is richer and more upscale than breakfast.
Dinner changed every night: a buffet one night, galbitang the next and a steak course on the last night at sea.
With the menu changing daily and Korean food at its core, both my child and we ate very well.
Desserts were plentiful too, with cakes, fruit and pudding making it hard to choose.
Late-night snacks and the lounge bar
If you get hungry, head to the lounge bar for light snacks and drinks. Coffee, tea, juice and alcoholic drinks cost extra.
Onboard entertainment: never enough hours in the day
There’s so much to do. The daily program is packed with activities and shows from morning to night.
Shows
Eastern Cruise puts on a show in the main theater every evening, with different music and dance programs each night.
The first night opened with an introduction to Eastern Cruise and a dazzling show.
The professional performance by singers and dancers from Colombia was amazing.
The second night featured live music from the 1970s and 80s, with a wonderful atmosphere.
It felt like being in an upscale live music bar.
On the third night there was a Las Vegas show that my child loved, with audience participation that kept it fun to the end.
Dance party
The ship’s bar hosts dance parties with everything up to the latest K-pop. I was shy at first, but seeing everyone having fun, I naturally joined in.
Movies
There’s a small cinema on board showing recent movies for free.
I watched an animated film with my child, and watching a movie at sea was a fun new experience.
Movies run until late, which is nice before bed.
Sauna and spa
The Eastern Cruise ship has a sauna and steam room, not a Korean jjimjilbang, but great for shaking off travel fatigue.
Relaxing in warm water while gazing at the endless sea is pure healing; all your stress seems to melt away.
Pool and jacuzzi
On sunny days you can swim in the outdoor pool. It’s not big, but swimming with a view of the sea is special.
The jacuzzi is lovely too. Sitting in it under the stars at night feels like a scene from a movie.
Fitness center
For those who like to work out, there’s a fitness center with treadmills, dumbbells and yoga mats.
Duty-free shopping
The Eastern Cruise duty-free shop sells cosmetics, perfume, liquor, tobacco and accessories at duty-free prices.
It’s great for cosmetics or gifts you didn’t get to buy before departure, and prices are similar to or cheaper than the airport.
Tip: check the daily program as soon as you board, and arrive on time for anything you want to join.
4. Japanese Port Days, Planned to the Fullest
Port days are the highlight of a cruise. You arrive in a new city each morning, explore and return to the ship in the evening.
How to choose shore excursions
There are two options in port:
1. Independent travel: explore freely on your own schedule.
2. Shore excursions: package tours offered by the cruise, with a guide to take you around the main sights.
We explored Fukuoka and Sasebo independently, but the excursions would be great if you’re traveling with parents.
Day 2: Fukuoka Port Day
Arriving in Fukuoka at 8 a.m.
I woke early to see Fukuoka port outside the window, and watching the ship dock slowly was fun. Disembarking is simple: tap your cruise card on the reader and go, then pass immigration with your passport copy.
Our self-guided Fukuoka course
I researched Fukuoka carefully beforehand, listed where I wanted to go and planned the route.
1. Hakata Station: take a bus or taxi from the port. Our taxi took about 15 minutes. Hakata Station is the heart of Fukuoka, full of malls and restaurants.
2. Ichiran Ramen main store: Fukuoka means ramen. The rich tonkotsu ramen was delicious, and the solo booths were easy even with a child.
3. Canal City Hakata: a large mall famous for its fountain show, with lots of brands. Japanese cosmetics and goods were good value.
4. Don Quijote: Japan’s giant discount store has snacks, cosmetics, souvenirs and everything else at low prices. I bought a whole bag of Japanese snacks.
5. Tenjin: Fukuoka’s busy downtown, great for soaking up the atmosphere on foot.
We took a break at a cafe with a matcha latte.
6. Ohori Park: if you want a relaxing break in Fukuoka, I recommend Ohori Park. I’d never made it there before, so I finally stopped by.
Back on board by 5 p.m.
The ship departs at 6 p.m., so you must be back by 5 at the latest. Missing it would be a disaster, so I kept checking the time. We were back around 4:40.
My legs ached after a full day in Fukuoka, but it was a day well spent. Back on board we showered, had galbitang for dinner and ended the day with live music in the lounge.
Day 3: Sasebo Port Day
Arriving in Sasebo at 8:30 a.m.
On the third morning, the lovely port city of Sasebo appeared outside the window. It’s smaller and quieter than Fukuoka and famous for being close to Huis Ten Bosch.
1. Huis Ten Bosch: it feels like Europe
Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch-themed park with windmills, tulips, canals and European-style buildings. It truly feels like you’ve landed in Europe.
2. Umikirara Aquarium
Since we were traveling with a child, we planned a kid-focused course.
If your child loves dolphins, time your visit for the dolphin show.
It’s said to have the largest jellyfish aquarium.
3. Big Man Sasebo Burger
You can’t visit Sasebo without a Sasebo burger, and it really was delicious at its birthplace.
We had the special burger and a cheese bacon burger set. The fries and chicken are great too, so be sure to order them.
4. Sasebo arcade
The very long covered shopping arcade is great even on rainy days, with cafes, food and shops, plus plenty of Sasebo burger brands.
5. Final Thoughts and Why I Recommend It
Who should take a cruise
1. First-time overseas travelers: no language barrier and everything included. Eastern Cruise’s 100% Korean service is extra reassuring.
2. Families with kids: no repacking, safe surroundings and lots of kids’ programs. Kids play while parents relax.
3. Seniors: easy travel for those who find walking hard, with almost everything on board and shore excursions in port.
4. Honeymooners and couples: romance, a beautiful sea and lovely dinners. A glass of champagne on a balcony cabin is perfect.
5. Groups of friends: play on board, watch shows and chat at the bar. Great fun for friends in their 20s and 30s.
6. Busy workers: 3 to 4 days including a weekend is enough. If you want a short but memorable trip, try a cruise.
The benefits of a cruise
No repacking: unpack once and you’re done.
No meal planning: no need to wonder what to eat, the buffet is waiting.
Several cities in one trip: wake up somewhere new each morning.
All-inclusive: meals (except lunch), accommodation and entertainment are included, so fewer extra costs.
Safe: the ship is secure and medical staff are on board, reassuring with kids or older parents.
Less weather worry: even on rainy days there’s plenty to do indoors.
No language barrier: everything on Eastern Cruise is in Korean.
We loved this trip so much that we’re already planning our next cruise.
A cruise is a trip everyone should take at least once, and Eastern Cruise from Busan, tailored to Korean travelers, is the perfect introduction.
Travel is about escaping routine and making memories with the people you love, and a cruise is a truly special way to do that.
Tired of a busy routine? Want special time with your family? Looking for a trip that’s both comfortable and full? Then don’t hesitate to take a cruise.
Floating on the blue sea in warm sunshine, eating good food and enjoying great shows, you’ll feel, as I did, that this is what real travel is.
Set off on an unforgettable trip with Eastern Cruise from Busan.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in October 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.